I was pleased to support a constituent who was facing delays with an HMRC repayment. After raising the issue with HMRC, her outstanding payment was made and she was offered redress for the inconvenience caused. If you are facing a similar issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch with my office.

I recently attended the Corps of the Royal Engineers Annual Memorial Service to mark the 25th anniversary of UK troops deploying to Afghanistan. Delighted to hear that the Royal Engineers Books of Remembrance will move from Westminster Abbey to their new permanent home at Rochester Cathedral too.

There’s still time to apply to join the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board and help shape how £20m of funding is spent in Strood West. Applications close Monday, so if you’re interested apply now here: buff.ly/mPEn2va

As Vice Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, I welcome our latest report on the ONS and UK Statistics Authority. We need to learn from past failures and rebuild trust in the data these institutions provide. Read the full report here: buff.ly/7HbRxf5

ONS on path to improve reputation but must learn from past failures, MPs find - Committees - UK Parliament

Those responsible for overseeing production of the UK’s official statistics must learn from failures at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) in order to…

committees.parliament.uk

My statement following the defeat of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons. This is hugely disappointing for thousands of terminally ill people and their loved ones. The law as it stands is simply too cruel and unjust.

Great to speak to Politics.co.uk ahead of today’s Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. In the interview, I set out why this legislation matters, the issues we need to address, and why getting it right is so important. Read more👇 buff.ly/VlK6SXd

Lauren Edwards on assisted dying, the Parliament Act – and disappointment with Keir Starmer - Politics.co.uk

Lauren Edwards didn’t expect to be in this position. The Labour MP tasked with hauling the assisted dying bill back through the House of Commons was on a conference call about local government…

buff.ly

My article in today's Guardian on why I am sending the assisted dying bill back to the Lords and why the will of the elected chamber – and a popular, compassionate piece of legislation – must not be frustrated again by a small minority of peers: buff.ly/RTe24vy

I am sending the assisted dying bill back to the Lords – and this time, peers must do the right thing | Lauren Edwards

The will of the elected chamber – and a popular, compassionate piece of legislation – must not be frustrated again by a small minority of peers, says Labour MP for Rochester and Strood Lauren Edwards

theguardian.com

An excellent article from my Labour colleague Catherine Fookes in Labourlist today, explaining why she will be backing my assisted dying bill on Friday: buff.ly/B8BYZai

‘Assisted dying: why the choice to die with dignity matters’ – LabourList

This Friday MPs will once again be voting on the assisted dying bill. I know many of my colleagues are feeling déjà vu from the…

labourlist.org

My Labour colleague Baroness Mattinson on the enduring public support for assisted dying and the democratic case for sending my Private Members Bill back to the House of Lords: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Two brave and dedicated campaigners who were denied the right to "go out on their own terms" as they wished but who never stopped fighting so that others could have that choice in future:

As assisted dying bill returns to Commons, families recall loved ones’ battle to ‘go out on own terms’

Elise Burns and Keith Williams appeared in campaign filmed by Rankin this year – both were denied their wishes, but their relatives are picking up the baton

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Thank you to Humanists UK for hosting a meeting to brief MPs ahead of my bill on assisted dying returning to the House of Commons this Friday. One of the most important and progressive changes to the law we can make as Parliamentarians: buff.ly/iBSBKTE

It was lovely to meet Thomas Mayo last week. Thomas is a leading voice for indigenous rights in Australia. He co-led the campaign for Australia’s Voice referendum, speaking with thousands of Australians about the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Over 100 members of the House of Lords are urging MPs to send my assisted dying bill back “as quickly as possible” we consider it this Friday. The cross-party list of signatories includes Neil Kinnock, Ruth Davidson, Harriet Harman, David Blunkett, Alf Dubs and David Willetts: buff.ly/HnPVRXT

We failed but will do better, say Lords requesting speedy...

