u/steveracemp

Congratulations to all of you who have been accepted into the University of Exeter! I'm Steve Race, your local MP. I wanted to introduce myself and share some information about the support services available to you, as well as how to contact me and my office.

Local services worth knowing about:

• University support services: exeter.ac.uk/about/community/students/studentsupport

• Student Health Centre (your campus GP) – register here: https://www.nhs.uk/services/gp-surgery/student-health-centre/L83016002

• Council tax exemption information: exeter.gov.uk/council-tax/reduce-your-council-tax/council-tax-exemptions

•Samaritans Exeter – free, confidential support, 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/exeter/

If you ever run into a problem and aren't sure where to turn, my office is here to help. I can assist with a wide

range of issues, including:

• Visa and immigration queries

• Issues with landlords or letting agents

• Problems with student finance or benefits

You can reach my office by emailing steve.race.mp@parliament.uk, and a member of my team will get back to you.

Wishing you a great start to the year here in Exeter! Feel free to ask any questions below, and please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What do you think the future of adult social care should look like?

The Big Conversation on Care is now open, giving everyone across Exeter a chance to shape the future of adult social care.

This affects us all, so I encourage you to get involved and have your say: http://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation

Lots of people in Exeter tell me they’re fed up with weeds taking over our roads and pavements, and I am too. 

So I’ve launched a website to help to build a picture of where the problem weeds are. I want to work with everyone to pressure Devon County Council to take action on the problem weeds taking hold in our neighbourhoods, showing them that people care about how their streets are looked after. I want DCC to change their policy on weeds, to look after our streets better, and to show they have as much pride in our city as we do.  

Many plants that seed naturally, like buddleia or verbena, are great for biodiversity - and there are loads of places we could encourage to be a bit wilder to help nature. But weeds that are allowed to grow to obstruct pavements, damage surfaces, or make our neighbourhoods look neglected need to be managed properly, particularly for people with mobility needs.  

Managing problem weeds also shouldn’t rely on harmful chemicals like glyphosate. Councils elsewhere are continuing to clear weeds using alternatives such as mechanical scraping, and I want DCC to do the same. 

I’ve launched Exeter Weeds Watch so you can:  

• Join the team and report problem weeds in your area 
• Share your views on how weeds should be managed 
• Tell me whether you would support a community clean-up effort

  

Visit the website and get involved: https://exeterweedswatch.co.uk/  

Lots of people in Exeter have contacted me about a poor postal service across the city.

I’ve raised every case with Royal Mail, and last month I met with their officials to push for answers. During our meeting, Royal Mail told me that service levels have not been as good as they should be, and they apologised to residents. They said the problem was mainly down to staff shortages - but they’re recruiting new posties and say things have started to improve.

But there are some wider changes on the way that will affect how post is delivered across the country that I wanted to make local people aware of – read about them here: https://www.royalmail.com/receiving/the-future-of-letter-deliveries

Ultimately, what matters most is that the reliability of the service in Exeter improves. If you’re still having problems getting your post, please comment below or get in touch with me via steve.race.mp@parliament.uk and I’ll help with your case.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and concerns regarding the noticeable change in the taste of tap water across Exeter.

I raised this issue with South West Water yesterday and have now received the following response:

"We would like to apologise to any customers in the Exeter area who may have noticed a slight earthy taste to their drinking water over the last few days. Our investigations and water quality monitoring have confirmed that this seasonal change in taste is related to changes in the raw water associated with prolonged periods of hot weather.

You may continue to use your water supply as normal.

We are carefully monitoring the supply and investigating our treatment process to ensure the taste of supplies returns to normal as quickly as possible. We thank you for your understanding."

I hope this information is reassuring for local residents. As always, if you have any further concerns or queries get in touch via steve.race.mp@parliament.uk.

Lots of Exeter residents have been raising concerns about the taste of their tap water today, both here on Reddit and in local Facebook groups.

If you've noticed a change in the taste, smell or quality of your water, I'd be keen to hear about your experience. Get in touch with me via email at steve.race.mp@parliament.uk. I can make enquiries on your behalf with South West Water and seek answers to the concerns being raised.

I’m particularly interested to know if the issue is in a specific area of the city, or if it’s being experienced more widely. Any insights local people can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Please share this post with others in Exeter who may be experiencing similar issues.

Hi everyone. I’m encouraging local veterans impacted by the ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the armed forces to apply to the Financial Recognition Scheme before applications close on Saturday, December 1.

Those who choose to serve our country deserve the utmost respect and support. Instead, for many years LGBTQ+ personnel faced discrimination and dismissal until as recently as 2000. The ban had a devastating impact on thousands of lives, including on veterans here in Exeter.

It’s vital that every eligible veteran has the chance to apply for the scheme. If you think this might be you, or you know someone who might have been affected by the ban, please take a look at the details of the scheme.

If you have any questions about the scheme or, if you’re not sure about your eligibility, please get in touch and I can help you find the answers you need. I’m currently helping a local veteran to try to address gaps in the scheme - and it would be helpful to hear from any other Exeter residents who believe they should be entitled to financial redress but have been refused by the Independent Review Panel, or who are dealing with delays.

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Hi all. I wanted to let this subreddit know that I'm encouraging Devon County Council to show more ambition for Exeter and not miss the opportunity that the Bridge Road bridge replacement project offers.

The replacement of the two bridges on Bridge Road with a higher draught is a once-in-a-generation chance to improve traffic flow, active travel, leisure routes and river freight - delivering benefits for Exeter for the next 60+ years.

