Photo of Lauren Edwards

Lauren Edwards

Labour MP for Rochester and Strood

Elected 2024-07-04

Constituency outline of Rochester and Strood with neighbours greyed
Rochester and Strood
£133.8K Expenses claimed · rank #941 of 650
£0 Donations received
2 Declared interests
0 Red flags

How They Voted

VOTED FOR Employer National Insurance Increase
VOTED AGAINST VAT on Private Schools
VOTED FOR Illegal Migration Act Repeal
VOTED FOR Assisted Dying Bill
VOTED FOR Water Company Regulation
VOTED FOR House of Lords Hereditary Peers
VOTED AGAINST Defence Spending 2.5% GDP

Recent Public Statements

Latest verbatim posts and speeches from Lauren Edwards on Bluesky and gov.uk. Sourced directly from public APIs. No paraphrase, no editorialising.

Bluesky
Today I was delighted to once again work with Produced in Kent to host "A Taste of Kent and Medway" in Parliament. This event highlighted the best of our region's food and drink producers and two fantastic Rochester businesses - Jaggers Gin and Trufflus chocolate. A big thanks to everyone involved!
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Bluesky
The new five‑year plan for local NHS services aims to ease pressure on hospitals by moving more care closer to home. Your voice matters - please consider completing the survey by Monday 1 June to help shape future NHS investment. Take part here: buff.ly/lYvYjPb
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Bluesky
Another productive week in Parliament and across Rochester and Strood - from supporting local businesses and charities to discussing major infrastructure projects and national priorities. Here are some of the highlights from my most recent round-up:
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Bluesky
Lovely visit to meet Julie and team from Holding On Letting Go at Goodyear House near Wisdom Hospice. They are a fantastic Rochester-based charity that supports bereaved children and their families across Kent. Support their volunteers and latest fundraising campaign at buff.ly/TiyeBO0
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Bluesky
The “Signs of Youth” project is back. Medway Council is inviting children to design new signs to help keep our area cleaner and greener. A great chance for young artists to get creative. Designs due Tuesday 1 September. More info here: buff.ly/58obsVw
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Bluesky
Thank you to all the local businesses who joined Tuesday’s Lower Thames Crossing supply chain roadshow in Rochester. Great to see such strong engagement. With so many SMEs across Kent, it’s vital they benefit from this major project. More info: buff.ly/W9EjjYY
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Bluesky
Thank you to Headteacher Tracey Baillie and staff at Cedar Children’s Academy in Strood, for inviting me to open their expanded nursery. One of the first 300 schools to receive a Government early years grant - with £370m more committed to support expansions nationwide.
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Bluesky
Many thanks to Uniper for arranging for me to meet some of their apprentices at the Isle of Grain power station today. It was great to hear from local young people building skilled careers and share ideas on how we can strengthen apprenticeships nationally.
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22 more recent statements available.

Said One Thing, Voted Another?

Verbatim Hansard contributions placed beside how this MP actually voted. See the full Lie Detector for methodology.

Defence Spending 2.5% GDP Voted AGAINST
A big thank you to Al Carns MP for speaking at our Rochester and Strood Labour fundraiser. We have a strong military history in my constituency, and it was great to hear from our widely decorated Armed Forces Minister. And thanks to Doon Delight in Intra for hosting and providing …
Bluesky post · 2026-04-17
NHS Waiting List Targets Absent / no vote
Waiting lists at Medway Maritime Hospital have fallen by over 19% since the election, with more than 1,700 local residents coming off the list after receiving treatment or a diagnosis. There’s more to do, but we’re starting to see the impact of rebuilding our NHS.
Bluesky post · 2026-04-08

Expenses Breakdown

Total: £133,786. Rank: #941 of 650 MPs. Source: IPSA.

Staffing
£107,396
Office
£25,638
Accommodation
£164
Travel
£589

What They Actually Claimed For

Itemised IPSA claims for the 156 expense lines this MP submitted. Total paid: £149,147. Source: IPSA individualBusinessCosts.

22 items for review
  • £3,915 Single claim of £3,915.00 for Equipment - purchase (Other office equipment) on 27/03/2025.
  • £681 Single claim of £680.55 for Equipment - purchase (Other office equipment) on 26/03/2025.
  • £741 Single claim of £740.50 for Equipment - purchase (Office furniture) on 20/11/2024.
  • £542 Single claim of £541.66 for Maintenance, Redecorations & Repairs (Office Costs) on 28/03/2025.
  • £518 Single claim of £518.40 for Maintenance, Redecorations & Repairs (Office Costs) on 28/03/2025.
  • £900 Single claim of £900.00 for Recruitment Services &Costs (Office Costs) on 04/09/2024.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 26/12/2024.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 28/01/2025.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 25/02/2025.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 25/03/2025.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 26/11/2024.
  • £1,080 Single claim of £1,080.00 for Rent (Office Costs) on 01/11/2024.
  • £600 Single claim of £600.00 for Software & applications (Office Costs) on 16/08/2024.
  • £1,500 Single claim of £1,500.00 for Training - staff (Office Costs) on 09/12/2024.
  • £4,212 Single claim of £4,212.16 for Website hosting and design (Office Costs) on 28/08/2024.
  • £786 Single claim of £785.79 for Equipment - purchase (Other office equipment) on 21/10/2025.
  • £1,200 Single claim of £1,200.00 for Software & applications (Office Costs) on 14/11/2025.
  • £1,440 Single claim of £1,440.00 for Software & applications (Office Costs) on 16/08/2024.
  • £1,476 Single claim of £1,476.00 for Software & applications (Office Costs) on 29/07/2025.
  • £570 Single claim of £569.94 for Stationery & printing (Office Costs) on 10/06/2025.
  • £521 Single claim of £520.55 for Utilities (Water) on 07/05/2025.
  • £588 Single claim of £587.84 for Website hosting and design (Office Costs) on 28/08/2024.

Search the top 30 claims paid

Showing 20 of 30 claims. Total paid £133,625

31/03/2025StaffingPayrollFY 24-25
Total Staffing budget payroll costs for the 2024-25 year0
£97,589
28/08/2024Office CostsWebsite hosting and designFY 24-25
CAUSEWAYCREATIVE.CO.UK [200011792-389]0
£4,212
27/03/2025Office CostsEquipment - purchaseFY 24-25
Other office equipment0
£3,915
07/02/2025StaffingPooled staffing servicesFY 24-25
Parliamentary Research Service (Labour)0
£3,000
09/12/2024Office CostsTraining - staffFY 24-25
ELECTED TECHNOLOGIES0
£1,500
29/07/2025Office CostsSoftware & applicationsFY 25-26
ELECTED TECHNOLOGIES0
£1,476
16/08/2024Office CostsSoftware & applicationsFY 25-26
ELECTED TECHNOLOGIES [200011793-480]0
£1,440
25/03/2025StaffingTraining - staffFY 24-25
PARLI-TRAINING [200011725-7686]0
£1,430
14/11/2025Office CostsSoftware & applicationsFY 25-26
CAUSEWAYCREATIVE.CO.UK0
£1,200
26/12/2024Office CostsRentFY 24-25
0
£1,080
28/01/2025Office CostsRentFY 24-25
0
£1,080
25/02/2025Office CostsRentFY 24-25
0
£1,080
25/03/2025Office CostsRentFY 24-25
0
£1,080
26/11/2024Office CostsRentFY 24-25
0
£1,080
01/11/2024Office CostsRentFY 24-25
First month´s rent for constituency office0
£1,080
10/01/2025StaffingTraining - staffFY 24-25
PARLI-TRAINING0
£1,068
18/03/2025StaffingTraining - staffFY 24-25
PARLI-TRAINING [200011725-6641]0
£1,050
25/03/2025StaffingTraining - staffFY 24-25
PARLI-TRAINING [200011725-7688]0
£987
25/03/2025StaffingTraining - staffFY 24-25
PARLI-TRAINING [200011725-7687]0
£933
04/09/2024Office CostsRecruitment Services &CostsFY 24-25
HIVE SUPPORT LTD0
£900

Year on year

FY 24-25 94 claims £133,786
FY 25-26 62 claims £15,362

Travel

£589 paid across 0 trips.

Accommodation

£1,963 paid across 10 nights.

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