One of the issues I’ve been raising in Parliament recently is the decision by Surrey County Council to end the free school meal holiday voucher scheme.

This scheme has provided vital support to families across Surrey, ensuring that children who rely on free school meals during term time do not go without during the holidays. For many families, it offers peace of mind that their child will have access to at least one proper meal a day, even when school is closed.

I have called on Surrey County Council to urgently reconsider this decision and have raised the issue directly in Parliament.

Schools play a critical role not just in education, but in safeguarding and supporting children’s wellbeing. They are often the first place where concerns about a child’s welfare are identified, and the support they provide extends far beyond the classroom.

Removing the holiday voucher scheme risks leaving some of the most vulnerable children without a crucial safety net. At a time when many families are already struggling with the cost of living, this is deeply concerning.

No child in Woking, or anywhere in Surrey, should go hungry simply because it is the school holidays.

I will continue to press Surrey County Council to reverse this decision and work with schools, local organisations and the Government to ensure that children and families receive the support they need all year round.

[Link to PR on website]

https://www.willforster.co.uk/news/article?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=122058&cHash=0b0455d9d49776a5dd41cf592fdcbc5c

Last week marked two years since the General Election. It’s been whirlwind, working to deliver change under an endlessly changing government. I’ve lost track of how many different ministers have represented the various government departments I’ve worked with!

By the end of next week, we’ll have a new Prime Minister, and I hope that he brings with him the stability needed to bring real change. With nearly 20 policy U-turns under Starmer, it’s hard to imagine it can be much worse!

Despite the turmoil, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved in these two years.

I’ve worked hard to deliver for Woking through extensive casework – supporting local residents with an enormous range of issues – from pension problems, to housing, complex child support cases and more, it’s at the heart of everything I do.

I’ve also been working hard in Westminster, having already spoken in Parliament more times than my predecessor did in 14 years – and within that work I’ve had some notable wins! I thought I’d highlight three of them today...

Securing an unprecedented £500 million write off for Woking’s debt

Even before being elected, I knew that Woking Borough Council’s vast debts were going to be top of the agenda if I became the MP. I’m delighted that after many months of lobbying the Government finally agreed to provide support through a historic £500 million debt write-off.

This is the first time a government has ever written off an individual local authority’s debt before. We’re not out of the woods – there is still a huge amount of debt to contend with – but the government have conceded that more support will be needed in the future.

I’ll continue working with colleagues to ensure that the new West Surrey Council doesn’t start life on the back foot.

Improving protections for vulnerable children

Countless parents and guardians have contacted me about Surrey County Council’s failing children's services. These horror stories sadly come as no surprise. The safeguarding report into the tragic murder of Sara Sharif made it abundantly clear that she was badly let down by social services – and that change is needed to prevent something like this happening again.

I have repeatedly raised this with the Government, including directly with the soon to be ex-Prime Minister, and I’m pleased that they are listening and progress is being made. I’ve helped change the law so that people who are under suspicion of child abuse can’t homeschool their children to hide it.

More still needs to be done. We need national reforms, stronger early intervention, mandatory information sharing and tougher oversight of high-risk cases. I will continue pushing to strengthen services and improve funding to protect children now, not when it is too late.

Securing funding for Goldsworth Park Neighbourhood Health Centre

I’m also pleased to have helped secure funding for a new Neighbourhood Health Centre in Goldsworth Park. This money will see Goldsworth Park Health Centre expand which will increase the number and range of appointments available to patients.

Having a one stop shop of GPs, nurses, physios, mental health workers and much more is a great investment for Woking and residents. I will continue working with NHS leaders to ensure that Woking gets the modern, accessible health it deserves.

Continuing to stand up for breweries and pubs

As many of us know, earlier this year our beloved brewery, Thurston’s closed its doors for the last time. This was Woking’s only local brewery, and whilst the owner - John - has managed to keep the Crown pub open next door, he’ll no longer be able to serve his own beers – much of the blame must fall on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

This tax means pubs and breweries are paying twice to get rid of glass bottles. If the government doesn’t abolish or amend EPR, we’ll continue to lose more of our beloved pubs and breweries if no change is made and I know that I am not the only one who is afraid of that future.

EPR has harmed countless local businesses, which is why I have continued to speak in Parliament against this economically damaging tax. I see how it is affecting the people of Woking. We have business owners struggling to survive and not only that but the loss of pubs and breweries is also a loss to our community. What is most astonishing is that our EPR tax is higher than anyone else in Europe!

That is why I have requested a roundtable meeting with other MPs and more importantly local business owners to come together to find the best path forward. I will not let the Government continue to be ignorant of the hardships of our local businesses.