If you agree, please do fill in the consultation! It closes on 27 July: https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/a379-bridge-road-exeter-bridge-replacement-scheme/?fbclid=IwY2xjawS0jTtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5anNMbnhHVEhrN3VPMHBWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi1BQEm\_I9Xu7L5IGtgtI1vS-Y2-fUd0zgKZjVDwPdyHA0Yn9TVOIr7PO\_cL\_aem\_qdgkZQhbIHoBepuT19OO6A

I wanted to provide this subreddit with an update on the EHRC draft Code of Practice, which has now been laid before Parliament, as many local people have been in touch with me to express their concerns.

I wholeheartedly believe that Trans people deserve the same opportunities, protections, and respect as anyone else in our society, and I have been clear that extremist and exclusionary language that tries to deny the existence of Trans people is just divorced from reality.

The draft Code was published recently, which was the first time that Parliamentarians could see the document. On the one hand the new draft Code, under the new leadership of the EHRC, is a big improvement on the initial draft. It clarifies that organisations can be trans-inclusive if they are clear on that; and it has removed some of the more controversial aspects about burden of proof. It also updates outdated areas on disability for example.

However, I was concerned that the draft Code did not effectively balance the rights of people with the protected characteristic of gender transition, alongside the protected characteristic of sex. The Code has to reflect the ruling by the Supreme Court that, for the purposes of the Equality Act, sex means biological sex. But the Supreme Court did not permit any erosion of trans rights. My goal, then, has been first and foremost to attempt to ensure the Code is the best it can be within this context, so that Trans people are able to live their lives freely and with dignity.

During a briefing which the EHRC held for parliamentarians after publication, they made clear that it is still possible to clarify and amend the Code during the 40 days it is laid before Parliament.

As a result of this, I worked with Stonewall and others to respond to the draft Code, setting out the areas that we viewed were either potentially discriminatory, confusing, or unworkable. This letter was co-signed by over 30 of my Labour colleagues, with more sending it in individually. You can see the letter, and the EHRC response, here: https://steverace.org.uk/correspondence-with-the-ehrc-on-the-code-of-practice/

However, having now seen the response to our letter, I am still not satisfied that the EHRC have got it right when it comes to the balance between protected characteristics, and I’m concerned that the impact assessments are clear that the impact on Trans people is negative. The EHRC also made clear that, contrary to their position in the meeting, they were not willing to amend or clarify anything more than drafting issues. Therefore, the only opportunity for parliamentarians to have any impact on the Code is via EDM 240. Early Day Motions do not usually have any official impact on parliamentary business; however in this case, the EDM could have an effect given the way that the draft Code has been laid. On this basis, and due to the response from the EHRC, I have now signed EDM 240.

I have also raised concerns about the basis on which someone might be “challenged” on their sex and how they are expected to “prove” it with the Equalities Minister in the Commons last month: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-01/debates/CE610C68-7093-454F-B897-AF008EE7E7A0/EqualityAct2010CodeOfPractice#contribution-678D14FB-1692-42B2-949F-083104622191. You can watch our exchange here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgZPw-YHHgQ.

When I was a parliamentary candidate, I attended the very first candidate hustings in Exeter with the Trans community at The Phoenix, because I wanted to make sure from day one that the Trans community in Exeter knows I have their back. In the wake of the Supreme Court judgment and a relentless campaign waged against Trans people in some quarters, with funding from outside this country flooding in to stoke division, it has never been more important for people like me, in positions like mine, to say: I see Trans people, and I recognise your contribution in all areas of our society. Trans people have always existed and will continue to exist, and I will do everything that I can to stand with you to ensure that you can live your lives as equal citizens in our country.

When I visit local schools and Exeter College to talk to young people, they tell me about the importance of making sure they can access the mental health support they need. Every young person deserves the chance to thrive, and getting the right support can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and success.

So I’m really pleased that we’re now delivering on this locally; thanks to Government investment, a new Mental Health Support Team will work directly with Exeter’s schools and college. The team will provide early intervention, small-group support, and one-to-one help for pupils who need it.

This is an important step that delivers on a commitment I was proud to stand on in our manifesto. It's good to see that promise now being turned into action for local families.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or young person in Exeter, I’d really welcome your thoughts!

Some fantastic news that members of this subreddit might be interested in: for the first time in 25 years, the NHS is now making medicines from UK donated plasma, and over 3,000 patients have already been treated!

By producing these life-saving treatments from UK donations, we're helping to strengthen the resilience of NHS supplies alongside imported medicines, ensuring patients can get the treatment they need, when they need it.

If you've been thinking about donating blood but haven't gotten round to it yet, now is a great time to start. You can find out more and book an appointment at blood.co.uk.

Some of you may already be aware of the campaign to establish a national memorial honouring the pilots and navigators of the Second World War Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU).

For those unfamiliar, the PRU flew unarmed and unarmoured aircraft on solitary missions deep over enemy territory. They captured more than 26 million images, providing intelligence that was crucial to Allied decision-making across every theatre of the war.

While the PRU was made up of servicemen from many nations, a large number came from across the United Kingdom, including here in Exeter. Among them were Robert Donaldson, Lyndon Gordon-White, Charles Ousley, William Scafe, and Peter Dakeyne, who all served with great bravery under exceptionally difficult conditions.

I wanted to share that I’m working alongside David Reed MP and the Spitfire AA810 Project to help establish a fitting memorial - and I’ll continue to keep this subreddit updated as we make progress.

The Government is backing young people with the Youth Guarantee, but our plan will only succeed through partnership with business.

So we’re offering businesses grants of up to £5,000 for hiring young people in Exeter, and a fully-paid six month placement for young people who have been out of work for 18 months.

To be part of the scheme, sign up here: business.gov.uk/recruit