Happy to be back home in the constituency for the Easter recess after a very busy week in Westminster.
The number of policy and campaign enquiries has remained steady this week, with lots keeping me busy in both offices.
Policy issues that I have taken forward to Ministers this week include the duration of the Bereavement Support Payment to the Department for Work and Pensions, as I understand there are concerns that this support is provided for a considerably shorter term than its predecessor.
I have also raised the subject of landlords with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as I understand several constituency landlords are finding the number of reforms to the private rented sector difficult.
I also emailed my letter to the Home Secretary that I mentioned last week on the subject of needing to reinforce and increase safe and legal routes to the United Kingdom alongside the Illegal Immigration Bill.
I have unfortunately had several policy emails I have been unable to respond to this week due to them arriving through generated campaign email addresses (from the organisation running the campaign). These emails bounce back as undeliverable when I try to reply. If an alternative email address is not provided it means I am unable to respond. Please do be mindful of providing your own email address in such campaigns so I can respond to you.
In the patch, I was delighted this week that the Number 9 service has been picked up by Yorkshire Buses, and they will begin operating this route on 3rd April on an enhanced timetable. I am continuing to push for Service 508, as I appreciate these are important services to my constituents.
I am also very pleased that Google Digital Garage are coming to Horsforth on Friday 21 April, which I posted about earlier today. If you are interested in this free workshop, you can register online to attend at https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/horsforth.
Casework arriving in the office this week is back up to its usual level with issues such as public transport, pensions, social housing, education settings, visas, refuse collections and taxation all raised with me for assistance this week.
Myself and my team will remain available as usual during the Easter recess, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to be of assistance or if you have any issues you wish to raise with me.