June: Scorching temperatures and hot debate
As June draws to a close, I’ve taken a moment to pause and reflect on what has been a busy, productive, and at times, emotional month as your Member of Parliament for Erewash.
As June draws to a close, I’ve taken a moment to pause and reflect on what has been a busy, productive, and at times, emotional month as your Member of Parliament for Erewash. While I’ve been sharing updates on my social media day by day, I wanted to bring it all together in one place to give a broader sense of the work that’s been done by myself and my dedicated team on your behalf.
Fighting for safer schools
One of the first things I took up this month was raising concerns with Derbyshire County Council about Reform UK’s decision to roll back the plan to install sprinklers in all new and refurbished schools – including primary, secondary and SEND settings.
As many of you will remember, this policy was introduced after the tragic fire that destroyed Harrington Junior School in Long Eaton. It was a commitment made in the wake of a real disaster, and it is deeply troubling to now see that promise being undone. Sprinklers are a cost-effective measure that can prevent tragedy – the idea that we’d now choose to cut corners on children’s safety is unacceptable. I’ve written to the Council urging them to reconsider and uphold their previous pledge.
Spotlight on local industry and skills
One of the joys of this job is getting out and about in the constituency, visiting local businesses and organisations that are the backbone of our economy and communities. This month, I had the pleasure of visiting TecQuipment in Long Eaton, a globally respected manufacturer of science and engineering teaching equipment. Having taught manufacturing engineering myself, it was a real full-circle moment to see the same machines I once used in classrooms now being built here in Derbyshire.
With 90 employees and exports going out to countries across the world, from France to Pakistan, TecQuipment is a local business with a global reach. They’re also proof of what Derbyshire does best: combining technical expertise with world-class innovation. I’ll continue pushing for trade policy that supports businesses like these and for education policy that ensures our young people have the skills to thrive in them.
Education and training were also central to my visit to Ilkeston YMCA, where I had some powerful conversations with staff about their work in adult education and skills development. I was especially struck by the enthusiasm of the young people studying for their maths exams and university students gaining hands-on experience through placements. This sort of integrated community education is quietly transformative, and I’ll be doing all I can to support their work—particularly after the loss of key funding streams from Derbyshire County Council.
Pushing back on cuts and mismanagement
It hasn’t all been sunny days and celebration. There have been some deeply concerning developments too, and I’ve been vocal in opposing them.
One of the biggest issues is the proposed cuts to Derbyshire’s adult education services, including the potential closure of the Long Eaton centre. I trained as a teacher and worked with engineering apprentices – I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing adult education can be. It’s how people re-skill, find confidence, and secure better jobs. These cuts are short-sighted and damaging. I’ve raised concerns with the Council and I’m urging them to protect these vital services.
Then there’s HS2. Regardless of where people stood on the project originally, what we’re left with now is an expensive, mismanaged mess. Long Eaton’s town centre and local businesses continue to suffer thanks to HS2 Ltd’s failure to deliver. I’ve raised these issues with the Department for Transport, demanding accountability, fair treatment for local businesses, and a proper solution to stop Long Eaton being punished for a train that’s never coming.
Holding the Government to account
Back in Parliament, I’ve been working on the Victims & Courts Bill Committee, going line by line through legislation to strengthen the rights of victims and survivors. This Bill will require offenders to attend their own sentencing hearings, remove parental rights from convicted child sex offenders, and improve the way public services respond to victims. It’s not glamorous work – but it matters.
I also did manage to squeeze in a question at Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions – asking Angela Rayner about maths education and getting a bit of a dig in at Nigel Farage, which got spread rather widely across the internet.
Parliament: votes of conscience and national importance
This month has also seen several votes in Westminster on issues that strike at the very heart of people’s rights and dignity.
On 17th June, I voted in favour of decriminalising abortion in England and Wales. This was a free vote, meaning no party whip, just MPs voting with their conscience. I’ve long believed in the absolute right to bodily autonomy, and the stories of women being subjected to lengthy criminal investigations after miscarriages or abortions are nothing short of horrifying. I stood on a platform of reform, and I was proud to keep that promise.
Just three days later, on 20th June, the Commons passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Again, I voted in favour. For over two decades, I’ve supported the principle of assisted dying – giving people the right to end their suffering with dignity and on their own terms. It’s not an easy issue, and it deserves careful, respectful debate – but I believe we can show compassion through legislation.
Supporting local projects and celebrating community spirit
A real highlight this month was seeing the opening of Aspire House in Long Eaton – a new home run by the Canaan Trust offering all-year-round supported accommodation for women at risk of homelessness. I’ve followed the Trust’s work closely since becoming your MP, and it’s fantastic to see them grow and adapt to meet new challenges. Their work is life-changing, and I’ll continue to back them every step of the way.
Of course, June is also carnival season, and it was brilliant to get stuck into Long Eaton Carnival on the 21st – even if the weather couldn’t quite make up its mind! From the parade to the prize-winning stalls, it was a great showcase of the passion and creativity in our community. Congratulations again to Black Widow Kickboxing and Sawley Women’s Institute, who stole the show!
The following weekend brought a glorious day in the sun, hopping from Sawley Park Fun Day to the Furniture Makers’ Tug of War in West Park, before ending the evening at the Ilkeston Music Festival. Between pizza, tomahawk throwing, and tribute bands, it’s days like that which remind me how special this community really is.
