I have strengthened partnership working with Homes England and Redditch Borough Council to increase the delivery of affordable and social housing locally. Meeting with senior officials, discussions focused on unlocking national funding, identifying under-used land and ensuring new developments meet high design and space standards. A joint land exercise has revealed additional viable sites, while confirmation of funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme from 20

I welcomed Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s decision to return previously sold-off land at Alexandra Hospital to NHS use, securing vital space for future healthcare expansion. During a visit to the site, I met senior Trust leaders to discuss capacity pressures and long-term planning. With much of the hospital already operating near full capacity, the land will now be protected for clinical purposes rather than retail, giving the Trust breathing room and certainty to

I joined Cancer Research UK campaigners and cross-party colleagues in Parliament to mark World Cancer Day and support the new National Cancer Plan for England. Highlighting local challenges, I noted around 550 new cancer cases and 260 deaths occur annually in Redditch and the Villages, with treatment performance below the national target. I called for earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and continued research investment, praising NHS staff and charities and urged residents to

I called for a stronger, genuinely place-based approach to skills, apprenticeships and vocational education to improve outcomes for disadvantaged boys and young men across Redditch and the Villages. Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on educational attainment, I highlighted the town’s industrial heritage in needle making, aerospace and engineering, warning that too many boys leave school without clear vocational routes into stable, well-paid work. Citing evidence from Boys

I met senior executives at Royal Mail alongside Dave Robertson MP (Lichfield) to demand urgent improvements to postal services following continued complaints from residents and businesses across Redditch and the wider Midlands. In a high-level meeting, I raised concerns about staffing shortages, equipment pressures and poor communication, highlighting the impact on missed deliveries and delayed NHS and legal correspondence. I welcomed constructive engagement but stressed comm

Georgia Gould MP (Minister for School Standards) met with me following months of casework and parliamentary pressure to address concerns raised by families across Worcestershire about delays, poor communication and children not receiving the support they are legally entitled to. Drawing directly on constituent evidence from Redditch and the Villages, I pressed for enforceable accountability powers for local authorities, sustained funding for SEND provision and high-quality te

I called on the Government and sport sector to remove barriers preventing people with diabetes from taking part in sport. Backing new guidance submitted to DCMS, I highlighted how stigma, lack of awareness and limited policies often lead to exclusion. The “Principles of Inclusive Practice,” developed with Diabetes UK, Breakthrough T1D, EXTOD and others, provide practical steps for clubs, schools and coaches, including allowing blood glucose checks and improving coach training

I welcomed the return of West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway to public ownership - a landmark moment for Redditch and the Villages. After years of rising fares, delays and services run for private profit, trains will now operate under Great British Railways, putting passengers first. I highlighted the benefits for commuters, local businesses and communities, stressing accountability and reliability. Combined with the Government’s first rail fare freeze in 30

I visited St Augustine’s Catholic High School and Sixth Form to meet pupils and staff and hear directly from young people about the issues affecting them locally and nationally. Welcomed by Principal Luke Payton, I toured classrooms and specialist centres to learn more about the school’s academic and pastoral work. I joined Year 9 GCSE Citizenship students for a lively Q&A on Parliament and decision-making and later met the Mission Team to discuss mental health, community lif

I marked Holocaust Memorial Day by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment in Parliament and attending local commemorations in Redditch. I pledged to remember the six million Jewish victims, honour survivors and speak out against antisemitism. At the town’s service, I laid a rose at the Holocaust Marker and reflected on testimonies, including Bosnian war survivor Lejla Golos. Remembrance only endures if passed on, and saying ‘never again’ means challengin

I pressed the Government to strengthen powers to intervene where councils fail children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Speaking in the House of Commons, I raised serious concerns about Worcestershire County Council’s record, with parents reporting persistent failures to meet statutory duties and feeling “dismissed or gaslit.” I called for clear, enforceable accountability ahead of the forthcoming SEND White Paper, stressing that funding alone is not e

I visited Reavell Defence Applications at its Centre of Excellence on Claybrook Drive, Redditch, to highlight the importance of local manufacturing and defence jobs. The visit included a tour of the factory floor and discussions on how Parliament and Government can better support defence manufacturers and local supply chains. Reavell, part of Ingersoll Rand, has supplied specialist technology to the Ministry of Defence since 1907 and works closely with hundreds of local SMEs.

I visited Oak Hill First School in Lodge Park to meet pupils, teachers and Principal Sarah Allen as part of my commitment to visit every school across Redditch and the Villages. Touring classrooms, I spoke with children about their favourite subjects and future ambitions, praising their enthusiasm and confidence. Discussions also focused on the school’s support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and the dedication of staff in helping every child thrive

Together with Dave Robertson MP, I am leading a cross-party campaign calling for a House of Commons debate on Royal Mail’s worsening service failures. Backed by over 70 MPs, the move follows widespread reports from residents in Redditch, Lichfield and surrounding villages of delayed, missed, or late post, including NHS letters and vital documents. Week after week, residents are facing serious failures of a basic public service. The proposed debate will press Ministers, Royal

I visited Church Lench CE First School to meet pupils and staff and hear directly from young constituents about the issues that matter to them. During a session with the school council, pupils raised concerns about road safety, including speeding traffic, unsafe parking and the need for better crossings, signage and lighting, suggesting practical measures to keep children safe. They also spoke about littering, caring for the local environment and ensuring children’s voices ar

I welcomed National Highways’ confirmation of a new safety study on the M5 motorway island, following months of sustained pressure from residents, local councillors and the Wychbold Residents’ Association. The roundabout’s current layout was acknowledged as substandard, particularly for those accessing it from Amphlett Way. While a full £100 million replacement is not currently viable, the study will explore practical improvements to enhance safety. I praised the cross-party

I welcomed new Government reforms giving councils greater freedom to support local and UK businesses and keep public money circulating in communities like Redditch. The changes, set to come into force in early 2026, remove outdated restrictions that prevented councils from considering local economic benefit when awarding certain contracts. Serving on the Parliamentary committee scrutinising the reforms, I described them as practical, common-sense changes that will help counci

I will raise serious concerns in the House of Commons on 19 January about failures in support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Worcestershire. I will question the Government on repeated failures by Worcestershire County Council to meet its statutory duties, following reports from parents of long delays, poor decision-making and a lack of accountability. I have also called for a debate on Government intervention powers whe

I welcomed new Government action to tackle illegal “ghost” number plates, which criminals use to evade ANPR cameras and commit serious offences, including county lines drug activity affecting Redditch and the surrounding villages. The crackdown introduces tougher penalties, including penalty points, vehicle seizure for repeat offenders and restrictions on the manufacture and sale of illegal plates. Co-sponsoring the legislation alongside Sarah Coombes MP, I said ghost plates