Last week, our local NHS (NHS Gloucestershire CCG (CCG) and the Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust (CST)), launched their 12 week public consultation on a preferred option to build a new community hospital in the Forest of Dean by 2021/2022.

Last week, I was delighted to attend the annual Countryside Alliance Rural Oscar Awards in Parliament. The awards are in their 12th year and celebrate rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage, championing small businesses and their contribution to the rural economy.

Yesterday, I was delighted to welcome to Parliament a group of Year 6 pupils from Lydney Church of England Community School. 

I enjoyed visiting Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean last week for the opening of their brand new Maths block.

In the picture, I am with the Maths teaching team and afterwards I caught up with the Head Teacher, Stephen Brady (1st on the left in the picture) for an interesting meeting.

Today, Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS), makers of iconic brands Lucozade and Ribena at Coleford, demonstrated its commitment to encouraging healthier lifestyles with the launch of  a new health and wellbeing plan for the UK and Ireland.

Yesterday, the Defence Secretary announced a range of measures to consolidate our Defence Estate, to bring it in line with the requirements of our armed forces in the 21st century. As part of these changes, it was announced that one of the sites that will be closed is Beachley Barracks.

Last weekend, the 2016 Paralympic Games drew to a close with a lively and colourful closing ceremony. Once again, Rio de Janeiro was a wonderful host for the 4,500 athletes taking part in the largest disabilities tournament in the world.

In recent months, the Government has continued the successful roll out of Universal Credit across the country. Universal Credit is a new benefits system designed to simplify the structure and make work pay, and the Forest of Dean has been using the new system since May 2015.

Tomorrow, the people of Gloucestershire will have the opportunity to vote for a new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The police play a critical role in public service, putting themselves at risk on the front-line in order to keep our communities safe.

On 16th April, I attended a public meeting in St Briavels, organised by Action4OurCare, to update people on progress we have made in fixing the issues with cross-border healthcare which potentially impact about 9,000 of my constituents.