Monthly Roundup: June 2026

From visiting Dawlish Primary School to opening one of the first VALOUR-recognised centres in Aylesford, June was an incredibly busy month. Here is a roundup of some of what I got up to, first as a backbench MP and then as the new Minister for Veterans and People:

• Attended a Wanstead Climate Emergency briefing to hear concerns and discuss local environmental action.

•  Met with Waltham Forest headteachers and local MPs to discuss education priorities and the challenges facing schools.

•  Became Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People.

•  Spoke in the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill debate.

•  Took part in a Prostate Cancer Roundtable, meeting campaigners and health professionals to discuss improving awareness and outcomes.

• Attended Armed Forces Week Celebrations in Coleraine, Northern Ireland

•  Visited Dawlish Primary School in Leyton and answered questions from students about Parliament and public service.

•  Co-hosted a roundtable on youth unemployment, discussing opportunities and barriers facing young people.

•  Held a Wanstead Village Advice Surgery alongside Councillors Daniel Morgan-Thomas and Jo Blackman.

•  Held my quarterly meeting with Redbridge Council Leader, Cllr Kam Rai, to discuss local priorities.

•  Met with Veterans' Commissioners from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

•  Attended Our Lady of Lourdes School Fete and met with pupils, families and staff.

•  Joined residents at the Langthorne Park Festival to celebrate the local community.

•  Visited Ultra Maritime's Greenford facility as Minister for Veterans and People.

•  Welcomed Aldersbrook milkman Steve to Parliament and gave him a tour of Westminster.

•  Met with Defence Minister Kwon Oheul of the Republic of Korea.

•  Hosted a dinner discussion with ITP to discuss how we can strengthen the UK's defence skills pipeline and support future jobs in the sector.

•  Spoke in the Armed Forces Bill debate.

• Opened one of the first Op VALOUR-recognised centres at RBVE in Aylesford

•  Attended the Waltham Forest Volunteers' Night to thank local volunteers for their contribution to our community.

•  Spoke in the Pride Month debate in Parliament, highlighting the importance of equality and inclusion.

•  Visited local businesses and residents during constituency walkabouts to hear directly about local issues.

•  Held several constituency surgeries, helping residents with a range of local and national issues.

•  Campaigned in the Makerfield by-election, supporting Labour's campaign on the ground.

•  Participated in the Thames Water Scrutiny Group, holding the company to account on its performance.

•  Spoke at the CFA Annual Investment Conference, discussing economic growth and investment.

•  Volunteered at St Margaret's Church Food Bank, supporting local efforts to help those in need.

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