He has been an inspiration to so many us, including me. A fearsome campaigner for wildlife and climate action:
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, Sir David Attenborough!
Yesterday began with a trip to Plymouth to the constituency of Luke Pollard with @jaynekirkhammp for the Local Election in my election shirt!
Then onto London where I was out knocking on doors in Lambeth in South London until about 9pm and then a midnight interview with GB News ahead of the local election results, most of which will come in today.
Although not good for Labour, initial indications are that they are not quite as bad as much of the media was projecting. But early days.
So yesterday began with my 5th and final SEND consultation meeting. These have been so incredibly useful as parents, guardians and teachers have been able to provide feedback on the new reforms that we’re planning to bring in over the next few years.
Then over to visit Mrs Evison, staff and pupils at Mithian School. A great example of a well run, loving, supportive village school.
Then back to Redruth for a visit to Pennoweth Primary School, part of Crofty Education Trust. Yet another brilliant school run by Mrs Pamplin, and including the two school dogs!
At both schools I had a rapid fire round of dozens of very hard questions from student councils and pupils. Except one: ‘Jam or cream first?’ 🤦
Then back to the office in Pool to answer dozens more emails from constituents.
Off to Plymouth today to help in the local elections. Then on to London.
💥 Stithians sewage update! See below from South West Water
I reiterate to Stithians residents, please rest assured that I will not be letting this go, until all remedial work has been completed satisfactorily. I will continue to post regular updates on this page, as and when I get them.
Cornwall Council has launched the Kernow Industrial Growth Fund.
This Fund was awarded by the Labour Government and was very hard won by the 4 Cornish Labour MPs, including @annagelderd MP, @jaynekirkhammp , @noahlawmp and myself. There were many politicians in Parties across Cornwall and Devon who said we’d get NO economic investment. They were wrong. We lobbied HM Treasury hard as ‘Team Cornwall’ and spoke many times with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. She recognised the importance of Cornwall to the UK economy and approved the £30m Kernow Industrial Growth Fund, announcing it at the dispatch box in the November budget.
This Fund must now be used wisely by Cornwall Council to boost economic growth and jobs in our major growth sectors across the Duchy. The application process for Cornish businesses has now opened. And Cornish Labour MPs will be keeping an eagle on how the Fund is spent and the economic value it derives for the people of Cornwall.
/business-trading-and-licences/economic-development/kernow-industrial-growth-fund/
💥Calling all young people aged between 15 to 24!!
If you were born between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011 you may be eligible for thousands of pounds!
Check whether you have a Child Trust Fund and how to claim via the free “Find My Child Trust Fund” service on GOV.UK.
The last Labour Government set up a Child Trust Fund, and there could be unclaimed money sitting in it for you today.
Over 750,000 young people have an unclaimed Child Trust Fund, with an average value of around £2,200.
This is money that you could have now!
Read more here: /government/news/economic-secretary-on-a-drive-to-help-young-people-find-their-child-trust-funds
See if you have a Trust Fund here -
/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund
Yesterday began with an online meeting with Toby, new interim CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Labour MP colleagues.
Then hot-footed it across to Connor Downs Academy to meet Headteacher Jan and staff at yet another of our amazing Primary Schools doing amazing work to give local youngsters the best possible start to their education. Not just a grilling from the school council this time, but the entire school! Lots and lots of really great questions about life as an MP. I was also given some lovely pictures which I have already put up in my office.
Back in the office, I had a series of online meetings with my staff and Labour MP colleagues as well as answering as many constituent emails and letters as I could.
On Saturday morning I held my regular surgery at the Passmore Edwards Institute Hayle where constituents discussed a wide range of issues with me including: SEND; harassment; NHS failures; transport connectivity in Cornwall; and ASB. I also met with Cllr Channon to discuss some of the challenges facing the Hayle pilot gig clubs upcoming festival in July, as well as a wider range of Hayle issues.
Then headed over to watch a cracking Cornish Pirates win vs Coventry in the rain at the Mennaye. It was lovely to bump into several very old school friends.
Full-on day last Friday began with a trip to Bodriggy Health Centre in Hayle where Government funding is being used to increase the clinical space available. Good chat with GPs and practice manager about their ambitions for development and expansion.
Then over to Treloweth Primary School in Pool for a tour from Deputy head, Mr Scott and another grilling from another school council! Another gem of a school that our community should be very proud of.
Then over to Camborne and a meeting with .uk at CPR FoodBank to discuss food waste and what relatively small legislative changes could be made to ensure that supermarkets send excess food to foodbanks and charities rather than landfill.
Then back to Pool for an online meeting with Stephanie from the BBC, Laura from Screen Cornwall and Mark from Cornwall Council to discuss investment and programming of Cornish language content.
And then over to The Turnpike Inn at Connor Downs for 16th ‘Pint With Perran’ session and discussions with constituents ranging from national politics to Motability scheme, to housing and racism. Absolutely delicious food there too.
Then afterwards watched the new Mark Jenkin film Rose of Nevada and learnt a lot about fishing!
Over to Hayle Saturday morning for a constituency surgery and then Cornish Pirates last game of the season at the Mennaye.
On my first day back in the constituency following prorogation, I was at Gwealan Tops for a very special visit from senior advisors to the Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC. An excellent conversations with governors and staff.
Then into the Office at Pool to answer a bunch of emails and letters before heading over to Lanner Community Centre for Lanner Parish Council meeting. Lovely to see a group of organised and devoted Councillors from varying backgrounds and political leanings working together for the good of the village. I listened to a sensible and sensitive debate about glyphosate usage. Delighted to report that Lanner PC is not using it.
Latest on road closure in Beacon. Pedestrian access has been opened but road will remain closed until 15th May. I’ll keep pushing Cornwall Council for updates and post here as and when they come through.
