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.

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

Minister for Climate