Matt Bishop MP
@mattbishopmp
Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean Constituency
I have written to the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, regarding the provisions in the Sentencing Act that allow for the early release of prisoners. I am pleased, and relieved, that the Prime Minister is reconsidering this part of the Act.
It's great to see the first residents moving into Platform Housing Group’s Ellwood Place development in Coleford. We know there's a real need for more affordable housing locally, so it's great to see developments like this being delivered.
👇Please see the table below that outlines when and where closures are taking place during the A40 Over Bridge Works. These dates and details may change, so I'll keep this post updated whenever new information becomes available.
If you're facing financial hardship, you may be able to get some help through the Government's new Crisis and Resilience Fund. Find out more about the fund here: www.gov.uk/government/p... If you think this could help someone you know, please share this post.
This week, I wrote to National Highways again, reiterating the urgency of your concerns regarding the works at the A40 Over Bridge. 👇Read my letter below. I’ve asked for weekly meetings so I can relay your lived experiences and push for solutions that will actually make a difference.
Earlier this week, the Forest Health Forum, Forest Voluntary Action Forum - FVAF, healthcare professionals and local residents came together for the Big Health Debate to discuss some of the biggest healthcare challenges facing our communities.
📢 Join my Forest of Dean WhatsApp Channel for Travel! 👉 If you're affected by the A40 works, please follow my WhatsApp Channel today and share it with friends, family and colleagues who rely on this route! 🔗 JOIN HERE: whatsapp.com/channel/0029...
Last week, I attended the David Vaisey Awards, which recognises the great work being done to promote reading and literacy across Gloucestershire. It was great to see Forest of Dean Libraries and Newnham St Peter's Primary School shortlisted!
Sue Ryder in Cinderford has been a big part of our community. It was great to visit their Cinderford shop, meet the team, and hear first-hand about the difference they're making to the lives of so many local people. A big thank you to the whole team for the work you do every day.
This weekend is Super Sign-Up Saturday for the Summer Reading Challenge 2026! I'm encouraging families across the Forest of Dean to get down to your local library and find out what's going on for this year's Read to the Beat! Summer Reading Challenge.
Last week I visited Hartpury and took Ted and Aleksia, two work-experience students, along with me. It was a great chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing further and higher education—particularly with two young people who will be directly impacted.
This Alcohol Awareness Week, I’m supporting Community Alcohol Partnerships and their vital work reducing alcohol harm among young people. Their research tackles a key issue: parents often believe supplying alcohol helps children drink responsibly. Research shows the opposite is true.
Does your child want to send a letter of support to the 2026 FIFA World Cup England Squad? It’s simple to take part: www.royalmail.com/worldclassle... Let's build morale and support football coming home this summer!
Two years ago, I was elected as your Member of Parliament. Since then, it has been a privilege to represent the Forest of Dean and champion the people, businesses and communities that make our area so special. There's still much more to do, but I remain committed to fighting for our fair share.
Last week I attended the Be Internet Legends assembly at Coalway Junior School and joined the teams from Parent Zone and Google to talk about staying safe online. A big thank you to everyone involved for bringing such an important message to our local children and for such a warm welcome!
I attended the inaugural Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Awards earlier this week. It was inspiring to be in a room with so many dedicated campaigners, charities, survivors, frontline organisations and fellow parliamentarians, all united in a shared commitment.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Damian Clark, my knee surgeon, to Parliament last week.
A huge win for Andy Burnham and a huge win for Labour! It's been an incredible campaign and one I've been proud to be part of—from day one knocking on doors to the final day yesterday in Makerfield. This is a fantastic win for us all 🌹
Great to meet with Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Policing and Crime, as well as Nick and Jane from the Hollie Gazzard Trust earlier this week in Parliament. It was fantastic to hear more about their plans, including the Hollie Guard App which I have now provided access for to all of my team!
Like 93% of people in the UK, I went to a state school, Lliswerry High School, and it shaped the person I am today. Despite the challenges our school community faced, they gave us far more than an education—they instilled confidence and self-belief. I'm proud to be #MadeInStateSchool.
I recently visited the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity as it celebrates 35 years of life-saving work. It was great to meet Julian, Nicole and Aiden and see progress since my last visit. Thank you for all you do to support and save lives across the Forest of Dean and beyond.
A huge thank you to everyone who has signed the petition so far! I spent time in Cinderford this week speaking with parents, students and local residents, and the message was clear: we must do everything we can to protect the future of Forest High School. Sign here👇 www.change.org/p/petition-t...
The WINNER of the 2026 Fish and Chip Awards in the Forest of Dean is… ✨ FRYDAY’S in Bream ✨ I had the pleasure of presenting the award this evening and sampling their brilliant fish and chips myself. Huge congratulations to the whole team at Fryday’s for this well‑deserved recognition!
It was great to visit Greenwood’s Nursery last week and see their support for children and families across the Forest of Dean. Hearing from staff about the ELSEC programme was particularly valuable, and I look forward to sharing their feedback with the Department for Education.
Earlier this week, the Chancellor announced new support to help families with the cost of living. I regularly hear from residents who are worried about rising household bills, food prices and the general pressure on everyday finances.