Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie has released details of all the help and advice that will still be available to constituents while she is on maternity leave.

Siobhan is expecting her first child in the next few weeks and she will take at least a month of maternity leave when she will not be monitoring emails, social media or her phone unless there is an emergency

However, her team will still be working for the people of Stroud, the Valleys and Vale and fellow Gloucestershire MPs are available to step in to help her team, if necessary.

“My husband and I are excited to be getting close to the birth of our first child, at Stroud Maternity Hospital, but I have also made sure it will be ‘business as usual’ for my constituents while I’m away,” said Siobhan.

“My plan is to have at least the first four weeks off after the birth away from the job. I want an opportunity for our new family to bond and time to learn how to be a mum, and I hope everyone can understand this.

“Thereafter, I will then return to my maternity leave during the summer recess months, returning to Parliament in October after conference recess.”

Siobhan explained constituents' enquiries, case work, questions to ministers and campaigns will continue to receive attention from her team as usual, including telephone surgeries.

“My team are excellent and committed to serving the people of Stroud. Half of them are based in Stroud and half are based in Westminster. We have experienced caseworkers, researchers and parliamentary assistants, together with somebody kindly assisting to keep my website up to date so everyone is kept informed.”

Siobhan will also be able to vote by proxy in parliament although there are very few votes at the moment due to COVID-19.

“These are, of course, extraordinary times. We never expected to be having a baby in ‘lockdown’ and the current situation has thrown up new challenges for so many families. There is much sadness and fear in the country generally but this sits alongside some truly inspirational acts of kindness in our communities and my appreciation for the army of health professionals tasked with looking after us knows no bounds.

“I’m looking forward to becoming a mum and thank you for all the good wishes and messages of support.”