As we are now well into the new year and with the days getting longer, I’ve been out and about across South West Devon, seeing first hand the ambition and energy in our community.
Visiting PL1 Events in Plympton was a wonderful opportunity to meet the team and hear about the fantastic work they’re doing to bring business and community events to life, both locally and across the country.
Welcoming students from Plympton Academy to Westminster was another highlight, giving me the chance to discuss politics, Parliament and the opportunities available to the next generation.
I also spent time visiting The Box in Plymouth to celebrate the launch of the Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy exhibition and to look ahead to the upcoming Journeys with Mai display, honouring Sir Joshua Reynolds, a celebrated Plympton-born artist whose work continues to be admired world- wide.
Alongside these cultural highlights, I’ve continued to raise issues that directly affect everyday life across South West Devon in Parliament – from speaking up for local hair and beauty businesses like Cox and Co in Plymstock who are facing mounting pressures, to pressing the Government on the resilience of the Dawlish line, a vital transport link that underpins jobs, commuting and our local economy.
It has also been wonderful to shine a light on the work of Open Doors and Gables Dog and Cats Home this month, whose volunteers make such a difference every day. From local events to national debates, it is always the greatest privilege to keep working for the people of South West Devon.
As ever, if you’d like to share your concerns with me over email, please do get in touch at rebecca.smith.mp@parliament.uk Read on to hear about my work in more detail.
6Calling for urgent action at Dawlish
Last month we saw Storm Ingrid cause further collapses in the sea wall at Dawlish, once again exposing how vulnerable the main rail line to Devon and Cornwall remains. With Storm Chandra hitting just days later, the risks are far from hypothetical.
This rail line is not a luxury – it is a necessity for hundreds of thousands of people, supporting jobs, businesses and daily life across Devon. Yet serious questions remain about whether funding is in place for urgent, unplanned resilience work when extreme weather strikes. Whilst over £165 million was invested in protecting this stretch of coastline under the previous Conservative Government, this Labour Government seem to be sticking their heads in the sand.
I recently asked the Chancellor and her Treasury team to guarantee contingency funding where it’s needed because communities and businesses cannot afford uncertainty when critical infrastructure fails. In response, the Minister referred to departmental contingency planning, but I was disappointed that he did not provide a clear guarantee that emergency funding would be available when required.
I will continue to call on the Government to commit to completing the final phase of the Dawlish rail resilience scheme and provide clarity on emergency funding arrangements to ensure the South West is not repeatedly cut off during severe weather.
You can watch my question to the treasury team here:
5Going behind the scenes with PL1 Events
It was great to meet with Mark, Jo, Hannah and the team at PL1 Events in Plympton recently. It was fantastic to hear about all the incredible work they’ve been doing, supporting events of all sizes and helping clients bring their ideas to life.
They’ve worked on all kinds of projects from Babcock, the Plymouth Fireworks Championships, international events with Mars Wrigley and Lindt and even the outdoor Wimbledon screening in Plymouth city centre, as well as a range of community awards and local celebrations.
The team provide everything from audio mixing, production and broadcasting, photography, lighting, and full event support, as well as conference content and planning. Truly a fantastic local business that can do everything you hope for and more.
We also discussed the very real challenges facing local businesses, especially with rising costs, including business rates and a 35 per cent increase in rent, which are putting pressure on operations and growth.
It was also great to to have picked up some local casework, which I will be taking up with the council to help address these concerns.
Thanks again to the whole team at PL1 Events for their time and for taking the time to meet! You can see some of the fantastic work they’re doing in Plymouth and beyond at www.pl1events.co.uk
4Launch of the Open Doors World Watch List 2026
I recently attended the launch of the Open Doors UK and Ireland World Watch List 2026.
As someone with a personal Christian faith, it is always deeply moving to hear about the vital work that Open Doors are doing and to represent the concerns of many constituents who asked me to attend.
The World Watch List is Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, with more than 380 million Christians around the world experiencing high levels of persecution and discrimination because of their faith.
The list also shows tragic figures including thousands killed, churches attacked, and many forced from their homes because of who they are and what they believe. It was powerful to hear first hand why this work matters and a reminder that freedom of religion and belief, whoever you worship, is a human right we should all care about.
A big thank you to Open Doors and the team for the incredible work they do and the difference they are making to Christian communities across the world.
3A lovely return to Gables Dogs and Cats Home
It’s always lovely to visit Gables Dogs and Cats Home and see the fantastic work the team are doing every day to care for animals and help them find their forever home.
During my visit, I was pleased to hand over a prize for their Valentine’s raffle and I also had the chance to meet two of their wonderful greyhounds, Scrat and Darling. Both were incredibly gentle and affectionate so it’s easy to see why greyhounds can be such a great choice, particularly for people with busy lives.
Scrat and Darling are both still looking for their forever home, so if you’re thinking about welcoming a new four-legged friend into your life, it’s well worth taking a look at the dogs and cats currently in Gables’ care:
Dogs: https://gables.org.uk/dogalogue/
Cats: https://gables.org.uk/catalogue/
A huge thank you to Claire, Emily and the rest of the team at Gables for all the hard work they do – and of course to Scrat and Darling for all the cuddles!
2Standing up for hair and beauty businesses
I recently raised the case of Cox and Co Salon, a hair and beauty business in Plymstock, after they contacted me about the impact Government decisions are having on their business.
Rather than addressing the issue of business rate relief, the Minister’s response highlighted a worrying lack of understanding of the real pressures facing businesses across South West Devon, many of whom need support now, not in the future.
The hair and beauty sector is a vital part of our high street, yet business rates remain one of the largest fixed costs these businesses face. Instead of offering the fair and practical support local salons need to help them stay open, keep people in work and continue serving their communities, the Minister used his response to make reference to a trade deal with India, offering no real assurances to the hair and beauty sector that they will receive the targeted support they urgently need.
You can see my question and the Minister’s response here:
1Celebrating Beryl Cook at The Box
I recently popped along to the launch of The Box’s latest large scale exhibition. Much loved, Beryl Cook’s art is the subject of a new exhibition across The Box and Plymouth.
With her iconic depiction of classic Plymouth venues and people, I’m sure you’ll love it. Whether you’re from Plymouth or adopted by the city, you’re bound to enjoy the scenes she so skillfully created. You’ll also spot sculptures of some of her characters across the city including outside The Dolphin pub and on the Hoe Bowling Green. They’ve been created by the Theatre Royal’s Seb Soper.
I also bumped into fellow Plymouth MP, Luke Pollard who was also there to enjoy this brilliant new exhibition. The exhibition is on until the end of May and completely free so do pop along if you haven’t seen it already!
Also at The Box in the coming weeks is the Journeys with Mai, celebrating the art by Plympton-born Sir Joshua Reynolds. Another great example of the role Plymouth has played in both British and international art and culture and a brilliant opportunity to explore the work of one of Plympton’s most famous sons.
You can find out more here:
