I want to begin with wishing all those across our towns and villages who were celebrating, a happy Rosh Hashanah. I am wishing you a peaceful and joyous new year. Shana Tova!

Moving to local and national news, it has been a deeply concerning few weeks with the news of the cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover. The company have now confirmed that production in their factories will remain shut until 1st October at the earliest. As a major local employer, this is incredibly worrying for so many in our towns and villages who work at the company but also those involved in its supply chains. 

I have written to the Government to call for further action to support the company. We must treat this situation with the severity it deserves. 

Many of you will remember the cyber-attacks M&S and the Co-op suffered earlier this year. They had a visible impact with shelves in stores across the country empty and customers unable to order online in the way they could normally. These attacks are getting increasingly common and the disruption they cause is significant. 

 I chair the Joint Committee for the National Security Strategy which is a committee made up of MPs and members of the House of Lords from across different political parties. We have spent significant time discussing the dangers of cyber-attacks and the risks these new challenges pose to businesses and organisations.

I remain in frequent communication with JLR and will continue to make calls to the Government to support the company and its workforce during this hugely challenging period. We cannot overstate the importance of JLR to our local economy and must act accordingly.

In other national news, earlier this month we saw the long overdue introduction of the Hillsborough Law, 36 years after that dreadful day. So many, like me, will remember where they were that day and watching the appalling scenes and the sickening way it was reported and treated afterwards. 

The introduction of the Hillsborough Law will deliver a new professional and legal Duty of Candour– meaning public officials must act with honesty and integrity at all times – with criminal sanctions for egregious breaches, the largest expansion of legal aid in a decade for bereaved families – providing non-means tested help and support for inquests and a new offence for misleading the public – our legislation will lead to meaningful cultural changes and a public service that truly acts in the public interest. But for those who don't, there will be criminal sanctions for the most serious breaches, including for misleading the public in a way which is seriously improper.

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It is testament to the years of tireless campaigning of the families of the 97 who never wavered in their mission. Their determination in the face of all they have suffered is extraordinary and they have delivered not only for their loved ones but for so many others who will now never have to suffer the injustices the 97 and their loved ones did.  

It is a momentous occasion and one where I am thinking of the 97 and all who loved them. 

As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise with me. I can be reached at [email protected] or on 01926 882006.