Lisa Smart MP

EON Next are running a scheme to fit batteries into people's homes as part of a scheme to reduce energy bills for vulnerable customers. If you're interested in finding out more, and to check your eligibility visit: 🔗 buff.ly/Ah5TB66 #BatteryBoost #EnergyBills #CommunitySupport

This week, I've been in Parliament pushing for changes to our political system, but there was still time to meet with Royal Mail about deliveries in Stockport, visit Abbeyfield House supported living and check in with Starting Point in Woodley. #LisaSmartMP #constituency #community

I will always take every opportunity to push the Government to improve our political system, and I did so again this week … #LisaSmartMP #HazelGrove #Westminster #Parliament

I support Gov't changes to address the unfair treatment of some people of faith in Parliament. But this tackles a problem facing the PM. There are many more pressing matters facing our country, and those should be our priority. buff.ly/AgZymos

There was a debate on anti-Semitism in schools in Parliament on Wednesday, and as part of that, I raised the issue of supporting school governors, who play a really important part in making sure that our schools are the best that they can be. buff.ly/3mSD3pG

As well as pushing to improve overall provision of NHS dentistry, it is vital that the right support is in place for people who have specific requirements, so I've been pushing the Minister on making sure the right support is in place for children with complex learning disabilities. buff.ly/3HhNlYi

The UK's economy is heavily tilted towards financial services, but there are concerns over its regulation. I've pushed the Treasury on what they are doing to address people with fraud convictions working in the industry. We need the strongest and most secure economy possible. buff.ly/TmGWpLM

The children of Stockport are as bright and as hardworking as any in the country. They should not be funded as though they were worth less than the children in the neighbouring borough. buff.ly/ovheR1p

I am continuing to put pressure on the Government to ensure that self-employed adopters are treated fairly following the parental leave review. The Minister has confirmed that they will be reviewing this in the review.

Stockport Council is calling for a fairer Government funding settlement to support residents. I have repeatedly raised in Parliament that Stockport fell off a cliff edge for funding, because we were 0.1% over an arbitrary target. We need fairer funding. buff.ly/0n2Xqam

Appointing experts to Parliament has some justification, but not when they are not time-limited appointments. Having been an expert in a field 40 years ago is no guarantee of expertise now. We need to change the way our Parliament works. #LisaSmartMP #HazelGrove #Westminster #Parliament

We need reform of the second chamber of Parliament. Simply put, those who make the laws should be accountable to those who have to obey them. #LisaSmartMP #HazelGrove #Westminster #Parliament

I've asked DEFRA a whole series of questions about the situation at Torkington Park, to pin down how the law allowed the current situation. We have been supporting residents to get this fixed, but it is a poor process that is taking too long. buff.ly/DQqgKFg buff.ly/R9GgLdo buff.ly/EeZ3ScO

Thank you to the lovely people at Abbeyfield Sheltered Housing in High Lane for making me feel so welcome this morning. It's the first ever Supported Housing Week this week, and you can find out more about it here: buff.ly/ulUW85A

EON Next are running a scheme to fit batteries into people's homes as part of a scheme to reduce energy bills for vulnerable customers. If you're interested in finding out more, and to check your eligibility visit: 🔗 buff.ly/Ah5TB66 #BatteryBoost #EnergyBills #CommunitySupport

The figures are stark. There is far less money provided to support the education of children in Stockport than the national average, and in particular when compared to inner London boroughs. This needs to change. #LisaSmartMP #Westminster #Parliament #Education #Schools

Last week, I led a parliamentary debate on schools funding in Stockport. The unfair funding formula means schools in Stockport get massively less money per pupil than much of Greater Manchester, leaving schools to make hard financial decisions that disadvantage pupils. This needs to change.

It is important that people feel supported and safe to participate in our democracy. The Home Secretary needs to ensure that all local councillors are given the support they need from the state and the police to make that happen.

Thanks very much for the warm welcome up at the Marple United Reform Church for their coffee morning. Lots of friendly faces and cracking support for Fairtrade.

In November 2024, a series of recommendations on the police response to stalking were made in a joint report. But it's delivering on those recommendations that will make the difference, which is why I have been pursuing the Home Office to deliver on those recommendations. buff.ly/W55BY0N

Our democracy is under threat, and it is vital that we do everything we can to defend it. Your voice cannot be heard if our elections are not fairly run. That's why I took the opportunity to challenge the Prime Minister to do more. #LisaSmartMP #HazelGrove #Westminster #Parliament

Constituency news Our path to lower bills, a safer climate, and a stronger, more secure Britain. Full story: buff.ly/0BHlcQG

Constituency news Reforming how we regulate our media Full story: buff.ly/O7PwFhH

Bereaved parents deserve more than the current post code letter to get proper support with their mental health. I'm pushing the minister to do more to raise standards and ensure everyone gets the support they need. buff.ly/aWgq3w1

Parliament is back today, and I took the opportunity to push on one of my longstanding campaigns – fair adoption pay for self-employed adopters. It is simply unfair that being self-employed restricts the support you get from the Government in adopting. #LisaSmartMP #HazelGrove #Parliament #adoption

Ed is continuing to drive forward the most successful ever Lib Dem group in Parliament, challenging the Labour Gov't, and putting the issues that will make the most difference to the UK on the agenda. I want him to lead us to even greater successes at the next general election, whenever that is.

