When I sent out my last newsletter, Andy Burnham had just become Prime Minister, England’s Men’s Team had just bowed out of the World Cup, and we were experiencing our third heatwave of the summer, as parliament went into recess.
This update covers what I’ve been doing in the constituency over the summer, and during the brief period that Parliament returned before September’s conference recess. Labour’s Party Conference starts this weekend – I look forward to seeing some of you up in Liverpool!
National Politics
Israeli Sanctions
I was really pleased to see the new Foreign Secretary announce the strongest package of sanctions yet on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a total trade ban. This includes direct action against specific companies and individuals in construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate that contribute to settlement expansion. You can read his full statement to the Commons here.
It is the clearest rebuke to date from any UK Government to the abhorrent actions of violent settlers and the Israeli Government and represents a new approach – one that the Foreign Secretary argues “not only calls out injustice and suffering, but acts”.
Politcal Donations Allegations about potential illegal donations have dogged Reform for weeks, prompting debate about how we regulate party finances in this country and whether there should be a donations cap. The Representation of the People Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and proposes substantial restrictions, including a ban on overseas donations, greater transparency around donations, and a profit test for corporate donations. I welcome all these changes, and I am open to a donations cap – but I feel this needs to be done as part of a wider reform of party funding. I’ve shared my broader views here and have asked for people to let me know their views.
Health
Assisted Dying Debate
I was deeply disappointed by the narrow defeat of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which failed by just 16 votes. I pay tribute to Lauren Edwards MP for her efforts in bringing this back before Parliament, and to the many campaigners, families and individuals who have worked hard to make the case for change. The Second Reading debate featured moving contributions from MPs speaking to the importance of autonomy and dignity at the end of life. I will continue to support reform through whatever channels are possible.
National Health Announcements
The announcement of 100 new community mental health centres, and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments is very welcome. These new facilities will help provide timely and appropriate care. I am especially pleased that one of the first dedicated emergency departments will be opening in Bristol East at Callington Road Hospital.
I was encouraged to hear Andy Burnham set out his intentions to reform our social care system, with plans to develop a National Care Service, and accelerate the work of the Casey Commission on the future of social care.
Health Visits in Bristol
In August I went to Riversway Nursing Home in Crews Hole, on a visit organised by Dementia UK, and saw first-hand the fantastic work of Admiral Nurses. The care, dedication and support they provide to residents and families is truly invaluable. I also caught up with the Royal College of Nursing for a chat about issues currently facing nursing staff. This followed a trip to Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, the only provider of level 1 specialist neurorehabilitation care in the South West. We discussed how they support patients with some of the most complex acquired brain injury care needs from across the region.
Culture and Hospitality
Support for Cafes
One of my priorities is supporting our local hospitality businesses – and, in particular, the small independents who form the heart of our communities. Andy Burnham announced support for pubs, social clubs and music venues soon after becoming Prime Minister. I recently wrote an article for Bristol 24/7 arguing that cafes need support too.
Support for Independent Brewers
I visited the Hop Union Brewery, one of many excellent breweries in east Bristol and separately met with SIBA – the Society of Independent Brewers – to discuss how the Government could better support smaller independents. We talked about business overheads, but also changes to the pub code and the Competitions and Marketing Authority (CMA) review of anti-competitive practice by big pub companies.
Community Transfers
I was disappointed to see the proposals to build HMO flats on the historic Redfield Cinema site approved. I have always supported calls for a community-owned cinema hub and wish the Council had found a way to make this happen. It underlines the need to ensure other community assets are put in local people’s hands – something we discussed when I visited the Sparks Space at Bethesda Methodist Church. You can read more about community right-to-buy from Councillor Fabian Breckels here.
Festivals and Ticket Touts
It was great to join Mayor Helen Godwin at FORWARDS Festival to showcase the use of green hydrogen to power the main stage as part of the West of England Clean Power Pilot – another example of where Bristol leads, others will follow. I hope those of you lucky enough to get tickets enjoyed the weekend’s entertainment. At the Ticket Abuse APPG we were joined by the CMA’s Executive Director of Consumer Protection to discuss the work they’re doing to protect consumers from touts. Plans were announced in 2025 to make it illegal to resell tickets for live events above the original cost, and the Prime Minister has been clear this legislation will be brought forward as soon as possible.
