Oaklands Nursery School in Newcastle-under-Lyme has been confirmed as one of 18 new 'Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs' – doubling the national network to 36 and boosting school-readiness for local children. Adam Jogee alongside Oaklands Nursery School staff on a recent visit Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, has congratulated Oaklands Nursery School on its appointment as part of the government's Early Years Stronger Practice Hub programme. The network brings together

I joined students at Sir Thomas Boughey Academy to discuss the future of social media, as the government prepares to act on its landmark national consultation The roundtable took place at Sir Thomas Boughey Academy on Friday 5 June (Photo by Jake Wall) During the government's recent social media consultation, parents, teachers and students from across Newcastle-under-Lyme wrote to me with their views, and I was keen to continue that conversation in person. On Friday, I visite

My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (4 June 2026) We live in the best part of the kingdom – in the heart of this island home of ours. We are strategically located between two of the UK's biggest cities, sitting on the M6 corridor, with a local train station that links directly to the capital – North Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme should be firmly on the map. This is a place of brilliant people, local businesses and institutions, and immense, untapped promise

The ‘Eyes on Waste Crime’ campaign is launched as new research reveals the scale of illegal dumping blighting communities across England People across Newcastle-under-Lyme know better than most the devastating impact waste crime can have on communities. After years of industrial-scale dumping at Walleys Quarry, local families have seen first-hand what happens when criminals put profit before public health and our environment. That is why I am backing a new national campaign –

Alsagers Bank Primary Academy, Churchfields Primary School and Our Lady and St Werburgh’s Catholic Primary School are amongst the 813 schools receiving funding across the country. I am delighted to share the fantastic news that three of our local schools are being given the resources they need to thrive. Following the Department for Education's (DfE) announcement of the successful schools list – and with confirmation from Education Minister, Josh MacAlister OBE MP – I am deli

My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (9 April 2026) The people of our com­munity spoke this month and elec­ted a new major­ity at the bor­ough coun­cil. I con­grat­u­late all those who won their seats and thank all those who weren’t suc­cess­ful, for their ser­vice and for put­ting their hands up to serve the com­munity. I will be work­ing every day to hold the bor­ough coun­cil to account so that we get the rep­res­ent­a­tion we deserve. Our area has a rich cul­ture

I have written again to Staffordshire's Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, pressing for urgent action on dangerous street racing that is blighting communities across Newcastle-under-Lyme. You can read the full text of the letter below: Dear Commissioner, Re: Speeding Hot Spots in Newcastle-under-Lyme I write to you again as numerous concerns have been raised with me this week regarding speeding in Newcastle-under-Lyme, specifically on London Road/ A34 throughout Cro

On 7 May, local people elected their new Borough Council The new Cabinet will be formed on 20 May. I’m asking them to join the calls of many in our community to listen - and back my demands on Staffordshire County Council to save Baldies Field. The Petition Reads: We, the undersigned residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme, call on the newly formed administration of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (NULBC) to urge Staffordshire County Council to act to protect Baldies Field and

The Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire Theatre Trust, which operates the New Vic Theatre, is set to receive a share of the Labour government’s £127.8 million investment in cultural venues. Our local arts and cultural spaces are at the heart of our community, bringing people together and celebrating what makes Newcastle-under-Lyme special. The New Vic is a pioneering example of the powerful cultural impact we have right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. While storytelling in-the

It is clear for all to see that our young people have the talent and determination needed to build the industries that will power our future right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme – what has been missing is a government that matched that ambition. With the announcement that Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been named a national Technical Excellence College (TEC) , that backing is finally here. Being selected as one of just four hubs specialising in advanced manufa

Following the news of our new "Best Start" Family Hub in Knutton, I am delighted to share another major win for the next generation here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been allocated over £2.7 million as part of the new FE College Condition Allocations. We should all be incredibly proud of our local college. As an "Outstanding" institution, it is already a thriving hub of learning, but for too long, the further education sector acro

For too many years, thanks to the inaction of those with the power to act, the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme were left living with the worst impacts of Walleys Quarry Landfill Site. Thankfully, since midday on Thursday 28 November 2024, Walleys Quarry Landfill Site has been closed and the operators have been run out of town. We will, of course, deal with them in due course. The Environment Agency have done an important job, making the site safe and beginning the work of the

I am delighted to have received official confirmation from Ministers that the Newcastle Family Hub is formally becoming a Best Start Family Hub. This marks a major step in improving early years and SEND support for people and families across Newcastle-under-Lyme. The news came in a joint letter from the Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey MP, and the Minister for Public Health, Sharon Hodgson MP. They confirmed that the Newcastle Family Hub in Knutton is part of the f

30 March 2026 A member of my family had surgery earlier this month, and as Parliament is now in recess for the Holy days of Easter; it’s my turn to help with the associated caring responsibilities. As such, it is a matter of regret that I am not able to attend the panel tonight in person. I am sorry that I wasn’t consulted by the District Borough Council about the date of the panel because if I had, I would have been able to make alternative suggestions that would have faci

One of the best parts of being an MP is getting out to see the people and businesses that make our community tick. An even greater part is being able to showcase those wonderful businesses – so vital to not just our area’s success, but to the country’s – to Ministers and those in the heart of Government. Yesterday, I was delighted to welcome the Minister for Industry, Chris McDonald MP, to Chesterton to visit Ibstock. It was a fantastic opportunity for the Minister to see the

Record Funding for Staffordshire I am pleased to share that the Government has now confirmed that Staffordshire County Council is set to receive £14.97 million – the biggest ever single high needs capital allocation for our area. This represents a £4.26 million boost from last year and is part of a landmark £3 billion national investment into inclusive classrooms. This funding is a direct response to the need for more specialist places closer to home, and I am determined to e

In October last year, following the announcement of £262,449 in Government funding for Best Start Family Hubs, I wrote to Staffordshire County Council’s then Leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, to welcome the investment and to seek clarity on how it would be used to support families in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme. After a recent visit to The Peter Pan Centre with Education Minister Georgia Gould MP – seeing strong early years and SEND practice and hearing directly from parents about the barrie

My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (12 March 2026) Every child and every parent deserves to walk to school safely, without the fear that they may not make it to the school gates. Every teacher should know that the route their pupils are walking to get to the classroom is not paved with obstacles and danger. This goes for all of us who live here, work here and learn here. Sadly, far too often, the roads and infrastructure around our schools fall short of that simple

On Wednesday I welcomed the Education Minister with responsibility for SEND, Georgia Gould OBE MP, to the Peter Pan Centre for Children with Special Needs. The Centre is an excellent model of best practice, supporting children through their early years right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The dedication and expertise of the staff is second to none, and it was important that the Minister saw first-hand the difference that high-quality early support can make. During the visit, t

Presentation of the Petition in Parliament (22 January 2026) Today, I presented a petition to the House of Commons on behalf of residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme, calling for urgent action to improve road safety on the A525 and Crewe Road in Madeley Heath, outside Meadows Primary School. The petition was brought forward following long-standing concerns raised by parents and residents, and after a deeply worrying incident in December in which a local parent was knocked down wh