I have just launched a Parliamentary petition calling on the Government for new swimming facilities for Falmouth, after the town’s only public pool closed in 2022. In a coastal town, swimming is a life skill. Yet Falmouth is now the only Community Area Partnership in Cornwall without a public pool. The impact is already being felt, and at one local primary school, the number of children unable to swim 25 metres has jumped from under 10% to 50%. Without a local pool, schools are having to transport pupils up to 40 minutes away to gain swimming skills, an option that is expensive and unsustainable. Swimming supports physical health, mental wellbeing, and water safety, vital in a town that is shaped by the sea. Every child in Falmouth and the surrounding area deserves access to safe, affordable lessons close to home. ​The petition is open to all residents of the Truro & Falmouth constituency ( check with your postcode here ). It must be signed in person, and physical copies are available across Falmouth and the surrounding areas.​ A full list of signing locations can be found here on my website: Constituency campaigns| Jayne Kirkham MP | Truro & Falmouth Labour Signatures will be collected until the 10th of October, before being formally presented to the Speaker of the House of Commons. If you'd like to help, please email me: jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk

Jayne Kirkham MP viewing the names of 26,380 individuals who died in the Burma Campaign with no known place of rest - Portscatho This month marked 80 years since VJ Day, the end of the Second World War. While Victory in Europe was declared in May 1945, British and Commonwealth soldiers continued to fight Japanese forces across Asia and the Pacific until August. I attended two commemorations: a morning flag-raising in Falmouth and an afternoon service at the Burma Memorial in Portscatho, established by local veteran James Allan to honour 26,380 soldiers with no known grave. What happened as a result of those two world wars and the preservation of the memory of them has helped to keep the spectre of full-blown war in Europe at bay for a long time. Now the ground has shifted. The first duty of a Leader is to keep their country safe. We know from the bitter experience of our grandparents what happens when the security of Europe is breached, and the situation in Ukraine is too loud an echo to ignore. The Prime Minister is right to stand with Ukraine and to rebuild our armed forces after 14 years of cuts. Military spending hasn’t been at 2.5% of GDP since the last Labour government and the lead this Prime Minister is taking in international diplomacy needs a military commitment to match. Europe needs to be able to secure its borders in an uncertain future. Some ask why we continue to mark VJ Day, VE Day, and D Day. Part of it is to remember that trauma. Every year, we are losing the people who can remember. We must take on their memories and remember for them. The horror of what war in Europe can lead to must never be forgotten for the human impact it had, and for the people who had to give up almost their entire generation to stop it.

Jayne Kirkham MP hosting SEND roundtable with parents, carers, and guardians At the start of this Parliament, a group of MPs and I met with the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to discuss how the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system was broken, something I saw firsthand as a teaching assistant at Falmouth School. With only 22% of children with SEND currently reaching the expected levels in Maths and English to access further study. This experience is one of the reasons I now serve as Vice-Chair of the f40 Group, an organisation looking at provision across the country for schools and SEND. The Education Secretary made it clear that improving outcomes for children with SEND is a government priority. A White Paper will be published this autumn, and I have been asked to contribute. I am determined to ensure that families in Cornwall have their voices heard in this important national conversation. As part of this, I recently hosted a roundtable with local parents and carers. One of the strongest themes was the exhaustion families feel from having to constantly fight for basic support, with many parents forced to act as full-time advocates rather than just being parents. On the 5 th of September, I will be hosting a second roundtable, this time with local professionals and service providers to ensure those delivering SEND support can also feed into the reforms. If you’re involved in SEND support in Truro or Falmouth and would like to attend, please get in touch at: jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk

Politics Summer School 2025 attendees with Jayne Kirkham MP I hosted my first Politics Summer School at Falmouth University, and it was utterly fab! The day aimed to help young people gain a deeper understanding of how politics works both locally and nationally, and to build practical skills in debate, journalism, and political engagement. We began with a session from the Parliamentary Outreach Team. They provided a comprehensive overview of how government is formed, how elections work, and how laws are made. We explored the role of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and discussed key parliamentary procedures, such as debates and voting. We then moved into a cross-party panel discussion focused on local government. Attendees heard first-hand about becoming a councillor and the processes of town and county councils, and the variety of responsibilities that come with the role of councillor. This was followed by a journalism workshop with a Falmouth University professor of audio journalism and an ITV political correspondent. We focused on research and investigative techniques, as well as interviewing. Participants even grilled me in a mock press conference! In the afternoon, we held a House of Commons-style debate on votes for 16-year-olds, where I sat as speaker, followed by a “Q&A with Your MP” session, led by a Senior Lecturer in British Politics. Thank you to all those who took part. Another Politics Summer School will take place in 2026 — register your interest by email:   jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk

For many in Cornwall, Westminster can feel a world away. The distance can make politics seem remote, even though decisions made in the House of Commons shape our everyday lives. That is why I am so passionate about making politics more accessible and showing young people that their voices do reach London, through our MPs, our votes, and the campaigns we care about. To help bring that to life, I am hosting my first Political Summer School as an opportunity to go behind the scenes, explore how politics works locally and nationally, and discover how you can get involved in Cornwall. This session will run on Thursday 28 th  of August, at Falmouth University, on their Woodlane Campus. This day is for young people aged between 15-18 who live in or attend school in the Truro and Falmouth constituency. What to expect on the day: A Parliamentary Engagement Session: Led by a Parliamentary Outreach Officer, this session will cover how Government is formed, how elections work, how laws are made, and how parliamentary debates work. Cross-Party Local Government Panel: Hear directly from councillors and politicians from across the political spectrum about their roles and how decisions are made locally. Journalism & Communications Workshop: A senior journalism lecturer will guide you through the art of speech writing, debating, and interviewing. Mock Parliamentary Debate: Take part in a final debate, set up in the style of the House of Commons. Step into the shoes of an MP and experience how debates and decisions happen. If you want to learn more about our political system, debate with politicians from across the main parties, experience a mock press conference and learn how campaigns work, then please do contact my office to apply: E: jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk T: 01872 300 353  (Photo from House of Commons)

There’s positive movement for sustainable oyster fishing in Cornwall.   In response to a recent parliamentary question I raised, Minister Daniel Zeichner confirmed that Defra has approved a proposal from the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) to increase the minimum landing size for Fal oysters. The decision was made this month, and Cornwall IFCA has been notified. Further engagement with local stakeholders will support the rollout. This is a great step toward protecting oyster stocks and supporting long-term sustainability in the Fal fishery. See my question here

Concerns about councillor misconduct and the lack of accountability are growing, both among my constituents and across the country. Under the current system, there are no powers to suspend or remove councillors, even in cases of serious wrongdoing. After hearing from constituents rightly frustrated by this, I raised the issue in Parliament. I highlighted how communities are left powerless when councillors behave in ways that fall short of public expectations, with no real consequences. See my parliamentary question here   The Members’ Code of Conduct needs real teeth, and I have called for a Parliamentary debate on stronger sanctions, including the ability to suspend or remove councillors in serious cases. Leader of the House Lucy Powell responded: “We want to see high standards in public life... We are looking at how we can take steps and bring forward legislation to continue to raise standards in local government.” In December 2024, the Government launched a consultation  on improving the standards and conduct framework for local authorities. I welcomed that move and will be reviewing the Government’s response, supporting efforts to strengthen the Code and introduce sanctions.

In 1948, just after WWII, Clement Attlee’s government made a choice founded on fairness: that everyone deserves the healthcare they need, not the healthcare they can afford. The NHS was born—free at the point of use, collectively funded through taxation. Today, the USA, with its private insurance system, spends far more per capita on healthcare than we do. We reject that characterisation. But we know that our healthcare system is creaking and struggling after 14 years of austerity. It has to work for the 21st century, or it will break. That is why this Government is choosing change. The new 10-Year Plan for the NHS, launched this month by the Prime Minister and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is backed by £29 billion in additional investment and built around three big shifts: From Hospital to Community:  More GPs and local health centres bringing services closer to home. From Analogue to Digital:  Smarter tech and AI easing pressure on staff and simplifying care for patients. From Sickness to Prevention:  Catching health problems early and supporting healthier lives through joined-up services. Read more about the 10-Year Plan here This is about building a modern NHS that meets people where they are—keeping them healthy, not just treating them when they're sick. The NHS has been there for us for 77 years, through good times and bad. Let’s do this now to keep it there for the next 77.