More than 100 peers are urging MPs to send the bill back to them, citing a ‘filibuster’ by a minority in the Lords that ‘undermined trust’

observer.co.uk

A powerful read. Gaynor's dying wish was that her family carry on the fight to change the law and end the suffering created by the status quo: buff.ly/8kxrasF

Gran, 63, flew to Swiss clinic to die after MND torture – leaving one last wish

EXCLUSIVE: Gaynor Griffiths was 'disappointed' the House of Lords blocked the assisted dying bill, and made her family promise to speak out on her behalf before her trip to Switzerland

mirror.co.uk

I’m looking for a Parliamentary Assistant or Senior Parliamentary Assistant to support my work in Westminster. This is a great opportunity to work in Parliament, so if you think you’re right for the role make sure you apply by 9th September: buff.ly/kGkDqNT

Honoured to join the Royal Naval Association Chatham Branch at the Universities at Medway’s Drill Hall Library today and lay a wreath to honour the 130 sailors who lost their lives here in one of the first night-bombing raids in 1917. This important annual commemoration remembers their sacrifice.

Help decide how £20m of funding is spent in Strood by joining our Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board. We’re recruiting voluntary Board members. No qualifications or previous board experience are needed, and full training and support will be provided. Apply or find out more: buff.ly/ZJF33tx

Thank you to the local residents who came to my recent constituency surgery in Chatham to share their concerns and discuss how I can help. For updates on my monthly surgeries or if you have a concern or problem you’d like to raise with me, please contact my office or visit laurenedwards.uk

Thoughtful words from Dr Simon Opher MP, drawing on his experience caring for people at the end of life. His perspective is a valuable contribution to the conversation about compassion, dignity and choice. Read the full article here: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

I've delivered palliative care as a doctor – we must give patients choice at the end of life

Doctors, like all medical professionals, experience death and dying on a regular basis. Each and every one of us wants to do the best for our patie...

politicshome.com

From hearing directly from residents at my constituency surgery to discussing progress on the Youth Employment Hub, here are some highlights from this week.

Here is my statement in response to the Prime Minister's letters to Ministers and Labour MPs ahead of the assisted dying bill debate.

Heartbreaking to see the loss of life and damage caused by the flash floods in Nepal. My thoughts are with everyone affected and those worried about family and loved ones. If you need advice, the FCDO can support. For further assistance, please get in touch with my office. buff.ly/SE3e75F

Nepal travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Nepal. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

gov.uk

I’m pleased to have helped a constituent who had been waiting months for her Civil Service pension finally receive the money she was owed. I’ll continue to help other constituents facing unacceptable delays with their pension settlements.

I’ve written for KentOnline about why local people should have a real say in the future of our high streets. Our town centres are central to our communities. It’s important councils have more power to tackle the proliferation of vape and gambling shops we’ve seen in recent years. buff.ly/LyPxW51

I recently spoke to Politico about bringing back the assisted dying bill and how I’ve been influenced by similar legislation in Australia where I was born. Read more at the link below: www.politico.eu/article/uk-a...

The UK assisted dying bill is coming back. Its Labour champion is looking to Australia for inspiration.

Lauren Edwards’ campaign is trying to restart a stalled process to legalized assisted dying in England and Wales — and she’s taking cues from her native Australia.

politico.eu

A fantastic launch of the Strood West “Pride in Place” fund at Bligh Way Park yesterday! Thank you to everyone who shared an idea. We had so many brilliant suggestions from local people on how to spend the £20m Government funding over the next ten years. Great to see so many families there too!

I was delighted to celebrate Medway Pride at Rochester Castle at the weekend. Thank you to everyone involved in putting it on, including all the events for Medway Pride Fringe at Intra. An important day celebrating Medway LGBTQIA+ creativity, culture, and community.

From discussing how we can tackle anti-social behaviour around Sun Pier to officially launching the £20m Pride in Place investment at a community fun day in Strood West, here are some highlights from last week.

I’m proud to be attending Medway Pride today to celebrate and show my support for the LGBTQ+ community across Medway. 🌈 Pride is an important opportunity to celebrate equality, inclusion and the diversity within our community.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE results today in Rochester and Strood! 🎉 A huge thank you too to all the teachers, support staff, parents and carers who have supported our young people every step of the way. ⭐