Business and Jobs
Temple Quarter
I joined councillors and officers for a tour of Temple Quarter and the following week I was there again, for the opening of the new University of Bristol campus and Eastern Entrance to Temple Meads Station. It was a pleasure to speak at the opening ceremony. TQ is one of the biggest regeneration projects in Europe, and will totally transform this part of the city. I stressed how important it is that all parts of the city share in its success, and the education, employment and training opportunities that will come with economic growth.
Jobs Fairs
I went along to two jobs fairs, one at the Trinity Centre and another at Bristol Old Vic, promoting the Government’s Youth Jobs Guarantee which offers 18-24yr olds a clear route into work. It was so encouraging to hear so many great conversations happening in the room and see young people signing up for jobs and interviews on the spot. You can find out more information here about the Youth Jobs Grant which is giving firms up to £3,000 for every long-term unemployed young person they hire.
Other events I’ve attended this summer:
- I joined students for their A-level results day at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College.
- I caught up with the team at Science Creates in Old Market, where every year, over 8,000 schoolchildren take a tour through their labs and are exposed to a completely different world of work. In a parliamentary Debate on Financial Services I made the point that incubator businesses at Science Creates and their investors need stronger signals from the Government that we’re sticking to our net zero agenda, to give confidence that there will be a future market for their products.
- Eagle Coaches: In August I joined the family-run business to celebrate an incredible 100 years of business. You can read more here.
- I attended the launch of the one-year impact report on West of England Growth Strategy.
- I met with local tradespeople at Screwfix in St George at a Google roadshow, showing how AI can help them in their work.
Local Environment
Fly-tipping
I wrote a public letter to Cllr Abi Finch, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee, raising constituents’ complaints about waste and fly-tipping, which is blighting too many east Bristol neighbourhoods. She sent a lengthy response, and I appreciate her taking the time to do so, but I feel that there’s still a lack of an overarching strategy and no clear commitment to targets or action. I highlighted this issue during an ITV News interview last week, pointing out that the Government has given councils extra powers and funding so they can tackle fly-tipping, waste, and abandoned vehicles. The Council must now deliver.
Brislington Brook
I’ve also written to Wessex Water regarding longstanding concerns about storm drains discharging raw sewage into Brislington Brook after meeting with the Friends of Brislington Brook. I called for measures to improve capacity and for the brook to be included in a wider programme of works to improve the quality of Bristol’s water. It’s clear that the present sewage system in Brislington is inadequate and the storm drains are discharging into the brook, which runs through Nightingale Valley, with alarming regularity.
St George’s Park
In August the aerators at St George’s Lake broke, which, combined with a series of heatwaves, led to a decline in water quality and the death of several birds due to botulism. I took this up with council officers and wrote to Cllr Stephen Williams, head of the Public Health and Communities Committee at the Council, calling for immediate steps to be taken to bring the lake back to full ecological health as soon as possible.
I visited the lake myself last week with the Friends of St George’s Park group to discuss the long-term management of what is a very important local environmental asset. I’ve followed this up with another letter to the local councillors and Richard Fletcher, Parks Manager at Bristol City Council, to ask how the council intends to strengthen the lake’s resilience in the years ahead, particularly to address future periods of low water levels. I’ll be sure to update constituents of any response.
I also share concerns from local residents about the potential loss of the skatepark whilst Wessex Water undertakes works to help with sewage being dumped in the Avon River. We need clear timelines on exactly how long the process will take and a full commitment to restoring the skatepark afterward.
Climate and Nature
Wild Summit
I was delighted to attend the Wild Summit at Bristol Beacon again this year. Organised by Wildlife and Countryside Link, it brought together NGOs, businesses, researchers, national and local government for conversations on issues like access to nature, climate resilience, sustainable farming, water and rewilding. One of the events I attended was on PFAS pollution, which is now rightly getting the attention it deserves. The EU has already taken action to ban harmful ‘forever chemicals’ in children’s toys, and I’ve signed a letter alongside 31 fellow MPs, that calls on the Government to impose stricter toy safety regulations too.
National Security Risk Assessment
I spoke in a Global Biodiversity and Ecosystems debate in Parliament about the destruction caused by the glacier collapse and catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet. The consequences of climate change on the Tibetan Plateau are impossible to ignore. The tragedy is not just environmental but humanitarian, social, and economic. I argued that the UK must do more to take a leading role in global climate resilience.
Solar Panels
I was really pleased to see the Government legalising plug-in solar panels this summer, a move that could save families up to £110 a year on their energy bills. This technology has already proved highly successful overseas, with a single kit capable of providing up to 20% of a typical household’s electricity needs, all without installation costs.
Overfishing I caught up with my friend Feargal Sharkey at an event in Parliament on the threat to marine life from overfishing, after research from the Blue Marine Foundation showed 60% of UK catch limits in 2026 were set above scientific advice.
Food
Procurement
I wrote for LabourList about the Government’s manifesto pledge that 50% of food and catering purchased by the public sector should be locally-produced or sustainably-sourced. Done well, this could be transformational – delivering a £1bn boost to our food producers and supplying more nutritious, home-grown food for our schools, hospitals, care homes and prisons, whilst backing nature-friendly farming and boosting our national food security.
I called into FareShare South West’s warehouse in St Jude’s last week to hear more about the development of a multi-bank model in partnership with WECA which combines different offers of support under one roof – read more.
School Food
In August I joined fellow Labour MPs in writing to the Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, calling for the revised School Food Standards to be published as soon as possible. They were published on 14th September and have been welcomed by the likes of Jamie Oliver. The Early Education Minister attended our School Food APPG to discuss how the new standards will spear support a shift towards healthier school meals, with on the one hand, more fruit, veg, and plant-based protein, like pulses, and on the other, healthier desserts and a ban on deep-fried food. We also discussed with the Minister how this Government is expanding eligibility for free school meals to another 500,000 children, by extending it to all households receiving Universal Credit.
Children Heard and Seen
As regular readers will know, I’m a trustee of Children Heard and Seen, a charity that supports children affected by parental imprisonment. In August I spent a weekend volunteering at their residential summer camp; it was a lot of fun, with more than 300 children taking part this year. The camp allows them to come together on a 67-acre estate, make friends in a safe and non-judgmental environment, and build confidence with creative arts activities, sports, cake decorating, nature trails, and more.
I followed this up at Justice oral questions, when the Minister confirmed that over 200,000 children had a parent in prison last year, and agreed to attend the event I’m hosting in Parliament in November.
Transport
WECA got Prime Ministerial backing for a mass transit system in the West of England, and released their report into the EBLN with several key recommendations for the Council to adopt if they try similar future projects. Meanwhile, the Council released for consultation the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) for the works to make the EBLN permanent, which you can see and respond to here. I’ve already raised concerns about how many parking spaces are being removed, particularly on Marsh and Ducie Roads.
The Council is also consulting on improvements to the road network in Stockwood, including proposals for new speed cushions, traffic islands and crossings.
Local Updates
After residents at Paintworks contacted me about the stalled Phase IV building works, I met with the developer, who told me they’ve had issues finding a social home provider to take on the units once completed. I have raised this with officials at Bristol City Council and with WECA to try and move this project toward completion. I also attended the Paintworks’ AGM where I gave a brief update on the Government’s leasehold reforms.
I attended End Furniture Poverty’s event at City Hall where we heard that an estimated 640,000 children are currently without beds to sleep in, and thousands of families are without fridges, ovens, and other essential white goods. I look forward to attending their event in Parliament later this year to push for national and local government action.
Recent news articles have confirmed what many Bristolians have known for years; Bristol is now the least affordable city in which to rent. The Government has brought in greater protections with the Renters’ Rights Act, and I recently met with Generation Rent and the Bristol Fair Renting Campaign to discuss whether rent controls would help. There is some evidence that they might in fact reduce the supply and quality of available homes, and actually result in an increase in average rents, but I am open to considering any ideas that might help renters in Bristol. It was great to attend the reopening of the Bangladesh Centre in Easton after extensive renovations. Always good to see some familiar faces!
Casework and Correspondence
This month my team have opened 86 new cases as well as continuing to work on the 443 already open. As usual housing and immigration continue to make up the bulk of my team’s workload.
This month we have assisted a constituent whose Universal Credit award was incorrectly reduced to £0 by the Department for Work and Pensions; helped a constituent in an overcrowded home move to a new suitable property; and advocated for someone after an administrative error made by the Home Office meant that their visa application was refused.
My team and I will do all we can to help people who come to us with problems. As always if you require assistance please feel free to contact us on 0117939 9901 or kerry.mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk. You can also request a surgery appointment using our online form.
Best wishes,
Kerry