April Update
April Highlights
After another busy month as your MP, these are my team’s current casework stats:
📥Cases opened for residents: 601
📤Cases closed for residents: 692
⏳Total number of cases we are currently working on: 196
Please contact my office and we will always try to help.
📧mark.sewards.mp@parliament.uk
Speaking up for residents in Parliament
In April, I had to bring a very difficult case to Parliament at the request of a constituent who has been diagnosed with incurable cancer. The DWP had made an error on her case and denied her incapacity benefit.
Following my question in Parliament, the DWP contacted my office and we have since confirmed that redress has been paid. No one should have to rely on their MP to bring cases like this to light but, should you find yourself in this position, please contact me. I will work with other MPs on the broader issues surrounding this case.
St George’s Day celebrations in Morley
Leeds South West & Morley turned out in force once again to celebrate St George’s Day. There were 2 main events in the town, including the incredible parade. I want to say a special thank you to the Royal Society of St George, Morley Branch, for their excellent work as always and to everyone who supported the event.
I also want to congratulate Michelle Carter and everyone who helped organise the traditional street market the day before the parade. It was so good to see so many locals (and people from further afield) come out to support both events.
Royal Mail Delays in Ardsley, Robin Hood, Tingley, Lofthouse
On the final full day of Parliament, I met with Minister Blair McDougall from the Department of Business and Trade to directly address the postal delays that have affected so many of my constituents.
I told him about the significant problems and delayed post has caused us and he has instructed his team to identify the specific problems that affect our area. I have also had further contact with Royal Mail, who have publicly committed to publishing a quality of service improvement plan as soon as possible. I have more information for affected residents and will provide a detailed update in the coming days.
SEND Roundtable – thank you for your feedback
Many thanks to all the parents and carers who gave feedback on the Government’s SEND White Paper. I have taken your concerns directly to Georgia Gould, Minister for School Standards, and have asked every question you put to me at the roundtable.
The Government has committed to answering all of them and I will write to everyone concerned with the answers. Please email me if you’d like to be kept informed of developments in this area.
Farnley resident Jo Gittins appointed to lead Pride in Place Scheme
We have selected local resident, Jo Gittins, to lead the Neighbourhood Board that will spend £20 million on Farnley over the next decade.
Jo has been working very hard to select people for the Board. Each member must either live in Farnley or have a vested interest in its success and the full list of appointments will be announced soon.
I want to give my personal thanks to all the residents who worked with me on the ‘Local Reference Group’ I set up to get this entire process underway. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be in the position we are in today. Now let’s get that money spent!
IRGC to be proscribed following long campaign
I have spoken in the House of Commons frequently about the threat posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to UK citizens. I have pressed the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and the Security Minister to proscribe them as soon as possible. This requires new legislation as the UK does not currently have the power to proscribe state threats.
I’m pleased to report that the UK Government will now prioritise this legislation in the King’s Speech on May 13th. These new powers will enable the UK to tackle much more than the IRGC. Malign state actors are changing and adapting their tactics all of the time and we need to be equipped to deal with them.
Should the age of access to social media be lifted to 16?
I have organised a roundtable on the Government’s proposals to raise the age of access to social media to 16. This will take place in Morley on Saturday 9th May at 10am in an accessible location. Please email mark.sewards.mp@parliament.uk if you’d like to attend.
In April, I convened a meeting of the Parents APPG with representatives from Mumsnet, Parentkind and More in Common to discuss current attitudes towards this issue. We heard a diverse range of opinions, including from people both in favour and against a social media ban.
I do have concerns about the power of the algorithms that are designed to capture and keep as much of our attention as possible. I want to hear more from my constituents about this so please contact me ahead of the roundtable.
Parliament Prorogued – 60+ acts passed in less than 2 years
The Parliamentary session is over, and it was one of the busiest ones in decades. Over 60 bills have now become acts, and they include the following:
Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act. A law to bring franchised railway operators back into public control.
Crime and Policing Act. Introduces a range of new powers and offences to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, finally passed in April 2026.
Hereditary Peers Act. Removes the right of people to sit in the House of Lords because of the family they are born into.
Employment Rights Act. Strongest set of employment protections passed by any Government for many years.
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. Introduces strongest child protection measures in a generation, including measures recommended by the first national enquiry into child sexual exploitation, passed in April 2026.
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act. A law to restore order at the border. Small boat crossings are down 42% since this became law in December 2025.
Water (Special Measures) Act. Put the water industry into special measures in order to make operators clean up out waterways and improve infrastructure.
Supporting our communities
Some April highlights include:
Proud to sponsor Morley Beer Festival again with Backbencher’s Brew
Took the family to wonderful Easter events in Drighlington, Gildersome, Tingley and Lofthouse
Met with Morley Elderly Action to discuss their excellent work across the constituency and meet their members
Welcomed Woodkirk students to Parliament, they represented their school extremely well
Met the West Riding Small Locomotive Society in Tingley to pick up a long-running issue regarding anti-social behaviour
Saw the launch of ‘Inside the Cage’ in Morley, and MMA programme designed to help young men and boys take care of their own mental health
Held in-person surgeries for residents at Leeds West RUFC, Morley Labour Rooms, Drighlington Methodist Church and West Ardsley Methodist Church
I door knock all year round, but it is now election time so I’ve been pleased to support our Labour candidates in Leeds South West & Morley. Once the election is over, we’ll still be on the doorstep. Door knocking if for life, not just election time…
Please contact me, and I will always try and help: