Spring Newsletter 2026

2nd April, 2026

A photo of Vicky on Deptford High Street. She is centre frame, smiling in a black top, market traders can be seen in the back of shot.

Vicky stood smiling on Deptford High Street.

Hello,

I am pleased to share my second newsletter with you.

Spring always brings a sense of renewal, but this year it comes against a backdrop of significant international instability – events that inevitably shape the challenges we face here at home, from the economy to community services. Alongside these challenges, there is genuine momentum for positive change.

With that in mind, the Local Government Elections are fast approaching. Make sure you are registered to vote by 11:59pm 20 April so you can get down to the polling station on 7 May.

I’m grateful to everyone who has written to me, attended surgeries, or taken the time to share their experiences over the past few months.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and for everything you do to support our constituency.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter break.

Best regards,

Vicky Foxcroft

Representation.

On 2 March, I spoke at the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill – legislation that would extend the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds and deliver a 2024 manifesto promise.

Many of you will know this is an issue I’ve championed since I was first elected in 2015. From my Maiden Speech to the Private Members’ Bill I put forward, I’ve consistently argued that young people deserve a real say in the decisions shaping their futures. As I said in the debate, maturity doesn’t suddenly arrive on our 18th birthday.

This discussion also sits within a wider conversation about representation and strengthening our democracy. This new bill will deliver reforms to toughen up rules on political donations and crack down on intimidation and abuse of those participating in public life. It will keep our elections secure and encourage more people to engage and participate in our democracy.

A view of the River Thames from Convoys Wharf.

Thames Water.

We’ve seen a really disappointing level of service from Thames Water in recent weeks. While cold weather can naturally lead to leaks and bursts, far too many of the problems we’re experiencing stem from years of under‑investment in local infrastructure. The situation is made worse by the water company’s extortionately high prices, placing an unfair and disproportionate burden on constituents’ household bills.

I’ve written directly to Thames Water again – as I did in August last year – to urge them to improve both their service and the way they communicate with affected residents. I also contacted the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs to reject the new deal put forward to Ofwat by Thames Water. The deal grants the water company a fifteen-year exemption from penalties for polluting waterways, easing their crippling debt. I’ll continue pushing for the reliability and transparency our community deserves.

Vicky sat on a table in a classroom listening to two Addey and Stanhope students.

Schools.

I visited several fantastic schools this spring:

Addey and Stanhope to watch a Channel 4 4Schools ‘Have a Go’ workshop
Christ The King Aquinas Sixth Form for a Q+A with politics students
Kender Primary to meet with the school council as well as Transport for London Ambassadors aiming for their Gold Accreditation
Lewisham College to celebrate National Colleges Week

The topic of social media came up in every school I visited – raised by headteachers, staff and students alike. In recent months, hundreds of parents and professionals working with young people have contacted me with serious concerns about the impact of fast‑moving technology and the online world on children’s wellbeing.

In January, I joined 60 MPs in signing Fred Thomas MP’s letter to the Prime Minister calling for urgent action to raise the minimum age for social media access to 16.

Read the letter and information about related Government policy by clicking here.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has opened a national consultation on ensuring children’s experiences online are safe and enriching. I would encourage you to respond by clicking here before it closes at 11:59pm on 26 May 2026.

With the announcement of the Schools White Paper, the Department for Education is also running a consultation on reform of the SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) system.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that the SEND system needs reshaping. We need an education system that works for every single child, and that’s not what we have at the moment. This has been a priority for Bridget Phillipson since she became Education Secretary and last month she laid out her plans to transform support, with earlier intervention, more inclusive classrooms and an improved curriculum.

You can contribute to the consultation by clicking here. The deadline for responses is 11:59pm on 18 May 2026.

Vicky listening to four Kender Primary students and Transport for London (TfL) ambassadors in high-visibility jackets.

Creative Industries.

In January, I hosted a Music Roundtable in Parliament, bringing together musicians and industry leaders from working‑class backgrounds to discuss why class remains such a major barrier to a career in music – and what needs to change across the sector.

You can read my article in Music Week about the discussion by clicking here.

Article by Vicky for Music Week about working-class access to the music industry.

Vicky (left) and the CEO of Dexter's Estate Agents (right) stood smiling in the Dexter's Lewisham Branch office.

Renters’ Rights.

Many of you will know the Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent in October last year – the biggest reform of the private rented sector in nearly 40 years.

I am proud that the Act will modernise a system that has too often left renters feeling insecure by abolishing Section 21 evictions, banning bidding wars, and strengthening protections for renters.

These changes will give people greater stability, helping renters stay in their homes for longer, reducing the risk of homelessness.

You can read the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP’s statement on the Act’s implementation by clicking here , along with accessible guidance on what the Act may mean for renters and landlords by clicking here.

I recently met with Dexters Estate Agents to discuss the Act – which they’ve strongly supported. It was useful to hear what the reforms will mean in practice for both renters and landlords.

Alongside these measures, the Government has also taken important steps to improve the leasehold system. As part of this work, ground rent for existing leaseholders will be capped at £250 a year.

Leasehold issues come up a lot in my casework so this is a welcome move, tackling unfair and escalating charges that have placed real financial pressure on many households.

I’ll continue to monitor the rollout of these changes and raise any concerns constituents share.

A collective of people from community energy organisations, the Council sat in The Albany around a roundtable with Vicky.

Local Power Plan.

It was brilliant to see the Government announce £1bn of funding to community-owned energy projects across the UK in February. From council tenants saving money on their bills, to community centres making profits for local enterprises, there are huge opportunities.

Back in November last year, I held a community energy roundtable bringing together representatives from the council, the London Assembly and community-energy organisations in Southeast London. I am excited to continue working with these community-energy organisations on how we can make Government policy flourish locally.

On a wider scale, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is making huge waves with green energy-saving schemes such as the Warm Homes Plan. Funded by a £15bn investment, this will lift up to 1 million families out of fuel poverty and will roll out clean power upgrades to millions of families.

Vicky (left) and Brenda Dacres (right) holding signs that read, "Back the Bakerloo."

Bakerloo Line Extension.

I have been a champion of the Bakerloo Line extension for years – even before I was elected as your MP. Transport for London proposes extending the Bakerloo Line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, adding stops at Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate and of course, Lewisham. Not only will this improve much-needed transport connections in Southeast London, but it will also enable growth in homes and jobs.

In February, I met with BusinessForBakerloo to discuss the extension’s potential and how the Government and developers can get the wheels turning on this long-overdue endeavor. It’s clear to us that the Bakerloo line extension will not only bring undeniable benefits to our patch of London, but it will also encourage a wealth of investment for the whole country.

I will continue to push the Government to grant Transport for London a viable funding package that can make the proposals a reality.

Sadiq Khan (left) with Vicky (right) listening to a train conductor on a busy train.

Employment.

I was so pleased to see the first measures of the Employment Rights Act come into force this February.

From ensuring employees can access paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from day one in a new job to banning exploitative zero-hour contracts and introducing Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), the Act marks a major step forward in strengthening and safeguarding workers’ rights.

After growing up under Margaret Thatcher weakening union rights and having then worked in a trade union for 13 years, it feels particularly significant to me to now see a Labour government passing laws that protect against dismissal for taking industrial action. It truly is a landmark piece of legislation with Labour values at its heart. You can find more details on the timeline for when further measures will come into effect by clicking here.

The Government has also opened several Make Work Pay consultations, which you can read and contribute to by clicking here.

Here to Help.

If you think I could be of assistance, please get in touch with my office on vicky.foxcroft.mp@parliament.uk and I will see what I can do to support you. My regular advice surgeries take place online via appointment and in-person walk-in. Find more information by clicking here.