To see some of the work I have been up to recently you can give my newsletters a read. Sign up to my regular newsletters here.

Latest Newsletters:

Spring Newsletter

Firstly, can I apologise for taking longer than usual to get this newsletter out. It’s been even busier than normal in recent months, and of course I’ve had to prioritise what’s most urgent, including constituency casework. As always, I’ve tried to give a flavour of what I’ve been up to in Bristol East, and what the Government has been doing. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or comments, or if you need any assistance. My team and I are here to help.

Across Bristol East

Brislington Meadows. I’ve been posting regular updates on my Facebook page, including the explanation I received from Homes England about recent works, which had caused concern about environmental damage, and my response to the news that Keepmoat will be the development partner. I recently met with Keepmoat, yesterday and made clear my continued opposition to the development, while asking them about their plans. It looks as though a further range of consultation around the site will begin in late June. I will post a fuller update on Facebook shortly, but if you don’t use Facebook please drop me an email and I’d be happy to update you.

East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood. Since my last newsletter, there have been several developments, including the controversial installation of measures in Barton Hill during the early hours, and, the start of the trial itself. A further public consultation will take place in September. I will continue to relay constituents’ views to the Council, and ask for steps to be taken now to alleviate some of the problems that have been identified. I remain broadly supportive of the overall scheme, but it needs to be done right, and the Council needs to listen when people tell them they’ve got it wrong.

Welcome to Mayor Helen! A huge congratulations to Labour’s Helen Godwin who was elected as Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority on the 1st of May. She will make a fantastic mayor. I’m looking forward to working with her to improve Bristol’s public transport, address the housing crisis, and deliver more jobs, skills and essential infrastructure for our city region, whilst protecting our natural environment.

Kerry McCarthy stood outside the Avon Street Sainsburys with two police officers.

Community Visits

I am proud of the multicultural society that we have built in Bristol East. It was a pleasure and privilege to join three separate Iftars, as local Muslims broke their daily fast during Ramadan: the Grand Iftar at Bristol Cathedral, the Sudanese Community Iftar and the Bristol Central Mosque Iftar. All were great events, but I particularly want to highlight the Grand Iftar at the Cathedral which was a wonderful example of people from all faiths, and none, coming together to celebrate each other and our shared humanity.

I also enjoyed visiting Evergreen Primary Academy and meeting with their student Council. The school does a fantastic job in educating its pupils on democracy, and the pupils (pictured above) certainly had lots of questions to ask me!

I have become increasingly concerned about reports of antisocial behaviour around Newtown, the Dings and Avon Street. I met with Police and staff at the Sainsburys on Avon Street to hear how they’ve been affected by shoplifting and abusive, often violent, attacks on shopworkers. I’ve contacted the Policing Minister and our local Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody, to raise my concerns and call for action.

As people may know, I have a longstanding interest in food policy and food justice. I enjoyed visiting FoodCycle at their community meal at the Wellspring Settlement, and meeting Bristol Food Network. I look forward to joining more events during Food Justice Fortnight in June.

Another passion of mine is live music, I am a patron of the Music Venues Trust, which has recently launched a second community share offer to help small venues, including the Croft in Bristol. I have been making a point of visiting local venues recently, including Loco Klub, a fantastic, imaginative and rather hidden underground space next to Temple Meads Station that offers theatre, music, spoken word and club nights.

I took advantage of the spring weather to go for a walk with Samuel Malley, from the Friends of Stockwood Open Space. Green spaces like this play a vital role in a city like Bristol. Far too few people realise we have such an expansive nature reserve in this part of the city.

I met with NextGen Circle and Bristol Pakistani Cricket Club to discuss their ambitions for community ownership of Netham Park Pavilion. The Pavilion is a hugely under-utilised resource, and it has been disappointing to see previous proposals for community ownership collapse. I was inspired by the idea of different communities, and different sports coming together, and I am hopeful that this time will be different.

In Westminster

Many constituents have contacted me about the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper and I am aware of the alarm that it has caused. I am keen to offer reassurances where I can; we will not means-test PIP or offer vouchers, the heavily criticised Work Capability Assessment will be scrapped, and people with the most severe disabilities and health conditions, that will never improve, will not have reassessments. The government will be introducing additional tailored support to help get people into work, and a ‘right to try’ guarantee, so people can start a new job without fear of losing their benefits if it doesn’t work out. I know many concerns remain and. I have written to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, and met with local disability organisations recently.

Several Bills have now concluded their journey through Parliament, including:

the Great British Energy Act, setting up the state-owned company to invest in renewables

the Water (Special Measures) Act, holding water bosses to account for sewage spills

and the Employment Rights Bill, which has yet to receive Royal Assent, but will represent the biggest increase in workers’ rights since the 1970s.

The Government is rolling-out three key policies to support parents: free breakfast clubs for all, new school-based nurseries and 30 free hours of Government-funded childcare. 750 schools, including Summerhill Academy in Bristol East, will take part in the breakfast club pilot from the end of April, while 300 new or expanded school-based nurseries will open in September. Our new childcare offer should save families roughly £7,500 per year.

I could highlight a half dozen other steps forward the Government has taken over the past few weeks as we work to rebuild Britain, from unveiling hundreds of new green buses, to falling NHS waiting lists and announcing 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers. The work of rebuilding Britain is long – but we are making solid progress.

Gaza and the West Bank

The war in Gaza continues to rage on, with devastating consequences. Many constituents have contacted me to express their distress and horror at the ongoing bloodshed and destruction.

Israel’s actions following October 7th have been wholly disproportionate, completely intolerable and entirely indefensible. With this new expansion of the conflict, civilians in Gaza face starvation, homelessness, trauma, bombardment and displacement. The UK Government has made its position clear, with the Foreign Secretary calling it “extremism”, “repellent” and “monstrous” in his latest remarks. We have also made clear that blocking international aid is abominable and risks breaching international law. I am deeply alarmed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nation’s (UN) warnings of the threat of starvation for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians. I also continue to strongly condemn the settler violence in the West Bank, and the expansion of illegal settlements, and I welcome the Government’s new sanctions on individuals and organisations involved.

Please find below the Government’s most recent statement published in conjunction with the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and French President, Emmanuel Macron:

PDF image of the joint Gaza statement agreed between the UK, France and Canada

Resetting our relationship with the EU

The Prime Minister and Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, hosted a Joint UK-EU Summit in London this week. As the The first joint summit since Brexit, it marks an important, mutually beneficial reset in our relationship. It means:

A better deal for UK business, with less red tape and improved access to EU markets

Food and drink products flowing more freely between the UK and the EU, helping lower prices, support farmers and boost choice on supermarkets shelves

Closer co-operation on energy security, without UK business being hit with increased taxes

Better sharing of security intelligence data

Less time queuing at airports

I was also pleased to see progress on linking carbon markets, youth mobility and tackling irregular migration. While further talks are needed, this week represents a major step towards a closer, UK-EU relationship, putting our country’s best interests first.

As Minister for Climate

In my last newsletter, I promised a full update about my role as Minister for Climate, but as this one is already a bumper edition, I will save that for next month. I can say however that we are making solid progress with GB Energy passing into law, putting solar on schools and other buildings, decarbonising our public buildings and other measures.

As a result of all this action the UK has leapt forward in the Climate Change Performance Index, from 17th in 2024 to 3rd6th in the world in 2025 (the first three spaces are kept blank to signify how we must all do more – and we will!)

Casework Roundup

In addition to continuing to work diligently on existing issues, my team and I have taken on 293 new cases since March.

We were able to help several constituents get their housing issues resolved. From helping to increase their HomeChoice banding to finally addressing long-standing damp and mould, it’s always rewarding to see people get the decent homes they deserve. I was pleased to successfully support constituents in challenging homelessness decisions and long-term housing offers.

My team have been able to get benefit claims, including Pension Credit and Universal Credit (UC) claims, into payment after errors from the DWP. In addition, I was glad to hear HMRC accept that a constituent was not liable for a large overpayment. Given the huge stress and anxiety caused by money troubles, my team and I are always glad to help wherever possible.

Finally, I recently heard the fantastic news that a constituent’s mother and sisters have finally been able to join them from Afghanistan. It is a huge relief to know that the family are once again together and safe – and able to begin rebuilding their lives in Bristol.

You can contact me by emailing kerry.mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk or calling my office on 0117 939 9901 between 10am and 1pm (Monday to Friday). Alternatively, you can complete my online booking form to request a surgery appointment. My team and I are always here to help.

Best Wishes,

Kerry

December Newsletter

Across Bristol East

Motion

One of my passions is music and I’m a patron of the Music Venues Trust, which supports grassroots music venues across the country. In Bristol we have such a diversity of venues, which add a huge amount to our city culturally, economically and, most importantly, in terms of building community.

A jewel in the crown is Motion; one of the world’s best nightclubs and a venue that attracts the biggest artists to Bristol. I was shocked to learn at the start of November that Motion is at risk of closure, with its site being up for sale.

I have now met with both Motion and the site owners. There is a lot of development going on in this part of the city, and while housing, education and jobs are important, we need culture to be part of the mix too. I strongly oppose any plans to transform Motion’s site to another use. I will do whatever I can to ensure that Motion remains on its present site and would encourage other Bristol politicians to offer the same backing.

Nightingale Valley

A somewhat different site, that I am equally determined to save from development, is the Nightingale Valley. This is a beautiful, unique area in Brislington which offers a place where people can walk, relax and connect with nature. The north end of the valley, however, has recently been auctioned off and there are fears the new owners may seek to enclose or develop the space.

