MP Newsletter #34: Climate, HCRG Care Group, Constituency Q&A sessions, Tour de Trowbridge, and more
A warm welcome to my latest newsletter.
After the searing heat we experienced across Wiltshire at the end of last week, I think many of us were grateful for a little relief as temperatures cooled slightly today. While sunshine is always welcome, the unusually high temperatures were also a reminder of how quickly our weather patterns are changing and the pressures that brings for communities like ours. More on that below.
Parliament is now in recess, which has given me more opportunity to get out and about across the constituency and spend time speaking directly with residents. Just last night I was in Melksham for a local Q&A session, and this evening I’ll be in Devizes for another open discussion with residents there too. I always value these opportunities to hear directly from people about the issues affecting them and to answer questions openly and honestly.
As ever, there’s plenty to update you on below.
📌 In this edition:
• 🌍 Climate resilience, flooding and the National Emergency Briefing
• 🩺 Concerns over HCRG Care Group services
• 🗣️ Constituency Q&A sessions
• 🏗️ Architecture exhibition and ideas for Melksham
• 🚴 Tour de Trowbridge fundraiser for Wiltshire Air Ambulance
• 🇪🇺 Pushing for a closer UK-EU relationship
• 🏭 Visiting Greencore Desserts in Devizes
• 🐓 Animal welfare and egg laying hens
• 🛡️ Defence, food security and overseas aid
🌍 Climate Resilience, Flooding and the National Emergency Briefing
There can be few people across Wiltshire who did not feel the impact of the unusually hot weather we’ve been experiencing. Several days of intense heat served as a reminder that what once felt exceptional could increasingly become the norm as our climate changes. The record for the hottest May day was broken twice this week in England.
That was one of the key themes explored in the National Emergency Briefing, a powerful documentary and public discussion project focused on climate resilience and the risks facing the UK in the years ahead. I recently attended screenings in Melksham, Devizes and Bradford on Avon and there have been thoughtful discussions with residents about what more we can do locally and nationally to prepare for these changes.
What has encouraged me most is seeing just how many towns and villages across our constituency have organised screenings and discussions around the film. By the time I finish attending them all, I will have seen the documentary six times across the constituency. That level of engagement shows how seriously local people are taking these issues.
Since becoming your MP, I have worked closely with a wide range of environmental organisations including Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the Canal & River Trust, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency. Much of that work has focused on issues we see directly here in Wiltshire - flooding in places like Melksham and Bradford on Avon, protecting rivers and waterways, improving water quality and safeguarding green spaces and wildlife habitats.
I have also continued campaigning to protect local fire stations, which become even more important as we experience increasingly volatile weather conditions and growing risks from flooding and wildfires.
Farming in particular will pay a heavy price, and therefore we all will. It’s becoming harder to grow crops in more extreme and variable weather, and though incredibly resourceful, our farmers are feeling the consequences of this right now.
Climate change is no longer an abstract debate. Communities like ours are already seeing its impact through flooding, heat stress and pressure on infrastructure and public services. At the same time, families and businesses continue to face high energy costs, underlining the need for greater energy security and investment in renewable energy.
These are not simply environmental issues anymore - they are economic and national security issues too.
Please do sign the petition here if you feel inclined to support the campaign to urge the government to hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks.
🩺 Healthcare in Wiltshire and HCRG Care Group
This week I have written to HCRG Care Group, who provide many community healthcare services across Wiltshire, following a growing number of deeply concerning reports from both patients and staff about access to services.
These include physiotherapy, district nursing, wheelchair services and other vital support that many vulnerable residents rely upon every day.
I have requested an urgent meeting with HCRG Care Group to understand exactly what action is being taken to address a number of serious concerns that have been raised with me, including:
🔹 Long waits and unanswered calls through the new Single Point of Access system
🔹 Serious delays in the new referral system, with reports of thousands of referrals stuck in backlog
🔹 Concerns from staff about transparency and workplace culture affecting patient care
Since raising these issues publicly, I have been inundated with responses via email and social media from constituents sharing their experiences. It is clear there are real problems being faced by patients and staff alike.
I will be taking these concerns directly to HCRG’s regional director and will report back fully on what is said and what action will be taken. Patients and frontline healthcare staff deserve safe, reliable and transparent services and in many cases that clearly isn’t happening.
🗣️ Constituency Q&A Sessions
As mentioned above, I have been holding constituency Q&A sessions to give residents the chance to speak directly with me in a more informal setting.
