"It doesn't seem fair or right that places with particularly bad roads have the most money withdrawn.

I get complaints all the time from constituents about the state of the roads. One local group – Armley Helping Hands – had real problems getting people to their base because of potholes in the area"

A combination of these cuts and proposed changes to the way funding is calculated means the city's road maintenance budget faces being slashed by at least a third. You can read the full article by clicking here.

On Friday Rachel appeared on Newsnight arguing the case for a Robin Hood Tax to be introduced. You can find the episode on BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax on bankers that would give billions to tackle poverty and climate change, here and abroad. You can find out more at http://robinhoodtax.org.uk/

Rachel visited a support network based in Kirkstall for older people living on and around the Hawksworth estate this week. Sitting down to enjoy lunch with Hawksworth Older People's Support (HOPS), Rachel heard about their plans for a church hall and the regular events run by a small group of dedicated people. After lunch, she said:

'HOPS provide a really important service in this community, and this hot lunch is just one example of the things they do. I will be supporting the fund-raising efforts that are needed to take the service from strength to strength.'

Over lunch, the recent closure of Hawksworth Wood Post Office was a common topic of conversation:

'The closure of the Post Office on Hawksworth Wood has made a big impact. When the nearest alternatives are up Butcher Hill, or a bus ride away in Horsforth, there is a real problem for many people who rely on the Post Office. I have been assured that the closure is temporary, and will be doing all I can to make sure that is the case.'

Over the course of the summer I have been very happy to spend time in Leeds West, visiting a range of local businesses and community groups.
 
One extremely disappointing local development over the summer has been the closure of Hawksworth Wood Post Office. Though I have been assured it is a temporary closure I am pressing the post office to re-open the service as soon as possible.

I am also continuing to work hard to protect funding for the Kirkstall Forge railway station. I recently went on another site visit with the developers and am having meetings in London and Leeds to campaign for this development. I have also had the chance to visit some fantastic local groups and businesses, who will be dealing with the impact of budget cuts and working to continue providing a fantastic service for our community - including Armley Helping Hands and Hawksworth Wood Community Association. I also met with representatives from local mosques, who have been raising money for the victims of flooding in Pakistan - supporting those facing the very worst challenges. 
 
Back in Westminster, the recent analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has underlined my fears about the intentions of the Conservative / Lib-Dem government. I can see nothing fair or progressive in policies which mean that the poorest families are paying five times what the richest families are contributing to cut the budget deficit.   It is also important to note that women will bear the brunt of the cuts – with cuts to child tax credits and maternity allowances, and that the government is facing a legal challenge over the equality impact of the budget. I wrote a short article for Left Foot Forward on the regressive budget which you can read here.  
 
These are the measures that the new Labour leader will have to address, and I believe Ed Miliband is the person best placed to do the job. I believe he has the qualities to challenge the government where it matters, and the policies to set Labour apart – such as the living wage campaign, a high pay commission and a strong economic recovery across the country – not just in London and the South East.  Ballot papers to Labour and Trade Union members went out this week.

 Ed Miliband is pictured speaking to an audience in Leeds

Rachel is pictured on the Kirkstall Forge site this week, alongside Kirkstall Councillors Lucinda Yeadon and Bernard Atha, and a number of local residents.

Rachel was touring the site to view progress, as preparatory work continues towards what is an exciting project. The picture is in front of the proposed train station, which Rachel is working hard to support.

The project has the potential to offer decent housing and jobs for our community, as well as much improved links to the city centre. Visit www.kirkstallforge.com for more information, and keep up to date with what Rachel is doing to support the train station right here!

This week Rachel visited a printing business in Leeds West. Target Print boss Peter Biggins gave Rachel a tour of his business, which prides itself on employing and training local people, and building strong relationships in the local community.

Rachel said: 'I was impressed by the ethos of the business, and it's roots in our community. Target Print train an apprentice every year, and choose young people from our area. This is a fantastic thing for a local business to do - especially in light of the recent demand for university places and competition for employment. Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy and are vital to the economic recovery.'

'I am spending time in the parliamentary recess in Leeds West, and the chance to meet local employers, workers and charity groups is very enjoyable. It is great to build on local perspectives of the current economic climate when I hold meetings and speak in Parliament.'