I’ve called on Staffordshire County Council to reverse its decision to cut funding for a vital Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) outreach programme led by Merryfields School in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The County Council’s £40,000 cut ended Merryfields’ outreach work supporting children with SEND in mainstream schools across our community. This is a programme that made a real difference – helping teachers and pupils to get the support they need to thrive. Merryf

On Friday, I had the great pleasure of visiting The Victoria – known to so many of us as The Little Vic – to present Julie, Sarah, and their fantastic team with the award for Newcastle-under-Lyme's Best Pub 2025.

Over the last few weeks, many residents in Madeley have been in touch with me about Lightspeed Broadband’s plans to put up telegraph poles in the area. Residents told me they were frustrated not just by the impact the poles would have on their streets, but by the way the proposals were being handled — being done to  the community rather than with  it. That was not acceptable. I took those concerns directly to the company’s leadership and pressed them to listen to the people o

This week I was pleased to welcome the Culture and Tourism Minister, and the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, Chris Bryant MP, to Newcastle-under-Lyme for a day of visits across the constituency. It was a great opportunity to showcase the strength of our local visitor economy, cultural life and the innovation taking place at Keele University. Tourism roundtable at Brampton Museum We began the day at Brampton Museum, where the Minister toured the museum and joined a

Full interview with Susan Hanks on Radio Stoke Yesterday, I joined BBC Radio Stoke to talk about the news that Deakin’s Yard, the new student accommodation development in Newcastle-under-Lyme, will not be opening as planned this September. In the interview I explained how I first became aware of the situation, the steps I have taken since, and why serious questions now need to be answered about planning, oversight, and the developers’ responsibility to deliver the project saf

In Theatre at the Royal Stoke Hospital This week I had the opportunity to visit Royal Stoke Hospital to see a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure carried out by the cardiology team. TAVI is a minimally invasive treatment for heart valve disease – a common but serious condition in which one or more heart valves stop working properly. Left untreated, heart valve disease can be fatal. But with procedures like TAVI, patients are able to return to living activ

Earlier this week, I was delighted to host a coffee morning at Betley Village Hall, bringing local people together over a cuppa and a slice of cake. It was wonderful to see so many of you there and to have the chance to listen to your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. As your Member of Parliament, I want to make sure I’m spending the Summer Recess out and about across Newcastle-under-Lyme, meeting people face-to-face and hearing directly from you. This kind of event is exactly w

I am aware of rumours circulating about the future use of Gordon Court in Knutton – and of a protest now being planned in response to those claims. These rumours are unfounded. There are no plans for Gordon Court to be used to house asylum seekers or to operate as a so–called ‘migrant hotel’. I have discussed the issue with the Home Office, raised it with Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council and have spoken directly to the new owner of the site following its sale by

Earlier today, I received the news that the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire had taken the decision to suspend Chief Constable Chris Noble while an independent investigation into allegations about his conduct takes place. This afternoon, I spoke with the Commissioner to discuss the situation. The investigation will now follow the appropriate independent process, and it’s important that this is respected. Public trust in policing is essential. The public r

Signing the car at Wolstanton Retail Park EV Charging Point On Thursday I had the privilege of becoming the first MP to sign the Bon VoyCharge campaign car , as it stopped off at the Wolstanton Retail Park EV charging station here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The campaign – led by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) – is calling for better access to electric vehicle (EV) charging at the places people actually visit: tourist attractions, hotels, leisure faci

Alongside local councillors, on Saturday I met with company representatives to discuss their proposal to close the local depot and relocate operations to Atherstone – a move that puts local jobs at risk. We made it clear: this decision would seriously impact the workforce. For many, commuting simply isn’t a realistic option. We challenged the claim that no suitable local site exists and put forward a viable alternative to keep FedEx in Newcastle-under-Lyme. With strong transp

One of the most persistent and serious issues raised with me since I became the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme has been the poor state of our local roads. From vehicle damage to pedestrian hazards, constituents have made it clear that deteriorating road surfaces are causing real problems across the borough. To better capture the scale and specific locations of concern, I launched the Great Potholes Survey earlier this year. I wanted to hear directly from reside

On Sunday, it was wonderful to welcome the St George’s Day Parade to St Giles Church in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I was honoured to join the Squirrels, Cubs, and Beavers — along with many members of our local community — for a wonderful and uplifting service led by Reverend Penduck. It was a powerful reminder of how St George’s Day continues to bring people together across generations and backgrounds. St George’s Day is more than just a date in the calendar — it’s an opportunity

I'm always keen to share opportunities that could benefit local organisations here in Newcastle-under-Lyme—and the latest announcement from the Asda Foundation is one worth highlighting. From Wednesday 7th May 2025 , the Asda Foundation will be opening applications for its next round of funding: the Local Community Spaces fund . This scheme is aimed at charities and not-for-profit organisations working to improve spaces that bring people together and make a real difference in

It was great to visit St John’s Church of England Primary School in Keele and spend time with staff and pupils. I was warmly welcomed by...

It was a real pleasure to be the guest speaker at the Rotary Club lunch at Newcastle Golf Club yesterday. I'm incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality shown by all those who attended. The Rotary Club has a long and proud history of serving our community, and it was a privilege to spend time with members who give so much to support local causes. Thank you again to everyone at the Rotary Club for all that you do – and for having me along for such a lov

🗳️ Local Elections are taking place on Thursday 1 May across Newcastle-under-Lyme. Voters will be choosing their representatives on Staffordshire County Council, and in Knutton and Loggerheads there will also be by-elections for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. To vote, you must: ✅ Be registered by 11:59pm on Friday 11 April ✅ Bring photo ID to the polling station If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID (such as a passport, driving licence, or eligible bus pass),

This week, I was pleased to welcome Darren Jones MP , the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to Silkworks, at Cross Street  in Chesterton. Over 100 new affordable homes will be built on this site and across two others in our area, thanks to the Government’s £2 billion investment in social and affordable housing  – the biggest boost to housing of its kind in a generation. This isn’t just about national figures or announcements – it’s about real change right here in Newcastle-und

On Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Brampton Museum as part of Visit England’s Tourism Week – a national celebration of the places, people, and businesses that make our tourism sector so special. During my visit, I met with representatives from our local tourism industry to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face, and how we can work together to strengthen what Newcastle-under-Lyme has to offer. From cultural attractions and historic sites to local hospit

Outside the Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre on Hassell Street On Friday I was proud to welcome the Minister for Veterans, Al Carns MP, to Newcastle-under-Lyme for a visit to the Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre—an extraordinary charity that does vital work supporting veterans across our community and beyond. The centre, which has been operating since 2015, is run by veterans for veterans. It offers crucial services including help with housing, employment, and