Removing bins from Cornwall Housing areas is deeply disappointing. Recently, I joined other volunteers for a litter pick around the Beacon in Falmouth. We collected over 100kg of rubbish. Four times the weight of the last litter pick in this area before the public bins were removed.  I understand the cost pressures on Cornwall Council. However, under this Labour government, the Council received its highest funding increase since austerity last year and will benefit from this Government’s fair funding review and the stability of a 3-year settlement this April. Public green spaces, like the Beacon, need proper waste facilities, and residents already pay Cornwall Council for services like bin emptying. It is not fair to try to transfer that responsibility to town councils with no funding to cover it. I have written to Cornwall Council to ask them to reconsider this decision and to continue servicing at least the key bins in public spaces such as parks, green spaces, playgrounds and busy thoroughfares.

This summer, I launched a parliamentary petition to highlight the need for a swimming pool in Falmouth. The Falmouth & Penryn area is the only community in Cornwall without a pool. The nearest 25-metre pool is over half an hour away, leaving children and families with no local place to learn to swim. Local primary schools have reported a sharp drop in Year 6 children confidently swimming 25 metres, which is a worrying trend for a coastal town like Falmouth. Swimming is important for health, safety, and community. The petition had to be signed in person (parliamentary rules!), and we gathered 5,754 signatures. Presenting the enormous stack of signatures to the Deputy Speaker on 5 November caught the Deputy Speaker's attention. The Government recently announced £400 million for grassroots sports, and I’ve been pushing for some of this to be used for swimming pools, potentially alongside private sector match funding. On 27 November, I raised the issue again in Business Questions and will be meeting the minister to discuss further. While I am your MP I will keep fighting for this pool and more facilities for Falmouth & Truro.

A lot is happening with buses in Cornwall. Buses are a real lifeline for people in rural areas. When routes are cut or become unreliable, it creates barriers to work, study, medical appointments, and social connections. I was really concerned to hear that First Bus will withdraw all its services in Cornwall from February 2026. I have contacted Cornwall Council, First Bus, Go Cornwall, Falmouth University and the union representing workers. My priority is ensuring a seamless continuation of routes so people can still get to where they need to be, while supporting staff who are facing uncertainty so close to Christmas. I welcome Go Cornwall’s readiness to step in and work alongside Cornwall Council to design a revised network, and I will keep working closely to ensure a smooth handover. The Government has announced that Cornwall will join a bus franchising pilot, allocating £500,000   to Cornwall Council to design a more reliable network that works for our rural area long-term. It comes ahead of the Government’s Bus Service Bill, which will tighten rules on cancelling vital socially necessary routes. I was also glad to hear in the Budget that there will be an extension of the £3 Bus Fare Cap to keep bus travel affordable and support connectivity, especially in rural areas like ours.

The Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald MP, recently visited Cornwall to launch the Government’s new Critical Minerals Strategy  and highlight Cornwall’s role in domestic mineral production. The Minister was taken on a whistle-stop tour of Camborne School of Mines, the University of Exeter, Falmouth Docks, Cornish Lithium, British Lithium and Cornish Metals Inc by Cornwall’s Labour MPs.   With lithium, tin and tungsten essential to everything from renewable energy and transport to communications and defence,   Cornwall’s rich granite bedrock places our region at the heart of a cleaner, more resilient future. The Minister met the teams reviving Cornwall’s mining heritage, toured the South Crofty water treatment plant, saw pilot boat operations, and heard my bid to reopen the docks’ railway to transport minerals worldwide. He also viewed cutting-edge lithium-extraction technology and world-class teaching at the School of Mines. Backed by £50 million, the strategy aims to strengthen UK supply chains, support local projects, and help meet 10% of national critical mineral demand and 20% through recycling by 2035. This holds potential for thousands of jobs across Cornwall!

