I am delighted that my friend and colleague Mary Hutton’s expertise and dedication to the NHS and public health, especially for younger people, was recognised with a CBE. It is very well deserved. www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/glouces...

I wish everyone a peaceful New Year. Simon

It’s a beautiful Christmas Eve night, and I love that today retains its magic for at least some of us. We could all do with a bit more magic in our lives. Thank you to everyone working over Christmas, and to those caring for others. 🧵

Stroud District Council secured £400,000 from DEFRA over 2023–25 to support our rural communities through the Rural England Prosperity Fund. That support has now been extended for a final year in 2025–26, with a further £120,261 allocated.

My office is now closed for the festive period. We are monitoring my email ([email protected]) for any urgent enquiries. Below are some useful contacts. Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas.

🥳After a long campaign, the draft NPPF includes mandatory Swift Bricks in all new build homes.🥳 With swift numbers down more than 65% in 25 years, this simple, low-cost change ensures new homes also create space for wildlife — as we build 1.5 million new homes

Key information for the next 5 days of strikes 👇

This is a huge win for young people across Britain. Leaving Erasmus was a mistake. The programme opens doors for students from all backgrounds to experience new cultures, build skills, and gain confidence for their future.

It’s good news that November’s inflation rate is less than expected - especially as the drop was in part driven by food prices, which normally increase in November.

Getting into the Christmas spirit over the weekend with Nailsworth Silver band. A wonderful concert conducted by Anri Adachi, celebrating a very successful year for the band.

I am horrified by the awful antisemitic terrorist attack on Bondi beach. This should be a time for celebrating the power of resilience and liberation over oppression, yet this act of terror casts a dark shadow over the festival. My thoughts are with Jewish people across the world.

Yesterday I had my annual visit to the sorting office at Salmon Springs to thank all the Royal Mail workers for their hard work over the past year. With the Christmas period in full swing, the team is handling an extraordinary volume — around 50,000 items every day!

The Adult Oral Health Survey 2023 was published this week — and the picture it paints is deeply worrying. Since 2009, obvious tooth decay has gone up by 13%. We’re now moving backwards on something as basic as keeping people’s teeth healthy. (1/4)

The Tories created an absurd crisis where we spend millions training doctors who are left unemployed. We’re now committed to fixing this with 4000 extra training posts and legislating prioritisation of British graduates over international graduates. (1/3)

The top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90% combined - children go hungry whilst the super rich hoard wealth. This is not inevitable, it's a political choice. We need a wealth tax to build council homes, bring water and energy back into public hands, and kick profiteers out the NHS.

Last night I voted for Labour’s Railway Bill. From next spring, Great British Railways will replace 14 train companies with one joined-up, passenger-focused system — delivering fewer delays, smoother journeys, and services that truly work for our communities.

Ahead of the government's own consultation early next year I want to know the views of my own constituents on the Digital ID proposals. Your feedback helps direct my work in Parliament - thank you for taking part. Either scan the QR code or click this link: forms.gle/9KX1Vskz5AQD...

Brexit isn’t working. A new report this week shows it has reduced UK GDP by 6–8%. We need to rethink our relationship with Europe. And yes, every vote does really count. The Deputy Speaker had to break the tie in our favour – only the second time this has happened this century.

I’ve asked the Minister to meet with me to discuss how recent business rate changes are impacting our local village pubs. I hope he’ll take me up on the offer of a pint so we can find ways to further support the pubs that bring our communities together.

I felt immensely privileged today to hear from the children and their families who have been evacuated from Gaza for urgent medical treatment. Their stories were devastating, and a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Getting my blood pressure checked with @BloodpressureUK and @KidneyCareUK (as everyone should!). 1 in 3 people have high blood pressure and have no idea. And it’s a major cause of chronic kidney disease. (1/2)

Housing First works. Give people a permanent home + proper support and the cycle of rough sleeping, crisis care and criminal justice contact is broken. 80–90% stay housed, with huge drops in hospital admissions and major boosts to wellbeing.

Profits up. Shareholder payouts up. Serious pollution up. Our bills? Skyrocketing. We must take action now - water companies must be run for people, not profit.

Presented my 10 Minute Rule Bill today: the Domestic Energy Efficiency (Call for Evidence) Bill. With average bills over £1,700 and 2m households in arrears, we need innovative ideas. My Bill calls for an evidence-gathering process to find the best ways to cut energy costs.

