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 The changes, set to come into force in early 2026, remove outdated restrictions that prevented councils from considering local economic benefit when awarding certain contracts.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

I have met with UKHospitality Chair Kate Nicholls OBE in Westminster to discuss support for local pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels across Redditch and the Villages. The meeting focused on the importance of hospitality to local jobs, high streets and community life, as well as pressures facing businesses ahead of the 2026 business rates revaluation. I shared feedback directly from constituency businesses, drawing on my professional background in the tourism sector. I stress

I have written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, urging renewed cross-government engagement with the families of those killed in the Birmingham pub bombings of 21 November 1974. Nearly fifty years on, families continue to seek truth, accountability and reassurance that their concerns remain a priority. I highlighted frustrations over limited progress and the absence of a statutory public inquiry, stressing the need for transparency and ind

I welcomed the Government’s new £50 million VALOUR programme to transform support for veterans in Redditch and the Villages. Drawing on conversations with local veterans, I said too many have been “passed from pillar to post” and deserve joined-up support that works around people, not bureaucracy. VALOUR will bring housing, employment, health and mental wellbeing services together through local centres, backed by dedicated field officers working with councils, the NHS and cha

I have called for urgent intervention over “unacceptable” Royal Mail service failures affecting residents in Inkberrow. After more than 200 constituents reported missed and severely delayed deliveries - including NHS appointment letters arriving after appointments had passed - I have written to communications regulator Ofcom demanding action. Problems were particularly acute over the Christmas period, despite repeated assurances from Royal Mail that services would improve. De

I joined MPs from across Parliament in calling on the Prime Minister to urgently introduce statutory regulation of the bailiff sector to protect vulnerable residents. In a joint letter, MPs warned that the lack of legal oversight allows intimidating and aggressive practices to continue, despite bailiffs regularly dealing with people in financial difficulty. The letter cites evidence from debt charity StepChange showing that more than half of those subject to bailiff enforceme

I backed the Government’s Railways Bill, which will create Great British Railways to bring track and train services under one public body, improving reliability and accountability for Redditch passengers. I welcomed a £3 billion national bus funding boost, including £15 million for Worcestershire, to expand routes and introduce zero-emission buses. I also praised a record £148.7 million investment to repair potholes and improve local roads. I stressed that these reforms will

I welcomed the Government’s historic Child Poverty Strategy, which will lift 2,350 children in Redditch out of poverty by scrapping the two-child limit and expanding support for working families. The strategy includes free school meals, breakfast clubs, increased childcare support and higher wages. I praised these measures for making life easier for struggling families and giving every child a better start in life. I will continue working with local organisations to ensure fa

I welcomed the Government’s announcement that every Best Start Family Hub in Worcestershire will have a dedicated SEND practitioner from April 2026, building on the vital work of local community groups. This expansion means families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities will get expert, early support, helping to break the cycle of delayed intervention. The hubs will act as a one-stop shop for families, offering speech and language sessions, parenting pro

I chaired the launch of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Packaging in the Circular Economy, bringing together MPs and Peers to support sustainable packaging and British manufacturing. The group will focus on reducing waste, increasing reuse and recycling and protecting UK jobs. I praised the vital role of packaging in the economy and food supply chains, highlighting the importance of innovation and sustainability. I pledged to champion local businesses and wor

I celebrated UK Parliament Week 2025 by engaging with hundreds of young people across Redditch and the Villages. I visited schools, youth groups and community organisations, where students asked questions on mental health, safety, education and the environment. At Woodfield Academy, I helped launch their new Woodfield Parliament, with pupils electing Class MPs and setting their own priorities. I invited every school to submit questions for me to raise in Parliament, ensuring

I warned that cyber-attacks pose a serious threat to local jobs and businesses, supporting calls for an empowered Economic Security Minister following the JLR cyber-attack that disrupted Redditch’s supply chain. I highlighted the impact on local firms and called for stronger government leadership, practical support and reforms to improve cyber-security across supply chains. I backed the Business and Trade Committee’s recommendations, including supply chain mapping, modernised

I met NHS England leaders to discuss winter preparations for local health services in Worcestershire, focusing on paediatric care and flu vaccinations. I pressed for details on extra capacity for children’s care and clear communication for parents. NHS England outlined nearly £450 million in investment for urgent care, mental health and community services to reduce A&E waits. I also highlighted the new “flu walk-in finder” to boost vaccination rates, especially for children a

I reiterated my support for prostate cancer awareness after attending the Westminster Darts Championship in Parliament, hosted by James Frith MP to raise funds and encourage men to check their risk. The event brought together MPs, darts players and charity supporters as part of the “Even Bigger 180” campaign, which has raised over £2 million for Prostate Cancer UK’s TRANSFORM trial. I praised the power of sport to raise awareness and urged men to speak to their GP about conce

I used the International Men’s Day debate in Parliament to call for stronger support for men and boys in Redditch, highlighting the need for earlier intervention and honest conversations about mental health. I welcomed the Government’s new 10-year Men’s Health Strategy and praised local male role models, including carers, coaches and community leaders. I stressed the importance of boys seeing positive real-life examples and called for action to tackle pressures from online in

I paid tribute in the House of Commons to Gerry Marsden, a dedicated Royal British Legion volunteer and Redditch’s Poppy Appeal Organiser. Gerry has collected for the Poppy Appeal for 40 years, raising over £500,000 and ensuring Redditch honours those who served. I praised Gerry’s leadership and commitment and thanked all volunteers who support the appeal. The Leader of the House also expressed gratitude for Gerry’s work and that of all Royal British Legion volunteers. I enco

I met with Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee, to discuss the urgent need for reform in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. I relayed concerns from local parents, schools and carers about the current system being fragmented and underfunded. I welcomed the Committee’s report, “Solving the SEND Crisis,” and am urging the Government to act swiftly to improve inclusion, reduce assessment delays, fix SEND transport and ensure families

I met senior representatives from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to discuss the company’s recovery from its recent cyber incident and the impact on West Midlands suppliers. I welcomed confirmation that JLR’s operations are now fully restored and pressed for continued support for smaller firms in the supply chain. I highlighted the importance of ensuring that government and industry support reaches businesses at every level, protecting thousands of skilled jobs in the region. I pledg