Friends of Brislington Brook are running a fantastic campaign to prevent this and maintain public access. I met with them last month to see how I can support their work to protect the valley and maintain access for all. As the site has now been sold, we need to see what the developer plans to do with it, while continuing to pursue steps, such as Rights of Way and Tree Preservation Orders, which will make it harder to develop and close off access.

Nature Recovery Strategy

The Nightingale Valley is one of the green spaces identified as a Focus Area for Nature Recovery and an Area of Importance to Biodiversity in the West of England’s Nature Recovery Strategy. The West of England is the first authority – of 48 areas required to do so – to produce such a strategy. I was delighted to attend and speak at the launch. It was very encouraging to see such commitment to restoring key habitats, enhancing biodiversity and improving resilience, as we all know nature is in crisis and action can’t come soon enough.

Newtown

I also joined the local community in Newtown to talk about their experiences of crime and antisocial behaviour. This is an often-overlooked community and while it was heartening to see the way in which local organisations like Newtown Network, the Salvation Army and Trinity Tabernacle are trying to improve the area, I will be doing my best to help too.
Transport remains a recurrent issue across East Bristol and a frequent source of casework. I was very happy to see the Government announce an additional £1bn of funding for bus services, including £14m for the West of England. I have written to both the West of England Mayor and the CEO of First Bus about the reliability issues being experienced by constituents across Bristol, and to ask what steps they can take to improve services.

East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood

I have received a high volume of correspondence from both those in favour of and against the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) trial in parts of Lawrence Hill, Redfield and St George. It is clear that it is causing significant disruption for some, while others are enjoying the quieter streets where they live. I have been feeding back the views I have received to the Council. In particular, I have written to them about what can be done to improve the ‘Red Church’ junction, in order to reduce congestion on Blackswarth Road and to reduce the impact on bus services. I have also contacted FirstBus regarding this. I will continue to keep a close eye on the trial’s progress and look forward to seeing the initial data from it.

Visits and other work

There’s been a particular focus on education in my local visits over the past month. I visited Whitehall Primary, City Academy, Hillside Day Nursery, Oasis Academy Temple Quarter, and Waycroft Academy to talk to staff, meet with school councils, celebrate Ofsted results, and generally check in and learn more about what they are doing.
I also learned more about the work that National Grid do at their site on Feeder Road and I presented an award to Joe Fortune, General Secretary of the Co-op Party, at the Community Energy Awards at the M-Shed. It was great to see several local organisations amongst the winners too. Under Labour’s Local Power Plan, we will support local authorities and community energy groups to roll-out small and medium-scale renewable energy projects, like the Ambition Lawrence Weston wind-turbine, and develop up to 8GW of clean power by 2030.

I was privileged to attend a very moving event entitled ‘A Celebration of Life’ hosted by Bristol Drugs Project and Bereavement Through Addiction. Both organisations do incredibly important work and if you’d like to support them, or if you need their help, you can contact them here: https://www.bdp.org.uk/ and here: https://bereavementthroughaddiction.com/

Finally, as is traditional at this time of year, I visited the postal workers at Easton Delivery Office last Friday to see how they handle the Christmas mail and, increasingly, a huge number of parcels too. After another school visit, I had the pleasure of joining refugees and asylum seekers from Iran for lunch at the Easton Family Christian Centre. And in the evening, I met up with some of Bristol’s Tibetan community at the Journey – Tibet to India, a lovely little restaurant on St Mark’s Road, where we were also treated to some Tibetan music and singing.

In Parliament

Assisted Dying

On Friday 29th November, MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, by 330 votes to 275. The Bill was presented by my Labour colleague Kim Leadbeater, and MPs from across the political spectrum gave thoughtful and sometimes moving speeches. The Bill now has to go through line-by-line scrutiny by the Bill Committee – which includes both supporters and opponents – before it returns to the Commons and then the Lords; at all these stages amendments can be tabled, and there will be further votes before it can become law.

I voted for the Bill, as I believe terminally ill adults with a prognosis of 6 months or less should be able to end their pain on their own terms, providing they have the capacity to do so. I have issued a full statement explaining my views, which you can read in full here.
Having received hundreds of emails on this topic, I understand some constituents will be pleased about the vote, while others will be disappointed. If you have further thoughts you would like to share as the Bill progresses through Parliament – whichever stance you take – please do email me at kerry.mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk.

Breakfast Clubs

For many of my constituents one of the most challenging issues they face is childcare, and, in particular, balancing work with getting their kids to school. In response, this Labour Government is now starting a free breakfast club pilot scheme in 750 schools. All pupils at the primary schools taking part in our scheme can attend breakfast clubs for free, regardless of their parents’ employment status, giving them a healthy start to their day and providing additional childcare for parents who need it.

Schools can apply to become one of 750 early adopters, with clubs launching from April 2025. We’re also continuing to roll out a wider wraparound childcare offer with the eventual aim of providing childcare for all primary children between 8am – 6pm.

Lush – Fighting Animal Testing Reception

I went along to Lush’s #FightingAnimalTesting reception. You’ll possibly be more familiar with Lush’s bath bombs and cosmetics than their activism, but they also do great work promoting the need to replace animal testing with human-relevant research – which as a vegan MP, I strongly support.

Now we have a Labour Government we have a real chance to make positive strides. Steve Race, Exeter’s Labour MP, gave an excellent speech about his Animals in Medical Research (Prohibition) Bill, and, as you can see, my constituency neighbour, Dan Norris and I also caught up with Chris Packham for a chat. This Government continues to support the 3 Rs: the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal testing – as you can read in this response after I wrote to the Minister about ‘Herbie’s Law’.

In my role as Minister for Climate…

It’s been an incredibly busy couple of months as Climate Minister, including attending the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. It was an immense privilege to represent the UK, and show how serious we are about both domestic and international climate leadership.

At COP29 the Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an ambitious new UK target (known as our ‘Nationally Determined Contribution” of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent by 2035, from 1990 levels. I had a series of discussions with international partners, spoke at a lot of important events, and even managed to track down a vegan restaurant in Baku! You can read a summary of my COP visit here.

I also wrote an article on my return for the PoliticsHome magazine on why taking strong action on clean energy at home is so important when working with other countries to tackle climate change. As I say in the piece “accelerating global climate action depends on a strong message, backed by clear action at home. Our clean power by 2030 mission is an example of that. This mission is about demonstrating to the world that the clean energy transition can be achieved in a way that creates economic growth, while protecting our way of life.”

Of course, conversations about tackling the climate crisis are incomplete without looking at the protection of nature. I also visited Kew Gardens recently to speak to scientists about nature-based solutions, sequestering carbon, and the promotion of wildlife. You’ll find a video summary of my visit here.

In the last week before Christmas, we had the final DESNZ Oral Question session of the year. I answered questions from the Dispatch Box about how this Government is utilising nature-based solutions to tackle climate change. Solutions like tree planting and the promotion of forests and peatlands can reduce the risk of flooding, cool urban spaces and crucially, absorb carbon. It was also great to hear Ed Miliband speak about Labour’s Clean Energy Plan, which sets out a pathway to a clean power system as we finally move away from being dependent on fossil fuels, petrostates, and dictators like Putin.

Casework Roundup

It’s been a busy few weeks for my casework team, as they opened 197 new cases while continuing to work on existing ones.

A huge 40% of casework has come in under the Transport category, mostly from constituents sharing their views on the EBLN trial. As I’ve already mentioned, my team has worked hard to ensure that your voices have been heard on this issue, and we have raised specific casework issues with the Council.

My team has also continued to handle a large number of housing and planning cases. We’ve sadly seen a lot of constituents contact us about overcrowding in their homes, and we have assisted several families in contacting the Council to ensure they are on the appropriate banding for their situations.

I have also been very involved in recent months with cases relating to excessive leaseholder service charges. This is an issue which Labour is looking to take action on at a national level, but locally we have seen a number of high charges levied at leaseholders, including in the Paintworks development.

Immigration and asylum cases also continue to make up a large portion of our casework. I’ve seen a lot of constituents contact me for assistance with the move from Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) to eVisas, which I understand has caused a lot of confusion. I was pleased to see the recent update from the Home Office which confirms that some people can continue to use their expired BRPs for travelling to the UK until 31 March 2025, while the Home Office works to resolve these issues.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a lovely festive period.

Kerry

October Newsletter

Across Bristol East
As regular readers will know, one of the things I really enjoy about representing Bristol East is the community spirit and diversity within the seat. This month I joined events across the constituency which showed just how strong these communities are and how they work to bring people together.
I visited Rodney Road Harvest Festival and the Repair Cafe in Brislington: both fantastic initiatives that unite their local communities. The Harvest festival was a lovely celebration, well supported by local people and businesses, which brought Whiteway and Two Mile Hill residents together. The Repair Cafe showcases community in a very different but equally vital way. Running every third Saturday in St Cuthbert’s Hall, it promotes sustainability and an end to the throwaway economy. It’s also a vibrant social space, bringing people from across Brislington together to connect, and have a cup of tea and cake, while getting their broken things repaired by volunteers.
The Trinity Centre has long sat at the heart of the Easton, Old Market and Lawrence Hill community and I was privileged to attend the Trinity Thank You Awards this month. These awards celebrate the local people in Easton and Lawrence Hill who go above and beyond to make the area a fantastic place to live, work and visit. It was inspiring to see just how much is going on in the local area.
I was also reminded this month of the importance of some of the brilliant charities and institutions which support people across Bristol East. I met with Rethink Mental Illness to learn about the work of the Racial Trauma Support group, and hear about the impact on mental health of direct and indirect abuse and discrimination.

I also visited SARSAS, which supports people who’ve experienced rape or sexual abuse, no matter how long ago incidents took place, as well as doing preventative outreach work. The statistics on the number of victims of rape or sexual abuse are truly shocking, and I have now written to the relevant Minister about the need to support services like SARSAS.

I was pleased to hear that Brigstowe’s funding has been protected by the council after Labour pressure. I am, however, concerned about the prospect of other cuts in support to sheltered housing residents and will continue to press the Council to maintain services.

Other Constituency Visits

I met with Avon Fire and Rescue Services’ Chief Fire Officer to discuss the range of challenges they face. As well as dealing with fires the Service is responsible for everything from rescuing climbers in Avon Gorge to dealing with floods. I was treated to a impressive display from the New Temple Fire Station team as they demonstrated how they would handle a road traffic collision.

I really enjoyed my visit to Knowle Park Primary school where I met with children taking part in the Eco Squad and School Council, as well as discussing SEND support with staff. I heard how Eco Squad members take part in environmental action from Year 1 upwards. They have – very impressively – managed to collect and recycle 15,000 used batteries, while also cultivating their school’s relaxing Peace Garden. I also took questions from the School Council about how I got into politics, my recent Ministerial visit to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and what I enjoy most about being an MP.

Last weekend I had a walk about on Sandy Park Road ahead of essential works taking place. The local businesses there form the heart of the local Brislington community and they remain open during the works. Please do keep supporting them in the run up to Christmas!

Finally I was out with councillors and Labour activists in Lawrence Hill, Easton, Brislington and St George this month, meeting residents and seeing what I could do to address their concerns.

East Bristol Liveable neighbourhood

A cautious welcome to the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood, with the first measures being rolled out over the last few weeks. This includes Beaufort Road being closed to through traffic.

I hope that the Liveable Neighbourhood will mean safer, more pleasant streets in East Bristol, with better air quality, and – as has happened elsewhere – will reduce traffic more generally. However, I am very aware that initially the scheme may be disruptive. It is important to note that this is a trial. It may well need refinement to ensure that it works for residents across the area. This is a Council-led project, but I will be keeping a close eye on it as the trial progresses, and will feed back to the Council any concerns I hear from constituents.

In Parliament

The Budget

It was a privilege to hear the first ever female Chancellor of the Exchequer deliver Labour’s first Budget for over 14 years. When Labour took office we promised to transform Britain and to fix the country’s foundations. This Budget delivered that, with investment the key theme – to get our economy moving again, to fix our public services and to deliver a just transition towards clean energy.

Here are a few of the things which stood out to me:

Increasing the National Living Wage by 6.7%, giving the lowest-paid workers a pay rise;
An extra £25.6 billion for the NHS resourcing and capital, allowing us to cut waiting times and build capacity;
Preserving the Triple Lock on state pensions, worth over £475 per year to 12 million pensioners;
Increasing the maximum earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance to £195 per week, as well as widening eligibility;
Investing in Great British Energy to make the UK a clean energy superpower, and in the Warm Homes Plan to make our homes more energy efficient and bring down bills;
Investing £6.7 billion in education, including £1.4 billion for rebuilding our crumbling schools and £1 billion for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision;
Investing £500 million in the Affordable Homes Programme, helping us to tackle the housing crisis
Cutting alcohol duty on draught products to help support British pubs.

You can find the full details here.

10 Years of Children Heard and Seen

Children Heard and Seen has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of life-changing support for children with a parent in prison. I was proud to speak at their reception in Parliament and pay tribute to Sarah Burrows and her team’s incredible work.

Children Heard and Seen has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small charity based in Oxfordshire. After years of campaigning and tireless work, this year Labour committed to provide official support for children with a parent in prison in its manifesto. This was a huge step and I was pleased to get the opportunity to celebrate this, and their many other achievements, with them.

Update on the Middle East

The suffering and destruction continues in Gaza and the wider region. Alongside the suspension of arms export licences and our continued calls for a ceasefire:

On 15^thOctober the FCDO announced more sanctions on groups that have supported and sponsored illegal settlers in the West Bank;

The Foreign Secretary released a statement following UN reports about the severity of the food crisis in Northern Gaza, calling on Israel to ensure routes are open to allow life-saving aid through. This Government has already restored funding to UNRWA, supported UK field hospitals, given extra funding to UNICEF and led calls for a polio vaccination campaign.
An Urgent Question was brought forward by a Labour MP on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. The Minister for Development highlighted the joint UN-statement that the UK has signed calling for an investigation into attacks on UN peacekeepers in the region, and the £10 million in support sent by the UK to Lebanon for access to shelter, water, and healthcare.
The Prime Minister has criticised the Israeli Government’s decision to block the vital work that UNRWA delivers in Palestine through humanitarian aid.

In my role as Minister for Climate…

COP29 Preparations
Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in November I headed out to Azerbaijan for pre-COP29 sessions. Our aim is clear – to galvanise international action to protect people who are on the front line of the climate crisis. We’ve seen flash floods devastate parts of Spain and Hurricane Milton wreak havoc on the US coast; a constant reminder of what is at stake. This is where a Labour Government can make a difference, showing domestic and global climate leadership. I’m delighted that I’m able to play my part.
GB Energy
The Great British Energy Bill took another step closer to becoming a reality in October, having passed Report Stage and 3rd Reading in the Commons. I’m pleased this Government is fulfilling another manifesto commitment, one which also represents a central tenet of our mission for Clean Power by 2030.
Bristol Wind Terminal
I’m delighted to see plans confirmed for Bristol Wind Terminal, a new offshore wind terminal to be developed by the Bristol Port Company in Avonmouth. We’re told that the latest round of the project ‘will create 4.5GW of new renewable energy capacity, enough to power more than 4 million homes, with the potential to unlock a further 12 GW of capacity in the Celtic Sea in future rounds.’ It’s great to see renewable energy generation on our doorstep here in Bristol, creating jobs, opportunities, and growth in the economy. You can read more about plans here.

Casework Roundup

It was good to visit Bricks at St Anne’s House for a constituency surgery, and to see the new cafe being so well-used while we were there.

Our immigration cases included the successful reunification of a family fleeing the conflict in Lebanon. My team and I have also worked hard to help those experiencing difficulties navigating the benefit system, including those claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

We have successfully managed to help a number of constituents get registered with an NHS dentist, after many months of difficulties, and managed to get one constituent an emergency same-day appointment. Another constituent emailed to say she had never seen a dentist in her adult life; after we signposted her to an NHS dentist taking on new patients, she wrote back to tell me that she and 8 of her friends had managed to sign up!

As always, if you’re having trouble with any of the above – or anything else – and don’t know where to turn, you can contact my office on 0117 939 9901 or by emailing kerry.mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk. I hold regular surgeries in locations around Bristol East, based on constituent demand, so please do get in touch.

September Newsletter

New York Climate Week

I’ve been out in New York representing the UK at the UN General Assembly/ New York Climate Week. I was delighted to announce that the UK will sign up to CHAMP (Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships), a global agreement on working with sub-national and local government on climate action. 72 countries signed up to this at COP28 in Dubai last year, but the then UK Government refused to do so. Joining now sends a strong signal that we want to work with city leaders on delivering net zero.

As well as confirming that the UK will start consulting on voluntary high integrity carbon markets, I also announced new funding for forests and a groundbreaking deal with the state of Para, in the Amazon, which will preserve the rainforest and support indigenous communities. I’m looking forward to hearing about the progress made when Brazil hosts COP30 next year.

This is the difference that a Labour Government can make; an outward looking Britain showing true climate leadership. You can see a summary of the outcomes of my trip here.

Labour Conference

While I was away at NY Climate Week, Labour held its best-attended Conference ever in Liverpool – our first in Government for 15 years. The slogan for this year’s Conference was ‘Change Begins Now’; this was clear as the Prime Minister listed our achievements so far – getting far more done than the Tories ever did in their 14 years in office. In just three months we have passed planning reforms, ended public sector strikes, launched new solar and offshore wind projects, shaken up school inspections, and created both a new Border Security Command and a National Wealth Fund. Although, with a decade of national renewal ahead, the work has just begun.

Although I could not be there, several of my staff from both my Westminster and Bristol East offices were able to attend, and attended events and stalls on my behalf. Between them they visited Sense, Guide Dogs, British Heart Foundation, Animal Free Research UK, Dementia UK, Pathway, Cancer Research UK, RE Policy Unit and many others.

The escalation of violence in the Middle East

The suffering and bloodshed continues unabated in the Middle East, and with the conflict escalating following attacks in Lebanon, the situation has reached a critical point. The Foreign Secretary has been speaking with the Lebanese PM Najib Mikati about restoring stability and security across the Blue Line, whilst the Prime Minister used his speech at the UN General Assembly to outline how the UK was returning to a position of international leadership – calling on each nation in the region to “Stop the violence. Step back from the brink.”

This is of course intrinsically linked to the horrors that are still unfolding in Gaza. As ever, the only way to stop the killing, to start repairing Gaza and the West Bank and to rescue the hostages is an immediate ceasefire. This Government is working alongside our G7 partners to formalise a wider demand for the ceasefire and a political plan to implement it.

Crime and antisocial behaviour

At the start of the month, I was able to get out with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Clare Moody, and local police officers to speak with residents and business-owners in Old Market and Easton. It was a good opportunity for all of us to discuss the problems with crime and antisocial behaviour which are plaguing communities across Bristol East.

Several people I spoke to mentioned open substance misuse and drug-dealing, and the impact this has on local residents and families. Having seen the work and community engagement of our local police officers, I am keen to see the introduction of the Government’s measures to support community policing through an extra 13,000 neighbourhood police officers on our streets. However, we must also break the cycle of reoffending; I will soon be seeing the Intensive Supervision Court pilot in action, which involves offenders accessing specialist support services to address the underlying issues behind their offending behaviour.

I was also concerned to read multiple reports of harassment and violence on parts of the Bristol-Bath Railway Path. Everyone should be able to use the cycle path without any fear or intimidation, so I have raised this with the Council and local police. I have been reassured by the police that they have increased the number of high-visibility patrols in the area, and I understand the Council is investigating how they can introduce additional security measures.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is developing a Police and Crime Plan which will shape her priorities for policing in Bristol over the next five years. The draft plan has now been finalised, and you can read it here, where you can also fill out her survey. If you’d like to have your say and influence our local policing strategy, I’d encourage you to share your views before it closes on 21st October.

Especially after the tragic stabbing on Stapleton Road last week, I am in regular contact with our local police officers about their work to keep us safe. If you are ever concerned – or wish to raise a particular issue affecting your neighbourhood – please do get in touch.

University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus at Temple Quarter

I was glad to speak at the ‘topping out’ ceremony for University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus being built as part of the Temple Quarter scheme, one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe.

‘Topping out’ marks the completion of the building’s main structure and as part of the ceremony I took part in some rather interesting rituals. One involved Evelyn Welch, the University’s Vice-Chancellor (pictured below) filling a column with cement, which I then had to smooth over with a ceremonial trowel. A representative from the University nailed an evergreen tree branch from another Bristol University Campus to one of the building’s walls, and we raised a toast with a flagon of ale, before taking part in a bagpipe parade.

Ceremony and ritual aside, I am really hopeful for what Temple Quarter could mean for East Bristol and its local residents, who are very much a part of its upcoming plans. By creating a pipeline of engineers, innovators, technicians and entrepreneurs, and reaching out to local communities to find new homegrown talent, the University will play a vital role in Labour’s missions for economic growth, accelerating to net zero and breaking down barriers to opportunity. As part of the regeneration we will also see the opening of the eastern entrance to Temple Meads Station, which I’m sure many constituents will welcome too!

St George Park Survey

I’m pleased Bristol City Council has now recategorised the vehicles parked around St George Park as high-impact, due to the number of reports of antisocial behaviour received by Avon and Somerset police. As the Council begins serving notices to ask the vehicles to move on from the area, this will importantly include outreach alongside St Mungo’s specialist staff to assess the welfare and support needs of those living in the vehicles.

I was recently able to meet with some of those who completed my survey and with the local councillor at the Beehive Centre. There is an ongoing conversation about next steps – some want to see traffic-calming measures introduced, whilst others are hopeful that the notices alone will improve the situation, as we’ve seen elsewhere in the city.

Importantly, I am keen to see the Council continue their work of engaging with those in the vehicles and the wider community to offer support and advice. Many have raised how this encampment is linked to the city’s housing crisis, reinforcing our need for high-quality and affordable housing throughout the city.

Dementia-Friendly Allotment in Brislington

In March this year Bristol welcomed its second dementia-friendly allotment at Talbot Road Allotments in Brislington. I visited the first site in Brentry a few years ago, so I was excited to hear this brilliant initiative was branching out to Bristol East. Run by older people’s wellbeing charity Alive Activities, the allotments offer therapeutic gardening sessions to people with dementia and their carers so that they have a space to relax, grow a support network and enjoy the many benefits of nature and gardening.

This has been a labour of love for the dedicated team of staff and volunteers from Alive, and it is also an example of great partnership working. From the allotment team at Bristol City Council, the support of the allotment site reps, to the contributions of labour and materials from local businesses and others, it took a lot of collective effort to bring the project to fruition. But perhaps most importantly is the partnership with the people who use the service themselves, who co-create the workshops to ensure the sessions meet their needs.

It was a joy to meet with the staff and people who make these sessions such a success and give people with dementia and their carers a peaceful outdoors environment in which to connect with the natural world and each other.

Citizens Advice Bristol

I recently visited the local Citizens Advice bureau to learn more about the great work their team does to support not just my constituents, but the whole of the city. This year their staff and volunteers have helped nearly 1,400 Bristol East constituents with issues ranging from housing and homelessness, to debt management and benefits applications. I also spoke to the CEO, Jon Shoesmith, about the continuing effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

It’s vital that everyone gets the support they need, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re struggling. You can contact Citizens Advice Bristol by phone on 0808 278 7959, Monday – Friday between 9am – 3pm, or visit their website anytime here. If you’d like to attend one of their advice drop-ins, you can find them at 48 Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3BL. The sessions are held on Tuesdays between 9:30am – 11am, and Thursdays between 11am – 1pm.

Revisiting ASDAN

I met with Melissa Farnham, CEO of ASDAN, at their headquarters in a former workhouse next to St George’s Park. The building was opened back in 2001 by my predecessor Jean Corston, who was MP for Bristol East between 1992 and 2005, and having met with them several times before Covid, I was pleased to pay the ASDAN team another visit.

ASDAN is an educational charity and a provider of courses and qualifications. We spoke about their work to help people facing social disadvantage – particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), children growing up in poverty, care leavers and prisoners – to develop new skills, grow in confidence and gain qualifications. Many of their courses open doors by making sure these skills are recognised by employers, colleges and universities.

ASDAN’s work aligns closely with Labour’s mission to Break Down the Barriers to Opportunity, in ensuring all children can leave school ready for employment or further study, equipped with the tools to navigate adult life. They have plans to expand their work with prisoners and young offenders, and reach out to children affected by parental imprisonment. I’ve written to my colleagues in the Department of Education and the Ministry of Justice with a view to securing a meeting, and seeing this work replicated more widely.

Fairtrade Fortnight

From the 9th to 22nd September, we had Fairtrade Fortnight – a timely reminder to look out for products with a Fairtrade symbol, to ensure that what we buy gives a fair price to small scale farmers for their produce, and a fair income to food workers, and their families.

I am proud to say that Bristol has great form as a long-standing Fairtrade city. Underpinning the complex series of steps between farm to fork there needs to be a fair deal, that recognises this as a global food equality issue, with the power to improve communities, contribute to a sustainable environment and ensure the viability of small food producers and businesses all over the world.

In Bristol East there are some fantastic businesses championing Fairtrade products – please do your best to support them if you can. Below you can see me in the Bristol East office proudly showing off a bag of Fairtrade ground coffee!

Below you can see me in the Bristol East office proudly showing off a bag of Fairtrade ground coffee!

COP 29 Westminster Hall Debate

It was great to be back speaking in Parliament after summer recess in a Westminster Hall debate brought forward by my colleague Deirdre Costigan ahead of COP29 in November. I will be heading out to Baku as Minister for Climate, with Ed Miliband and others, looking to build on the work we did in New York and continue to restore Britain’s standing as international climate leaders.

As I said in my speech “We are almost halfway through what is a decisive decade to halt climate change. As global surface temperatures continue to rise following 12 months of record-breaking warmth; as people around the world face the very real effects of this crisis with rising sea levels, nature loss and food insecurity; and as we see climate vulnerable countries devastated by extreme weather events, it is clear the decisions that we make now will define our planet’s tomorrow.” I outlined the pace at which this Government is already moving – lifting the onshore wind ban, rolling out solar energy, and setting up the publicly-owned GB Energy.

You can see a snippet of my speech below, and find the full version here.

A New Pay Deal for Junior Doctors

After 44 painstaking days of industrial action, in September the new Government agreed a deal with the British Medical Association (BMA) trade union, to increase junior doctors’ pay and improve their working conditions.

The BMA represents two-thirds of junior doctors, and its members have now accepted the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting’s offer of a 22% pay rise over 2 years. The junior doctors’ strike was the most prolonged dispute in NHS history, but the Conservatives failed to negotiate a suitable deal during the years they were in power, letting waiting lists and costs to the taxpayer spiral on their watch.

Industrial action in our NHS is not taken lightly, and is a sign of how undervalued so many junior doctors felt. Many went on strike as a last resort after years of overwork to the point of burnout during the pandemic. The new Labour Government has shown that a fair deal can be reached by getting around the table and negotiating, working closely with unions rather than against them. This is something to be celebrated and is one of our proudest achievements so far in Government.

New Homes Accelerator

I’ve been pleased that in the few months since the election, housing has been centre stage in the Government’s thinking. The latest announcement, the New Homes Accelerator, will cut red tape and planning delays across the country. The NHA will provide resources and expertise to local authorities, expanding planning capacity and getting hundreds of thousands of unbuilt or partially-built homes through the planning system.

The UK is suffering from chronic low growth and a severe housing crisis. Ending the housing logjam created by our planning system – and the underfunding of local authorities’ planning departments – is a crucial step forward. We’re committed to building 1.5m new homes over the course of this Parliament, and the New Homes Accelerator is an early sign that we’re delivering on that promise.

This comes ahead of the second reading of Labour’s Renters Rights Bill on 9^th October, as we look to finally ban no-fault evictions and strengthen tenants’ rights and protections. Renters have been waiting years for reform after the Tories broke promise after promise to appease the landlords within their ranks – change is long overdue.

Strategy to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

For months we’ve seen headlines detailing horrific attacks on women and girls across the UK. The Government has launched a cross-Departmental strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, spearheaded by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. As part of these plans we are piloting Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which mean domestic abusers will have to stay away from their victims for longer, or face 5 years in prison if they fail to do so. The new orders will make it a legal requirement for perpetrators to inform the police of any change in name or address, and can also impose electronic tagging, and order assessments for behaviour change programmes.

These orders will cover all forms of domestic abuse, stalking and coercive control, and can be requested by police, criminal/civil/family courts, social services and local authorities, and charities working with victims, and victims themselves. Current protection orders can only hold for a maximum of 28 days. The new orders have no maximum duration, ensuring victims’ protection first.

