Richmond Park News: 13 June 2025

TEDDINGTON DIRECT RIVER ABSTRACTION CONSULTATION

From Tuesday 17th June 2025 through to Tuesday 26th August, Thames Water will be conducting their statutory public consultation for the Teddington Direct River Abstraction project, which I encourage all constituents to contribute to. You can find details of the consultation here, including local events.

You can find out more about my personal objection to the TDRA here.

SPENDING REVIEW

This week, the Government launched its multi-year Comprehensive Spending Review, which sets departmental budgets for the next three years (2026/27 through to 2028/9).

I was extremely disappointed to see that, while the Chancellor announced a 4-year settlement for Transport for London, she did not commit funding to Hammersmith Bridge. Following this, I wrote to the Mayor of London to ask that he now commits to funding his share of the Hammersmith Bridge repair costs. You can see a copy of my letter here. 

I was also disappointed at the government’s continued support for the third runway at Heathrow despite the negligible economic benefits and the detrimental impact on the environment, and I urged the Chancellor to reconsider her support for the project. You can watch a clip of my question in the Chamber here.

I was pleased to raise these issues across different media outlets both before and after the announcement of the Spending Review, including on Sky News and BBC5 Live.

QUESTION TIME

This week, I was pleased to join BBC Question Time in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Alongside me on the panel were Zia Yusef, former Reform Chairman, Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Simon Clarke, former Conservative MP. 

Among the topics discussed were the spending review, where the audience asked if tax rises were now inevitable. On this point I spoke about the necessity of growing the economy, and set out my views that a closer trading agreement with Europe, through a bespoke UK-EU Customs Union, would be a key way to achieve this. 

We also spoke about Asylum hotels, given the announcement made by the Chancellor in the spending review. I raised the extent to which our asylum system needs urgent reform to bring down the backlog of people awaiting decisions from the Home Office. 

Lastly, we discussed the rising influence of Reform UK in British politics, particularly within local councils. I highlighted the difficulties that many councils are facing in meeting their statutory responsibilities.

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE QUESTIONS

On Thursday morning, I was pleased to attend the Department for Business and Trade question time, in my role as Business Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats.

At DBT question time, I asked the Minister when we can expect to see the establishment of a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone, as part of the new agri-food deal agreed in last month’s new EU trade agreement. 

I also raised the issue of the lack of skilled workers to support new infrastructure projects, asking why the government is moving funding away from level 7 apprenticeships, which support social mobility in the engineering sector, after the delay of the much-anticipated industrial strategy.

You can find a clip of my questions here and here.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON WATER SECTOR REGULATION

On Monday of this week, I was pleased to join a Public Accounts Committee session on water sector regulation, where I was able to question senior civil servants from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency and Ofwat.

I know first-hand that regulation of water companies and the ware sector more generally must be boosted. Whether it be on improving water quality and tackling sewage, or holding water companies to account on the sizable profits given to water bosses at the same time as hiking bills considerably for consumers, more must be done.

That is why I questioned the witnesses on the unfair and unjustified increase in water bills which have been brought to my attention by my Richmond Park constituents, in particular noting the poor customer service to support constituents with these hikes.

You can find a clip of this question here.

In Richmond Park, these issues are best demonstrated by the Teddington Direct River Abstraction project, which has been shown to risk damage to our local environment, damage to our local transport networks, and poor value for money. I took this opportunity to raise with the regulators the TDRA project and the highly worrying lack of engagement by Thames Water on the project.

Whilst I am disappointed that the response from the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency did not robustly address how to ensure that Thames Water isn't evading its statutory responsibilities,  I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, including Munira Wilson MP and Ed Davey MP, will continue to hold Thames Water to account over the TDRA.

You can find a clip of my question here.

TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL - REPORT STAGE

On Friday, the House of Commons met again to debate the report stage of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill. I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this debate. In my speech I highlighted the risks I believe this legislation poses to some vulnerable groups, following evidence I heard during the committee session.

I spoke in particular in favour of my New Clause 19, which would require much more thorough data collection, on people who have sought an assisted death. The purpose of this is to ensure any patterns of inequalities, such as those from vulnerable groups or specific backgrounds, can be identified. I also spoke in favour of amendments which would protect the autonomy of Wales and the Senedd in making decisions regarding this kind of legislation, given health is a devolved issue. There were several other amendments to which I spoke, and if you are interested in seeing my contributions in full, you can do so here.

DURACELL HQ VISIT

Last week, I was pleased to visit the Duracell HQ in Richmond, to speak with both Duracell and the British and Irish Portably Battery Association. At the HQ, I learned about the important work they do, in particular on button battery safety and the need to increase battery recycling rates in the UK.

I was pleased to meet Managing Director Tolis Piaras, and Category Director Sarah Chapman, as well as other employees, to learn more about their work and the contributions they make to our local economy. Duracell offers employment to many high skilled workers in Richmond Park, and I thank them for their invitation.

COURT TRANSCRIPTS CAMPAIGN

Last week I met with one of my constituents, Juliana Terlizzi, following the success of the campaign on court transcripts. This campaign began following Juliana's harrowing experience, and subsequently having been quoted over £7,000 for the court transcripts of her trial. This is an issue I campaigned on in Parliament for the last few years and, at the end of last month, I was delighted that the government changed the law to give victims of rape and serious sexual assault free access to sentencing remarks. While I brought this campaign to Parliament, this change was only possible through the bravery and advocacy of Juliana and other campaigners. It was a pleasure to campaign on their behalf, and I was very pleased to be able to mark this occasion with Juliana (and her dog, Quindim).

COMMUNITY NEWS:

ART HOUSE OPEN STUDIOS RICHMOND

This brilliant Arts Festival taking place over two weekends in June (14th and 15th, and 21st and 22nd) will see artists and craftspeople across Richmond Borough open their homes, studios and community venues to members of the public. Venues will be open 11 am to 5 pm. I highly recommend taking the time to visit a studio. You can find a full list of participating artists in this brochure. 

CLEAN SHEEN LITTER-PICK

Taking place across East Sheen on Sunday 22 June, Clean Sheen is organised by Habitats & Heritage, the local charity that acts for the natural and historic environment in South and West London, with support this year from Artisan Café. The group will clean up litter on Palewell Common, Sheen Common and around the streets of East Sheen. You can find more information here.

KINGSTON SUMMER BIKE RIDE

Join Kingston Cycling Campaign on Sunday 15 June for a fun-packed summer ride. Designed with all ages and cycling abilities in mind, this summer cycle will start from Fishponds Park in Surbiton. You can find more information, including how to register, here.