As a mother of two young boys, keeping children safe is something I care about deeply. We all know how to protect our children in the physical world. But I know parents like me are concerned about a new and rapidly growing challenge: keeping children safe online. That is why the Government will introduce a social media ban for under-16s. These reforms will help create a safer and healthier online environment for children, set a new standard for protecting future generations and reinforce the Government’s commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life.
Keeping children safe also means ensuring they can travel to and from school safely. Parents, carers and school staff across Wycombe have raised concerns, including more than 300 people who responded to my survey on road safety around Marlow Hill. I recently visited the crossing on The Pastures outside Disraeli School after hearing about the dangers from parents and the lollipop lady. For over a year, I have urged Buckinghamshire Council to act, but little has changed. With the Government’s new Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy and £9.1 million awarded to Buckinghamshire Council for active travel, we have an opportunity to improve safety and protect vulnerable road users.
Children’s health is another important priority. Action on Smoking and Health reports that around one million 11 to 17-year-olds in Great Britain had tried vaping by 2025. Colourful packaging, prominent retail displays and child-appealing flavours are among the factors encouraging young people to take up vaping. The Government has announced plans to keep vapes out of sight in shops and airports and introduce plain packaging for all tobacco products.
This week, I attended the opening of the Chair Discovery Centre next to the Wycombe Swan to see our town’s proud furniture-making heritage on display. I was also delighted to welcome constituents to Parliament, where they watched me speak on issues that matter deeply to residents across Wycombe, including cleaning up our rivers, supporting the future of farming, and protecting nature.
You can request a visit to parliament via my website; emmaforwycombe.org.uk