Claire Young MP 🔶

With the Budget just days away, it's certainly a busy time to be an MP. Here is just some of what I got up to recently:

Local hospitality businesses are suffering thanks to measures in the last budget. We are calling for an emergency 5% cut in VAT for the hospitality sector. It’s something that has the backing of local businesses, including Raphael Herzhog, the General Manager of Tortworth Court Hotel.

Rail fares to be frozen in England next year Regulated fares, which include season tickets and off-peak returns, will not see annual price rises for the first time in 30 years, the government announces.

During my maiden speech in Parliament I called for the Government to freeze rail fares. I’m pleased the Government has listened to repeated @libdems.org.uk calls to do so and are now freezing fares until 2027 - which help commuters across our area.

Rachel Reeves holding a red box resembling the Chancellor's Budget box. Various items like a pint of beer, keys, a menu, a coffee cup, and tickets are sticking out of the box. Text on the box reads: "CUT VAT PROTECT OUR HIGH STREETS."

High streets are struggling, with pubs, restaurants and cafés shutting their doors.

Cutting VAT on hospitality and energy would put money back in people’s pockets, support local jobs, and give the country a much-needed boost.

Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking pro-Russian bribes The judge tells Nathan Gill his actions were a

The next time Reform UK come looking for your vote at an election, claiming to love our country - remember that these are the kind of people they appoint as their leaders.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...

Liberal Democrats are fighting to save the high street AND cut your cost of living.

Our plan would cut your energy bills, slash VAT for hospitality, and put £270 back in your pocket.

The earlier flood alert issued by the Environment Agency has been updated to a flood warning. A flood warning means that flooding is expected; you should act now if you're in an affected area around the River Frome. Areas most at risk include St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury.

A flood alert has been issued around the River Frome by the Environment Agency.
Areas most at risk include St John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury and Damson Bridge.
Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.

I have raised in Parliament my disappointment that Oldbury will miss out as the site for the new small modular reactors.

I am very unhappy with the government’s handling of the announcement.

It's disappointing that Oldbury has missed out hosting the new small modular reactors. It would have been a big boost to our local economy, providing low carbon energy for the country. Building in Anglesey smacks of a Labour attempt to shore up its vote in the Welsh elections

Hospitality is on its knees.

A 5% VAT cut would give our economy and our high streets the lifeline they need.

So many women and girls lack confidence in the criminal justice system. That's why yesterday I pressed the Justice Minister on the need to ensure police and prosecutors are better trained to understand the trauma of survivors.

The BBC isn't perfect. But it remains an institution defending British values against a populist, Trump-style takeover.

Party leaders must unite to defend it.

The government needs to stand up for a truly independent BBC free from political meddling.

That means sacking Robbie Gibb and ending the political grip on the BBC board.

Here is a snapshot of what I did last week as your MP.

I’ve had a fascinating visit to Hobbs House Bakery in Chipping Sodbury. As well as watching the bread (and mince pies!) being baked, I found out about the company’s commitment to apprenticeships, and how they are working to reduce their carbon footprint.

I was honoured to be at remembrance services in Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury today. It’s important to remember all those who have served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

At Iron Acton Memories I learnt about Douglas 'Douggy' Hunt, one of The Few, who served as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain.

Last year I attended memorial services in Yate and Frampton Cotterell, and this year I'll be at Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury to honour our veterans.

Eighty years on their sacrifices are passing from living memory. Only recently we lost Leonard Trewin from Yate, who served as a paratrooper during D-Day and was awarded the Legion D'Honneur.

This week, I laid a memorial in the Parliamentary Garden of Remembrance to honour all those from Thornbury & Yate who stepped up to defend our country. This year I particularly remembered those who served in the Second World War.

Lovely time out talking to residents in sunny Thornbury, alongside local Councillors Maggie Tyrrell, Jayne Stansfield, and the Lib Dem team earlier today.

I was proud to wear pink and join Breast Cancer Now in Parliament to stand with everyone affected by breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has now come to an end; it was a powerful reminder that there is work to be done to better support people living with this devastating disease.

Handle With Care: Annual survey of kinship carers 2025 Explore key findings from our 2025 annual survey of more than 1,900 kinship carers and learn more about kinship families and the policy context in 2025.

Kinship’s new report is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure all kinship families get the support they need and deserve. I’ll continue to advocate for kinship carers and their children in Thornbury and Yate. loom.ly/M8SvGtk #ValueOurLove

Embedding modern skills throughout the National Curriculum is vital to preparing pupils for the future. However, we also need to ensure it can be delivered flexibly to those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including those unable to access a traditional classroom setting.

On Friday I am hosting local surgeries in both Westerleigh and Pucklechurch. Contact my office to make an appointment if you want to come speak with me.

Here is a brief summary of just some of what I got up to last week as your MP. Sign up for fuller updates via my online newsletter: www.claireyoung.org.uk/newsletter

Great to be out with Jon and Peter dodging the showers and chatting to residents in Frampton Cotterell this afternoon!

The use of an historic and outdated planning consent to build huge industrial warehouses outside of Pilning is worrying. It allows the developer to circumvent the understandable concerns of residents by restricting the issues that can be considered. The Government must address this.

It was an honour to join @commonsspeaker.parliament.uk to mark the 75th anniversary of the rebuilding of the House of Commons after it was bombed during WW2.

Today Nigel Farage tried to tear up people’s rights and take us out of the ECHR. Winston Churchill, a key advocate of it, would be turning in his grave. But, the @libdems.org.uk stopped him - a proud moment and we’ll keep fighting.