Autumn has arrived in Southampton. The clocks have gone back, Halloween has been and gone, and the air has turned crisp — so what better way to spend an afternoon than in one of our local libraries? And that’s exactly where I headed with my newborn daughter, to celebrate Green Libraries Week with the team at Southampton Central Library. Green Libraries Week recognises the role libraries play in promoting sustainability and community action.
Taking my daughter, who’s now proudly one of the city’s youngest library users and has her very first library card, was incredibly special to me, as I grew up attending the very same library (a place I still love!). We all know libraries are so much more than bricks and books; they are great spaces for people of all ages, with the most dedicated and welcoming staff and volunteers. Huge thank you to everyone who works there and helps out, you enrich lives and help our communities thrive.
I fought hard to keep our local libraries open while on the council, and now as the MP for Southampton Test, I have been supporting a campaign led by Southampton’s young reading ambassadors, calling for libraries to be in all schools. I was pleased to advocate for them and proud of their contribution in getting this government to commit to a library in every primary school. A great local and national win!
Another great Southampton win has been the additional funding our city has received recently from the government. Fair funding for Southampton is something I am constantly fighting hard for. For too long places in the south, like Southampton, have been overlooked, but it’s good to see the government recognising our acute needs and ensuring we have the funds to make a difference.
This includes an incredible £20 million for Redbridge and Millbrook, as part of the government’s Pride in Place programme, that I fought hard to secure. That’s £2 million every year for the next decade on projects that create jobs, improve community facilities and green spaces, and make our streets cleaner and safer. This is a great opportunity for the community to get involved, decide what improvements their area needs and how this money should be spent.
I’m excited to get this going and want as many local people as possible to play an active role in the decision-making. It’s why this week letters should be dropping onto the doorsteps of residents in the area, asking for their views. And I’ll also be hosting a series of drop-in sessions across the area, starting on Saturday 29th November 2025, so I can hear directly from you about what matters most.
Other exciting funding announcements for our city include £6 million towards a new urgent treatment ‘walk-in’ centre at Southampton General Hospital. We all know the local A&E department is bursting, as the hospital often issues warnings about “very high attendances” at its emergency department and urges residents to attend only when “absolutely necessary”. This new facility is being created to help relieve pressure on A&E and will treat patients with minor illnesses and injuries, allowing the emergency department to focus on those who need urgent, life-saving care.
Southampton General is one of the best hospitals in the country, with outstanding staff who go above and beyond every day. But we all know how tough things have been — longer waits, higher demand, and increasing strain. That’s why this investment matters. It’s part of a wider plan to strengthen our NHS, from improving access to GPs to investing in community health services.
Southampton also received £660,000 of government funding to help tackle and prevent homelessness. Helping to secure this funding was important to me, as we have brilliant local charities like the Society of St James and Two Saints who do a great job, but it’s clear they need more resources, as well as more help to tackle the root causes of homelessness. That’s why not only is this extra money important, but the recent Renters Rights Bill finally becoming law has been crucial, which bans no-fault evictions (the main contributor to homelessness in Southampton). This, alongside national investment to build more affordable and social housing, will hopefully help end homelessness for good.
If you need help, want to share your thoughts about policy, or book an appointment, please contact me on satvir.kaur.mp@parliament.uk or 02382 546 357.
