What an honour it was to attend a Passing Out Parade at HMS Raleigh. South East Cornwall has a proud military history, and HMS Raleigh continues to lead and secure the future of the Royal Navy. It was very moving to watch the sailors celebrate with their loved ones and I wish them all the best.

In these uncertain international times, I know that in South East Cornwall we want security both here at home and abroad. Climate change and the warming temperatures are opening new shipping routes in the Arctic, and increasing access to oil, gas and critical minerals.

I hosted an event bringing business people together to discuss just how vital it is that we have the right governance to ensure we get the most from our pensions. Our pensions are one of the most powerful assets we have, both for ourselves and as a means of investment into national infrastructure.

In parts of South East Cornwall our friends, family members, jobs and services like hospital care or further education are often found across the Tamar in Plymouth. So, I was very glad to attend the brilliant Team Plymouth event in Parliament recently.

People often say that today is Blue Monday - ‘the most depressing day of the year’. I can understand that, but I think it’s helpful to remember this is really a marketing myth created by travel companies to sell holidays.

Looking more and more like recycled Tories.....

Babcock is the workplace for many people living in South East Cornwall. So much so that 23% of their workforce lives in our area! So it was great to meet with them again in Parliament to discuss the opportunities available for our area.

In South East Cornwall we need cheaper, cleaner energy that protects our national security. Today, we have invested in enough homegrown clean energy to power more than 12 million homes, supporting 7,000 good-quality jobs, and unlocking £22 billion in private investment for our communities.

I met with Minister McGovern to make the case for sufficiently addressing rural needs in funding decisions. There have been some good results for Cornwall recently, but as your MP, I know that we need to go further to get the best deals for South East Cornwall.

I know that the past few days have been difficult for many of us in South East Cornwall, with power off, damaged homes, and disruptions to transport. I raised the issues that vulnerable people faced in the aftermath of Storm Goretti, so that lessons can be learnt for future severe weather events.

I highlighted how important cyber resilience at Devonport Dockyard is for our national security and emphasised that the supply chain in South East Cornwall is a key part of this. We play an essential role in national security, and our businesses and local people need the right protections.

I am glad that public pressure and action from MPs and myself have resulted in the Committee keeping the TamarTag admin charge at £0.80. The consultation is a good step to ensure transparency, but I will continue to call on all involved to fully consider the needs of local people.

I was glad to attend the Agroecology event in Parliament to speak with more producers about sustainable farming practices and the future of land use.

Thank you to Edgcumbe Arms, Hannafore Point Hotel, The Crown Inn and others for speaking with me about how we support local pubs. The Autumn Statement’s rate relief will help many – but I’ve raised concerns about using turnover as a basis for business rates, which could hit seasonal pubs hard.

After years of campaigning by community groups, local leaders and politicians, it is fantastic to see that Cornish has been recognised under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Cornish language is a core part of our history and identity.

The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday to review the decision to increase the increase in TamarTag admin fees.

It was an honour to represent South East Cornwall on a recent cross-party delegation of Parliamentarians. My priority was to build relationships with the Japanese Government and businesses that invest in our local area and to encourage closer cooperation on strategically important issues.

The Government has launched a strategy to improve animal welfare. This marks a significant step forward and delivers on the Government’s manifesto commitment. It is also a change that many local residents across South East Cornwall have asked me to support.

Supporting our young people with SEND is a top issue in my inbox, whether that’s helping with school transport or establishing more specialist school places. I met with the Minister for Children and Families. I made it clear that we need our fair share of the new £3 billion in SEND funding.

2025 Wrapped

In South East Cornwall, it is estimated that 4,190 people experience sight loss to some degree. I recently spoke in Parliament with the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) about how vital early support is for improving patient outcomes. They have a helpline available on 0303 123 9999.

I am working with organisations to explore funding options that will improve infrastructure in South East Cornwall, and it’s always helpful to get further information from groups such as the new Infrastructure All-Party Parliamentary Group.

I attended the Global Cornish event in Parliament, which launched a movement aimed at reconnecting the Cornish diaspora with Cornwall’s culture and heritage, and to promote investment in Cornwall too.

Rural poverty affects all rural communities. In the past, there have been challenges in accurately measuring it, and I want your help to change that. I encourage everyone in South East Cornwall to submit evidence for the Labour Rural Research Group’s report on rural poverty.

What fair funding this mean for us? • £198.4 million for Cornwall in a new 4-year local government settlement. • 27% increase in funding over 4 years, whereas the Tories only increased funding by 6% between 2015/16 and 2019/20. • Multi-year settlement so Cornwall Council can plan for the future.

Our seasonal workers and their employers must be protected with fair rights that work for them. We also need an economy that is as strong in January as it is in July, which is achieved by putting the right investments in place like the Kernow Industrial Growth Fund.

Cornwall’s Labour MP’s secure £198.4 million for Cornwall in new 4-year local government settlement. Watch the video to hear more about my campaign 👇👇👇

We are coming to the end of the year with fantastic nativities going on across South East Cornwall, so I wanted to highlight how important the school-based creative arts are. There are a lot of good things happening to strengthen and build a broad, modern curriculum.

It is fantastic that Cornwall is receiving £20 million in revenue funding to fix existing problems and improve bus services. Tackling local transport issues remains a key priority of mine, so I am glad that this Government is supporting our communities by providing the necessary funds.

I am pleased to announce the winner of my Christmas Card Competition! It once again showed just how talented the children of South East Cornwall are.

It's clear that some of our roads need urgent investment so that drivers aren’t dodging potholes. The government understands just how important good quality roads are for rural areas like ours, and it’s fantastic to see that the annual roads cash was doubled at the Budget.

Volunteers work hard to remove what they can from local beaches. However, smaller fragments, raw plastic pellets and toxic biobeads that escape from local water treatment plants, mix with the sand and cause huge harm to local wildlife.

I continue to make it clear to the Government that South East Cornwall must benefit from devolution. It was valuable to meet with Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh MP alongside my Labour colleagues as we continue to negotiate hard in the best interests of Cornwall.

Swipe to read more about my campaign on fair funding for Cornwall

I’m pressing the Committee for a clear public justification for the increase in admin fees for the TamarTag, full financial transparency, evidence of any alternative options considered, a clear implementation timeline, and a plan for communicating with local users.

Great to visit the Millbrook Christmas Market recently, it was a brilliant way to start the festive season and support our fantastic local businesses. Thank you to all the organisers who made the market possible. We really do have a great community here in South East Cornwall.

It was great to speak with Historic England about the importance of protecting Cornwall’s unique identity. I continue to call for stronger recognition and promotion of Cornwall’s unique culture, language and history at historic sites, and I spoke with Historic England about addressing this issue.

It’s awful to see the flooding across South East Cornwall. My thoughts are with those affected by this devastating storm. You can check out Cornwall Council’s flooding page below for more information 👇👇👇 www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire.../keep...

In these turbulent times, Human Rights Day is an important reminder of how far we have come to protect our rights here at home and abroad, where human rights issues are still widespread.

I was recently helping to gift-wrap presents for David Pond’s incredible mission to Ukraine, where he’s donating them to an orphanage in Lviv. He’s driving them all the way there!

Labour is listening to people’s issues surrounding SEND. The Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould MP, will be hosting online roundtables, where attendees can share their views on a range of proposals from experts. I encourage as many people as possible from South East Cornwall to attend.

What a great evening at Liskeard Lights Up!

Did you know that Santa Trees in Liskeard won the Downing Street Wreath Competition last year? Mother and daughter duo, Margaret and Helen, are truly spectacular at what they do!

Small Business Saturday was a good reminder that we should be supporting local as much as we can all year round! Please visit local businesses if you can, it can make a real difference to a local person who runs one of the many wonderful retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in our area.

Attending the National Emergency Briefing in London made it clearer than ever that improving family finances is directly linked to this energy transition.

The fair funding review is looking at the way the government allocates money to councils. That’s why I am calling for the government to properly address Cornwall’s needs as part of the fair funding review so that we can unlock economic growth for South East Cornwall.

I was honoured to attend a fantastic fundraiser at the Official China Fleet Country Club recently, which raised over £9000 for the club, who offer vital support and advice to many across our area.

Casework Updates from November

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which raises awareness about the benefits of an inclusive society for all. I’ve met with disability campaigners to listen to their concerns, and helped children with SEND to use accessible transport to get to school.

To end UK Parliament Week, I visited schools across South East Cornwall, encouraging our young people to get involved in politics because they are key to shaping our future. Political change is something that we build together and our children are at the heart of this.