This is where we are at with our current casework:
📥Cases opened for residents: 417
📤Cases closed for residents: 415
⏳Total number of cases we are currently working on: 682
Please contact us and we will always try to help:
Championing our community
Parliament was in recess for the first couple of weeks in October. That meant I was able to attend numerous community events and meet with countless residents.
One being the annual Morley 10k. Morley Running Club did a fantastic job of organising the race for the 5th consecutive year, attracting runners from all over the constituency and beyond. Great to see so many familiar faces.
Now that I'm just about able to walk properly again, I'm determined to get some training in before the next one.
Great fun to attend both Farnley Community Centre and New Farnley Community Centre over the last few weeks, too.
The Farnley Community Centre team launched The Shed in September, and I finally managed to get down earlier this month. It's a brand new community group offering a space for men to socialise and have fun completely free of judgement. They've got pool, board games, cards and my favourite... darts.
At New Farnley Community Centre, I visited my friend Phylis' coffee and bingo morning. This has been set up to give elderly people an opportunity to get out of the house and have some fun. They meet every Thursday and are really keen to get some more people through the door.
I also had the pleasure of visiting a number of other community groups and projects, such as the Morley Modelling Club, Churwell CIC and the Mongoose Explorer Scout Unit. I've got so much respect for those who dedicate their free time to pursuing their passions and supporting others. Meeting so many is one of the highlights of this job.
Thank you, Adrian
Cllr Adrian McCluskey in Farnley & Wortley has announced his intention to stand down at the next local election in May.
Anyone who knows Adrian will agree that this will be a huge loss to our community. His service and determination, despite facing significant obstacles, can never be understated.
We first became friends in 2022 when I was first elected as a councillor, and I was so pleased to see him elected in 2023. It was a privilege to serve alongside him until the general election in 2024. Over the last few years, we worked together on some fantastic campaigns; TV Harrison football ground and Pride in Place to name a couple.
I hope he thoroughly enjoys his well-deserved retirement. I'm so grateful for his service.
Supporting local businesses
As many of you will know, a number of Morley and Churwell-based businesses were the victims of despicable burglaries over the summer. That's why my team and I have been working really hard to set up a Morley Business Forum, which launched earlier this month.
Huge thanks to all the business owners and representatives that attended, and to the police who made the time to be there too. We're in the process of setting up the next meeting, where we'll discuss what support businesses would like to combat crime and antisocial behaviour. Please contact my office if you'd like to attend.
But I recognise it's not just Morley businesses that suffer from antisocial behaviour. That's why my team and I have been in close contact with representatives of businesses in Farnley, including McDonald's and Subway. Much more to come on this.
It's vital that our fantastic, hardworking businesses can operate without worrying about crime and antisocial behaviour. I'll keep doing everything in my power to ensure they have all the support they need to deal with it.
Hindu festival attack
I was absolutely appalled by the disgraceful attack on a Hindu festival in Wakefield.
The event included families and young children, including around 50 people from my constituency. I've been in close contact with Jade Botterill MP in the days since the attack, who represents the area where it took place.
I'm so proud to stand alongside our Indian neighbours, who contribute so much to our constituency and wider society. That's why I raised the case in the House of Commons, and was pleased to see my colleagues join me in condemning the perpetrators, and those who encourage this sort of behaviour.
I'd like to reassure my constituents again that I am here for you. I'm very grateful to Jade for all her hard work liaising with the police.
No one should be subject to fear or intimidation just for who they are. Religious groups should be allowed to gather and celebrate in peace, and attacks like this must never be tolerated.
Standing with the British Jewish community
I was honoured to join Leeds JSoc's vigil in memory of those murdered and kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th. In the three years that have passed, the Jewish community has endured an undeniable spike in antisemitism as a result of those attacks.
Sir David Bell's report on antisemitism in our schools in colleges, also published this month, confirmed this.
I'm pleased that the Government has accepted all the recommendations in the report. We must do everything in our power to confront and defeat the world's oldest hatred.
Fireworks consultation closes
Huge thanks to everyone that completed my fireworks survey. I submitted all of your feedback directly to the Government earlier this month.
As we approach fireworks season, I'd like to reiterate my position: fireworks, when used responsibly, can be magnificent and bring a lot of joy. But irresponsible use can have a devastating impact on veterans, pet owners and many others in our communities.
I look forward to seeing what measures the Government will take to ensure the public's views are considered.
Representing Leeds South West & Morley in Parliament
Over the last few weeks, I've made a number of parliamentary contributions on behalf of my constituents.
I raised the case of a 15-year-old resident with a very serious heart condition, which limits his physical capabilities. Despite that, his family have struggled to get a much-needed blue badge. Rigid rules are failing children with serious and immediate medical needs, which is why I asked the Minister to revisit them.
I also raised issues on behalf of the thousands of carers in Leeds South West & Morley. A report found that almost 50% of children in kinship care have some sort of special educational need. I argued that this underlines the need for kinship carers to have paid leave, regardless of what certain individuals say about it being a burden on the taxpayer.
Over a million unpaid carers have left work in the last 2 years. They should not have to choose between caring for their loved one and paying the bills.
So many constituents have contacted me about the regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters. That’s why it was vital I attended a debate on that very subject earlier this month. I raised the case of the visually impaired, some of whom are frightened to even leave their homes due to the silent nature of e-bikes.
And as we approach Remembrance Day, I want to pay tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed to defend our country and its place in the world. Their courage and service should never be forgotten. As an MP, I have a responsibility to remember their contribution and ensure that Britain's role on the world stage remains central to the work we do.
With that in mind, I pressed the Prime Minister for his assurance that we will always stand by our neighbours in the Falkland Islands. The Argentinian government has tried to intimidate and undermine their right to self-determination, and we cannot tolerate it.
I also called on the Government to proscribe the Iranian-backed Houthis as the terror threat they are. Proscription would allow us to freeze their assets and disrupt their operations on British soil. I look forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss it further.
Budget highlights
There's a lot of welcome support for families and businesses in the budget. However, this Government must go further to tackle the cost-of-living. I've made it clear to the front benches that I'll keep pressing for more action in the short-term.
That being said, some of the key measures included:
Scrapping gas standing charges and extending the VAT suspension on energy bills
A one-off £100 payment for those in council tax bands A-D to help with winter fuel payments, which will help over 40,000 homes across Leeds South West and Morley
£200m of additional investment to Leeds train station, which will go towards reducing congestion and increasing capacity
£15m for a new Leeds College of Building campus
Paternity pay for self-employed dads (campaign win!)
A fully funded Defence Investment Plan
Changes to business rates, meaning 50% of all retail, hospitality and leisure business in Yorkshire won't have to pay
More support for first-time buyers
And I'm very pleased to see progress of fiscal devolution, giving our region more control over the money it generates. There is plenty to be positive about, but I'll keep pushing for more where it's needed.
Surgeries and support for all
I'm in a different council ward each week holding a regular surgery. I hold these across 13 different locations in the constituency, and I'm so grateful to everyone that hosts me.
In October, I was at New Farnley Community Centre, Drighlington Methodist Church, Christ Church in Lofthouse, and the Labour Rooms in Morley.
As many of you are aware, I'm due to become a father for the third time in November, but my surgeries will still go ahead. Next month, I'm going to be in Wortley, Churwell, Tingley and back to Morley. I'll be publishing dates and times very soon, so keep an eye out.
You don't need to come to a surgery for help though. If there's anything you think I can assist you with, please contact me. My team and I will always do everything in our power to help.