As I have previously reported, during Parliamentary term-time I split my week between London and Dorset, which plays havoc with my sleep patterns and completely confuses my dog. But being present in both matters: my work in both places is always rooted in the experiences of local people and focused on bringing the voices of Mid Dorset and North Poole directly to Westminster. This month I want to share three key issues that are dominating my work and how I have used both place

It’s only fair that wherever a child lives, both parents should support their upbringing. In an ideal world, families could sort this out themselves. But when that isn’t possible, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is supposed to step in, make fair decisions, and ensure no child is pushed into poverty. Sometimes contact isn’t safe, or possible, and that’s not for anyone else to judge. What matters is that when one parent is doing the day‑to‑day caring, the system should back