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My Week In Westminster: w/c 5th January

Let me begin by wishing you all a Happy New Year! I was pleased to see the Prime Minister kick off this year with a clear focus: tackling the cost of living . I know that many households have struggled to make ends meet since the pandemic, and I’m proud to support a Government that is rolling out support where it matters: by bringing down energy bills, freezing rail and bus fares, supporting young families, and increasing both the minimum wage and the state pension. In P

Jan 92 min read

Guaranteed opportunity for young people

I’ve written before about the need to deliver opportunities for young people in our community. This is an area filled with talented, ambitious young people keen to get on in life who just need a helping hand to kickstart their careers. But in recent years, they just haven’t gotten one. You hear about it when you talk to them, with so many thinking they have to leave home to get skills and find good jobs, and you see it in the statistics. In June 2024, there were nearly a mill

Dec 10, 20252 min read

Setting up young people for success

Having visited nearly every school in our area over the last year, I know how hard-working and skilled local teachers are. I've also seen the brilliant character, aspiration and ability of our young people. It's one of the many things about our community that brings me energy and joy. However, I also see that teachers are trapped by a curriculum devised for a different age. One that doesn’t prepare children for the jobs of tomorrow. One that doesn’t give them the life skills

Nov 12, 20252 min read

Fixing the SEND system for local families

Since becoming the MP for our area, I have met with many parents whose children have special education needs disabilities (SEND). When they speak about their children, and the difficulties they have faced securing the support they need, I am struck by their bravery and determination. But so often, when they tell me about those struggles, that drive to help their children - a drive any parent would have for their kids - is characterised by frustration and exasperation. They ha

Oct 14, 20252 min read

Cadet programme expands opportunities for local young people

Since becoming the Member of Parliament for our area, I’ve had the privilege of meeting the Dewsbury Sea Cadet unit in Ossett. I got to see firsthand how much the community values it. The children are proud to be members, while the parents are happy to see their kids outside, off social media and in their community. These institutions are so valuable. There are 7,000 cadets in our region alone, and I am glad the Government is taking action to give more children the chance to

Sep 15, 20252 min read

We're bringing back neighbourhood policing

When I became the Member of Parliament for our area just over a year ago, I knew how important it was to rebuild trust in politics. For me, one of the clearest places to start is anti-social behaviour. For over a decade, people in our area heard promise after promise from politicians in Westminster, on everything from ‘levelling up’ to the NHS, that were never fulfilled. Hearing those empty words while waiting lists skyrocketed and wages stalled, it is no wonder so many peopl

Aug 19, 20252 min read

Delivering for rural communities

We are lucky to live in such a beautiful corner of our nation. The countryside is right on our doorstep, and within it lie so many unique communities. It is a different way of life, one that politicians in London can often overlook. I’m committed to representing rural communities in Westminster, where politicians too often see the beauty and community but forget the deep issues they can obscure - in access to public services, transport, employment opportunities and connectivi

May 28, 20252 min read

Helping local young people build their future

So many of our iconic local buildings were once plans that needed skilled workers to design and build them. I am proud of that history - of generations of workers and tradesmen building their communities. But looking around us, you can see that the UK faces a crisis - in infrastructure, in public services, and in economic growth. Classrooms are crumbling, potholes have gone unfilled, and young families are unable to buy a house in the area they grew up in. After 14 years of d

Apr 1, 20252 min read

Delivering economic growth our community can really feel

Growing up in our area I’ve seen the impact that economic hardship – through austerity, mismanagement and global recession – has had on our community. Shops and businesses have closed. Too many face sleepless nights for fear of redundancy or monthly bills, as your paycheque just doesn't stretch as far as it used to. Local schools are literally crumbling, and Pinderfields is under increasing pressure. Young people are forced to move away in search of jobs and opportunity. Ask

Feb 5, 20252 min read