Watch me question why our EPR tax is so much higher than Europe

Every human being should be entitled to the ability to protest for equal rights. Unfortunately, this basic human right is being oppressed in the region of Kashmir in Pakistan. Simple protests over the cost of electricity and flour have turned into violence, unjust arrests, and a region wide blackout. Even with the region’s people having been cut off from the internet and phone network it has been reported that about 200 people have been killed. Who knows what that number could reach when the people gain access again.  

With Woking’s large Asian population, over 50% have ancestral links to Kashmir. I have been contacted frequently by many of the people about their fears and concerns - that is why I have joined my fellow MPs in signing a letter to the Foreign Secretary to address these injustices. 

Not only is this affecting many of the residents of Woking, but this situation is something that I believe is my duty to speak out against - not only as the MP for Woking, but as a human being. It is vital that peace is found in the Kashmir region for the safety of the people of Kashmir and for the friends and family here in Woking that are worried about their loved ones.   

I have used my platform to address these injustices and put pressure on the Government to help resolve these issues. I started by reminding the Government of its moral responsibility to help ensure a free and democratic election. This would allow the Kashmiri people to choose their own governance, and put their human rights front and centre. 

Upon being pressured the Government has claimed that it is up to India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution. I have pushed back against this policy by questioning its effectiveness. Britain has maintained this neutrality since the conflict began almost 80 years ago and almost nothing has changed. That is longer than many of us have been alive! Surely, that must mean it has been an ineffective strategy.  

By maintaining neutrality we have been complacent in the injustices that have plagued the region of Kashmir. I urge the Government to engage in diplomatic dialogue with the Pakistan Government to help bring an end to this conflict. It is our duty to ensure the safety, freedom, and rights of the Kashmiri people - while it is my duty to soothe the worries of those in Woking who fear for their loved ones.  

Watch me speak about this in Parliament.

Access to quality healthcare close to home is something every resident deserves. I want to ensure that everyone in Woking constituency can access the healthcare they need, when they need it.

Unfortunately, since Byfleet's GP surgery closed in 2005, many residents have been forced to travel along the A245 to access even basic health services. With yet more development proposed in the area, this situation is set to become even more unsustainable.

That is why I have raised the issue in Parliament and called for a meeting with Ministers to discuss funding opportunities to bring healthcare services back to Byfleet. I will continue working hard to ensure local people can access the healthcare they deserve, closer to home.

Watch my speech

Royal Mail was once a service that really used to deliver. Unfortunately, these days it’s consistently failing Woking residents – letters are arriving late causing huge issues. From missed hospital appointments, to travel documents arriving on the day of departure, the poor service is causing a huge amount of stress for people right across the constituency.

When I raised those concerns with Royal Mail directly, they took five months to send me a wholly inadequate reply – and it wasn’t even lost in the post. That’s why I’ve pushed the Government to make a statement announcing real consequences for Royal Mail for failing in its statutory duties.

Whilst the Leader of the House did assure me that Royal Mail “listens closely to these sessions” and that the “Business and Trade Committee has previously called Royal Mail into Parliament over its performance”, it’s clear more needs to be done to ensure that Royal Mail’s performance improves.

I will continue campaigning for improvements so that Woking residents receive a postal service they can rely on, starting by seeking a meeting with Government Ministers. I’ll keep you updated on any progress.

Watch my speech

Today is Armed Forces Day. It’s an opportunity to recognise and thank all those who make up our Armed Forces community – from those currently serving, to veterans, service families and cadets.

The day marks the culmination of Armed Forces Week, a national celebration of the dedication, sacrifice and service of our Armed Forces. It is also a chance for communities across the country to come together and show their support for those who do so much to keep us safe.

There are many ways you can get involved and show your appreciation – to find out more about how you can support Armed Forces Day, click the link below.

Learn more about Armed Forces Day

https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/about/

Here in Woking, we might not be home to a military base, but we are home to military families. Several of our schools provide education for military children – nearly 1 in 5 students at Brookwood Primary School are from military families based at the nearby Army Training Centre Pirbright.

On a recent visit they told me of the additional challenges associated with providing education to these children who have their schooling disrupted because of the nature of their parents’ vital work in the Armed Forces – including mobility and family separation.

That is why, this armed forces week, I’ve shown my support to the military community by asking the Schools Minister what assessment she has made of the adequacy of educational support provided to the children of military families.

I’ve pushed them to provide further support, including by increasing the service pupil premium – which has gone up by just £20 in the last two years – and I will continue fighting to make sure service people and their families get the support they deserve.

Watch my speech