That this House congratulates the organisers of the Legacy League charity football tournament, Andrew Downing and Ashley Stockwell, on raising an outstanding £15,274.99 for Newbury Cancer Care; praises the generosity and endurance of around 90 players, volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and supporters who took part in the marathon 10-hour football tournament at Trinity School in Newbury; applauds the continued growth of this annual fundraiser, which has now raised tens of thousands of pounds for local cancer care; acknowledges the invaluable impact Newbury Cancer Care has on patients and families across West Berkshire, providing specialist practical support and compassionate assistance during what can be an overwhelming and isolating period in people’s lives; and looks forward to the Legacy League continuing to build on its tremendous fundraising efforts in the years ahead.

That this House congratulates the organisers of the Legacy League charity football tournament, Andrew Downing and Ashley Stockwell, on raising an outstanding £15,274.99 for Newbury Cancer Care; praises the generosity and endurance of around 90 players, volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and supporters who took part in the marathon 10-hour football...

That this House congratulates Charlotte Payne of Newbury on her selection to represent England in the hammer throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; recognises this as a thoroughly deserved milestone following years of perseverance and outstanding performances, including her recent silver medal at the UK Athletics Championships; commends her resilience in returning successfully to elite competition following cochlear implant surgery in 2024, having lived with profound hearing loss since the age of three; celebrates the inspiration she provides to aspiring athletes across West Berkshire and beyond; notes with pride her roots in Newbury Athletic Club and her continued success on the national stage; and wishes Charlotte every success as she represents England at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

That this House congratulates Charlotte Payne of Newbury on her selection to represent England in the hammer throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; recognises this as a thoroughly deserved milestone following years of perseverance and outstanding performances, including her recent silver medal at the UK Athletics Championships; commends...

That this House congratulates Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on more than five decades of dedicated service to the local community since its founding in 1974; recognises its enduring ethos of Matching Local People to Local Need, connecting residents with more than 350 volunteering opportunities while delivering vital governance and training support to charities across west Berkshire; applauds the wide range of practical services the centre provides, including volunteer driver schemes and community fundraising events, helping to tackle loneliness while empowering people to remain active and independent; acknowledges the increasingly important role of organisations such as Volunteer Centre West Berkshire as charities face rising demand alongside growing financial pressures; and expresses its sincere thanks to Chief Executive Rachel Peters, the trustees, staff, and volunteers whose compassion and generosity continue to enrich thousands of lives across west Berkshire.

That this House congratulates Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on more than five decades of dedicated service to the local community since its founding in 1974; recognises its enduring ethos of Matching Local People to Local Need, connecting residents with more than 350 volunteering opportunities while delivering vital governance and training...

That this House congratulates Christine Belcher of Thatcham on completing an 800-foot wing walk at the age of 78 in support of the RAF Wings Appeal; recognises her exceptional fundraising efforts, which raised £2,390 for the Royal Air Forces Association to support serving and former RAF personnel and their families; notes that 2026 marks 60 years since she joined the Women’s Royal Air Force as a nursing attendant and acknowledges her family’s long history of service to the RAF; commends her determination to challenge perceptions of ageing, push beyond her comfort zone and inspire people of all ages through her achievement; and praises the generosity of the local community whose support raised vital funds for the RAF.

That this House congratulates Christine Belcher of Thatcham on completing an 800-foot wing walk at the age of 78 in support of the RAF Wings Appeal; recognises her exceptional fundraising efforts, which raised £2,390 for the Royal Air Forces Association to support serving and former RAF personnel and their families;...

That this House recognises the role pubs play as vital community anchors across the United Kingdom, providing local employment, supporting charities, and helping to combat social isolation; notes with deep concern that one pub permanently closed every day across England and Wales in 2025; acknowledges the unsustainable pressures facing the hospitality sector from rising National Insurance contributions, energy prices, alcohol duty and business rates; further notes that this coincides with the reduction of retail, hospitality and leisure relief from 75% to 40% and the abolition of the relief cap, which risks smaller independent businesses subsidising large corporate chains; calls on the Government to bring forward long-overdue reform that delivers a fairer and more transparent valuation system; and urges Ministers to support the sector by exempting hospitality SMEs from the Employer National Insurance Contributions increase, consult on a lower NIC band, £5,000-£9,100, to back part-time staff, and combine this with immediate relief through an emergency 5% reduction in VAT for pubs, restaurants, entertainment and accommodation venues until April 2027, helping to protect these beloved local institutions for future generations.

That this House recognises the role pubs play as vital community anchors across the United Kingdom, providing local employment, supporting charities, and helping to combat social isolation; notes with deep concern that one pub permanently closed every day across England and Wales in 2025; acknowledges the unsustainable pressures facing the...

That this House expresses deep concern over the planned closure of Thatcham Broadway Post Office; recognises the branch’s importance to residents in Thatcham and nearby villages who depend on a range of essential postal, travel and other face-to-face services; further recognises that many elderly and digitally excluded residents rely heavily on access to a full-service branch within the town as other high street facilities, including bank branches, continue to disappear; pays tribute to the branch staff for their long-standing dedication and continued professionalism during this difficult period; acknowledges the wider commercial and operational pressures facing the Post Office network nationally; and calls on the Government and Post Office Ltd to work with local communities to safeguard access to indispensable post office services in Thatcham and rural areas.

That this House expresses deep concern over the planned closure of Thatcham Broadway Post Office; recognises the branch’s importance to residents in Thatcham and nearby villages who depend on a range of essential postal, travel and other face-to-face services; further recognises that many elderly and digitally excluded residents rely heavily...

That this House notes with concern that supporters of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace may be required to purchase a subscription to watch their teams compete in European finals this season; further notes that this is the first time since the creation of the Champions League in 1992 that supporters may be unable to watch the final free-to-air; regrets the decision of TNT sports not to make these fixtures widely accessible; recognises the growing financial burden placed on football supporters already facing multiple subscription costs to follow the sport, particularly during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis; believes that major sporting events which bring communities together should remain accessible to all; and calls on TNT to reconsider its decision and ensure these finals are made freely available to viewers across the United Kingdom.

That this House notes with concern that supporters of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace may be required to purchase a subscription to watch their teams compete in European finals this season; further notes that this is the first time since the creation of the Champions League in 1992 that...

That this House congratulates Berkshire Youth on celebrating its 85th anniversary; recognises its outstanding contribution to supporting children and young people across Berkshire since 1940; notes that in an increasingly difficult climate to be growing up, with nearly one million young people across the UK currently not in education, employment, or training, Berkshire Youth’s work is as vital as ever in helping young people build confidence and the skills needed to thrive; praises its wide range of targeted programmes across West Berkshire through one-to-one mentoring at Greenham Community Centre, specialist SEND support at the Waterside Centre, and the recently opened Youth Hub in Newbury; and pays tribute to its staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters for continuing to empower and champion future generations.

That this House congratulates Berkshire Youth on celebrating its 85th anniversary; recognises its outstanding contribution to supporting children and young people across Berkshire since 1940; notes that in an increasingly difficult climate to be growing up, with nearly one million young people across the UK currently not in education, employment,...

That this House congratulates the Plough on the Green pub in Newbury on its outstanding fundraising efforts; recognises the hard work and dedication of the pub and local community, which raised £6,000 for Dingley’s Promise through a variety of events, including meat raffles, karaoke nights and charity horse racing evenings; commends the vital work of Dingley’s Promise, which supports children with special educational needs and disabilities to access early years education and prepare for school life; and praises local businesses and communities for their generosity and commitment to supporting families and children in need.

That this House congratulates the Plough on the Green pub in Newbury on its outstanding fundraising efforts; recognises the hard work and dedication of the pub and local community, which raised £6,000 for Dingley’s Promise through a variety of events, including meat raffles, karaoke nights and charity horse racing evenings;...

That this House congratulates Helen Simpson on her outstanding service to Hungerford as she steps down as the town’s longest-serving Mayor and as a member of Hungerford Town Council; recognises her decade of dedicated public service, including a record eight terms as Mayor; further recognises that her decision to stand for Mayor was inspired by a promise to her late father, typifying her deep personal commitment and devotion to public service; praises her leadership in delivering significant local projects, such as the Neighbourhood Development Plan; acknowledges her role in supporting and championing local volunteers, who have been at the heart of the council’s achievements over the past ten years; and thanks her, along with Deputy Mayor Claire Winser, for their unwavering dedication and lasting contribution to Hungerford.

That this House congratulates Helen Simpson on her outstanding service to Hungerford as she steps down as the town’s longest-serving Mayor and as a member of Hungerford Town Council; recognises her decade of dedicated public service, including a record eight terms as Mayor; further recognises that her decision to stand...

That this House notes with concern the changes announced by Royal Mail and Ofcom to second-class postal services, which will result in deliveries taking place on alternate weekdays with no service on the remaining days; recognises the importance of reliable postal services, particularly in rural areas where communities rely on post to receive hospital appointments, bank statements and legal documents; further notes with concern that many rural communities most affected by these changes also experience some of the poorest broadband connectivity, such as in Great Shefford where broadband speeds rank among the worst 10 per cent in the country; understands that for villages with slow broadband, unreliable mobile signal and a continued reliance on physical correspondence, fewer delivery days could result in late medical letters, delayed bills and people feeling increasingly isolated; and calls on the Government to work with Ofcom to reassess these changes to ensure that rural communities continue to receive dependable and accessible postal services.

That this House notes with concern the changes announced by Royal Mail and Ofcom to second-class postal services, which will result in deliveries taking place on alternate weekdays with no service on the remaining days; recognises the importance of reliable postal services, particularly in rural areas where communities rely on...

That this House congratulates Newbury Fire Station’s Green Watch for hosting a charity car wash in support of The Fire Fighters Charity; praises their efforts during the event, which saw hundreds of cars queueing for up to 30 minutes before the event began and left vehicles sparkling; further praises their success in washing 150 cars and raising nearly £2,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity; and recognises the vital work of The Fire Fighters Charity in providing a safe space for individuals to talk about their feelings, a 24-hour helpline, immediate support services, and online courses and wellbeing practices to help firefighters manage life’s challenges.

That this House congratulates Newbury Fire Station’s Green Watch for hosting a charity car wash in support of The Fire Fighters Charity; praises their efforts during the event, which saw hundreds of cars queueing for up to 30 minutes before the event began and left vehicles sparkling; further praises their...

That this House congratulates Thatcham Refillable and its founders, Jenny and Tom Kirby, on collecting 2,045 chocolate tubs as part of the Tub2Pub recycling scheme; recognises the fantastic community effort across West Berkshire in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, collecting more than double their original target of 1,000 tubs; commends Thatcham Refillable’s wider commitment to reducing single-use plastic through its circular refill model and educational outreach; welcomes its leadership through multiple local environmental awards in the past three years; and celebrates the role of independent businesses across the country in driving practical environmental change and improving community spirit.

That this House congratulates Thatcham Refillable and its founders, Jenny and Tom Kirby, on collecting 2,045 chocolate tubs as part of the Tub2Pub recycling scheme; recognises the fantastic community effort across West Berkshire in support of Macmillan Cancer Support, collecting more than double their original target of 1,000 tubs; commends...

That this House congratulates Newbury’s Leon Greenwood on representing Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in the four-man bobsleigh event, achieving an outstanding seventh-place finish; recognises his perseverance in overcoming a serious ankle cartilage injury that once threatened his sprinting career; commends his contribution to Great Britain’s recent World Cup successes, including multiple podium finishes and gold medals; applauds his dedication to elite sport alongside his former role as a sprint coach at Team Kennet Athletics and Triathlon Club in West Berkshire; and celebrates his achievement in fulfilling his dream to compete at the Olympic Games, inspiring young athletes across West Berkshire and beyond.

That this House congratulates Newbury’s Leon Greenwood on representing Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in the four-man bobsleigh event, achieving an outstanding seventh-place finish; recognises his perseverance in overcoming a serious ankle cartilage injury that once threatened his sprinting career; commends his contribution to Great Britain’s recent World Cup...

That this House warmly congratulates the winners and highly commended nominees of the 2026 Community Champion Awards in West Berkshire; recognises Mike Karasinski, Volunteer of the Year, for founding and running NaDDS, a neurodivergent men’s support group providing vital mental health support; praises Cold Ash Countryside Volunteers, Community Group of the Year, for transforming the Wildlife Allotment Garden into a thriving community space; applauds Tim Barton, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for more than 45 years of dedicated voluntary service; celebrates the compassion, commitment, and tireless work shown by volunteers across West Berkshire; and thanks all those who give their time and energy to improving our local communities.

