Happy to be back home in the constituency after a busy week in Westminster.
An equally busy weekend in the patch lies ahead, with my Pudsey Market surgery taking place this morning followed by a number of meetings, visits and appointments. I will be holding my advice surgeries in Horsforth Morrisons at 10:00am and Guiseley Morrisons at 11:30am tomorrow morning - please do come down if you wish to speak with me, no appointment is needed.
If you are unable to attend an open surgery, or if it is not suitable for your circumstances or the matter you wish to discuss, please do get in touch to request a private appointment.
In Westminster this week, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons and the policy enquiries have continued to arrive on a diverse range of issues.
On the subject of Rwanda, I understand there are a broad range of views held on this by my constituents. While it certainly goes against our natural welcoming instincts as a nation, we must acknowledge that our kindness as a nation is being taken advantage of and I am deeply concerned that vulnerable people are being exploited and are dying attempting to make this unsafe crossing. While I do support the efforts of the Government to reduce the number of small boat crossings for this reason, I have emphasised with the Home Secretary the need to increase safe and legal routes alongside such efforts to deter illegal migration.
In the Constituency Office this week, casework arriving has been on subjects such as prescriptions, access to benefits, anti-social behaviour, social housing, recycling, special educational needs, pensions, the closure of banks in the constituency and planning applications to name but a few.
We have also received a number of concerns about the closure of Pudsey Civic Hall this week. I have contacted Leeds City Council to object to this closure and to urge them to re-evaluate how we can preserve this essential community space. I will continue to monitor this closely.
As always, if I can be of any assistance at all please do not hesitate to get in touch.