In the two weeks that MP’s return to Westminster post summer recess, it’s normally a whirlwind of events and debates ahead of the next recess in the calendar for conference season. During this time I attended a number of events including the annual Back British Farming Day, which provides an opportunity for politicians and the public to show their support for farmers and growers, and the work they do 365 days a year to feed the nations and care for our iconic countryside. I was pleased to meet with the NFUS President, Andrew Connon and their Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall to discuss continued efforts to get the UK Government to reconsider their family farm tax reforms which will be so damaging to this sector.
The Scotch Whisky Association were also down at Westminster to highlight their calls for a duty freeze at the upcoming Budget in November – 1000 jobs have already been lost in this sector since Labour’s last budget, it’s vital that we support the local industry and communities who work in production and hospitality for our most iconic of national drinks.
Finally, with September being Sepsis Awareness Month, I attended another event focused on raising awareness of the Amber and Red symptoms indicating sepsis, so that the public know to ask at A&E or via 999 “Could it Be Sepsis?” if they have serious concerns about their child or their loved one.
The statistics on Sepsis are stark, with 48,000 people per year in the UK losing their lives because of it. I was very pleased to meet with Lord Mackinlay, who nearly died of sepsis in 2023, and is a quadruple amputee as a result.
