August news from Freddie van Mierlo

Welcome to my first ever monthly newsletter as your MP; I hope to use these emails to keep you up to date with the work I am doing in Westminster on your behalf.

I'd like to start by thanking you for voting for me; it is a huge honour and privilege to represent you in parliament.

A month ago, I joined my 72 new Lib Dem colleagues in Parliament to swear in. In the first month, we have already made our voice heard, especially on our campaign priorities of health and social care, sewage and the cost of living crisis. Indeed, Wes Streeting (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care) commented he now has 72 pen pals!

Action on sewage
Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to the King's Speech, which sets out the government's legislative agenda for the year. The amendment demanded action on the sewage crisis and called for a new tough regulator but both the Tories and Labour failed to support it.

I have also backed River Action's letter to Thames Water and the citizen scientists of Henley and Marlow River action. The letter calls for Thames Water to take responsibility for its role in the degradation of the River Thames catchment and to invest in sewage treatment works in Henley and Wargrave.

I have made it clear that action on sewage is desperately needed and put down my own motion, supported by Layla Moran MP wishing luck to Oxfordshire Olympic rowers and calling for safe, sewage free training facilities.

Health challenges in Henley and Thame
This month I have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asking him to 'call in' the decision taken by local NHS authority (the ICB) to not hold a consultation before the closure of step down beds in Henley-on-Thames serving South Oxfordshire residents. 

I also met with the Chief Executive of the Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust to discuss the new hospital programme (in the wake of the decision to review the programme by the Chancellor). I'm also urgently meeting with health bosses to discuss GP capacity and making more use of the Townlands hospital in Henley; and attended an emergency meeting in Oxford to discuss proposed internal restructuring of the local NHS (the ICB).

Protecting the Environment
I have raised concerns about a proposed development in Shiplake that threatens to pollute a local water source with Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, calling for a full Environmental Impact Assessment.

I have also been engaging with residents of Waterstock, who are threatened with a massive industrial building complex on the Oxford Green Belt and land protected for nature.

As the government looks to change planning laws, I will be following closely to ensure environmental protections are not weakened.

Cost of living
Following the King's Speech last week, I used my first vote in parliament to scrap the two child benefit cap which would have lifted 250,000 children out of poverty - sadly this was voted down by the government, but Liberal Democrats will continue to hold them to account on this.

New contact details
My new email address is freddie.vanmierlo.mp@parliament.uk for constituency matters, invites and all things related to my role as your MP. Please don't hesitate to reach out, though please be patient with me while I recruit staff to support on casework (see below opportunities).

Work with me
I am currently recruiting for caseworkers and other team members to work both locally and also in Westminster - if you are interested in a role that makes a huge difference to local people, I would love to hear from you - please visit www.w4mpjobs.org for further information