Matt Rodda MP
MP Meets Brave Constituent Penalised by Government’s Assessment System
A chronic and debilitating condition which, to the untrained eye, renders the sufferer as looking ‘normal’ has been the subject of a real battle between one of Matt Rodda’s constituents and the Government benefits agencies. Sadly, however, cases like this are not uncommon. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis sufferer Charis contacted Matt’s office following a benefits assessment which…
Read MoreMatt Rodda in talks with UCU ahead of strike action over pensions at Reading University
Reading East MP Matt Rodda spoke alongside the General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) Sally Hunt regarding an upcoming nationwide strike by academic staff. This strike action has been called to protect the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Under that scheme, 190,000 university staff in predominantly pre-1992 institutions will stand to lose around £10,000…
Read MoreRedlands Primary School visited by Matt Rodda MP
Reading East MP, Matt Rodda, visited Redlands Primary School recently to meet the headteacher, staff and children. Matt spoke with children who asked him questions about his work in Parliament and what it means to be an MP. He also spoke about the political process in general, and the celebration of democracy as part of…
Read MoreMatt Rodda calls for more support in Schools for children with Autism
A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) and the National Autistic Society (NAS) has found that children and young people with autism are being let down and left behind when it comes to achieving their educational potential. The report also highlights the lack of progress in helping to locate, secure and…
Read MoreReading’s homeless charity Launchpad invites Matt Rodda to inspect new family accommodation
Launchpad, Reading’s charity supporting the homeless invited Reading East MP Matt Rodda to take a look around their newly-completed family accommodation in Reading. The housing, comprising two tastefully-appointed two-bedroomed self-contained flats in a former Victorian terraced home in Reading will provide much needed accommodation for two homeless families; and those currently residing in bed and…
Read MoreMP meets with Reading MENCAP
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East visited Reading Mencap to discuss the demands on their services, and the impact of Government cuts in disability-related welfare support payments on their service users. Over 200 individuals are registered at Reading Mencap, and they enjoy a wide variety of activities and clubs which include children’s clubs and crafts…
Read MoreMatt Rodda welcomes Emily Thornberry to Reading
READING EAST MP and Shadow Minister for Local Transport Matt Rodda welcomed Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry to his Reading constituency recently. The Shadow Foreign Secretary’s visit to the newly-turned Labour seat began with interviews with local media, followed by a much-needed tea break inside a local café in Emmer Green, providing shelter…
Read MoreMatt Rodda speaks in lively Westminster debate on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Process
READING EAST MP Matt Rodda was invited by the Shadow Minister for Labour and MP for North and West Durham, Laura Pidock to speak at a Westminster Hall debate recently. The debate was to speak on claimants’ experiences of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) process and at times became quite a heated exchange as members…
Read MoreRogue landlords to be tackled in new Housing Bill
READING EAST MP Matt Rodda addressed the House during the second reading debate of the ‘Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill 2017-19’ brought by the Labour MP for Westminster North, Karen Buck. The Bill is set to provide amendments to the current Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 which requires that…
Read MoreMatt Rodda MP listens to opponents of development planned for St Patrick’s Hall
Following on from his letter to the Planning Department at Reading Borough Council just before last Christmas in relation to the planned development at St. Patrick’s Hall, Reading East MP Matt Rodda took some time to re-visit the area and listen to residents’ concerns. The Planning Application is listed to go before the Planning Committee…
Read MoreChildhood Obesity and Junk Food Advertising discussed in Westminster Hall debate
The growing problem of junk food advertising and its effect on childhood obesity was one of several issues discussed in a Westminster Hall debate attended by Reading East MP Matt Rodda. Various health studies have shown the impact of junk food advertising on the rise in childhood obesity. Children are ‘bombarded’ with television advertisements during…
Read MoreMP attends event for Deafness Awareness in Parliament
Reading East MP Matt Rodda attended an event in the House of Commons hosted by the National Deaf Children’s Society aimed at deaf children and their families by emphasising the importance of technology in early years provision. The National Deaf Children’s Society was formed in 1944. To the present day the visions and values of…
Read MoreMatt Rodda congratulates Royal Berkshire Hospital on Outstanding CQC Report
Reading East MP Matt Rodda congratulated the Royal Berkshire Hospital on achieving an outstanding Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, with results attained despite the serious pressures facing the hospital and other parts of the NHS. Staff were able to demonstrate improvement in all of the services inspected which included urgent and emergency care, medical care…
Read MoreMatt Rodda supports Early Day Motion to promote the message of Women’s Equality
This year marks a century since women were granted voting rights. A lot has happened under the banner of equality since that date, however, the recent news about pay inequality concerning former news editor Carrie Gracie shows that there is still a long way to go – even a century later. Ms Gracie is a…
Read MoreMatt Rodda concerned about ongoing winter crisis at Royal Berkshire Hospital
Continued pressure on the NHS in Reading has led to many cancelled operations, and the Royal Berkshire Hospital is struggling to meet the increase in demand. The hospital has not only had to appeal to medical and nursing staff to turn in to cover extra shifts, but news has also emerged of the NHS Trust…
Read MoreMatt comments on the Government U-turn to finally crack down on rogue landlords
EIGHT months after the Labour Party called for tougher minimum standards in the private rented housing sector in its election policy document, Reading East MP Matt Rodda noted with interest that the Government is now considering parts of that policy. Prior to last year’s General Election, the Labour Party proposed that Councils would be empowered…
Read MoreReading East MP condemns Government underfunding as hospital staffing levels struggle in Winter Crisis
Following the appeal via social media by the Royal Berkshire Hospital for medical and nursing staff to turn up for extra shifts to help cope with the increased demand, Reading East MP Matt Rodda expressed his concerns over the growing strain on local healthcare provision. Read the full article here…
Read MoreMatt Rodda Campaigns Against Rail Fare Increases
Commuters from Reading faced further New Year misery in addition to the biting cold weather with the introduction of yet further price hikes to the cost of rail travel. Reading East MP Matt Rodda attended a campaigning event at Reading Station on 2 January 2018. Read full article here…
Read MoreMP supports CCA’s appeal for Christmas donations
Today Matt had an excellent introductory meeting with Gill, Martin and Myra at Christian Community Action (CCA). They provide an invaluable service to those most vulnerable in our society through a comprehensive programme of practical help and support. Please watch this appeal video, and consider supporting them this Christmas. For more information on how to…
Read MoreMatt Rodda MP denounces New Year rail fares hike
MATT RODDA, Reading East’s MP gave comment on the impending rail fare price hike which is due to hit commuters hard in the pocket in the New Year. Matt added his comments to those echoed in a recent article by the Shadow Secretary which appeared in the Guardian newspaper. He said: “Constituents who commute from…
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