The recent Budget revealed a huge investment for Cornwall with a £30 million Kernow Industrial Growth Fund. This is fantastic news as the fund will help unlock the enormous potential we already have in critical minerals, renewable energy, and marine innovation, among other sectors. By backing local infrastructure, research, and supply chains, it will attract new investment, create skilled jobs, and strengthen the industries that will power our future economy. Cornwall is at the forefront of emerging high-value industries, including domestic lithium production, and with this investment, we can make sure opportunities are felt in communities across Cornwall. AND… Truro was also mentioned by Rachel Reeves in the Budget! Funding was confirmed for an upgrade to Truro Health Park as part of a major investment in Neighbourhood Health Centres across the country. This money will upgrade and refurbish Truro Health Park to bring more under one roof, such as diagnostics and treatment like transfusion and dialysis, closer to the community. This will relieve pressure on Treliske and improve access to appointments for people in Truro & Falmouth. This is part of the Government’s wider plan to reduce NHS waiting times and bring care closer to home and more services under one roof. Cornwall is already leading the way with new Neighbourhood Health Teams, and upgrading Truro Health Park will make it easier for people to get the help they need in their own communities.

I have been working with the Government and Cornwall Council on a housing strategy to secure the funding and support needed to deliver the right homes, in the right places, for local people. Following the Housing Strategy for Cornwall launch event, which I recently hosted in Parliament, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP has given Cornwall the green light to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with Homes England - the government body responsible for distributing the £39 billion allocated for social and affordable housing. This means Cornwall will be working with Homes England to get the housing we need for our communities. And I am determined Pydar site, in Truro, will be ready and waiting  — so we can build decent homes there as soon as funding becomes available.

Jayne Kirkham on the panel at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Summit 2025 This month, I attended the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Summit at the Royal Cornwall Showground – a Cornwall-focused event centred on what we need and what we already have. For generations, Cornwall’s economy was built on mining and fishing. These industries brought jobs and wealth to the region but mining particularly declined and although we still have a thriving fishing industry, it is also reduced. We came to rely on seasonal tourism, but as many people here know, this can be a double-edged sword. That is why I am working to unlock investment in mining, clean energy, the creative and digital sectors in line with the Government’s National Industrial Strategy. As well as our small businesses, and the infrastructure that connects them. Business Minister Blair McDougall spoke in his message to the conference of the government’s focus on critical minerals, including the £28 million investment from the National Wealth Fund for South Crofty tin mine and recent investment in Cornish Lithium – reviving local jobs and skills, and building green apprenticeships. Cornwall will be central to the Government’s new Critical Minerals Strategy which will help us access tin, lithium, other valuable minerals and geothermal energy – vital for EVs, batteries, and low-carbon tech. Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea is another huge opportunity that I am supporting. Cornish companies are already building the components and training apprentices. And our ports have the capacity to be instrumental in the green energy transition. Cornwall has the resources, the talent, and the ambition. This Government will back our growing industries and this is our chance to build a more prosperous future, where people can live, work, and thrive here at home.

This month brings good news for loads of families across Cornwall as free childcare expands to help parents and children. When speaking with local parents, I often hear the same struggle: a lack of affordable, accessible childcare can hold people back from work,  push household budgets to the limit and cause a lot of stress. That is why this change really matters. From now on, up to 5,760 children aged 9 months to 2 years will be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare a week, which is worth up to £7,500 per child, per year. This means more parents can return to work or study without the stress of juggling drop-offs/pick-ups or paying out hundreds each month. Even better, new protections will stop nurseries from charging “top-up” fees for essentials like nappies or meals, so families feel the full benefit. I’ve visited nurseries across the constituency and seen first-hand how vital early years care is — especially for children’s development. I urge all parents to check what support they might now be entitled to here:  childcarechoices.gov.uk . This is just one part of Labour’s plan to support families, alongside free school meals in places like Tregony and St. Francis, better mental health support, and thousands more teachers. We’re easing the cost of living and giving every child a better start.

