January 2026 Newsletter

Swindon Drone Hub

Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

I recently visited the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, a shining example of the expertise embedded within our armed forces. I also met with members of Cranfield University to discuss the training opportunities they could provide to feed into my mission of re-industrialising Swindon into the drone manufacturing hub of the UK.

Alongside this, I met with a number of businesses who are keen to come to Swindon and look forward to some exciting announcements on this soon!

Constituency update

University of Bath

It was great to visit the University of Bath and see how varied and incredible the work they’re doing is for the region, and especially how it can have a positive impact on Swindon.

First, I met with the University of Bath student drone team, who build and develop their own drones to compete against teams from across the world. They’ve won an impressive number of trophies, and I look forward to bringing talents like them to Swindon.

I then met with the Academic outreach team and raised the importance of supporting young people in Swindon through their GCSE’s and A-Levels so that they can attend amazing institutions like bath and was pleased to see the University’s commitment to this, highlighting work at Swindon Academy. We also discussed how the University of Bath can add to Swindon’s economic future through expanding workforce skills through short courses and deeper engagement with our town.

Following this, I met with the Mental Health Research group to discuss interventions for young people and am pleased to see this group commit to supporting people in Swindon, especially with dealing with the aftermath of spice-laced vapes. As well as how Jiu-jitsu can improve mental and physical resilience.

Next, I saw some of the incredible work the University are doing to support veterans’ rehabilitation through their CAMERA system as well as prepare the next generation of recruits through monitoring an individual’s gait and weaknesses to enhance training and success rates. With this technology, I see a number of uses for the NHS and other services and am keen to work with the University as it develops.

Finally, I visited the University’s Sports Training Village, an impressive facility home to a number of Olympians and also where one of my former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students now trains the next generation in Jiu-Jitsu.

Overall, I’m incredibly keen to work with institutions like the University of Bath to develop more opportunities for the people of Swindon.

Firstport & Sovereign Network Group

Last month I raised a number of issues with both Firstport and Sovereign Network Group, two large social housing providers within Swindon North. We agreed a number of actions relating to individual cases to seek improvements for residents who have contacted me and my office in need of support. More widely, we also agreed a way of working going forward to speed up responses to residents.

Abbey Meads Dental Centre

I attended the official opening of the new Abbey Meads dental practice building, including a number of upgrades and improvements. Ebrahim gave a truly inspiring talk about the work he and his team have been doing over the past 20 years, including an initiative to provide free screenings for primary school aged children across the town.

I saw not only the passion of great dentists but also a plan to improve dentistry across our town and country, and I look forward to celebrating the work of Abbey Meads Dental Centre in the coming weeks and months but also working with NHS partners and passionate people like Ebrahim and Soheila to improve dentistry care.

Parliamentary Update

Harry Parker - Road Safety Consultation

This month has been a busy return to Parliament, with the launch of the Road Safety Strategy consultation. I was really pleased to see that two key amendments that I’ve been working on, initially as part of the Harry Parker Bill are being included in the consultation. These amendments would expand the available options for prosecution for the offence of failing to stop and also expand penalties for unlicensed drivers.

This is a major step forward in honouring Harry Parker and a huge achievement for his parents, Adam and Kelly, and I’d be grateful to everyone who’d be willing to fill out the consultation and support the amendments.

You can take part in the consultation at GOV.UK - Proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences

Ground Rent and Leasehold

Last month also saw the government bring forward their ground rent cap proposals, which would cap ground rent at £250 for 40 years before bringing it down to a peppercorn rent. I know this will mean a great deal for a number of residents in Swindon North who are either above the £250 cap and will see it reduced, or those concerned that their ground rent could rise. This means that ground rents will become cheaper over time as wages rise and as inflation meets our 2% target.

There are over 7,000 properties in Swindon North which operate under leasehold, including many flats, and the reforms announced by the government will also make it easier for flats to become commonhold properties, whilst also instituting a ban on future leasehold flats, making commonhold the norm.

As a member of the APPG for Leasehold Reform, I’m incredibly pleased to see the examples I’ve shared with the government around flats and those of my APPG colleagues being taken seriously and actions on this vital issue brought forward.

Road Safety and Ground Rent caps are two major announcements from the government in the last month that reflect how we can bring about positive change when we work together to right historic wrongs.

A win for Pet Owners

As a proud owner of a cat and a dog, I know how important pets are to families. I have been really proud to back our government’s work on animal welfare, including legislation such as the Renters’ Rights Bill, which makes it easier for renters to keep their pets.

This month I intervened in the Westminster Hall debate on the Animal Welfare Strategy for England to call for regulation and greater transparency when it comes to what vets can charge. There is a growing desire for clearer pricing for common services, capped prescription charges, and transparency around practice ownership.