Victoria Collins MP

Today I pushed the Prime Minister about the top-down housing targets and how they're impacting our communities.

Top-down housing targets are placing tremendous pressure on our communities and green spaces, while driving developments that are not fit for purpose and lack the infrastructure local people need. I have been raising the alarm in Westminster to stop this top-down approach!

I recently discussed on BBC 5 Live a deeply troubling case review involving young people, sexual violence and social media. It is vital we confront the growing impact social media and online content can have on young people’s attitudes, behaviour, and safety.

This week I spoke on BBC Five Live about the question many people are asking: where is Labour’s plan for growth? Families and businesses are still under pressure, yet there’s little sign of a serious strategy to grow the economy, cut bills, and boost confidence. Britain needs growth, not drift.

This week on BBC radio, Labour MP, Alison Gardner, shared with me about why so many people respect Ed Davey’s approach at PMQs. I couldn't agree with her more. #RealPeople #RealLeadership

This week I spoke on BBC 5 Live about the cost pressures families are still facing from the energy crisis and rising prices. We need practical action that puts money back into people’s pockets. Families deserve real help with the cost of living, not more pressure.

🐴 What a special afternoon at Gaddesden Place, Riding for the Disabled. 🏇🏻 The team do incredible work to help anyone with additional needs and disabilities have the opportunity to participate in a range of equine-based activities, building strength and confidence! Thank you so much for the welcome!

💌 50,000 emails and letters sent to and on behalf of constituents alone! 🙏 Thank you to everyone who has reached out and to my fantastic team, who are dedicated to helping local people!

This week, I secured and led a debate on the impact of planning on local transport and infrastructure. The people of Harpenden, Berkhamsted, Tring, Redbourn, Sandridge & surrounding villages are no NIMBYs.

Our chalk streams are the UK's rainforests - rare, irreplaceable, and under threat 🌊 Harpenden & Berkhamsted are home to 4 of these precious waterways, including the River Ver, which has had nearly 10,000 hours of raw sewage pumped into it since 2021. That's not acceptable.

Councils should have the power to make planning approvals conditional on securing GP capacity first. In Redbourn, residents wait weeks for appointments, and a proposed 70% housing increase will only make this worse.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I’m resharing part of my speech from Ada Lovelace Day and thinking of the brilliant women and girls across Harpenden & Berkhamsted pursuing STEM 👩‍🔬

Fighting for a safer internet should not just be reserved for #SaferInternetDay. During my time as your MP, one of my main priorities has been fighting for a safer internet for our young people.

Thousands of parents, teachers & young people are crying out for help against online harm. This is a seatbelt moment for online safety - we need action, not endless consultation.

Hospitality is on its knees. We've already lost too many pubs and restaurants across Harpenden & Berkhamsted. Small businesses are lifelines for our villages, but owners are struggling with business rates, national insurance costs and the minimum wage.

This government’s definition of ‘grey belt’ has meant local councils, and our local villages, have been left essentially powerless against unplanned development. With valid infrastructure and environmental concerns - our villages like Redbourn need answers now, not later.

My constituent Kitty Hart-Moxon OBE, a Holocaust survivor & key figure in survivor-led Holocaust education in the UK, turns 100 this year. She's passing on her vital work to the next generation of her family.

Last year's autumn budget let down families & businesses If this government was serious about economic growth, they'd follow Lib Dem policies on energy bills - not just three years of support, but a plan to halve bills by 2035. I'll keep fighting to bring down electricity costs across our community

We must act now. The harm of social media is mounting - this is not just about harmful content but addictive algorithms and the time spent online. That's why we pushed a vote on raising the digital age of data consent, voted to ban phones in schools and called for health warnings on social media.

Last week I spoke to @itvanglia.bsky.social about the serious online harms we're seeing from Grok. AI-generated harms are coming thick and fast, and the Lib Dems have been ringing the alarm bells on this issue.

Too many local businesses have already closed their doors. We need urgent action to save our hospitality sector. Lib Dems’ proposal to reduce VAT to 15%, at least until April 2027, would be a step towards protecting hospitality before it is too late for others.

For over a week, Grok has generated illegal child abuse images without restraint. Liberal Democrats have been calling for months for action on AI harms - this is why we demanded an NCA investigation and immediate action from Ofcom.

Grok AI being used to digitally undress women & children is sickening That's why I spoke to Radio 5 Live about our call on the NCA to launch an urgent criminal investigation into X in response. As well as for Ofcom to block X from operating in the UK while a full investigation takes place

As temperatures plummet to -5°C, cutting energy bills isn't just about saving money - it's about keeping local people warm and safe. In Parliament, I pressed the Government to commit to long-lasting solutions, including proper incentives for heat pumps that cover real costs.