It’s hard to believe how quickly the past few weeks have gone. May has been a jam-packed month from VE Day events to meeting young people at Dawley Youth Club and much more in between. I also want to give a massive shout to Telford Utd for their recent promotion and local fighter Liam Davies for his success – Telford and proud!
I have hosted my first Veterans’ Roundtable – I’ll never stop pushing to get Telford’s Armed Forces community the support and recognition it deserves. At the front and centre of this is listening to those who have served because they’re the ones who truly know what needs to change.
In a subject which I understand is close to many people’s hearts, I also participated in the latest debate and votes on the report stage of the Assisted Dying Bill. This is an incredibly sensitive and important issue, and I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to contact me.
The government’s review of Winter Fuel Payments is good news. With a strengthening economy, we now have the opportunity to extend vital support to more pensioners. I’ve consistently argued for a fairer system, and in Telford I’ve been working closely with Citizens Advice and local organisations to help residents claim Pension Credit, ensuring no one misses out. But I think it’s only fair that wealthier pensioners and those 1 million pensioners living overseas don’t receive help they simply don’t need. I hope to see these changes made soon.
The news of Rheinmetall’s Gun Hall on the former GKN site which will bring up to 400 high-quality jobs is a huge boost for our town. I’m proud that companies like Rheinmetall have chosen to invest here – huge credit to the leadership at Rheinmetall and our local council for working alongside me and the government to help make this happen.
I’m also pleased to see the bold steps nationally to hold water companies accountable. Executives who cover up illegal sewage spills now face up to two years in prison. More than 80 criminal investigations are underway, and seven cases are heading to court. We said there would be nowhere to hide, and we meant it.
You may have seen coverage of the new UK-EU agreement. While we remain committed to our post-Brexit path – no return to the EU, no re-joining the single market or customs union — it’s clear a reset was needed. This new deal delivers lower bills, more jobs, stronger borders and a fairer deal for fishers. I have spoken with Telford businesses and employees who have told me first-hand how this agreement with protect and create jobs by removing red tape.
I’ve welcomed new powers given to councils to crack down on fly-tipping — a disgraceful blight on our communities. Telford & Wrekin Council already takes a tough stance, but new tools like drones, mobile CCTV, and the ability to seize and crush offenders’ vehicles will strengthen enforcement. This is about protecting our environment, keeping our streets safe, and restoring pride in our town – I want Telford to be one of the best places in Britain to grow up and grow old.
If you’d like to speak with me directly, please visit my website shaundavies.org to find out about my next surgery and coffee events, and to sign up to my weekly newsletter.