That this House warmly congratulates the winners and highly commended nominees of the 2026 Community Champion Awards in West Berkshire; recognises Mike Karasinski, Volunteer of the Year, for founding and running NaDDS, a neurodivergent men’s support group providing vital mental health support; praises Cold Ash Countryside Volunteers, Community Group of...

That this House notes with concern that Thatcham level crossing is closed for approximately 30 minutes in every hour during peak times; recognises the frustration caused by these prolonged closures for regular commuters and the significant social and economic impact this has on the local community; further recognises that there are over 6,000 active level crossings across England, Scotland and Wales, many of which create similar disruption for the communities they serve; calls on the Government to carry out an annual review of high-delay level crossings such as Thatcham; and urges the Government to undertake robust analysis of the local economic and social costs arising from severe congestion and to give serious consideration to replacing high-delay level crossings with alternative means of crossing where appropriate.

That this House notes with concern that Thatcham level crossing is closed for approximately 30 minutes in every hour during peak times; recognises the frustration caused by these prolonged closures for regular commuters and the significant social and economic impact this has on the local community; further recognises that there...

That this House mourns the passing of Keith Butcher, a much-loved figure in West Berkshire’s sporting community whose dedication helped shape grassroots and youth football in Newbury; recognises his tireless contribution to local clubs, schools, and young people throughout his life; acknowledges the deep affection in which he was held by community members who remember his kindness and commitment to enriching the lives of the next generation; and sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and to all who mourn his passing while celebrating his remarkable service to local sport.

That this House mourns the passing of Keith Butcher, a much-loved figure in West Berkshire’s sporting community whose dedication helped shape grassroots and youth football in Newbury; recognises his tireless contribution to local clubs, schools, and young people throughout his life; acknowledges the deep affection in which he was held...

That this House congratulates Prior’s Court Children Home after being awarded an overall Ofsted rating of Outstanding; praises the astonishing and heartfelt dedication of all Prior’s Court staff, allowing children with special education needs to achieve their potential; commends the strong relationships that have been built between staff and children to ensure that children feel safe and protected; notes that with over 1.7 million pupils in England having been identified with SEND, schools such as Prior’s Court Children Home highlight the life-changing impact of appropriate support for children with complex needs; and calls on the Government to introduce a bold, child-focused national framework for SEND in mainstream schools, so children can access help earlier and alleviate pressure on parents fighting for essential support.

That this House congratulates Prior’s Court Children Home after being awarded an overall Ofsted rating of Outstanding; praises the astonishing and heartfelt dedication of all Prior’s Court staff, allowing children with special education needs to achieve their potential; commends the strong relationships that have been built between staff and children...

That this House praises Nicole Brooks for creating West Berkshire’s empty chairs loneliness group; notes the importance of such community initiatives, which invite people to sit together at pub tables so that no one has to sit alone; congratulates Nicole on establishing the group in Newbury, with events to be held at a variety of venues across West Berkshire; and calls on the Government to establish mental health hubs for young people in every community and to introduce regular mental health check-ups at key points throughout people’s lives.

That this House praises Nicole Brooks for creating West Berkshire’s empty chairs loneliness group; notes the importance of such community initiatives, which invite people to sit together at pub tables so that no one has to sit alone; congratulates Nicole on establishing the group in Newbury, with events to be...

That this House notes with concern that in 2024 over 3,000 road incidents involving horses were recorded by the British Horse Society; further notes with concern that 81% of those incidents occurred because a driver passed a horse too closely or at excessive speed; calls on the Government to review driver education and training in relation to horses, horse riders and carriage drivers, including improving understanding of horses as flight animals and exploring opportunities for drivers to experience, as part of driver education, the impact of vehicles passing too closely to a horse and rider; urges the Government to work collaboratively with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure the proper maintenance of bridleways across the country, enabling greater use by horse riders and reducing the number of horses and carriages required to use roads; and further calls on the Government to review the wording of Rules 214 and 215 of the Highway Code with a view to strengthening protections for vulnerable road users and increasing public awareness of the changes made to the Highway Code in 2022 relating to vulnerable road users.

That this House notes with concern that in 2024 over 3,000 road incidents involving horses were recorded by the British Horse Society; further notes with concern that 81% of those incidents occurred because a driver passed a horse too closely or at excessive speed; calls on the Government to review...