We will introduce Raneem’s Law to protect those under threat of domestic violence, ensuring that reports are responded to quickly, taken seriously, and support is available to victims. We are embedding domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, so victims who call emergency services are appropriately supported from the start. As part of our new strategy we will also support schools to teach children about healthy relationships, consent and mutual respect from an early age, and provide the resources to ensure this happens across the country.

Casework – September 2024

Since my last newsletter, my team and I have opened 75 new cases through September, alongside working hard on existing cases.

Housing continues to be a major source of casework, with 20% of this month’s cases relating to people facing housing-related issues. In particular, I have been contacted by many families facing challenges with their temporary accommodation. This month, my team were glad to help a constituent and her young son move into more suitable temporary accommodation. As Bristol City Council faces growing need to support households facing homelessness, their teams face an incredibly difficult task to source temporary accommodation. I am frequently contacted by families who have been placed into hotels in Weston-super-Mare or even Cardiff on an emergency basis; nobody thinks this is a desirable outcome, but it is sadly often the only choice available. Given Bristol’s housing crisis, I am especially glad to see the Deputy Prime Minister leading the cross-government taskforce to tackle homelessness alongside local councils and mayors, in addition to Labour’s plans for strengthening renters’ rights and building more affordable housing.

My team has also seen an increase in cases related to issues with waste and recycling. My constituents have contacted me to report that their bins and bulky waste collections have been missed, and I’ve seen widespread reports of fly-tipping on residential streets. This is an issue that I have repeatedly raised with Bristol Waste; they have recently presented an action plan to the council on improving their service.

If you’d like to attend a constituency surgery, you can request an appointment to discuss any casework issues affecting you.

Best wishes,

Kerry McCarthy

Bristol East MP

Summer 2024 Newsletter

I’ve been busy at work over the summer in my new position as Minister for Climate, as we look to restore Britain’s climate leadership at home and abroad. In August I visited the Orkney Islands in Scotland, where I saw how our natural resources – wind, waves, tidal currents – can help us generate homegrown clean power, and then went to Loch Ness to be shown by the people behind the Natural Capital Laboratory how protecting our peatlands will help in combating climate change and reducing emissions, while boosting biodiversity.
I also travelled to the Offshore Northern Seas conference in Stavanger in Norway to talk to an international audience about the UK’s plans for GB Energy and our mission for Clean Power by 2030. I met with Norwegian and German counterparts to discuss ramping up renewable projects in the North Sea to unlock green economic growth. Co-operation with the EU is crucial to meeting our shared ambitions for clean energy and climate action.

Record-Breaking Renewables Auction

The Great British Energy Bill successfully passed its Second Reading at the start of September – this means that a new, clean, publicly owned energy company is on its way. GB Energy will create jobs, boost energy independence, and ensure UK taxpayers, bill payers and communities reap the rewards of clean, secure, homegrown energy. I’m delighted that our Government is delivering on its promise to make Britain a clean energy superpower!
The latest renewables auction also saw a record breaking 131 new projects approved which will power the equivalent of 11 million British homes, and includes:

☑️ The world’s largest commercial-scale floating offshore wind project

☑️ Contracts for the largest and second largest offshore wind farms in Europe

☑️ 115 solar and onshore wind projects

We’ve been clear that we will deliver energy independence and scale up homegrown clean power. This auction round, following on from the lifting of the onshore wind ban, and the record rollout of solar, proves we’re doing exactly that.

Atomic Energy Visit

I also had the pleasure of visiting the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus for an overview of the work they’re doing on fusion energy. I met with staff and industry leaders to discuss the route to a low-carbon future, and even made some four-legged friends (see below) along the way.

Grenfell Inquiry

The Phase 2 Report of the Grenfell Inquiry has now been published. It lays plain the systemic failings of the British state and institutions, and how residents of high-rise buildings have been let down for years. It makes for heart-breaking reading, with a damning verdict on 72 entirely avoidable deaths. The dangers of combustible cladding were known but ignored for far too long.
This is not just about rectifying historic injustice – although that is vital – but about making changes for the future. As we saw with yet another fire at a high-rise in Catford on the same day the Report was published, there is a lot more work to be done to keep people safe.
This Government has issued an unreserved apology to the victims of Grenfell and their families, as well as those of other cladding-related tragedies. We will speed up the changes that need to happen to deliver justice and improve safety; we’ve outlined a way forward to implement all of the recommendations from the Phase 1 Report; and we will consider all 58 of the Inquiry’s recommendations, and respond to them within six months.

Orchard House and Clayewater Court

In August I met with residents of Orchard House in Brislington, who are being forced to live in potentially unsafe flats through no fault of their own. Like many leaseholders across the country, Orchard House residents are stuck with cladding that poses a fire risk. I heard the financial and psychological toll this situation has taken on them. They have obtained a remediation order from the courts, but their freeholder is ignoring it.
I am more than happy to give the residents of Orchard House my support, and if you are experiencing similar problems with cladding or other building safety issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or my team.

I was really pleased to see Sky News cover the situation Orchard House residents are facing. Publicity will be absolutely vital in bringing about justice for leaseholders, by pressuring irresponsible freeholders into taking action. Similarly, BBC Bristol recently posted an article on the leaseholders of another building in my constituency with cladding problems, Clayewater Court in St George, as did ITV. There are plenty more leaseholders in similar situations to those in Orchard House and Clayewater Court, so I hope hearing these stories will help them with their own battles.

Crisis in Gaza

The suffering and bloodshed continues to rise in Gaza and the West Bank, and with reports of peace talks faltering, no end is currently in sight. As ever, the only way to stop the deaths, to start repairing Gaza and the West Bank and to rescue the hostages is an immediate ceasefire, and this Government is working to facilitate that. The Prime Minister has issued a joint statement with Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron, urging all parties to resume peace negotiations.

Many of you have been in touch with me to discuss UK arms export licences to Israel. The Foreign Secretary has now confirmed that the UK is suspending 30 arms licences to Israel – all licences for weapons which we have reason to believe are being used in the current conflict in Gaza. This Government is taking all measures necessary to ensure the UK is compliant with international law, without compromising Israel’s capacity to defend itself against threats from Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran.

James Kirby Memorial

As many of you will recall, in April seven charity workers were killed in Gaza, while delivering vital food aid for World Central Kitchen, This included three British citizens, one of whom, James Kirby, was the son of my constituent, and this month I attended a memorial at Bristol Cathedral to commemorate his remarkable life.

James clearly had a strong sense of duty, an adventurous spirit, and brought joy to so many of his colleagues, friends and family. It was a moving service that celebrated his life and how much his loss will be felt by all who knew him.

There will come a time for ascertaining how exactly a clearly-marked aid vehicle came to be bombed in Gaza, and what that says about the campaign that the IDF is waging. It’s the responsibility of international legal bodies like the ICC and ICJ to hold the responsible individuals to account, and this Government will continue to support their work and findings. I will do all I can to support James’ family to get the answers they need.

Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

The Government’s legislation to take Britain’s railways back into public ownership has passed through the House of Commons, and will now go to the Lords before becoming law. This Bill represents a crucial, groundbreaking step towards a fairer, faster and more efficient rail network. It will enable the Government to take railway operators under public control when their current franchises expire, at the end of their core terms or if contract conditions aren’t met. That means the railways will be renationalised gradually. With its core term ending on 22nd June 2025, Great Western Railways could be one of the first.

Riots and disorder

The start of August saw shocking scenes of violence and unrest across the country, following the tragic murders in Southport. That included riots in central Bristol at the end of July, during which far-right thugs attempted to enter a hotel housing vulnerable asylum seekers (fortunately they were thwarted).

There had been reports of further unrest on Old Market in Bristol East the following week, but fortunately what we saw was an immense display of love and solidarity, compared to little to no far-right presence. I want to give my thanks to the police, who ensured minimal disturbance, and to all those who showed up and protested peacefully, who proved that Bristol is a city of tolerance and inclusion, with no place for hate.

As for those involved in the riots and looting, they will face swift and firm justice, with arrests and prison sentences taking place across the country. That goes not only for those on the ground who engaged in senseless violence and targeted attacks, but for those who stirred it up online, from the comfort of their own home.

If you have experienced or witnessed a hate crime, whether in Bristol or elsewhere, I would encourage you to report any incidents to the police by calling 101, or 999 if it’s an emergency. Stand Against Racism & Inequality offers support to victims of hate crime and you can call them directly on 0117 942 0060. Nilaari Agency provides culturally-specific mental health support for BAME communities in Bristol and their number is 0117 952 5742.

Empire Fighting Chance Visit, Easton

At the beginning of August, I paid a visit to Empire Fighting Chance at The Mill in Easton. It’s a boxing gym and sports charity that was born on Bristol’s streets in 2006.

It was incredibly inspiring to hear from CEO Martin Bisp, and Serena who has gone through the programme herself, about how the charity has helped young people improve their mental health, get back into education or get jobs, and go on to realise their unique potential. Empire Fighting Chance is also doing important work within the city on tackling knife crime and youth violence, which has come to nationwide attention. Serena, who is an amazing advocate for the organisation, recently met with the King, the Prime Minister and (most excitingly) Idris Elba, to talk about his Don’t Stop Your Future anti-knife crime campaign.

I’m delighted to have Empire Fighting Chance back in the Bristol East constituency.

Crown Prosecution Service visit

I met with the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the South West, Victoria Cook, at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regional headquarters.

We spoke about the recent disorder in Bristol, and the robust response from the police, CPS and the courts, resulting in many offenders swiftly being charged and sentenced. Investigations are still ongoing into other potential charges, including where people had been caught stirring up hatred and inciting disorder online. We also spoke about knife attacks, hate crime, VAWG and the Crown Court backlog.

