RETURNING to Parliament this week, my focus is as always on advocating for our constituency in government as I mark 100 days as Hexham’s first Labour MP.

My first action in Parliament this week was posing a question to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the Government’s Warm Homes Plan.

The plan aims to upgrade 19 million homes over this parliament by supporting investment in insulation and low-carbon heating to improve energy efficiency and tackle rising energy costs.

At this year's party conference our plans to end the scandal of cold homes in the rental sector were announced.

As such, my question focused on the importance of minimum standards for energy efficiency in the rental sector as it is often the poorest communities who are forced to live in cold homes. 

I also met with members of the Fire Brigades Union to discuss ongoing concerns around cuts to services and the effect this has on fire safety. This government was elected on the message of rebuilding our public services and I look forward to continuing discussions with our emergency services to ensure that they are properly resourced and protected.

I spoke in this week’s opposition day debate on farming and food security, a debate brought forward by the Conservatives who failed our UK farmers. Under the Conservatives, 12,000 farmers and agri-businesses went out of business, farmers were consistently undercut by poor trade deals and faced the rising costs of a botched Brexit and skyrocketing energy prices.

Labour understands that food security is national security and will support the agricultural community with our new deal for farmers. We will reform farming schemes, protect our farmers in trade deals and crack down on rural crime.

This Saturday marks 100 days of Labour in government and we have already started delivering on our key missions. We have made strides in our plan to address the housing crisis with plans to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 put into action, helping to provide affordable housing for first time buyers.

In the rental sector, our Renters Rights Bill will put an end to no-fault evictions and enforce standards for rental properties, transforming the experience of private renting and protecting tenants.

Our manifesto pledge to launch the publicly owned GB Energy is also in motion with the location of its headquarters being announced as Aberdeen and work is underway to bring clean energy solutions and lower bills to households across the UK.

This Government also unveiled plans for a once in a generation reform to workers’ rights with the Employment Rights Bill. The bill underpins our mission to make work pay by introducing measures such as the right to switch off, limiting work communication outside of hours and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

We are also working hard to ensure that transport services return to serving people rather than profits. The new Buses Bill gives local authorities the power and support to take over bus services, making them more reliable and affordable.

The Government is furthering its plans to overhaul public transport with its commitment to renationalising the railways, putting an end to the cancellations that disrupt our country’s daily operations.

As of this week my team within the constituency is fully staffed and they are working hard to support residents. So far we have secured backdated pension payments for constituents, helped to resolve a long-standing DWP address change issue and have obtained a blue badge for a constituent who had been struggling with the process since 2019.

I have also advocated for local issues, such as pushing Northern Rail on train cancellations and the council on bus services during the closure of Ovington Road.

Last week, I was pleased to hold another advice surgery in Haltwhistle. Assisting constituents with the issues they need help with is a rewarding and important part of the job.

The many discussions I have had at my MP's advice surgery, whilst visiting local schools, employers, and community groups have all informed my work in Westminster and allowed me to bring your voice to Parliament. My office is in the process of organising the next advice surgery.

Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page, Joe Morris for Hexham constituency.