Last week, an important step forward was taken to better protect children with allergies in our schools.

The Government announced stronger protections for pupils living with severe allergies. Under new statutory guidance, schools will be expected to keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors on site, ensure staff receive allergy awareness training, maintain clear allergy safety policies and provide Individual Healthcare Plans for children who need them.

For many parents, sending a child to school should be a simple part of daily life. But for families managing serious allergies, it can come with understandable anxiety. Tragically, one in five allergy-related deaths among school-aged children in the UK occurs in school. That statistic alone highlights why action is so important.

These measures are designed to give parents greater reassurance that schools are properly prepared to respond if a child experiences a severe allergic reaction. Just as importantly, ensuring that all school staff have an understanding of allergies will help create safer and more supportive environments for pupils who live with these conditions every day. Every child deserves to feel safe at school, and every parent deserves confidence that the right safeguards are in place.

Back here in the Forest of Dean, it has also been encouraging to see the next generation continuing to engage with our democratic system. Last week marked the second session of my Mock Parliament programme, kindly hosted by the Dean Academy. My thanks go to the staff and students there for their warm welcome.

During the session, students explored parliamentary protocol and learned more about the etiquette and procedures that shape debates in the House of Commons. From how Members address the Speaker, to the custom of speaking in the chamber, the group gained a real insight into how Parliament operates.

What was particularly impressive was seeing the students put that knowledge into practice. They selected their own cabinets, debated issues and stood against one another in a friendly but spirited debating exercise. Watching their confidence grow and their understanding develop in real time is fantastic. Programmes like this help demystify politics and show young people that their voices matter and make a difference.

I would like to thank all the schools taking part for their enthusiasm and commitment. I am really looking forward to our remaining sessions in the lead-up to the final debate event.

Finally, I have recently joined colleagues in writing to the Chief Executive of the Football Association following several troubling incidents of racism. Football has a great ability to bring communities together, but incidents like these remind us that there is still work to be done.

It is vital that the FA shows strong leadership in tackling racism. At the same time, social media companies must take far greater responsibility when abuse moves online. A zero-tolerance approach is essential.

This reflects my ongoing work with Fair Game to help ensure football is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. The game belongs to all of us, and it should always be a force for unity rather than division.