It was good to hear the work being done by the CPS to ensure sexual assault perpetrators end up behind bars. 22% of their South West caseload relates to rape, which sounds alarming but should be seen as a mark of success. 82.5% of rape cases referred from the police to the CPS result in criminal charges, and over 65% of these perpetrators are convicted. Back in 2019 I raised this at Attorney General Questions, expressing concern about the low prosecution and conviction rates, and it’s very encouraging to see the progress they’ve made since then.

The Haven at Speedwell

I also visited the well-being café at The Haven as part of SpeedWELL-being week. It was great to see the vibrant community spirit on show, and to meet the local organisations offering advice, support and information to local residents.

They had a packed week full of fun and free family friendly activities, plenty of wellbeing support, lots of affordable and fresh food, ending in a celebratory shared community meal. While I was there I spoke to Rani Fernandez from Rethink Mental Illness, and we had a rather timely conversation about the culturally-specific mental health support Rethink provides, including racial trauma workshops. I also spoke to Alive Activities who have recently opened a second Dementia-Friendly Allotment in Brislington.

There are regular groups and activities offering a welcoming and inclusive space for all, and a food club which only costs £1 to join, and after that families can pay £4 for each box of food worth up to £15. Please do go along to the Methodist Church on Speedwell Road if you’re interested in taking part, or would benefit from the food club.

St Barnabas Food Bank

During Recess I visited the food bank at St Barnabas in Knowle, run by South and East Bristol Food Banks/The Trussell Trust. It was great to chat to volunteers about how they help people in need, and how local businesses support what they do.

Volunteers don’t just provide food parcels and toiletries. They also lend a listening ear and signpost to services which can help with benefits advice, debt management, mental health, addiction and more. I listened in on an appointment in which a constituent shared that he was having problems with Universal Credit and the electricity meter at his flat, and my team has since reached out to him.

Within the last 12 months, the food bank has seen:

1352 referrals (a 35% increase)
394 deliveries
26,472kg of groceries through their doors
Over 50 cakes baked by volunteers
1992 adults (up by 29%) and 1368 children (up by 46%).

It’s good to see the work being done to ensure everyone in Bristol can access food, but it worries me to see demand continuing to increase. To meet this demand Trussell Trust food banks in Bristol are very keen to recruit volunteer van drivers with a Category C1 licence to drive their electric vans and help with deliveries. If this could be you, please email info@nbsg.foodbank.org.uk for more information.

WeCanMake

It was great to meet WeCanMake recently, a charity providing innovative solutions to address the housing shortage, accelerate the green transition and create local jobs. I visited their factory to understand more about the methods they use, and then I spoke to Jasmine, a Bristol East constituent who is working with WeCanMake to extend and improve her home as part of the “people-first retrofit” project in Knowle.

WeCanMake uses modular building, biomaterials and spatial design to deliver energy-efficient units in unused spaces, which can deliver desperately-needed improvements to ageing housing stock. Speaking to Jasmine, it was clear how urgent the overcrowding problem is in both the private and social rented sectors – especially in Bristol – and I’m really excited by the work WeCanMake is doing to address that. It’s great that they’ve got funding from the UK Research Institute (UKRI), and I look forward to seeing their project develop.

Summer Exam Results

I’d like to send my congratulations to GCSE, A-Level, T-Level, VTQ and BTEC students in Bristol East on your exam results. Pupils at City Academy, Oasis Academy Brislington and St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Bristol East certainly had a lot to be proud of, with impressive results across the board.

I know so many of you have worked incredibly hard and shown resilience and dedication to your studies. Whether or not you got your predicted grades, there are options available to you, so if you’re worrying about next steps please consider reading the DfE’s helpful advice which might help clarify things.

The new Labour Government has also taken its first steps towards reforming Ofsted, in scrapping ‘low-information, high-stakes’ single word headline judgments and replacing them with more detailed ‘report cards’, which parents and carers will be able to use to compare different aspects of each school’s performance. It was recently revealed that fewer than 4 in 10 parents, and only 29% of teachers, support one-word Ofsted grading. You can read more about this here.

Royal Yachting Association

I recently met with the RYA at their Bristol Harbour event to see how they are encouraging more young people from across the city to give sailing a try. Their New Horizons Project has been developed to give local young people from underrepresented backgrounds and ethnic minority groups opportunities to learn new skills on the water.

In Bristol it runs from the All Aboard Watersports Centre and we took a boat out into the harbour to see how the young people were getting to grips with sailing for the first time. Many people in Bristol might feel sailing isn’t ‘for them’ so projects like this are an amazing chance to try it out. It was great to hear about the work being done to make sailing more accessible, and to see the young people develop confidence as they took on new challenges.

St George Park Survey

I have once again written to those of you who filled out my survey on the vans parked around St George Park, this time to pass on to you the response I received from Bristol City Council’s GRT Coordinator https://www.bristol.gov.uk/grt-bristol . If you filled in the survey and haven’t received your letter, please let me know and I will send you another copy.

As I state in my letter, I have now written to the police to ask what reports, if any, they have received from local residents regarding crime and anti-social behaviour at or near the park; what assessment they have made of those reports; and if they will pass those reports over to the Council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Team. When I have received a response from the police, I will again contact survey respondents to update them. If you filled in the survey but do not wish to be contacted again, please let me know.

Children with a Parent in Prison – Statistics

At long last, in July we finally saw statistics from the Ministry of Justice providing an official estimate of the number of children in England and Wales who have a parent in prison. Right now, an estimated 192,912 children currently have a parent in prison, and which realistically means many more children will experience this at some point during their childhood.

Many of you will know I’ve been campaigning alongside the charity Children Heard and Seen for more data on this for several years, so this gives us a figure to work with. This is clearly an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) affecting hundreds of thousands of children at any given time, and must have an appropriate response. We now need to take this forward by creating a statutory duty to identify and support such children, as I called for in my Children (Parental Imprisonment) Bill just before the General Election.

I was delighted that this made it into Labour’s election manifesto and I have every confidence that the new Prisons Minister, James Timpson, will now take it up substantively, to offer these children much-needed support. More information on the statistics released by the MoJ can be found here.

Primodos

Earlier this month I met with a resident in St George who has been part of the campaign to bring legal action against the company behind Primodos, a hormone-based pregnancy test drug given to women between the 1950s and 1970s, alleged to have caused birth defects. We talked about the financial, emotional and physical toll this has taken on those affected and of the need for further action.

Last week at PMQs Yasmin Qureshi, my Labour colleague who has campaigned on this issue for a number of years, asked Keir Starmer a question about Primodos and how affected families can see justice.The Prime Minister shared his sympathy for families who believe their children suffered due to hormone pregnancy tests. The Department of Health is now reviewing a study published by Professor Bengt Danielsson which links hormone pregnancy tests to birth defects, and the relevant Health Minister (Baroness Merron) will be meeting with her to discuss it further.

Other activity this month

I had a productive meeting with Hannah Woodhouse, who is Director for Children at Bristol City Council, at which we discussed school place planning, catchment areas, schools’ policies on smartphones, and SEND provision in Bristol. I’m continuing to follow up with her on these matters, and on ongoing casework issues experienced by my constituents.

Last week I met with Inspector Jon Owen, who is Mental Health Coordinator for Avon and Somerset Police, to continue conversations about incidents that require both police and NHS involvement. We also spoke about the ‘Right Care, Right Person’ national partnership agreement, and the Government’s King’s Speech pledge to reform the 1983 Mental Health Act, which is out-of-date and unfit for purpose.

I met with representatives of Tiny House Community Bristol at Number 12 in Easton, a group working on innovative approaches to housing and community living. We discussed the circular economy and land use, and ways that new housing developments can suit the needs of the community whilst encouraging sustainability and care for the natural environment.

Casework — August 2024

Since my last newsletter, my team and I have opened 112 cases for Bristol East constituents, alongside working on existing cases.

Housing remains one of the most significant issues in our constituency. Tenants in social housing and the private-rental market have been in touch regarding poor conditions of their home, alongside concerns about litter and antisocial behaviour. I am regularly in conversation with Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset police about these issues.
My team has continued to work on immigration and asylum cases as one of the largest areas of casework. After Labour committed to scrapping the Rwanda scheme, many of my constituents have received the news that their asylum claims are back in the system and being processed. While we know there is much to be done to work through the backlog, my team will always work hard to support constituents through the process.
I have also heard from constituents who have had their spouses and children come to the UK to be reunited, and to settle in Bristol as families. I was particularly glad to hear that a constituent’s young daughter who fled the conflict in Sudan has finally been able to join her family in Bristol, after facing over a year of bureaucratic delays and barriers with the UK Government and abroad.

Many constituents have been in touch with their concerns about benefits and Universal Credit (UC). This month, my office was able to get a constituent’s UC award back in payment, after a system error reduced her award to zero. We are particularly well-placed to assist constituents facing issues with government departments – please do get in touch if you need our support.

We have recently had some success in helping constituents experiencing dental problems to get registered with an NHS dentist. If you’d like to attend a constituency surgery, you can request an appointment here to discuss any casework issues affecting you.

Best wishes,

Kerry McCarthy

Bristol East MP

May 2024 Pre-Election Newsletter

Last week Rishi Sunak finally threw in the towel and called a General Election for 4th July. I’m proud to be standing again as Labour’s Candidate for Bristol East, a seat I’ve represented since 2005. There will be boundary changes at the coming election, which mean that some areas – the Eastville, Frome Vale and Hillfields wards – will be going into a new seat of Bristol North East; I’ll be sorry to see them go, having built up so many relationships with communities and constituents over the years. I have written one final farewell piece for the Fishponds Voice, which should be published soon.

These boundary changes happen every 10 years or so to try to ensure that constituencies are roughly the same size. The last boundary changes came into force at the 2010 General Election, when Easton and Lawrence Hill were taken out of Bristol East constituency; now they’re coming back into East, along with the Knowle ward to the south of the seat.

