There has been plenty of political noise over the past couple of weeks, and I have taken the opportunity during this time to make my stance clear. But despite this, my focus remains on delivering outcomes for people in the Forest of Dean, and that will always remain my priority.

I am really proud that last week we also saw some great progress in the Government’s focus on rebuilding public services and strengthening our borders.

The NHS waiting list has fallen significantly, with hundreds of thousands fewer people now waiting for treatment compared to last year. Behind those numbers are local people getting quicker access to scans, operations and specialist care. That progress is only possible because NHS staff continue to go above and beyond, supported by expanded diagnostic services and additional appointments to tackle the backlog left by the pandemic.

A&E departments remain under pressure, and nobody pretends otherwise, but four-hour waiting performance has improved to its best level in several years. Additional staffing, improved discharge planning and expanded urgent treatment centres are all helping hospitals manage demand more effectively and reduce delays for patients.

Access to GPs is another issue I regularly hear about from residents across the Forest of Dean. That is why it is welcome news that thousands more GPs have been recruited and more appointments are now being delivered.

Mental health support is another area where real progress is being made. Thousands of additional mental health staff have now been recruited ahead of target, expanding support for adults, children and those facing crisis situations. Earlier intervention and greater access to talking therapies are helping ensure more people receive support before problems escalate further.

New statistics show that net migration is down 82%, asylum hotel use is down 36%, and small boat arrivals are down 40% compared to last year. That means fewer people housed in hotels, fewer dangerous crossings, and a system beginning to regain control after years of failure.

The UK economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year, outperforming forecasts and placing Britain among the fastest-growing economies in the G7. Stronger growth helps support jobs, wages, and investment, and helps our money stretch that little bit further.

Of course, I recognise that political disagreements and questions around leadership can distract from this work. People rightly expect politicians to focus on delivering for the country rather than on internal arguments. That is why I believe it is essential that issues within the Labour Party and across Westminster are resolved quickly and responsibly so that the full focus remains on improving people’s lives.

Because our job is to make sure people can see and feel the impact of the decisions we take—whether that is families being able to get a GP appointment, patients being treated more quickly, timely access to mental health support, or an economy that creates real opportunities for working people.

My focus will always be on improving the lives of those in the Forest of Dean.