Freddie van Mierlo MP 🔶

At the Second Reading of the Health Bill, I highlighted concerns over ICB commissioning, safeguarding confidentiality in a single patient record, and the absence of reform of JCVI and the National Screening Committee. I will hold the Government to account as the Bill proceeds through Parliament.

I have secured a meeting with the Minister to discuss funding issues facing RAF Benson Community Primary School. I saw first-hand the excellent education provided to 'behind the wire' families. A considerable amount of care is shown to pupils so they feel supported when parents are away serving.

I visited Chinnor Allotments with Cllr Georgina Heritage and Cllr Ed Sadler, committing to support peat-free compost and protect peatland

Fixing a bridge shouldn’t be this hard, but since it is, I’ll fight until it’s done

Today, Vikki Slade MP raised Dr Jasmine Kelland’s research on fathering in prison with the Secretary of State for Justice. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Kelland earlier this year to discuss her work and the importance of her policy recommendations for rehabilitation.

I asked the Minister to increase funding for active travel, given the significantly larger sums invested in major infrastructure projects such as HS2. The Thame to Haddenham Greenway would provide a safe walking and wheeling route that campaigners have been asking for over the last 25 years.

In the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, we scrutinised the Government’s preferred candidate for the role of Chair of UK Research and Innovation. I asked Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz how he would ensure taxpayers’ money is used in the most efficient way.

I visited Wheatley residents who have spent the past six years battling to stop raw sewage flooding into their homes during heavy rain. My Bill would stop Thames Water delaying or avoiding fines and ensure water companies face enforceable consequences for environmental breaches.

During today’s debate, I asked the Government to set out a clear timeline to review the 10% commission charge applied when selling park homes. Park homes provide affordable housing for many residents, but charges like these can make properties difficult to sell.

In case you missed it on the news - here I am speaking about my recent meeting with Travelodge RE safety concerns in their hotels.

Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire provides essential support to residents, their responsibilities include finding vulnerable people and ensuring their safety. During this debate MPs considered ways that the government can better support and sustain similar organisations.

I spoke with senior leadership at Travelodge headquarters in Thame to discuss the safety of guests and employees. They have promised root and branch change, and I will continue to engage with them to ensure they fulfil these commitments.

Social media algorithms are pushing content to young girls that encourages eating disorders, I asked the Minister for Health what work they are doing with DSIT to tackle this problem.

Today, I introduced the Water Industry Act 1991 (Amendment) (Payment of Fines) Bill. This Bill would prevent water companies, like Thames Water, from negotiating away fines. The government must act to close loopholes in the current legislation.

I have secured a meeting with the Minister to discuss my amendment on better overseas voting provision. Let's make sure citizens abroad are not left behind.

Yesterday I joined colleagues and parish leaders at Downing Street to raise concerns about the “Greater Oxford” proposal. The consultation closes tonight at 23:59. Please take a few minutes to have your say: consult.communities.gov.uk/local-govern...

It can’t go on. Water companies are being let off the hook by Ofwat. My request to the PM to ban water companies from negotiating away their fines for polluting our rivers 👇

I asked the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, what steps they are taking to improve online safety and what powers they have to do so. Ofcom must have the necessary resources to fully enforce the Online Safety Act.

This week is English Tourism Week 🌿 Great to visit Waterperry Gardens, one of Oxfordshire’s hidden gems. Brilliant to meet Simon Buchanan and hear about the work that goes into running and maintaining such a special place.

I asked Dr Rebecca Foljambe from Health Professionals for Safer Screens about the physical health impacts of children spending significant time on social media. Short-sightedness, obesity, and poor speech and language are a few of the negative effects, there must be education to support families.

The 100k tax trap limits re-investment in our economy, and disincentivises people from earning above this threshold. Those with a student loan pay 71% marginal rates. Those with children LOSE money by earning over the threshold. I asked the Chancellor what she is doing to tackle this issue.

Good to visit Haddenham & Thame Parkway and meet Chiltern Railways to discuss the station car park and wider services. They’ve committed to reopening the upper deck by March 2027, with work starting this summer. The structure is sound, and parking capacity will be maintained during the works

I am continuing to push for better access to medicines where there are currently shortages. Medicines that support those with ADHD and menopause are life-changing, and it is unacceptable for constituents to be left without the care they need.

I had the chance to speak with representatives from CERN about the work they do. CERN is a European Organization for Nuclear Research, and although the UK was a founding member, funding allocated for research projects has been uncertain. I asked what this uncertainty means for future projects.

Youth unemployment is soaring. The Chancellor’s jobs tax, combined with the threat of AI, is bearing down on opportunities, and young people are facing increasingly difficult and uncertain times. With no clear action being taken, I asked the government to set out its plans to tackle this issue.

I stuck up for SMEs during the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. Without proper support to defend themselves, many small and medium-sized enterprises will struggle to secure the funding needed to strengthen their cyber security. Unfortunately, the Government rejected this amendment.

The Watlington Relief Road would help to alleviate the pressure of traffic that currently goes through the centre of its historic town. Watlington is embracing the development of new homes, but appropriate infrastructure must be delivered alongside growth.

The current provision of IVF under the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB does not meet NICE guidelines and fails to reflect demographic evidence. I have called the Minister to re-evaluate decisions like this in healthcare, which are currently being made primarily on affordability.

Constituents have contacted me regarding poor access to HRT implants, which are essential to their physical and mental wellbeing. I asked the Minister what action is being taken to secure a reliable supply of this treatment ASAP.

The government is not providing enough funding for SEND care. In Oxfordshire, there is a significant lack of specialist places and the funding provided by EHCPs often falls short of what is needed. Steps must be taken to improve SEND funding and reduce the burden on parents to fight for EHCPs.

Yesterday with Liz Twist I joined Jayne Hepburn to hand in a petition at 10 Downing Street for Jason’s Law. Jayne speaks movingly about losing her son to suicide. We’re calling for better, joined-up support for families bereaved by suicide.

This week I spoke about the ill-thought-through proposals in Chalgrove. Developers unfairly return again and again to push for approval of their plans, as seen in the recent decision to allow 160 homes on appeal, as reported by the Oxford Mail.

Protection for children from online harms must be implemented as a matter of urgency. Many social media platforms are highly addictive and display a multitude of harmful content. Age-rating platforms would incentivise companies to clean up their act and promote lower-harm, peer-to-peer products.

During the Liberal Democrats Opposition Day, the House debated Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Titles should not protect individuals from scrutiny. I thank the media outlets for their work in bringing important information about this matter to light.

Two weeks is not enough. When raising a child, couples face many challenges, and the current paternity leave offer only adds to their burden. Paternity leave should be increased to at least six weeks at 90% of earnings, with self-employed parents also eligible.

I spoke during Maya Ellis MP’s Debate on Healthy Relationships to mark Valentine’s Day. The government must take meaningful steps to tackle the structural barriers couples face when starting a family.

I spoke to Radio 5 following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

I was pleased to welcome @hrwallingford.bsky.social to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s Innovation Showcase. HR Wallingford is doing important work on water challenges and the UK must invest in sovereign science to strengthen our position as an attractive hub for innovation.

In Parliament, I raised how rural pharmacies in Benson and across Henley & Thames are being penalised. Under Pharmacy First, thresholds have risen from 5 to 30 consultations — leaving many effectively delivering the service unpaid. I asked what will be done to fix it.

❤️ This Valentine’s Day, I’m backing the Dad Shift campaign. Two weeks of paternity leave isn’t enough. Families deserve better. Fathers deserve better. The government needs to increase paternity leave and pay