This will be the last newsletter until after the July election. I just wanted to say a massive thank you for reading, and give one last quick overview of what I’ve been up to whilst representing the people of Bristol East in the past month.

Registering to Vote

• If you’re not already on the electoral roll, you have until 18th June to register to vote.

• If you’ll be away on 4th July, you have until 5pm on 19th June to apply for a postal vote or postal- proxy vote.

• Or you have until 26th June to register for a proxy vote (i.e. nominating someone to vote on your behalf at the poling station).

If you’re voting in person you also need to bring photo ID on the day, including a UK or EU passport, UK or EU driving licence, Defence Identity Card, older person’s bus pass or disabled person’s bus pass. More information about accepted forms of ID is available below. You can still use your ID if it has expired, as long as your name has not changed and the photo looks like you.

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need

If you do not have voter ID you have until 26th June to register for a free Voter Authority Certificate. Or another option would be to apply for a postal vote, as you don’t need to provide ID for that. Find out more by following the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Delivering GB Energy

As I wrote in the New Statesman this month the coming General Election will be the most crucial yet when it comes to climate change. The choice is between Conservative climate delayers and deniers and a Labour government which can deliver the biggest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history.

This has been clear during debates over the past few months with a worrying number of Conservative backbenchers peddling net zero conspiracies, and their Ministerial colleagues emboldening them with inaction. I pressed the Government in the latest DESNZ Questions over its failure to secure homegrown energy for the UK.

We already have publicly-owned energy in the UK – it’s just not owned by the UK. 45% of our offshore wind assets are owned by state-led companies, from countries like Denmark and Sweden. Labour plans to switch on Great British Energy, a publicly-owned energy company that will invest in clean, local power. This is the best way forward for both the environment and the economy. Why can Swedish tax-payers profit from investing in our future, but the British people can’t?

Children (Parental Imprisonment) Bill

With good timing, I just managed to get the chance to introduce my 10 Minute Rule Bill on children affected by parental imprisonment the day before the General Election was called. It’s something I’ve campaigned on for a long time.

The Bill calls upon the Government to establish national policy guidelines to help identify children with a parent in prison at the moment of sentence, and then make sure someone has responsibility for checking they’re OK. It has cross-party support, with two former Children’s Ministers and a former Secretary of State for Justice from the Tory side, and some leading Labour figures like Harriet Harman, John McDonnell, Dame Diana Johnson and Jess Phillips. It’s also backed by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza.

It’s thought up to 312,000 children a year may be affected by parental imprisonment, but this is only an estimate as there’s currently no way of identifying them. As Sarah Burrows, CEO of the charity Children Heard and Seen (pictured below) is fond of saying, we know more about the number of Labradors in the UK than we do about these ‘invisible’ children.

Having a parent in prison can be a stigmatising and isolating experience. This Bill is the first step towards getting children the support they need, helping them through any difficulties at school and at home, and making sure they are in the care of an appropriate adult. With more help we can also reduce their risk of developing mental health problems or becoming involved in criminal offending themselves later in life.

You can read the full transcript here, and watch a clip from my speech here.

Victory for Contaminated Blood Victims

At long last, this month saw a landmark decision for victims of the infected blood scandal, which has rightly been described as the biggest scandal in NHS history. On 20^th May Sir Brian Langstaff published his final report on the Infected Blood Inquiry which concluded haemophilia patients were exposed to ‘unacceptable risks’ when receiving Factor 8 treatment contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis C.

The risks were known by Government authorities and NHS officials years before contaminated treatments were stopped, but were hidden from patients. Some victims will now receive £210,000 interim payments over the summer, with further compensation to come. Keir Starmer has called for the introduction of a Duty of Candour law, to prevent future cover-ups like this and the Horizon/Post Office scandal from happening again.

Ahead of the report’s publication I handed in my petition to the House of Commons, which called for the recommendations of the Inquiry’s second interim report to be swiftly implemented. Nothing will bring back lost years and lost loved ones, but I’m so pleased Margaret, Cath and other constituents can finally see justice. Thank you to everyone who signed my petition or who has written to me about this over recent months.

Nature has the answers

I’ve long wanted to visit the iconic Knepp estate to see its work on rewilding, and this month I finally got to do so, on a visit with Rewilding Britain which also took in a trip around Sussex Bay.

Knepp is a great example of sustainable land management, from farming to biodiversity gain to carbon sequestration. We saw nesting storks and heard nightingales sing, but no sign of the beavers this visit! At Sussex Bay we saw the work they’ve done to become an eco-port and to accelerate seascape recovery along 100 miles of shoreline.

Nature-based solutions are of increasing importance to meeting the UK’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. Our peatlands, wetlands and woodlands are crucial carbon sinks, but also part of helping us combat domestic climate consequences like flooding and food insecurity, and providing essential habitats for flora and fauna.

The potential of this place-based approach was evident too last week when I visited Gair Wood with Labour’s candidate for Leeds North-West, Katie White. She took me to see the work Leeds University has been doing to create a ‘living laboratory’. The project has brought together people from across Leeds to plant trees, create wildflower meadows, install bird and bat boxes, and construct paths and seating areas. The Gair Wood project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision for sustainability.

I’ve been doing a lot of work on nature-based solutions in my role as shadow Minister for Climate Change in Ed Miliband’s Energy and Net Zero team. My colleagues in the Shadow Defra team have been setting out Labour’s plans to protect and enhance nature for future generations, whether that be clearing up after the sewage scandal or targeting a zero-waste economy by 2050, that will end the scourge of plastic pollution and the depletion of our precious natural resources.

Challenging the Government on Disability Benefits

I know many constituents have felt alarmed and anxious after reading Rishi Sunak’s recent proposals on disability benefits. The Government’s plans would further restrict Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which helps cover the increased costs of living with a disability or serious health condition. ‘Fit note’ changes would see these issued by assessors without medical training, who would also advise on a patient’s ability to work.

Too many people are locked out of work but nobody chooses to have a disability, a fluctuating illness like ME, or a mental health condition. Rather than blaming people for health problems they can’t control, we should instead look at why NHS waiting lists have rocketed to record highs after 14 years of Conservative rule. I recently raised these points with the Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride, in the Commons, and I have written to him separately to flag constituents’ concerns.

Conflict in Gaza and UK Arms Sales

The situation in Gaza has gone from bad to worse, with appalling scenes emerging from Rafah. This is a catastrophic escalation to what was already a grave humanitarian crisis, and the fallout will be severe. It’s also a clear and obvious breach of international law, making it completely untenable for the UK to continue permitting arms sales to Israel. Labour has called on the Government to immediately suspend arms sales, but to no avail.

Labour has once again reiterated our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. As David Lammy said, we need a ceasefire to end this dreadful war, rescue the hostages and get aid into Gaza. Israel must abide by the ICJ’s orders, including stopping this horrendous assault into Rafah.

Another significant development was the ICC’s issuing of warrants for the arrests of Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and a number of Hamas leaders, over potential war crimes. While Labour supports the ICC’s efforts to uphold international law, the Government still won’t even publish the legal advice it’s received.

At the very least the UK ought to be playing its part in providing refuge for those fleeing conflict and persecution. This month, I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on a family reunification scheme for Palestinians with ties to the UK. We set up a similar scheme for Ukrainians, yet the Government refuses to extend the same rights to Palestinians; understandably this has led to many people feeling that the lives of Palestinians are seen as worth less.

Unfortunately now that the General Election has been called, Parliament won’t be sitting until the King’s Speech on July 17th. There will be no MPs – only candidates – after dissolution on May 30th, but Ministers remain in post, so Lord Cameron is still Foreign Secretary. To date, however, the Government’s stance on Gaza hasn’t changed; the Tories still refuse to call for a ceasefire, to suspend arms sales to Israel, or to respect international law.

Western Rail Link to Heathrow

I spoke briefly in a debate on the creation of a Western Rail Link to connect Heathrow with the South-West. As well as boosting connectivity and creating employment opportunities, a railway service linking the West of England to Heathrow would make it easier and cheaper for people to get to the airport by rail instead of driving. If we’re serious about our net zero targets, we should be encouraging the use of public transport wherever possible, which will not only help reduce surface emissions but bring down air pollution too.

There’s a lot of work being done on reducing emissions from aviation, including airspace modernisation, exploring electric and hydrogen flight, and mandating the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We also need to make rail an affordable alternative to domestic flights. Labour’s plans to renationalise the railways will help us do that.

Biodiversity Loss (Westminster Hall Debate)

In this debate on biodiversity loss, I highlighted the worrying report from the Office of Environmental Protection that the Government is wildly off track in meeting most of its environmental targets; in fact it’s on track to meet a mere 4 out of 40.

I pressed the Minister on what the next steps actually are? Because in the face of this failure we’re just told that it’s all going swimmingly…and it’s not. If this was the case people would be able to actually go swimming in local rivers without fear of a mouthful of sewage!

It was clear from her response that the Tories just don’t have any answers when it comes to protecting nature in the UK. You can watch a clip of my speech here.

Employment (Allocation of Tips) 2023

It’s taken far too long, but this month Parliament finally gave the go-ahead for the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 to come into force from this July. This is great news for employees in the hospitality sector. It means tips must be allocated to staff fairly and without any deductions. Employers must have regard to a statutory Code of Practice in deciding what is a fair allocation; they will also need to keep records of tips received and how they’ve been shared. What we now need is a robust system to ensure that employees are aware of the law and aren’t afraid to speak up if employers aren’t passing them on. We also need to make sure that all workers are eligible to receive tips, whether they are permanent staff, agency workers, or on zero hours contracts.

