As the House of Commons prepares for its September sitting, MPs also continue the work they have been doing over the summer period.
 
During August I have made further representations with Govia Thameslink Railway over the state of the train network, and have continued to raise this issue with the new Transport Secretary and Rail Minister.
 
I appreciate that readers who do not use the trains may wonder why this is an issue I keep raising with ministers, and update Crawley residents in articles such as this.
 
While it is difficult to put across the frustration and consternation on these pages, the problems go far beyond the rail network; the disruption – on top of people’s already long and busy days at work – is having an adverse effect on family life.
 
Over the summer I have also been continuing working in my role as the chairman of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blood Cancer, ahead of Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September.
 
There are in fact 137 different blood cancers, and around 230,000 people in the UK currently live with these diseases which include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Some of these are common, whereas some are extremely rare.
 
Research from Bloodwise has shown that public awareness of blood cancer is low, and that patients often feel isolated and believe these cancers are seen as ‘separate’ from other cancers.
 
There are a number of parliamentary groups on cancer-related topics, and I am looking forward to working with the chairs of these groups as we continue to campaign together to help bring about change and raise awareness.
 
I am also looking forward to welcoming the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) back to Westminster to launch their new campaign on the puppy trade. This is a group I continue to work alongside to ensure the protection of animals, and I regularly raise such matters with the Environment Secretary and her team of ministers.
 
To keep up to date with my work on these and many other issues, please visit: www.henrysmith.info/news