July 2025 Newsletter
This is the second of my MP updates informing you about the work I have been doing on your behalf in Westminster and here in Wiltshire.
I am still undergoing treatment for a recently diagnosed autoimmune condition, which requires me to self-isolate at home. However, that does not mean my work as your MP has stopped (or even slowed down!).
In this newsletter, I will be covering my campaign to reduce your water bills, my work in Westminster, and giving you an inside look at the casework I have done in the last year.
Inside Scoop: Working hard on your issues
Every day, I receive hundreds of emails from people across our constituency. The range of topics is wide and varied.
Many residents share their views with me on matters such as animal welfare (which I will touch on later), the environment, the cost-of-living crisis, and, of course, the state of our NHS.
However, a significant number of people contact me because they are facing personal and often complex challenges, and they have exhausted all other options. These issues can take time to resolve, but I am determined to do all I can to support those in need.
For example, some of the cases I deal with might be from constituents who are on the brink of homelessness, or from someone who is struggling with housing associations that are failing to address severe damp and mould in their homes. A common theme is also from individuals who have not received their state pension for several years, leaving them in difficult financial problems.
Every case you send, I will always do what I can to help.
I would like to share some statistics about the issues I have been working on, on your behalf. These are just some “top-line” statistics as I cannot share the details of individual cases. I hope this gives you some insight into some of topics I have been working on:
NHS Dentists - Your views needed!
Since being elected, I have made fixing our broken NHS dental system one of my top priorities.
From day one, I have raised this issue time and again in Parliament – including leading a debate last November on the crisis in dental care across the South West and urged minister to act.
At the time, I was told that reform was “coming soon”. But since then, we have seen very little meaningful progress. The Government’s NHS 10-Year Plan barely mentioned dentistry, and now, the Government have launched a consultation.
While this consultation is welcome, it is not the bold reform that patients and dentists across Chippenham and beyond have been crying out for.
However, I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help push the Government to act. But we must not mistake this for the solution. It has taken Labour more than a year to take a real step forward on this issue, and families are still suffering.
When Hathaway Dental Practice in Chippenham closed its doors to NHS patients last year, it left a gaping hole in local provision. Residents have been forced to travel across the country to find treatment, or turn up at A&E in desperation.
I submitted a Freedom of Information request to Great Western Hospital which revealed that over 3,500 people visited A&E for dental-related issues between 2021 and 2025.
That is the reality when community dental care breaks down, emergency services are left to pick up the pieces. And worse, some people have resorted to painful and risky DIY dentistry. This is not just unacceptable, it is dangerous.
The root of the problem lies in the current system of how dentists take on NHS work, known as the NHS dental contract.
In the current system dentists are often paid less than the cost of treatment, or are prevented from seeing more NHS patients because they have hit their contract's limit.
Many dentists are leaving NHS work altogether, not because they want to, but because the system makes it impossible to continue.
That is why I have been calling for a Dental Rescue Package, to fix the contract, bring dentists back into the NHS, and make dental care accessible to everyone again.
The Government must act quickly, listen to patients and professionals, and finally deliver the reform we were promised over a year ago.
You can complete the Government's consultation here:
Cut our Water Bills Campaign!
This month, Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban on their customers. This comes at a time when people are facing eye-watering bills, sewage is being pumped endlessly into our rivers and water companies, including Thames Water, wasting billions of gallons of water every day through broken pipes. Not to mention the countless millions given to water company bosses as bonuses.
This is simply not fair.
That is why I launched my petition, demanding that water companies, like Thames Water, take immediate action to cut our water bills and be completely honest and transparent about their pricing.
If you agree with me and want water companies to act, you can sign my petition by clicking the button below.
My stance on the situation in Palestine.
Over 100 aid agencies, including Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières, are warning of mass starvation in Gaza, where food is being deliberately denied as a weapon of war.
The Israeli Government’s blockade and escalating military action are appalling. Netanyahu must end the assault, open access for humanitarian aid and journalists, and work through diplomacy to release hostages.
