Today I responded in Parliament to the announcement of the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Staffordshire Before today's announcement, I had already made clear – in every meeting with Ministers and every debate in Parliament – that the voices of the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme must be heard and respected in decisions that affect our community. The proposals put forward today on Local Government Reorganisation are completely unacceptable. They do nothi

Two Debates were held in Parliament this week about further support for our ceramics industry following the recent £120m support package Westminster Hall Debate on Ceramics Petition On Monday, a debate was held in Westminster Hall on e-petition 764785: 'Support the Ceramics Industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills'. The Petition reads: Support the Ceramics Industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills Apply energy intensive industry relief (Sup

I took a file with your views on Local Government Reorganisation to The Office of The Prime Minister Last Thursday, I went to Downing Street to present a collection of your responses to my survey on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and all the correspondence I've received from constituents about LGR. The voices, needs, and concerns of the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme must be heard loudly and clearly – with me as our MP, they will be. I urge my colleagues to listen. I w

I presented a petition in the House of Commons calling for the removal of Site Allocation AB2 from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Local Plan. Last night, on a very hot day down in Parliament, I presented a petition to the House of Commons calling for site allocation AB2, up in Audley, to be scrapped from the Council's Local Plan. The petition was backed by more than 800 signatures from local residents and it’s important that residents are heard loudly and clearly. AB2

Today the Government has announced a £120 million Ceramics Industry Support Package When I wrote to the Chancellor earlier this year, I told her we were desperate. Our ceramics industry is world-famous, and is the beating heart of our local economy – and it was being overlooked. When the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme was announced, the word "ceramics" did not appear anywhere in it, and we made it clear that the ceramics industry could not be ignored any longer. I

Commonwealth Day 2026 Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons (11 March 2026)

My Question in the House of Commons Chamber (10 March 2026) Today in Parliament I highlighted the disgraceful state of our roads in Staffordshire. I hear daily from constituents across Newcastle-under-Lyme about the damage done to their vehicles, the manoeuvres they are forced into to avoid dangerous potholes and the unpleasant experience of simply getting from A to B. Staffordshire County Council's performance is rated amber, and it is clear to all across the County, especia

Presentation of the Petition in Parliament (24 February 2026) This week, I formally presented a petition to the House of Commons calling for the protection of College Fields in Madeley. For months, local residents have raised concerns with me about proposals that could restrict long-standing public access to this much-loved green space – including the possibility of fencing and other measures that would limit how the field is used. It quickly became clear just how strongly pe

At Home Office Questions, I raised the need for rural crime to be treated with the same seriousness as crime in our towns and city centres. For people in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire, a crime is a crime – wherever it happens. I welcome the Government’s approach to neighbourhood policing, but it is vital that rural communities see the real, on-the-ground benefits of it in practice.

The changes mean around 85% of estates are expected not to pay any more inheritance tax I welcome the Government’s announcement to raise the inheritance tax threshold for agricultural and business property – a change that will make a real difference for family farms here in Newcastle-under-Lyme, across Staffordshire and throughout the country. From April 2026, the threshold for Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million

The Government has set out the biggest package of animal welfare reforms in a generation. I support these changes because they are practical, long overdue, and rooted in a simple principle – that how we treat animals reflects who we are as a society. Last week in the House of Commons, I spoke about why this moment matters – the ambition of these reforms and the way they are delivered. Raising animal welfare standards should go hand in hand with supporting farmers, rewarding t

Debate in the House of Commons (18 December 2025) Yesterday, I took part in the Christmas Adjournment Debate – an opportunity to reflect on the year in Parliament and to set out the priorities that matter most to people in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I used the debate to highlight the progress that has been made over the past year, including the real and tangible improvements since the closure notice was issued at Walleys Quarry, and the long-overdue action delivered on pension jus

Debate in the House of Commons (18 December 2025) Animal welfare and farming go hand in hand. As the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited animal welfare strategy, I made clear in Parliament that it must support – not hinder – farmers who already operate to the highest standards. Our farming community in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire deserves clarity, confidence and a strategy that works in practice.

'Quarries: Planning Policy' Debate in Westminster Hall (16 December 2025) Earlier today, I raised Walleys Quarry during a Westminster Hall debate on quarries and planning policy. What happened there exposed serious failures in the planning system and had a devastating impact on people in Newcastle-on-Lyme. While the site is now closed, the lessons must be learned – and the system fixed – so no community is ever put through this again. Read my Recent Walleys Quarry update for

Watch my speech in Parliament on the Budget (27 November 2025) During the Budget debate in the House of Commons, I set out why the announcements in the Budget matter for people across Newcastle-under-Lyme – from long-overdue justice for former miners, to lifting nearly 1,800 local children out of poverty, making progress on support for our family farms, backing our NHS staff, and marking one year since the closure of Walleys Quarry. This Budget won’t solve every challenge ove

UK Parliament Week is taking place from 24–30 November , and I’m inviting everyone across the constituency to get involved. It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to find out more about how Parliament works, how decisions are made and how each one of us can participate. This year, 44 organisations across Newcastle-under-Lyme have signed up so far. Schools, youth groups and community organisations will be using their free UKPW resource kits to host workshops, games and di

I have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to press the case for members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), including many here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Since my election, I’ve heard from constituents who dedicated their working lives to powering our country through Britain’s coal industry – people who rightly expect fairness and recognition for their service. Since the Labour Government took office in July 2024, important progress has been made t

In House of Commons Business Questions (30 October 2025) In recent days and weeks, there have been disturbing reports of people being spiked by injection in Newcastle town centre. I’ve heard from residents who are fearful and angry — and I share their concern. No one should feel unsafe on a night out. Our town centre must be safe, welcoming and secure for everyone. Yesterday I raised this issue directly in Parliament during Business Questions to the Leader of the House, calli

Every young person should finish school with a clear set of options and the confidence to choose the path that’s right for them – whether that’s continuing in full-time study, taking up an apprenticeship, or gaining skills through high-quality training. For too long, our education and skills system hasn’t made that easy. The last government left too many young people without clear routes into good jobs, too many qualifications overlapping or undervalued, and too many colleges

Today marks an historic moment for justice and transparency in our country. This Labour Government has introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill , also known as the Hillsborough Law . This landmark legislation will ensure that public authorities are held to the highest standards of honesty and accountability – and that no family is ever left to fight the State alone in the aftermath of tragedy. The scars of Hillsborough , Grenfell , Windrush , and other devastating f