Kevin Bonavia MP: Representing Stevenage and the villages

It’s great to be writing my second monthly column in The Comet to constituents to report back on the work I’ve been doing across the Winter months to represent Stevenage and our villages.

You can sign-up to my monthly online newsletter via this link https://mailchi.mp/parliament/kbnewsletter or email me on kevin.bonavia.mp@parliament.uk to be added to the distribution list:

Delivering advice surgeries

My office has now delivered 15 advice surgeries, after a further 4 (3 in Stevenage and 1 in Aston) happened last month. With Datchworth coming up in the new year, I will have been to every village ensuring the service is as strong there as it is in the Stevenage town. The total number of local cases my office has supported on since the summer now stands at above 500.

Remembrance day tributes

Last month we got to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I’m deeply proud to have returned a tradition of the office of MP being represented at remembrance ceremonies in Stevenage, Knebworth, Codicote, Datchworth and Aston. They gave their tomorrow for our today - we must always remember and never forget.

Working closely with schools

As a part of my school visits programme, I visited Larwood School to discuss the challenges facing the SEND sector and North Herts College to find out more about the courses they offer.

I announced the winners of my school Christmas card competition after 750 entries. I want to congratulate Luca from St Margarets Clitherow for designing the winning entry. I’ll be writing to every child who sent in a drawing to thank them for their contribution.

I was proud to host our town’s Youth Mayor, Lahaina Sutherland, for a work experience week with my office. After the success of the week we are now exploring how we can roll out a wider work experience programme accessible to all students.

And lastly, we recently marked UK Parliament week. I enjoyed having students from North Herts College in Parliament for a Q&A and John Henry Newman School for a politics lesson, engaging with assemblies and hearing from young people about what matters to them.

Being a strong voice for you in Parliament

I’ve been busy in Parliament raising issues that matter to our area. I spoke about how MBDA and Airbus are supporting our national security, how SADA is tackling domestic abuse, how the Boro Business Club is a model for building a strong local economy, why carers need to be consulted on social care plans, the vital role GSK is playing in the national and international life sciences sector and the importance of returning hotels in use for asylum seekers back to the local community.

I also published a full breakdown of my take on the recent budget and how it impacts Stevenage and our villages on my social media pages.

Please email me on kevin.bonavia.mp@parliament.uk if you have any specific questions about elements of the budget and how they might affect you.

Kevin Bonavia MP at a local advice surgery