When my colleague Callum Miller MP asked the Foreign Secretary whether the Government was truly doing all it could, the response was empty. The Liberal Democrats have long called for meaningful action, but the time for waiting is over.
I am furious with the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and the UK Government who are irresponsibly toying with the hopes for a two-state solution in a vain attempt to get Israel to come to the negotiating table.
Instead, the UK Government must immediately ban arms sales to Israel and impose sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
I will continue to call on the Prime Minister and the Government to get a grip, and take immediate action to end the abhorrent treatment of Palestinians across Gaza and the West Bank.
Ending violence against women and girls
Late last year, I was honoured to join the "Ending Violence Against Women and Girls" group, a landmark initiative uniting individuals across sectors to tackle the ongoing epidemic of gender-based violence. This issue, particularly violence against women and girls, has long been close to my heart.
Every year, we hear tragic stories of women murdered by partners, and the need for change could not be more urgent.
The group, led by Lady Lansdowne and the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, includes the police, local charities such as the Bobby Van and Refuge, and representatives from the private sector. Together, we are working to transform Wiltshire’s response to gender-based violence.
To explore what real, structural changes are needed, I have convened MPs from across Wiltshire and Swindon, to identify what support frontline services need and how we can prevent violence before it begins.
From grassroots initiatives to national reforms, we are learning from survivors and bereaved families about what must change.
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner described our group as unique in the country. Our work has even attracted the attention of Queen Camilla, who heard firsthand how organisations, from the Women's Institute to Wiltshire Police, are driving change. This important work continues, supported by cross-party collaboration.
Westminster: Under the Bonnet
July has been an interesting month for me in Westminster; there is a sense in the air as if it is the end of term at school.
A strange combination where everyone is simultaneously preparing to wind down for the summer recess whilst at the same time rushing to get everything finished before Parliamentary Business ends.
Unsurprisingly much has happened since I wrote to you with my last update.
Work Experience Week
I was delighted to host four excellent students from Hardenhuish school, this month. Whilst it was disappointing that I could not be there in person, as I continue to self-isolate, my office team gave them the full experience of what it is like to work for an MP, or at least, working for me!
Here is what they had to say about their time working in my office;
- “Surpassed expectations, it has been the best experience!” – Sophie
- “It gave me a real insight into how politics functions at a local constituency level versus nationally. I have had the best time.” - Laura
- “I enjoyed meeting politicians and learning about campaigning strategy.” – Alfie
- “Everyone was so friendly and informative, it gave me amazing insight into how varied this constituency is” – Freya
It was by sheer coincidence, that their last day in my office coincided with the Government’s announcement that 16 and 17 year olds would be able to vote at the next General Election.
So, I tasked them with coming up with an engaging social media post that I was then delighted to post on Facebook and Instagram.
You can see their excellent work here:
Annual Report
This month I launched my annual report, highlighting the work I have been doing on your behalf in the last year.
You can see an online copy here: My first Annual Report
A printed copy will be delivered through doors soon. If you’re able to help push these through letterboxes for me, please get in touch with me, by filling out: VOLUNTEER!
In the news this month
Here are a few times I have appeared in local news in the last month.
🚰 Liberal Democrats have welcomed decision to scrap Ofwat – Gazette and Herald
🦷 Hospital overwhelmed as lack of NHS dentists sends patients to A&E – Somerset Live
🏥 Over 2,500 young people left waiting for mental health support in Wiltshire – Greatest Hits Radio
📮 Quarter of first class postal deliveries late – Gazette and Herald
And finally…
My team and I will continue to work over recess ready to hit the ground running when Parliament returns in September. Throughout the summer, I will continue to hold this Government to account, writing questions and letters to ministers, and taking action on your concerns so that our corner of Wiltshire is not left behind.
As always, please do get in touch with me if there is anything you wish to raise with me;
📨 sarah.gibson.mp@parliament.uk
📞 01249 736 074