In Parliament I raised concerns over a possible link between military helicopter service, particularly on Sea Kings, and rare blood cancers such as multiple myeloma. See full debate here.   I think the MOD could be doing more to gather data determine how big an issue it is and to raise awareness of potential occupational health risks amongst the helicopter crew. If you have been affected by this issue or know someone who has, do get in touch at jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk  -  I have already heard from several people.

Since becoming your MP, one of the biggest issues I have been working on is the system that supports children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Too many parents and carers are forced to fight every step of the way just to get the help their child needs. That isn’t right and has to change. As Vice Chair of the national f40  group, I have been pushing for fairer funding and a serious plan for SEND reform. We have already taken some important steps: the Department for Education has been restructured to put SEND at its heart, and we are starting to see real investment, including: £1 billion for support of children with the most complex needs £740 million to create more specialist places in mainstream schools Over £8 million of that coming to Cornwall This autumn, the Government will publish a new White Paper on SEND. It will mark the beginning of a long-overdue transformation. Reforms are being shaped in collaboration with professionals and parents across the country, and I am making sure your voices are part of that process, because real change means listening to those who know the system best: families, carers, and young people themselves. Before the White Paper is published, On the 9 th of August, I am hosting a local roundtable for parents and carers in the Truro & Falmouth constituency, to contribute directly to that process. To attend, please contact my office: E: jayne.kirkham.mp@parliament.uk T:  01872 300 353

This month, Sir Chris Bryant—Minister for Arts, Culture, Tourism (and Space!), visited Falmouth to see firsthand how our town is contributing to the UK’s creative and visitor economies. I was proud to show him how deeply embedded art, culture, hospitality, and community are in this part of Cornwall. At Falmouth Art Gallery, we met the Town Council’s Cultural Services team, who provide essential education and outreach work while supporting emerging local artists. Like many institutions across the country, they face challenges maintaining ageing buildings—and we discussed potential routes for help with this.  Next, we visited the Cornish Bank, a vital platform for emerging talent. Alongside other venues like the Princess Pavilion and Chintz, it forms part of a rich local music ecosystem and is a key meeting point for the wider community. Small venues, like the Cornish Bank, are turning emerging artists into stadium fillers and must be supported. As part of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan , we are backing campaigns like Own Our Venues , which secures venues as permanent cultural hubs, and a new stadium levy that will redirect money from arena ticket sales to support smaller venues. At the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, we saw traditional boatbuilding in action and previewed Wipeout , a cool new aerial dance performance set to tour schools and festivals across Cornwall with support from Arts Council England. The Ministerial visit also touched on bigger policy shifts: ·       A new Visitor Economy Growth Strategy (due this autumn) ·       Progress on regulating short-term lets—a long-time ask from Cornwall MPs ·       Planning reforms requiring developers to soundproof new homes near music venues Cornwall’s creative and cultural life is rich in talent and innovation. But sustaining it requires sustained investment, particularly at the grassroots and developmental level. To nurture the next generation of artists, build community, and create bold new work, we must support the foundations that make it all possible.

The Government’s proposed new Elections Bill  will introduce changes promised in the manifesto. Giving Young People a Voice: By the next general election, 16 and 17-year-olds will have the right to vote, bringing England in line with Scotland and Wales Making Voter ID Fairer and Easier: New ID rules will allow bank cards and digital ID at polling stations, including a new digital Voter Authority Certificate. Why it matters: The Electoral Commission found that 750,000 people  didn’t vote in 2024 due to ID issues. With over 96% of the public owning a bank card, this change ensures no one is left out. Simplifying Voter Registration:  A more automated registration system will save time and reduce the need to enter details across multiple government services. Closing Loopholes for Foreign Influence:  The Bill takes real steps to protect UK democracy from foreign interference by requiring checks on donations over £500 from unincorporated associations and blocking ‘shell companies’ from being used to illicit money being funnelled from abroad to political parties. Read more on this in my Column.