After a busy week in Parliament I was on Politics West this weekend, with Ed Rimmer, Matt Bell and Susannah Streeter. We spoke about the Budget and other local issues. You can watch back here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Today, we remember all those who have lost their lives to HIV-AIDS. On World AIDS Day 2025, we are launching a new HIV Action Plan, backed by £170m of funding. We will end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

Last week we launched “Simon Says, Let’s Talk”, a new men’s mental-health podcast series recorded live at Brimscombe Mill. (1/4)

This Budget shows what's possible when Labour hears and heeds the voices of its mainstream. Our view on today's Budget, and what we need to do next to build a new economic settlement that works for people and planet 👇

I broadly welcome today's Budget for the steps it takes towards helping working people, especially ending the two-child limit. Our government has listened and I am happy that the measures better reflect our Labour values. (1/3)

The English Devolution Bill returns this week. One key part is Community Right to Buy, which gives local groups the chance to take control of community assets. I’ve tabled an amendment to make sure this includes assets that further the environmental wellbeing of local communities — like The Heavens

Today is White Ribbon Day, marking 16 Days of Action to end violence against women and girls. In Stroud, pick up a ribbon from: 📍In Stitches Stroud - Westward Road, Cainscross 📍Sew and So - Lansdown Road 📍The Fold Stroud- George Street The theme for 2025 is 'We Speak Up'

I loved Jimmy Cliff, especially the older songs. We could all learn a lot from this. youtu.be/Pbg6CF4kJU8?...

On the way to Westminster this morning, kicking off the week with some encouraging pre-Budget news.

Our public transport services - and especially our trains - are too expensive. Freezing rail fares is a step in the right direction and one I really welcome. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

With more than 80 parliamentarians I have signed this letter calling on the Government to stop Israeli settler violence & displacement of Palestinians in communities like Umm al-Khair. The UK has a duty to uphold international law and protect those facing persecution. caabu.org/news/news/80...

Stroud families will benefit from Labour’s plan for 2,000 new free breakfast clubs in 2026. This means half a million more children getting a healthy start to the day — on time and ready to learn.

Music, sport and the arts should be for everyone — not for ticket touts’ profit. It’s now illegal to resell tickets above their original price. Fair ticketing keeps grassroots venues alive, supports emerging artists, and strengthens the UK arts pipeline. Affordable gigs = stronger creative scene

Visited All Things SEN – The Quay, an alternative provision school in Sharpness, and was blown away by the work Steve and Dean are doing. Their creative approach to learning — through arts and music — is extraordinary. The space may be small, but the impact on the children is truly huge.

Today is International Men’s Day, and we’re marking it with some important steps forward for men’s health. 🧵

Popped into the SVA to see Being Human, a brilliant Guideposts exhibition celebrating the creativity of service users. The artwork and team left me inspired — we’re so lucky to have Guideposts in Stroud. The exhibition runs until 22 Nov, do visit if you can!

Supporting the Phlebotomists on the picket line this week alongside Paul Novak, General Secretary of TUC, to mark 236 days of action. Phlebotomists are highly skilled and essential to our NHS. It’s time they received the fair pay they deserve.

Outside the Department of Health with WeOwnIt making our message clear - there is no place for PFI in our NHS.

Great to join The Music Works at their Creative Futures Day to talk about creative health and wellbeing. Hearing directly from young people about how much The Music Works has supported their mental health is powerful proof that creative health works.

We should stop the boats because it's dangerous, and we should stop the scapegoating of immigrants because it's wrong and cruel. Controlled migration is good for the country, helps build our economy and diversity strengthens our communities. (1/6) 🧵

At the budget the Chancellor has the opportunity to lift 470,000 children out of poverty by ending the two child cap on benefits. I have long campaigned for this course of action, and this week signed EDM2256, supported by the CPAG, Trussell Trust and many others.

I love swimming, but was shocked to learn that most children don't have basic water survival skills. I support Swim England's campaign for every child to learn the four essentials of water competency: 1️⃣ Swim 100 metres 2️⃣ Tread water for 60 seconds 3️⃣ Float for 30 seconds 4️⃣ Swim in clothing

Support Stroud Foodbank’s Christmas appeal by dropping off donations at: 📍 Unit 19, Canal Iron Works, Hope Mill Lane, Brimscombe, GL5 2SH (Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm) or while shopping at Tesco Stroud & Cam, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & local Co-ops.

I like to try and catch up with people and events around the constituency at the weekend. As well as attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies I also visited the Health Awareness Day in Frampton, helped out at the Royal British Legion stall in Stroud, and joined Labour councillors in Dursley.

The news that nearly 80% of NHS managers are concerned that their staff face discrimination from patients and the public is very troubling. Staff are now reporting feeling intimidated by the presence of flags, especially when visiting patients in their homes. (1/3)

Peace We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark They could not see Who had gained The victory. Langston Hughes