It has been a busy few weeks, both in Westminster and back home in the constituency.

Many of you will have seen the news that the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory in Leamington will cease to process covid-19 tests, resulting in 650 job losses.

I was deeply concerned to hear this news and have written to the Health Secretary to ask questions on the mystery that has surrounded the lab. It was continuously said that post covid, the lab would be able to support diagnostics for critical illness including cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

I have raised this in parliament and will keep pressing the Health Secretary for answers.

Last week, the government announced the second round of their so-called 'Levelling Up Fund'.

£2.1 billion was available and was awarded to just over 100 projects across the country. I was disappointed to see that the bid put in by our local councils for Bath Street Area Improvements was unsuccessful, particularly given the hard work put in by council officers.

The most recent announcement on the fund has raised questions regarding how fair the process is with large sums going to wealthy areas such as the £19 million given to the Prime Minister's constituency of Richmond.

It is also worth remembering that this funding only gives back a small amount of the money taken from local authorities by recent Conservative governments.

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These decisions strip local people of the opportunity to make the decisions for their local area. It makes sense that local people know what their community needs best.

Finally, I'd like to pay tribute to Lilian Brocklehurst, who passed away earlier this month. Lilian was a great community champion and a stalwart of the brilliant SYDNI Centre in Sydenham alongside her work with the Leamington branch of the Royal British Legion.

Last year, I had the pleasure of presenting her with one of my MP Awards after she was nominated by several people and judges found her work to be more than deserving of some recognition.

Her passing is a real loss. I know our community will join me in keeping her friends and family in our thoughts.

As always, please do 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.