Last night I was in Melksham speaking with local residents, and it was valuable to have the time for open discussion about the issues people care about most. We covered a huge range of topics, including:
• River quality
• Fire station closures
• Domestic violence
• People trafficking
• The minimum wage
• Rail travel
• Flooding
• Tax and public spending
This evening I’ll be in Devizes for another session and then on June 19th I’ll be in Bradford on Avon for a further Q&A event at 7pm.
You can register for free for the Bradford on Avon Q&A here: https://brianmathewmpbradfordonavon.eventbrite.com
The exact venue will be emailed to attendees 24 hours before the event.
🏗️ Architecture Exhibition in Melksham
I recently had the pleasure of attending an exhibition by UWE architecture students outlining their vision for the future of Melksham.
The project explored a range of ideas connected to the town’s industrial heritage, including the important former Avon Tyres factory site. It was fascinating to see the creativity and ambition the students brought to the project and there were certainly some very interesting ideas put forward.
I spoke with many of the students about Melksham’s future potential and it was genuinely inspiring to see how passionate they were about the town and its future development. I look forward to seeing where some of these ideas may lead in the years ahead.
🚴 Tour de Trowbridge for Wiltshire Air Ambulance
I’ve managed to carve out one day away from work this Sunday to get back on my bike!
Alongside members of my team, I’ll be taking part in the Tour de Trowbridge in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, completing the 25-mile route around the county.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit Wiltshire Air Ambulance and see first-hand the incredible work they do. They provide a truly vital service across our rural communities and rely heavily on charitable donations to continue operating.
If you are able to support us, please do consider donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/brian-mathew-4
Please do wish us luck!
🇪🇺 Working Towards a Better UK-EU Relationship
Last week I joined Liberal Democrat colleagues in Westminster to continue pushing for a UK-EU customs union.
I believe we need a far stronger and more practical relationship with our European neighbours - one that helps businesses here in Wiltshire, cuts unnecessary bureaucracy and helps bring down costs for families.
From speaking with dozens of local businesses across the constituency, it is clear many are still struggling with the additional barriers and paperwork involved in trading with Europe.
One business near Melksham recently explained to me the enormous amount of paperwork now required simply to move products into the EU market - often keeping their staff working late into the night instead of focusing on growing their businesses.
These additional trade barriers do not just affect exporters. They also impact local plumbers, florists, hardware stores and countless other small businesses reliant on imported goods and materials.
A closer trading relationship with Europe would help remove some of those barriers, support local businesses and ultimately help put more money back into people’s pockets.
🏭 Visiting Greencore Desserts in Devizes
It was great recently to spend time touring Greencore Desserts in Devizes and meeting the team there.
The camaraderie among staff was clear to see and it was particularly encouraging to hear how the company supports local charities and foodbanks in the town alongside employing hundreds of local people.
They even let me have a go on the production line!
More broadly, I continue to visit businesses right across the constituency to hear directly about both the opportunities and challenges facing employers locally. These businesses are vital in supporting our local economy and ensuring there are good-quality jobs available across Wiltshire.
🐓 Animal Welfare and Egg Laying Hens
Last week I met with the Humane League to discuss their campaign to improve welfare standards for egg laying hens.
This is an issue that clearly matters a great deal to constituents across Melksham and Devizes, with more than 40 residents contacting me directly calling for an end to hens being kept in cramped cages.
I strongly believe we have a responsibility to ensure high standards of animal welfare and to continue improving protections for animals wherever possible.
🛡️ Defence, Food Security and Overseas Aid
Before recess, I also spoke in Parliament during the King’s Speech debate on defence readiness.
During my speech, I raised two important areas I believe have been overlooked by the Government.
The first was food security. We need to do far more to support British farmers and strengthen domestic food production so we are less reliant on overseas supply chains during periods of instability.
The second was overseas aid. I continue to believe international development is a vital part of Britain’s soft power and global leadership. Properly targeted aid helps improve stability overseas, prevent conflict and support some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
I believe we should restore overseas aid spending back to 0.7% of GNI and ensure Britain continues to play a leading role internationally.
📬 Staying in Touch
As always, if there are issues you would like to raise with me, please do get in touch via brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk.
And if you know somebody who may find these updates useful, please do feel free to forward this newsletter on to them. Alternatively, direct them to brianmathew.uk/news where they can catch up on previous editions.
Best wishes,
Brian Mathew MP
Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes