This week David discusses his casework

A LESS well known aspect of the work of an MP is that it is their responsibility to take up the cases of individual constituents.

This is something I have always prioritised and see as invaluable to my role.

Case work comes in all shapes and sizes from the chance contact in the street, through to letters and emails, and occasionally box loads of evidence.

What I have noticed in the short time I have been back is that though the issues remain the same - housing, planning, immigration, problems with the NHS predominate - the nature and complexity of those issues has considerably worsened.

This is the legacy of austerity and it is deeply depressing how far this has eaten into how the state now behaves in relation to individual citizens.

My view both as a socialist and a Christian is that it is the state’s responsibility to help rather than hinder people when they most need help and test is often far from the case nowadays.

Case work matters to MPs because it not only keeps them grounded in reality but it also is the seed corn from which you come to realise why policy needs to change and how that should be reflected in legislative reform.

Some of the great social improvements have of course come about through the steadfast efforts of one or a clutch of MPs driven by constituency concerns.

There is the excellent CAB in Stroud which I have always worked alongside as that has the specialists who would know much more about specific issues than I or my staff would ever have the time or ability to master.

However this partnership works both ways and I have been keen to make sure that the CAB has access to me to.

It may take time before my office is fully functioning as I am still in the process of recruiting staff and getting offices sorted out but if you have need assistance please email david.drew.mp@parliament.uk