Column: Have a wonderful summer
Mr Strong and Little Miss Sunshine visited Parliament a few days ago, as they’ve just released a new book about climbing up Big Ben. Or in Mr Bump's case falling down.
It’s fitting as 2026 is the National Year of Reading. The campaign is asking families to read together for 10 minutes a day. That matters because stats shows that 8 to 11-year-olds do better at reading, spelling and numeracy if their parents read to them when they were one and two. Never underestimate the power of a bedtime story!
And throughout life, picking up a book brings benefits, improving children's happiness at school, making adults feel better connected and slowing memory decline in later life.
That's why I’m encouraging families to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge whether your child is already a bookworm or just discovering the joy of reading. It’s free and there are certificates and medals to be won, so do head down to Dunstable or Houghton Regis library. A great holiday activity.
Now with schools out for Summer, I know that this can be one of the more expensive times of the year. That’s why the Government has announced Great British Summer Savings, helping to bring down the cost of days out.
We’ve cut VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s meals, cinema, theatre and concert tickets, as well as visits to amusement parks, wildlife parks, museums, soft play centres.
I was delighted to help launch the scheme locally at Snakes and Ladders in Houghton Regis who have lowered their prices for the holidays.
Children aged between five and 15 will also be able to travel free on buses across England throughout August.
If you’re planning a day out by train, it’s also worth taking a look at the discounts on offer such as two-for-one entry at the London Eye or a saving of 20% at the Paddington Bear Experience - my favourite bear.
There are plenty of free activities closer to home too. Dunstable and Houghton Regis Town Councils have organised programmes of events across the summer.
And as your MP with the cost of living always in mind when September comes around, new laws I voted will cap the number of compulsory branded school uniform items at three, helping families save. But for now whether it’s planning a day out or making time for a bedtime story, I hope you and your family have a wonderful summer.
