The Philip Astley Centre marked its 1st Anniversary on Saturday with a fantastic celebration. I was honoured to cut the cake for this special occasion alongside Cllr Sheelagh Casey-Hulme, the Labour Councillor for Town Ward. A year ago, this space was nothing more than an empty, derelict property. Today, thanks to the hard work of Philip Astley Projects CIC, it has been transformed into a vibrant cultural landmark. Dedicated to Newcastle-under-Lyme’s own Philip Astley, the fa

Newcastle-under-Lyme's Business Festival 2025 kicked off at NSCG, bringing together industry leaders and innovators. It was a pleasure to start the week by speaking at the opening of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival, an event that brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to celebrate and support economic growth in our community. The festival is a fantastic opportunity for businesses across Newcastle-under-Lyme to network, share ideas, and ex

With Soroptimist International North Staffordshire in The Guildhall This International Women’s Day, I was honoured to join SI North Staffordshire in celebrating the achievements of women whose contributions have too often been overlooked. This year, their focus was on ‘Women Forgotten’—a theme that resonated deeply, as we reflected on the remarkable contributions of women across our community whose names may not be widely known but whose impact is undeniable. The event was a

Members of my team joined representatives from Newcastle BID, councillors and Local business leaders to restore the Mural. You can see the story in the Sentinel below:

I have just been advised that the operators of Walleys Quarry Landfill site notified the Environment Agency last night that they have gone into liquidation. This, in many ways, is no surprise. The operators at Walleys have been driven by profit over people, and now they have cut and run. It is an absolute disgrace and speaks to the failures surrounding the waste sector in our country. Be under no doubt, there will be a time to ensure that the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme ge

Grateful to all my Labour colleagues who spoke in my debate on Government Support for Coalfields yesterday. There was a real commitment to ending the days of empty words and broken promises to the people in our coalfield communities. We have much to do. You can find the full transcript of the debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-02-06/debates/71B19D39-5D97-4393-8035-8E09CA3F0A4F/details?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZXEdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcbIpsct3FixERNzx8KpZg7Z5XsxXLqi7v

I’ve raised the issue of flooding in Newcastle-under-Lyme repeatedly since the election. Yesterday, on my way to Parliament, I stopped by County Hall in Stafford to meet with councillors and officers at Staffordshire County Council . It’s crucial that the necessary steps are taken to deliver a lasting solution.

Shamelessly, the operators at Walleys Quarry went to the courts in a bid to accept waste until their attempt at appealing the Closure Notice was heard. That attempt was rejected today and rightly so. It’s good news for the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

130 years ago, 77 men and boys lost their lives in the Diglake Mining Disaster in Bignall End. This anniversary is a moment to remember them, honour their legacy, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that workers can safely and securely carry out their duties now and in the future.

MPs pledge to remember the Holocaust and its lessons, marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January This week MPs signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, and in doing so pledged their commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day – honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people to