Championing our heritage and volunteers
Local pride is about more than economics, it’s also about our culture, heritage, and community spirit.
That’s why I was delighted to visit the Bennerley Viaduct, just over the border in Broxtowe, to see the incredible progress being made in transforming this Victorian masterpiece into a real visitor attraction. From discussions on regeneration funding to visions for linking it more deeply with Ilkeston’s economy, I’ll be working hard to ensure Erewash is part of this exciting future.
And speaking of community spirit, I was truly uplifted by the Volunteer Celebration in West Park, where I joined groups from across the borough, everything from the Rugby Club to Erewash Sound and the Royal British Legion. As someone who got my own start in volunteering through the Air Cadets, I know just how powerful it can be in shaping lives and strengthening communities. To all our local volunteers: thank you for everything you do.
Championing local residents – one case at a time
Much of the most rewarding work as an MP happens behind the scenes, in the casework we do supporting individual residents. This month, my team and I have helped dozens of constituents with issues big and small – and I’m proud to share some of our successes:
Sorted essential repairs in a local rented home.
Supported a local homeowner to stop bailiffs unfairly collecting a prior tenants’ debts.
Secured the replacement of damaged windows for an elderly resident.
Spoke to the Furniture News about our fantastic local furniture manufacturers.
Secured a school place conformation for a resident’s son after an uncomfortable wait for a school place for September.
Got the council to clear the mess and fallen leaves outside of a local church.
Helped a resident identify the owner of a piece of land after serious confusion.
Held a digital surgery to discuss local and national issues impacting our residents from my office in parliament.
Assisted a resident with motor neurone disease in securing an electric wheelchair.
Got the council to commit to the maintenance of a local allotment.
Secured the replacement of a hazardous curbstone on a residential street.
Alerted the council to a landlord who declined to make essential repairs a resident’s rented home.
Wrote in support of a SEND child at an EHCP tribunal.
Supported a parent with securing home to school transport for their SEND child.
Secured a resident’s brother a two-bed council house.
Restored regular bin collections on a road in Ilkeston after access concerns.
Reported dozens of potholes on Orchard Way in Sandiacre.
Supported people appealing unfair private parking fines.
Wrote to support a local family’s EHCP application at tribunal and Integrated Care Board.
Spoke to Derbyshire County Council about the campaign for a bus service on Fields Farm in Long Eaton.
These may not make headlines, but they make a real difference to people’s daily lives – and that’s what this job is all about.
National announcements, local impacts
June was a big month for national policy too, and I was pleased to see some major developments that will have direct benefits here in Erewash.
Perhaps the most exciting was the announcement of a £2.5 billion contract for Rolls-Royce in Derby to lead Britain’s entry into small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). This is a game-changer, not only in securing our future energy independence, but also in creating 3,000 high-quality engineering jobs right here on our doorstep. As someone with a background in science and engineering, I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ve already begun pressing for strong apprenticeship pathways so our young people can get into these jobs and build a future in high-skilled green industry.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor’s spending review laid out a bold new direction for the country, and I was particularly heartened by five key measures:
An extra £30 billion for the NHS, to get waiting lists down and rebuild the service after years of neglect.
£1.2 billion for apprenticeships, helping young people find good jobs in growing sectors.
14,000 new prison cells and vital investment in probation services, recognising the need for both security and rehabilitation.
A Warm Homes Plan to insulate millions of properties and cut energy bills, something that will be especially welcome given how many residents in Erewash have been struggling with housing quality.
Changes to Treasury investment rules, to finally tip the scales back in favour of places like Derbyshire, which have too often lost out to London and the South East.
It’s a big agenda, but it’s the one we were elected to deliver. Ambitious, fair, and rooted in the needs of working people.
Listening and learning
Throughout June, I’ve also made time to listen. Whether that’s hosting surgeries in person or online, I’m always keen to hear directly from residents, on everything from national policy to the nitty-gritty of council services. If there’s something on your mind, my door is open, whether in Parliament, the constituency, or virtually.
This month, we also said goodbye to two of our local Labour stalwarts for the final time - Roland Hosker and Gary Wilds. Roland was a stalwart of the Erewash Labour Party and someone who gave years of dedicated service to Long Eaton and our wider community. I learned a lot from him in my early days and remain inspired by his legacy. My deepest condolences go to Roland's wife, Paula, and all the family. Gary (Gaz) Wilds was one of the most passionate campaigners I’ve known, someone who never gave up on the dream of a better country. I’ll never forget the message he sent me as it became clear Labour was heading for government last year: “Can’t really believe what is happening tonight! We dare to dream.”
Looking ahead
June has been a month filled with progress, emotion, and connection. From securing repairs and school placements to celebrating major industrial investment, this is politics at its best, practical, people-focused, and powered by partnership.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll be continuing my work both in Westminster and here in Erewash, pushing for the investment we need, solving problems on the ground, and making sure every voice is heard in Parliament.
If you’ve got a local issue you’re struggling to resolve, a question about government policy, or even just a comment on how things are going, I’d love to hear from you. My team and I are always happy to help.
Here’s to a summer of opportunity, and as ever, thank you for putting your trust in me.