My weekly update: - Acts of Remembrance - The Hillsborough Law - National Curriculum review

I take great pride in the amazing variety of small and medium businesses in Reading, and was pleased to be able to highlight this in Parliament. Please take the time to nominate your favourite local business in my Small Business Competition at: mattroddamp.com/sbs2025

It was an honour to be able to show my support for the Gurkhas by attending the Remembrance Ceremony at the Gurkha Memorial outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall. This event was organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Gurkhas and for Nepal.

I raised the importance of reclaiming and restoring historic buildings in our town centres to maintain the character of local areas, while supporting business and also interest in culture.

It was a privilege to pay tribute to all those from Reading who gave their lives for our freedom.

I raised residents' concerns around the over-concentration of HMOs in particular streets, and how this can impact on existing communities. I have also asked the Minister to look into how the regulation of HMOs can be tightened.

Wonderful to join my colleagues at the Labour Asians Society Diwali Reception.

My weekly update including: 🏠 The Renters Rights Bill 🌳 Tackling the climate emergency ⛵️ Safety on our rivers

I spoke about the importance of water safety and asked what more could be done to help businesses and sports clubs rescue people who have gotten into difficulty on our rivers.

Reading has incredible heritage and green space, with so much for visitors to enjoy. It was good to meet Visit Britain and show my support for encouraging people to visit Reading and the country as a whole.

This Government is rightly focussed on ensuring we build the homes to meet housing demand across the country. I highlighted the need to ensure these properties use materials that match the traditional architecture in the existing communities where they are built.

Great to join the Black History Month Community Fete at Broad Street Mall — celebrating creativity, culture and community. A huge thank you to everyone who organised and took part.

I raised the importance of prioritising brownfield sites for development, supplying the housing that is desperately needed while protecting local wildlife and the natural environment.

I was disappointed to learn that oil has once again been spotted on the River Kennet at the bottom of Cholmeley Road. I have written to the Environment Agency requesting an update on the investigation into its source. Complete my survey here: mattroddamp.com/kennet-pollu...

My message to members is clear - I want to be your strong voice at the cabinet table, uniting our movement and our party and delivering change for working people across the country.

This is a vital intervention by the Labour Government to help support those at risk of rough sleeping during the winter months, and will be a boost to Reading Borough Council’s already excellent work in this area. media.reading.gov.uk/news/reading...

My weekly update including: 🔬 Ada Lovelace Day 🍻 Narrowboat pub campaign 🚨 Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour

Wonderful to attend the Pride of Reading Awards today, and a huge congratulations to all those who won or who were nominated for an award.

Nominations are now open for my Reading Central - Small Business Saturday awards. Show your support for a local small business by nominating them for an award, and encourage others to do so at mattroddamp.com/sbs2025 Every ‘nomination’ received counts as one vote towards that business.

Great to meet with Emma Hardy, the Floods Minister, following the Government’s announcement of a record £10.5bn investment in flood defences.

Important commitment on tackling child poverty. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

I’m calling for the Narrowboat pub to be reopened as a proper community pub 🍻This much-loved local spot should remain part of our area’s social life — not be lost for good.

The Post Office inside the Henley Road Co-op has now closed — but I’m continuing to lobby for a replacement.

Peppard Road 🚧 Out on site where SGN gas works are causing major disruption for residents and commuters. I’ve raised the issue in Parliament — please get in touch to share your experience or if I can be of any further support.

Great to take part in the RIBA panel discussion on building high quality housing.

My weekly update including: 📚Visit to Caversham Park Primary School 🎨 Opening the new Oxford Road mural 🎆 Joining other community events including Mid-Autumn Festival and Deshain

Wonderful to attend the weekend’s Mid-Autumn Festival event and speak to members of Reading’s Hongkonger community. Thank you so much for the invitation.

Many thanks to the Reading Ex British Gurkha Association (REBGA) for hosting yesterday’s Dashain event. The evening included colourful displays of traditional dancing as well as scarves being presented to recognise people for their community service. 🧵1/2

Small grants, big impact. Fantastic initiative from RBC to fuel arts and culture in South Reading — with a boost from Government funding. media.reading.gov.uk/news/new-mic...

I’m really pleased with Reading Borough Council’s investment in our road surfaces, you can see the difference Labour makes in local government.

It was a pleasure to visit Caversham Park Primary School with Olivia Bailey MP, and see first hand the impact of the Government’s new free breakfast clubs. Thanks to the staff for their amazing work at this wonderful school.

Applications are now open for the council’s Small Grants Fund, with funds of up to £5000 available for voluntary and community groups which focus on driving attainment in skills, education and training for future employment. Click here for more information: media.reading.gov.uk/news/small-g...

It’s fantastic to see Royal Berkshire Hospital earning such high praise from patients — that’s something we can all be proud of. Huge thanks to the staff for their dedication. This is what great healthcare looks like locally. rdg.today/high-rating-...

I was pleased to join Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, alongside Council Leader Liz Terry and Cllr Wendy Griffith at UTC Reading last week to hear how their focus on STEM prepares pupils for careers in engineering, computer science and other tech roles.

My weekly update including: 📚 Bridget Phillipson’s visit to UTC Reading 🚧 Seeking a debate on road work scheduling 🚌 Calling for further investment in public transport 🚆 Highlighting the importance of the Elizabeth Line

I am concerned about disruption caused by utility companies carrying out roadworks, and am calling for a debate in Parliament to raise residents' concerns.

The Elizabeth Line is bringing new jobs and housing to Reading. I asked the Government for an update on the benefits of the new railway line.

Thanks to Reading Borough Council, GLL and Sport Together Berkshire CIC for hosting today’s fantastic event, welcoming those who may face challenges accessing sport, such as physical, learning, or neurological conditions.

I took part in a debate on the future of the BBC Monitoring Service, and paid tribute to the former staff who operated from the old Caversham Park headquarters until 2018.

Labour promised to make childcare more affordable for parents and more accessible across the country. We are now delivering on that promise with hundreds of thousands of parents getting 30 hours funded childcare a week, from when their child turns 9 months until they start school

Please watch my weekly update including: - Return to Parliament after the Summer Recess - Compensation for Thames Water customers - Henley Road Post Office - House of Lords reform