My constituents in Eastleigh have had to put up with endless issues with Southern Water including outages, the loss of water supply just before Christmas, and sewage dumping in our precious chalk stream the River Itchen. Last month, bills were hiked again by a shocking 47%.

I had the opportunity to ask a question at PMQs a few weeks ago to raise the anger of my constituents directly with the Prime Minister. I firmly believe water companies should be paying to clean up their own mess, not consumers. While I welcome plans to strengthen regulation of the industry, the Government must go further by finally abolishing Ofwat, which has failed for far too long. I was pleased the Prime Minister assured me Southern Water will be held to account.

It was an honour to attend the flag raising ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Eastleigh’s strategic location in Hampshire made the area a central location in the war effort. During preparations for the D-Day landings in 1944. Four marshalling camps at Hiltingbury held 11,000 troops and 2,000 vehicles — the largest grouping in any of the marshalling areas in the country. It was at Eastleigh Airfield in 1936 that the maiden flight of the Supermarine Spitfire took place, remembered now as the most iconic British fighter of the Battle of Britain. After the ceremony, I met sisters Kathleen and Christine, whose mum served in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps and later went on to run a grocers on the site which is now the Swan Centre.

The anniversary of VE Day was a chance to remember all those who served and to ensure that we continue to support and give respect to those who continue to serve in our armed forces.

Our high streets are the beating heart of our communities, but hikes to business rates and employer National Insurance contributions have led to businesses struggling. I recently visited my constituents Jemma at Jemma George Hair Artistry and Jane at Elite Salon in Chandler’s Ford to learn more about how the Government’s policy changes have impacted their hair and beauty businesses. I have written to the Business Secretary and tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament, which has received cross-party support, to draw more attention to issues within this incredibly important sector, and I will be pressuring the Government to ensure high-street service businesses are supported.

After years of being let down by the previous Conservative Government, my constituents voted for change, but we seem to be getting more of the same. PIP and disability payments are being cut, the Government still hasn’t removed the two-child benefit cap which pushes families into poverty, and the WAPSI women have not been compensated.

My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are doing everything we can to encourage the Government to U-turn on these decisions and finally deliver the change our country needs.