SUMMER is well and truly upon us now, and the last few weeks have been busy with a range of community events enjoying the (mostly) glorious weather and a month of celebrations around Black Country Day which is marked this Friday.

Among the many highlights were the Wall Heath Parks Group Summer Fun Day and the Friends of Netherton Park Fun Day.

After a couple of years when large events were not possible because of the pandemic, and then a time when events were happening but many people were still reluctant to go back out, it was fantastic to see these events bringing their local communities together in such large numbers once again. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to organise these and other local community events.

Another occasion that promises to become a regular summer highlight is the Mary Stevens Hospice Black Country Family Festival and Duck Race held at the Waterfront.

I know that the organisers were blown away by the incredible crowds that came to support the hospice and to enjoy the festival. It was a real pleasure to launch the start of the duck race with Dudley’s Mayor Cllr Andrea Goddard.

There are many more Black Country Festival events taking place over the next few weeks and you can find out more at blackcountryfestival.co.uk

In Parliament, we have been debating the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill. Illegal migration is one of the top national issues raised by constituents and it is vital that we stop the small boats.

The current system isn’t working. It’s bad for taxpayers, places pressures on local communities and services that have to absorb large numbers of people with little warning, and it puts the lives of those who seek to make these dangerous journeys at risk while funding evil criminal gangs.

The Illegal Migration Bill will change the law so that people entering the UK illegally will not be able to remain here but will be detained and removed either to their home country or to a safe country where any asylum claim can be considered. The only way to come here for asylum will be through safe and legal routes, prioritising those most in need rather than those who are wealthy enough and fit enough to pay people smugglers and to make the dangerous journey across Europe and to the UK.

The Boundary Commission has now published its final recommendations for new parliamentary constituencies and these will come into force in the next few weeks. Despite our local campaign, Dudley South will be split into three with Brockmoor & Pensnett going into a new Dudley seat, and Brierley Hill and Netherton, Woodside & St Andrews going into Stourbridge.

Kingswinford North & Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and Wordsley will join with the southern half of South Staffordshire District to make a new Kingswinford & South Staffordshire constituency. I hope to stand in that seat at the next election.

These changes only take effect from the next election, which is likely to be held next year. Until then, I will continue to work as hard as I can for the whole of Dudley South, regardless of which constituency those wards will be in after the election.

If there is anything that I can help you with, please call my office on 01384 913123 or email mike.wood.mp@parliament.uk