Final Commons Oral Questions… for now?

At Treasury Questions this month I was able to press the Minister on two separate points. The first of these was about signing a new veterinary agreement with the EU. Research from the University of Bristol has suggested harmonising standards with the EU could boost British agrifood exports by more than 22%. Labour has committed to doing so if in power, to remove trade friction experienced in the aftermath of Brexit, but we heard no such commitment from the Minister in response.

The second thing I raised was mortgage repayments – in light of Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget which crashed the economy and sent payments sky-rocketing. A typical family remortgaging this year will pay £240 a year more in mortgage payments as a result, but the Chancellor showed little contrition. You can read the full debate here.

At Education Questions I asked the Children’s Minister for an update on the Government’s work with the Youth Endowment Fund. The charity does brilliant work with schools to reduce exclusions and support pupils with a persistent record of unauthorised school absence. Despite following up with the Minister in a Written Question, he didn’t provide much in the way of new information, which was disappointing. Missing school without a valid medical reason and being excluded are two risk factors for later involvement in criminal activity, so it’s essential we take action and support children to return to the classroom.

At Women and Equalities Questions I raised the need for minority ethnic business owners to benefit from regeneration opportunities and schemes like Temple Quarter here in Bristol. Having spoken to some business owners, they are frustrated when it’s falsely assumed their work only focuses on their own communities, rather than being of benefit to the wider economy. The Minister’s response showed we still have a long way to go, with only 42 Government start-up loans in Bristol East recently awarded to ethnic minority entrepreneurs.

Between January and May 2024 I have made 48 contributions in Parliament; each of these an opportunity to raise issues that matter to you as my constituents in Bristol East. I have also tabled many Written Questions and met with Government Ministers to discuss constituency matters on several occasions. If I’m re-elected, I will continue to speak up for constituents at every opportunity.

The Rest of the Month in Parliament

‘Build a Future Free From Homelessness’ (Event) – I heard from people who have experienced homelessness, and from Crisis about the frontline services they offer. Homeless support is vital, but it benefits everyone to tackle the issue upstream, by preventing homelessness in the first place. A Labour Government will make that a priority. It’s disappointing that the Renters Reform Bill has now been lost, with the calling of a General Election, and even more disappointing that the ban on s.21 no-fault evictions wasn’t included.

Grassroots Football (Event) – I spoke to Emile Heskey, former Liverpool and England striker and now Head of Football Development at Leicester City Women, about the importance of investing in football at the grassroots – especially for growing the women’s game, at this event hosted by the FA’s Football Foundation.

Urban Pesticides (Event) – This event focused on glyphosate (commonly found in urban pesticides) which are not only carcinogenic to humans, but lethal to a range of plants and animals. They’re already banned in the EU, but the UK Government hasn’t been prepared to act.

Alzheimer’s Society Drop-In (Event) – Without being diagnosed, people with Alzheimer’s may in future be unable to take advantage of promising new disease-modifying treatments like donanemab and lecanemab which could help slow down its progression. 91% of patients who took part in an Alzheimer’s Society survey said they had noticed the benefits of getting a diagnosis. I know this is important to so many people in Bristol East, so I was pleased to attend.

Trussell Trust Drop-In – In the last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels – the highest number in their history. This paints a disturbing portrait of the hardship that communities are enduring across the country. It’s incredibly important that the next Government turns the tide on the necessity of food banks.

Repair Cafe – I also went along to a ‘Repair Cafe’ event that the Design Council and Green Alliance were hosting. The UK is the 2nd highest producer of electronic waste per capita in the world, and it’s great to see efforts to achieve a more circular, sustainable economy. I also heard about the ‘Right to Repair’ campaign, based on proposals that have already been approved in the EU, that will make repair and reuse an easier and more attractive option.

Local work in Bristol East

Cossham Hospital Birth Centre

The excellent birth centre at Cossham Hospital unfortunately remains closed due to midwife shortages. I’ve had regular updates from the local Integrated Care Board and North Bristol Trust, and they’re doing all they can to help the centre reopen, but sadly this is a symptom of a national problem.

Damien Egan, Labour’s MP for Kingswood and candidate for Bristol North East and I have written a joint letter to the Health Secretary. As you can see here, we call for action to tackle retention and recruitment problems in maternity care. This got a write-up in this month’s Fishponds Voice.

For every 30 new midwives who train up, the Royal College of Midwives estimate 29 midwives leave their roles. Midwives make up only 1.75% of the NHS workforce, compared to 1.97% in December 2019. Only Labour has so far committed to significantly increasing numbers of training places for midwives; given that we have UWE’s nursing and midwifery campus in east Bristol, at Glenside, I hope that we will soon be able to benefit from that pledge.

St George Van Dwellers Survey

Thank you to everyone who has filled out my survey for St George residents regarding the vehicle encampment at the top of St George Park. The level of participation, and the range of views and suggestions, has been incredibly helpful. My aim is to get as thorough an understanding of residents’ views and needs as possible, in order to work out next steps.

Unfortunately, though, with Parliament being dissolved this Thursday ahead of the General Election, I won’t have an opportunity to take those next steps or contact you directly before the election. Responses to the survey are still coming in, so I can’t close it and analyse the results just yet. I can assure you, though, that if I am re-elected, I will pick this up as a priority, and use the feedback you have given me to write to the Council with specific proposals on your behalf. I aim to write to everyone who has filled out the survey detailing follow-up actions as soon as I am able to do so.

GP Survey – Results

Thanks to everyone who completed my Bristol East GP survey. As always, I really appreciate the feedback you’ve shared.

Most participants had an ‘average’ experience of GP services, rating their experience 3 out of 5. 68.3% of participants had put off or avoided seeking medical help because they didn’t think they would get an appointment with their GP. 65.5% of patients responding had encountered problems in contacting their GP via eConsult and a staggering 84.5% of constituents had difficulties getting through over the phone.

Most people said when they requested an appointment from their GP it took them two weeks to be seen. 24.6% of people said they were usually seen by their doctor within a week, but the same proportion said it took them three weeks. Most respondents who experienced delays or difficulties in getting through (67.9%) were not offered a reason or explanation.

Explanations for delays varied from staff shortages, to annual leave and sickness, to the surgery being fully booked. A few patients who couldn’t book an appointment were diverted to NHS 111, which worked out in some cases, but not in others. I received a mixture of concerns, and compliments about individual GPs and practices.

St Brendan’s Sixth Form College Visit

Earlier this month, I ran a Q&A session with Politics students at St Brendan’s. I think I told the students very confidently that there wouldn’t be a General Election till the autumn!

I also met with the Principal, Marian Curran, for one of our regular catch-ups, to discuss provision of 16-19 education across the city and the need for a varied offer for students, especially those who don’t want to go down a purely academic route.

Emmaus Visit

This month I visited the offices of Emmaus, a supported housing provider that also offers upskilling and employment opportunities to people experiencing homelessness or leaving the criminal justice system. Emmaus’ aim is to give these people the independence they need to find work and re-enter non-supported accommodation. It’s a long-term approach to homelessness that focuses on the factors driving people out of their homes in the first place.

The work of homelessness charities has never been more important, given the housing crisis. The number of people sleeping rough is now 61% higher than it was ten years ago and 120% higher than in 2010. There are also many more people in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, or ‘sofa-surfing’ with friends and family. While it shouldn’t be left to charities to do this vital work, I am always happy to support the essential services that organisations like Emmaus provide to those with nowhere else to turn.

Casework – May 2024

In May, my team and I opened 55 new cases for constituents, alongside working on our existing caseload.

In May, whilst housing has remained our biggest source of casework, we saw an increase in cases relating to local government. We have been able to ensure that constituents’ arranged bin collections are respected, and we secured Council Tax reductions for constituents with additional health needs. I have also been contacted by several constituents who are worried about the future of Barton Fields, and I have raised these concerns with the Council.

My team has also continued to work on a range of cases relating to immigration and asylum, which range from arranging replacement BRPs, checking on the status of asylum applications, and following up on family reunion applications.

We understand that constituents often turn to our office as a last resort, seeking support and help after exhausting other avenues. However, my team will only be able to take on new casework which is urgent during the upcoming election period. If you need my assistance during the election period – which I must stress would be in my role as a parliamentary candidate rather than as your MP – then please do email kerry.mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk or call 0117 939 9901 as normal.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact Citizens Advice Bristol who provide free, independent, and confidential advice to whoever may need it. You can contact them via their website or by calling 0808 278 7957.

If you have an active case, but live within the new Bristol North East constituency, please let me know what you would like my office to do with your personal data. We can arrange for the transfer of case files to the new MP for Bristol North East once they have been elected. Alternatively, we can securely destroy all of your personal data.

My Newsletters

Latest Newsletters:

Spring Newsletter

December Newsletter

October Newsletter

September Newsletter

Labour Conference

The escalation of violence in the Middle East

Crime and antisocial behaviour

St George Park Survey

Dementia-Friendly Allotment in Brislington

Citizens Advice Bristol

Revisiting ASDAN

Fairtrade Fortnight

A New Pay Deal for Junior Doctors

New Homes Accelerator

Strategy to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

Casework – September 2024

Summer 2024 Newsletter

Record-Breaking Renewables Auction

Atomic Energy Visit

Grenfell Inquiry

Orchard House and Clayewater Court

Crisis in Gaza

James Kirby Memorial

Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

Riots and disorder

Empire Fighting Chance Visit, Easton

Crown Prosecution Service visit

The Haven at Speedwell

St Barnabas Food Bank

WeCanMake

Summer Exam Results

Royal Yachting Association

St George Park Survey

Children with a Parent in Prison – Statistics

Primodos

Other activity this month

Casework — August 2024

May 2024 Pre-Election Newsletter