Changes to the NHS contract for dentists are needed to make it work better. It is interesting to see the impact that eligibility changes can have on making a career accessible – a comprehensive set of reforms is essential to getting more NHS services back on local communities. buff.ly/2fZ6H5G

Capture and Calm Walks have their monthly Community Drop in happening on October 12. They run gentle wellbeing walks, creative sessions, family craft events and seasonal pop-ups across Stockport. You can find out more information and book here: buff.ly/8hJIHZg

Really please to see the official opening of the new Stepping Hill cancer centre: a real boost to patient support. What we need is for the Government to move from this piecemeal approach, to a considered plan for the whole hospital, addressing the £138 million repairs backlog. buff.ly/ojNZCVl

Previously, only a few residents have been in touch about fines incorrectly issued at Stepping Hill. This article suggests it may be a wider issue. If you need support, or have experienced similar issues, let us know. We're can work with Stepping Hill to help resolve any issues. buff.ly/63C0LZG

One of our brilliant young campaigners, Heather, spoke at the Lib Dem Conference this weekend about the results of pollution in the River Goyt on her family and friends. We must change the way the water industry is run in this country. Sign up at buff.ly/Bc0iSNE if you agree.

Constituency news The Fight of our Lives Full story: buff.ly/DvY4Nl4

This summer, in response to local wildfires, the current rules on support meant that GM was forced to bid against Wales to get air support. That system is wrong. My colleague Mark Roberts spoke on the impact this has on Stockport residents, as the Lib Dems' announced new policy to change this.

I told BBC Politics NW this week that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) has been a mess. We need to have more power shared out from Westminster. Instead, we're seeing planning powers being taken away in a patchwork mess of devolution that won't work for everyone. It's not good enough.

When I was a councillor, I drove forward improvements to enable proper challenge to the Mayor's decisions. With the Government rolling out more mayoralities, we need to make sure they aren't being given the keys to the car without someone checking they are driving safely.

I was at Conference with the excellent Mark Roberts, and one of the issue we were tackling was the way the UK tackles wildfires. Climate change is putting is at ever more threat, and we should not be being forced to bid against other areas for emergency support. Let's fix our wildfire response.

I was on BBC Politics NW this weekend, talking about the Government's terrible handing of local government elections. Our country is the most centralized in the world, and too much power sits at Westminster. That has to change. Local communities have so much to offer. We need to empower them.

I spoke to Calum MacDonald on Times Radio about how we're setting out an economic vision for the country.

Lib Dem Conference is vital, and different. It's the only party conference which is about setting policy, letting every member have the opportunity to set the goals for our party, and to set a vision for our country.

I have written to the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, urging her to create a “Westminster Crime Unit” within the National Crime Agency, to investigate political finance. The legislation in the Representation of the People Bill does not go far enough. We need a fair playing field. buff.ly/dNK1h35

I spent time talking to some of the exhibitors in tha conference hall yesterday, particularly ones where residents have reached out to me and asked me to speak to them. It's a privilege to represent the people in the constituency, and that means learning and listening to the things that concern you.

I led the debate in the conference hall on candidate safety. I want everyone who wants to go into public service to have the confidence that they will face fair challenge, but not unfair abuse. That’s how we get the best people making the best decisions for our country.

I’m on top of the world, ma! On the roof of the Conference centre at Brighton for the morning press. It feels very high up.

Matthew Wright on LBC asked me about coalitions – whether that's the Conservatives and Reform or other parties. It's vital that politicians are grown up about working together on key issues. That's why we'll work constructively and push for the priorities that we feel will help our country the most.

I spoke to Matthew Wright on LBC this morning. Clearly, £72 million could be a way for Nigel Farage to get to Number 10, but so could Kemi Badenoch opening the door for him. It's our job to stop that coalition creating a Government that would terrify so many people.

We want to empower our communities to fix problems in our healthcare system, in education. It's a positive vision of how we can build the United Kingdom. That is how we can offer an alternative to Reform and the Conservatives teaming up to put Nigel Farage in power. #LisaSmart