In the face of horror in the Middle East and the fading prospect of a two-state solution, the UK has now, acting alongside some of our closest allies, officially recognised the state of Palestine. I am glad that the Government has taken this step. The Government continues to support Israel’s right to exist and the security of its people. But the Israeli government must change course: halt its offensive in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid in, and stop illegal settlement expansion. Many constituents ask: what more can we do? In April, I wrote to the Government, urging recognition. Along with Cornwall’s other Labour MPs, I requested further clear economic action on trade and sanctions, with our allies, to put pressure on the Israeli government when the IPC’s report came out. It has taken 75 years to recognise Palestine, after recognising Israel in 1950. In 2025, we affirm both peoples’ right to live in peace, side by side. But recognition is only part of what must be a stronger wider and faster push for peace.

Jayne Kirkham debating in Parliament Good, reliable transport is essential for Cornwall, but with just one rail line, a single road bridge, and limited routes in and out, our connectivity too often falls short. Many residents tell me they’re struggling to get to work, school, or college. And recent cuts to Truro College buses have only made things harder for students. Since the 2015 devolution deal, we have made progress with smart ticketing, growing bus usage, and new council partnerships. But 50% of our public transport still depends on council subsidies, and under the last Government, the south-west had the second lowest transport investment per head in England. We need long-term infrastructure funding to fix our roads, electrify the main rail line, and reopen just 150 yards of freight track in Falmouth, which could take 77 lorries off the road with every train. With over 4,600 miles of rural roads, the £1.6 billion national pothole fund is a welcome start, and must be allocated with regional inequalities in mind. Transport is the backbone of our economy. Cornwall Chamber of Commerce lists connectivity as a top business priority. Whether by rail, road, or air, I will keep pushing in Parliament to make sure Cornwall gets the investment it needs and deserves.

Jayne Kirkham hosting 'Fleasehold' roundtable for residents across Truro & Falmouth Across Truro, Falmouth and surrounding villages, many residents, especially those in newer housing estates, are facing rising service charges, poor communication from managing agents, and little accountability. This month, I hosted a roundtable with local people affected by unfair housing management arrangements, often referred to as “fleasehold.” I heard directly from residents who, after paying for maintenance, are having to chase managing agents to get green spaces maintained or playparks finished.   Many people simply don’t have the time or energy to take on these battles. And shouldn’t have to. That is why I have been pushing these companies locally. But we also need national change, and I welcome the new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which aims to make the system fairer and more transparent. Some key reforms include: Mandatory qualifications for managing agents Fairer rules around major works Standardised, transparent budgeting and billing These changes are needed. People deserve safe and well-managed communities without the stress, high service charges and unclear responsibilities. If you’re dealing with unresponsive managing agents, unfair charges, or properties that aren’t being properly looked after, I want to hear from you. I will keep standing up for your housing battles, no matter how big or small the issue may seem: jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk

EV Chargers Coming to Hospitals: Government funding is now available to install electric vehicle chargers at hospitals across the country. Closing the Digital Divide:  Over £9 million in funding has been awarded to charities and councils helping people get online. And we have just launched the £9.5 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, empowering local councils, charities, and community organisations to tackle digital exclusion with innovative ideas. For more info, see here. Apply until 10 September at 3:00 pm A Stronger Economy: In the first half of this year, the UK economy grew faster than the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, a testament to our policies that prioritise stability, investment, and sustainable growth. Restoring Nature: With Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, there have been targeted conservation projects under the £13 million Species Recovery Programme, which have helped revive 150 species across England, such as the rare hawksbeard mining bee. Investing in Youth: We are investing £88 million into a pilot of youth services as part of the new National Youth Strategy — and Cornwall is proudly part of the pilot. This investment will: Upgrade and expand youth services, increase access to extracurricular activities, support young people with safe, offline community connections Standing by Pensioners: The Government has also committed to cementing the Triple Lock for the whole of this Parliament, which is a massive commitment to pensioners in this economic climate. After the policy change, Winter Fuel Allowance will be paid to all pensioners who have an income of under £35,000 this winter: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment