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Following the Government roll out of the first 27 NHS Neighbourhood Health Centres across England, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board will be able to apply for the next phase of delivery later this year.
Last year, as part of its landmark 10 Year Health Plan, the Government announced plans to roll out 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres by 2035, with the first 120 open by 2030, to boost access to healthcare, cut waiting lists and tackle inequalities.
Patients will immediately be able to access a greater range of health services from these centres, all under one roof and closer to their homes. This would include, among other things, urgent treatment, GP and pharmacy services.
A range of services under one roof will mean more conditions can be treated swiftly locally , allowing people to talk through their health conditions as well as their lifestyle and quality of life and any other relevant contributing factors, enabling a rapid referral to the appropriate care and support where this is needed.
Last year, 43 pioneer areas were selected to model how Neighbourhood Health Services should work, with this model now being rolled out to more areas over the next year. As part of this, the Government is deciding the locations of further upgrades and 70 new-build Neighbourhood Health Centres which will be announced later this year.
As part of this, DHSC is now asking ICBs across England, including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB responsible for Portsmouth’s healthcare, to develop an estates strategy for their area. ICBs must take a critical look at the buildings that form their NHS estate and ask themselves whether those buildings are fit for the future of healthcare.
ICBs will be considering existing assets as well as gaps, with the following options being considered for local areas:
Mr Morgan has pledged to engage with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB to ensure local views and priorities in the first instance can feed into the local ICB’s estate strategy.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“For Portsmouth, a Neighbourhood Health Centre would mean a go to place for most health needs within our city, bringing historically hospital-based services such as diagnostics, and rehabilitation into the community.
“It is crucial that Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB’s estate strategy is informed by the necessary priorities for appropriately taking care of Portsmouth people.
“I will be working with others to ensure that our ICB can get this right, and the community receives the healthcare it needs”.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:
“This government is transforming healthcare, so the NHS works around the lives of patients – not vice versa.
“We’re rolling out neighbourhood health centres across the country by repurposing and improving local buildings, first targeting the communities that need them most. These one-stop shops will help end the maze of referrals and repeated conversations, treating not just poor health but the causes of it, too.
“As we rebuild our NHS, our mission is to shift more healthcare into the community, while delivering easier access to care, improved outcomes for patients and better value for money for the taxpayer”.
The post Portsmouth eligible for next phase of Neighbourhood Health Centre rollout appeared first on Stephen Morgan MP.
George Freeman questions Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Government's preferred candidate for the role of chair, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The Labour MP for Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin is backing new measures to ramp up this government’s clean energy mission and protect family budgets from shocks on the global stage.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will today [Tuesday] unveil a number of new policies as Labour goes further and faster to deliver the clean, homegrown energy it promised in its manifesto for the South East.
As well as delivering a cleaner future for our country, the plans will ensure long term energy security for Britain and help cut the cost of living for working people – safeguarding them from the consequences of conflicts abroad, such as the war in Iran.
The new measures will include making it easier for renters, those who live in flats or those without a drive to install EV chargers, solar panels and heat pumps, giving more people the opportunity to take advantage of cheaper, cleaner energy.
The plans will also see a massive expansion of solar panels and wind turbines across the public estate, including on brownfield and industrial sites or railways, as well as a huge overhaul of planning to speed up connecting new projects to the grid and upgrading existing renewables.
Ed Miliband said: “The lesson we can all take from the impact of conflict in the Middle East is that we need energy and economic security that can withstand this new age of geopolitical instability.
“Cleaner, greener homegrown power where we can control the supply gives us that security.
“And that’s what matters to people right now – knowing that whatever happens on the global stage, they have a Labour Government who puts them first and wants to protect their pockets.”
This government’s main focus is on tackling the cost of living and just this month a number of new measures came into force to support families, including:
And while there is much more to do, Labour MPs will continue to fight the corner of families in the South East.
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “Our Labour Government will always be on your side, stepping in when times are tough.
“Whether that is immediate solutions like taking money off energy bills and freezing rail fares, or making the long term decisions that will bring costs down for good, we are determined to put more money back in your pocket.
“I am proud to support these new policies that will drive our clean energy mission forward and protect family budgets for years to come.”
The post Amanda Martin MP supports clean energy drive as Labour unveils new measures to help ease cost of living in Portsmouth appeared first on Amanda Martin MP.
I have received thousands of emails from constituents since October 7th 2023 regarding the horrific violence witnessed in Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East. Indeed, no single topic has been the subject of more correspondence since I was first elected as an MP in 2019. It is important that so many of you have felt compelled to contact me about this situation and I have tried to respond to people as quickly as possible. Due to the range of emails I have received, I have tried to address the varying issues raised on this page. I also apologise if you have already contacted me regarding this issue and are receiving similar responses. I firmly believe consistency on this matter is important.
Since Israel launched its full-scale military offensive in Gaza, I have joined marches, spoken in Parliament, put in dozens of written questions and written to ministers about the grave violations of international law that we have witnessed. I have consistently called on the government to take every available measure to prevent the commission of genocide.
I am incredibly concerned that, in spite of the supposed ceasefire, Israel continues to launch attacks on civilians and weaponise aid against the Palestinian people. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire and US “Gaza Peace Plan” came into place at the end of 2025. Israel continues to violate the terms of this peace agreement, exacerbating tensions in the Middle East.
The government must comply with its legal obligations to prevent and punish genocide. There is a wide range of actions they should be taking to do this. They include:
Israel and Trump’s decision to instigate a war with Iran represents a dangerous new phase in the current cycle of conflict. Its justification is reminiscent of Iraq but without the pretence of a fabricated report. It is common knowledge that whilst Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapons programme, Israel does have nuclear weapons. We need to be clear that Netanyahu has been emboldened by the support and impunity he has enjoyed whilst carrying out a genocide in Gaza. The IDF is now engaged in military operations against most of its neighbours: in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. This is not about defence, it’s about domination.
In the aftermath of Israel’s strikes against Iran, UK military aircraft were deployed to the Middle East, IDF troops were still training on UK soil and UK arms sales to Israel continued. Bolstering Israel’s military in this way completely undermined any calls for de-escalation. Under no circumstances should UK troops or taxpayer money be used to support a state that is carrying out a genocide and actively seeking a war which risks further destabilising the Middle East.
I believe the UK should cease all trade with illegal Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The UK has import restrictions on goods from occupied Crimea. It must now apply the same principle to goods from Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law. I have signed EDM 1266, which calls on the UK Government to ban the importation of goods originating from Israeli settlements and to prohibit companies domiciled in the UK from selling settlement goods and providing services to settlements.
I have also signed EDM 2822, condemning the Israeli Government’s 15 February approval of a plan to register land in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank as Israeli state property. It also calls on the UK government to ban trade and investment in goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements, impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities complicit in Israel’s occupation, suspend the UK–Israel trade agreement until Israel complies with international law, and impose an arms embargo on Israel.
I will continue to use every available avenue to press for stronger action to end the UK’s complicity in settlement expansion and occupation. The UK must lead by example by upholding international law, defending human rights, and pushing for a just and lasting peace.
I believe that businesses must be held accountable when they fail to prevent human rights violations. The findings of the UK National Contact Point on JCB are extremely troubling, and I support calls for stronger laws that would make failure to prevent human rights abuses a corporate offence, as recommended by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights.
The closure of Al-Aqsa Sanctuary in Jerusalem by Israeli authorities during Ramadan infringes Palestinians’ right to freedom of worship and violates Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and UN resolutions. It also breaches the longstanding status quo governing the site.
I have signed EDM 2955 calling on the Government to raise this issue urgently with Israel and in international forums and to press for the site’s immediate reopening, should Isreal fail to do so, the Government would forward appropriate measures, including an immediate suspension of all UK arms exports to Israel, the imposition of widespread and targeted sanctions against those responsible for serious violations of international law, as well as a complete prohibition on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in order to uphold international law, protect Palestinian rights, and safeguard the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites.
I have long raised concerns about the UK government’s role in supplying military hardware to Israel, which may have been used against civilians in Gaza and potentially even against British citizens. I have signed EDM 177, calling on the government to halt arms sales to Israel and I also echoed these calls during a Westminster Hall debate on the 12th December 2023.
I have signed EDM 1849, which calls on the Government to end all arms trade with Israel, including the supply of F-35 components. Continued involvement in the programme risks implicating the UK in unlawful attacks and grave violations of international law, and it is imperative that we reassess our participation to ensure we are not complicit in such actions.
In February 2024, I joined more than 200 elected representatives to call for an immediate embargo on arms sales to Israel. The ICJ ruling means this is now not just a moral necessity now but a legal one. I was a signatory on Zarah Sultana’s letter urging the government to suspend arms sales in March 2024 and a principle sponsor on her King’s Speech amendment in July 2024 to end arms sales and uphold international law.
It seems increasingly clear that exporting military hardware made in Britain to be used in the mass slaughter of Palestinians and civilians from elsewhere is not just immoral but clearly illegal. It puts us firmly on the wrong side of international law.
I have stood in open solidarity with the crew of civilian-led aid missions to Gaza who sought to break the siege and deliver vital aid. I commend those who have shown their willingness to take action against the illegal blockade and deliver much needed aid to those who need it.
During PMQs, I challenged the Prime Minister to set out what steps ministers will take to protect British citizens aboard the Sumud as they sought to do what the international community has failed to do: break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. I also coordinated a letter from MPs to the Foreign Secretary, calling on her to take active steps to ensure the safety of the flotilla, and the British Citizens on board.
Member states, including the UK, have a legal and moral obligation to act to stop the starvation and suffering in Gaza. I take my responsibilities in Westminster seriously and will continue to do everything I can to press for safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access.
I support the safe arrival of Palestinian students so they may continue their education and have access to services to help them heal from the immense trauma they have endured.
I am encouraged that the Home Secretary has approved special arrangements for students in Gaza who have been offered fully funded scholarships at UK universities. However, even with this support from the UK government, Israel must still agree to allow each individual student to exit Gaza, a critical step that remains uncertain.
The current situation – with the UK Visa Application Centre in Gaza closed and students, many of whom have secured university offers and scholarships, left in limbo – is unacceptable. I am concerned by reports that requests for biometric visa deferrals have gone unanswered and that continued delays in the visa process are preventing students from enrolling in time for September.
I am seriously concerned by the reports of systematic torture of Palestinians detained and imprisoned by Israel, including reports of beatings, sexual violence, starvation and mistreatment. I am aware that a number of prisoners have died in custody as a result of this abuse.
I am alarmed by the recent legislation passed by the Israeli parliament which has now introduced the death penalty exclusively for Palestinian prisoners. I believe this further supports the case that Israel is operating an apartheid regime, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found Israel to be committing in July 2024. I believe the UK has an obligation to prevent this mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners which I believe breaches international law, and I have signed EDM 3158 which calls on the Government to demand the release of Palestinian prisoners who are being unjustly detained.
I have long believed that recognition of the State of Palestine has long been a crucial step to not only ending the violence and genocide in Gaza, but to limiting Hamas’ actions in the region. I am pleased the Government officially recognised the State of Palestine in September 2025.
In October 2024, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) passed two bills banning Israeli officials from engaging with UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) and preventing the organisation from working in Israeli territory and East Jerusalem. This legislation came into force on the January 31st 2025 and was followed soon after by a near-total Israeli blockade of food, medicine and fuel. This effectively brought UNRWA’s operations to a halt and created conditions of abject famine for the millions trapped in ever-smaller areas of Gaza by constant Israeli bombardment.
UNRWA was the one agency with the infrastructure and expertise to supply aid across Gaza. Israel’s decision to dismantle it, along with its efforts to destroy Gaza’s hospitals, schools, and homes, signals clear intent to make conditions unlivable in the area. It deprives returning Palestinians of access to education, healthcare and other basic services.
The blockade of essential aid was bad but it gets worse. On the 26th of May, the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (hereafter referred to as GHF), opened new distribution hubs in Rafah. Since then, barely a day has passed without news of Israeli forces opening fire on starving Palestinians. Over a thousand people have died.
The GHF successfully hijacked Gaza’s aid network and turned it into another weapon to carry out its genocide without any real repercussions from the international community. As long as Israel wields control over the supply of Gaza’s food, medicine and water, more Palestinians will die in this way. Our government must push for an independent UN inquiry into the aid site killings and put concrete pressure on Israel to reinstate UNRWA.
I have been concerned by the heavy-handed policing response to overwhelmingly peaceful protests which have majority support from the public. The mass arrest of people protesting the Gaza genocide in January 2025 (including democratically elected representatives) was an outrageous infringement of our rights to free speech and free assembly. The ceasefire protests of the last fifteen months have been overwhelmingly peaceful, diverse, and well-attended. Those in attendance are many of the same people rightly celebrated across our society for standing up to the far right during last summer’s riots. I believe these repressive police actions highlight the pressing need for the repeal of anti-protest legislation designed to silence those seeking to highlight social injustices.
Please see my statement on the Palestine Action proscription vote.
Amid the appalling civilian casualty count, it is incredibly distressing to see the high numbers of aid workers, health providers, and journalists who have lost their lives since October. In what has been the deadliest war for aid workers in the history of the UN, at least 224 aid workers have lost their lives. Gaza’s Ministry of Health has recorded the deaths of at least 484 health workers and its Media Office has stated that 140 journalists and media workers have been killed.
When three UK aid workers from World Kitchen Central were killed in cold blood on the 1st April 2024, UK political leaders refused to even call for a proper independent investigation into their deaths, never mind suspend arms sales to the forces that killed them. It is disgraceful that the last government put Israel’s war above the lives of British citizens. There should be a full independent investigation into these deaths.
On the 20th May 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) filed applications for warrants of arrest for senior leaders in Hamas and Israel. This is an important legal case, which offers the possibility of breaking through what Human Rights Watch has called “the wall of impunity” that Israel has long hidden behind.
The previous Conservative government lodged an objection to this case at the time, taking their lead from the Biden Administration. I opposed this attempt to thwart the judicial process at the time and signed EDM (Early Day Motion) 14 when the new Labour government came in. This urged the government to reverse this position, which it thankfully did on the 26th July.
One of the most important tools we have for preventing civilian deaths is ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. If Benjamin Netanyahu or Yoav Gallant come to Britain, it’s absolutely essential that we comply with our treaty obligations and turn them over to face justice.
On the 29th December 2023, South Africa made a submission to the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare Israel in breach of its obligations to the 1948 Genocide Convention, alleging that “acts and omissions by Israel” in Gaza “are genocidal in character” and have been committed with “the requisite specific intent” to “destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and [ethnic] group”. South Africa asked the ICJ to issue Provisional Measures and order Israel to “immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza”.
On the 26th January 2024, the ICJ ruled in favour of South Africa, ordering Israel to take steps to prevent and punish any incitement of genocide in Gaza and to allow humanitarian aid into the territory. Israel was also obligated to report back to the court in one month on the actions it was taking to this effect. I welcomed the ICJ ruling on this issue but like others, I was dismayed that the judgement fell short of calling for a ceasefire. In my view, the only way to prevent genocide in the region was for Israel’s allies, most notably the US, to press for an immediate ceasefire.
I am concerned to hear reports of rising levels of Islamophobia and Antisemitism in the UK, and around the world. No one deserves to face hate or prejudice because of their religious beliefs and minority groups should not be targeted because of international conflict. Anyone who has suffered or witnessed Antisemitism is encouraged to contact the Community Security Trust. Anyone who has suffered or witnessed Islamophobia is encouraged to contact Tell Mama UK. These two organisations are involved in mapping hate crimes.
The last government’s response to the plight of Palestinian refugees driven from Gaza was typical of their punitive approach to people seeking safe passage in our country. I found this out for myself when my constituent attempted to apply for family members to join him in February 2024. They were rejected because they could not provide the biometric data that the Home Office requires. By asking Palestinian refugees to apply in Ramallah, Jerusalem, or in a nearby country, the last government effectively told people they would have to travel through an active warzone to submit information.
Refugees with relatives in the UK are trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare: they cannot enrol their biometrics because they cannot leave Gaza and they cannot leave Gaza because they cannot enrol their biometrics.
When millions were displaced by Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine in 2021, the last government rightly had the Homes for Ukraine Scheme live in a matter of weeks. Yet they have refused to create a similar pathway for Palestinians with relatives already living in the UK. The Home Office has rejected every request from Palestinian refugees for biometric deferral and predetermination since the 7th October. Yet between 15th March 2022 and 7th December 2023, Ukrainian nationals could apply online without the need to do this until after reaching safety in the UK.
It is important to state clearly that the one thing Palestinians want more than anything is a safe return to their homes, as is their human right. Sadly, the inordinate civilian death toll in this conflict means that many Palestinians simply will not be alive to exercise this right. In the debate on this issue on the 13th May 2024, I made my views on this very clear, calling once again for a ceasefire, an arms embargo against Israel, and the creation of a Palestinian family reunion scheme.
As well as failing to push for a ceasefire, the last government did not do enough to help people leave the warzone. During the first few weeks of the conflict, I was contacted by constituents trapped in the occupied West Bank and unable to leave. I have also been contacted by at least one constituent whose relatives were unable to flee Gaza because there is nowhere for them to submit the biometric data our government requires of them. I’ve been glad to see families challenging this decision in the courts and winning.
If you are a constituent and require assistance with leaving the territory or with family reunion, please reach out to my office at bell.ribeiroaddy.mp@parliament.uk.
The post My Response to the Gaza Genocide: FAQs appeared first on Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
What I’ve been up to throughout March March has been a busy month, both in Westminster and in the constituency. In Westminster, a lot of my time has been spent on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, where we have been doing pre-legislative scrutiny of commonhold and leasehold legislation. I asked constituents to
The post March Update appeared first on Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury.
Final reminder to get comments on Meddygfa’r Sarn GP Surgery into Hywel Dda Health Board by the consultation closing date – 6th April – Easter Monday.
I attended the public engagement event in Carway Hall on Tuesday, and once again stressed to the Board how important it is to put patients first and keep premises and regular surgeries in Pontiets.
The Board really needs to look at the best way to GUARANTEE that…an arrangement which would be unlikely to appeal to an Independent GP surgery from outside Pontiets. The Board already control Minyrafon, so they could control and guarantee the provision of surgeries in Pontiets.
A big thank you to everyone who has voiced opinions to the Board and especially the Save Sarn Surgery Working Group Page for all the work they have put into their comprehensive report.
Register to Vote
You must register by 11:59pm on 20 April 2026 to vote in the local elections on 7 May 2026.
Who can vote?
You can also register if you have permission (or do not need permission) to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and you’re:
How to Register?
If you want to vote, your name must be on the electoral register. If you changed your address or your name since you last voted, you must register again.
For further information on how to register, visit: Register to vote | Register to vote | Manchester City Council
If you need help, the Electoral Services Unit can complete an application for you.
Email: esu@manchester.gov.uk
Phone:0161 234 1212
Photo ID
You will need to show photo ID when voting in person.
The name on your ID must match your name on the electoral register. If it does not, you’ll need to either: register to vote again or take a document with you that proves you’ve changed your name (for example, a marriage certificate).
Acceptable types of photo ID to vote:
You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
Don’t miss a chance to have your say
Voting is an important way to make your voice heard and I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to check if you are registered to vote.
The post March Newsletter appeared first on Mohammad Yasin MP.

Nesil Caliskan, Member of Parliament for Barking, celebrates the announcement £20 million additional funding for Barking & Dagenham from the government’s Pride in Place programme after launching a campaign for more Pride in Place funding for the borough.
The government has selected Mayesbrook Park, in Mayesbrook ward, and Rippleside, in Eastbury ward, as the beneficiaries of the funding injection.
Nesil has been meeting with and speaking to constituents about where additional funding in Barking & Dagenham should go to benefit local people the most.
The Prime Minister backs UK renewal with a historic £5 billion investment into communities across the UK as part of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Pride in Place programme.
Residents and Members of Parliament are to play a leading role in deciding the best use of the funding in their own communities. Local people decide how the money is spent, whether it is on improving local high streets, reviving green spaces or on community hubs, pubs and leisure centres.
Nesil Caliskan, Member of Parliament for Barking said:
“I was pleased with the government’s initial announcement of £1.5 million in funding for Barking & Dagenham’s high streets, but local people deserved more to make a tangible impact in our local communities.
“I’ve been campaigning for an uplift on the £1.5 million Pride in Place, speaking to Ministers and urging them to invest in Barking & Dagenham. People should feel pride in the places they live and enjoy the opportunities that emerge from revitalised community centres. That’s why I’m pleased that Barking & Dagenham will now receive £20 million which will make a real difference to our local area and economy.”
The post Pride In Place Drop In Events appeared first on Emma Lewell MP.
A huge thank you to every resident who is helping to organise and who will be attending our peaceful protest to protect our precious Green Belt and Green Spaces.
Setting politics aside, we are standing together to voice our total opposition to the Government’s plan to reclassify our Green Belt as “Grey Belt.”
This is about standing shoulder to shoulder and protecting our community’s future!
I am getting a huge number of messages from people about potholes across Bassetlaw. Our roads are falling apart and it cannot go on like this.
Many drivers tell me they are worried about damage to their cars. They say they have to swerve to avoid deep holes in the road. People are facing huge bills for car repairs to fix damage to tyres. I have even heard about license plates being ripped from cars by deep potholes in some areas.
Recently, I was contacted by residents who live on Sheffield Road in Blyth. The road there is in a terrible state. Large lorries hit the crater holes at speed, and the impact is so strong that nearby houses shake, day and night. Some residents are struggling to sleep through the night because the vibrations are so bad. Some have even seen cracks appear in their brickwork. That is simply not good enough.
I am pushing for the whole road to be properly resurfaced, not just patched up. I am pleased that this request has now been put forward to the County Council as part of next year’s roads budget. I will keep pressing for it to be approved.
I see the ‘dob jobs’ taking place, but this is a quick fix and not a permanent solution. In some cases, the roads crumble again within weeks. The County Council recently spent £75,000 on flags for lampposts. While I love to see our flag flying, is this really the priority when our roads are in such a bad state?
We have heard plenty of excuses. The councillor in charge of roads has even tried to blame my husband, John Mann, the former MP for Bassetlaw. But I have lived here in Bassetlaw for over 25 years, and I have never known our roads to be in such poor condition. Over the past few months, I have reported over 50 potholes across Bassetlaw. But when I go to report them, I often see that they have been reported many times before, and no action has been taken.
Many people ask me what is being done about it. Here are the facts. Nottinghamshire County Council is in charge of looking after our roads. It runs this service through its company, VIA. The Council has been given an extra £8.3 million from the government to fix roads. This is on top of the £70 million it already has for road repairs. I plan to meet with the County Council very soon, alongside other Nottinghamshire MPs of all parties to discuss the issue.
The Council is saying it plans to buy a special machine called the JCB Pothole Pro. It costs about £200,000 and is meant to repair potholes more quickly. However, I am concerned that the previous Conservative administration looked at this in 2021, and found that the machine did not save money, could damage kerbs, and had problems on narrow roads. Most importantly, it did not fix potholes any faster than normal repair methods.
I will be keeping a close eye on how this money is spent. What matters most is that our roads are maintained and properly repaired. My message is clear, use the money and get on with the job.
The post Potholes are the main concern for Bassetlaw residents appeared first on Jo White MP.
An abridged version of this article ran in The Times on 3rd February 2025
In 2007, in the pages of this newspaper, I argued that Britain should seize the moment and move Heathrow to the Thames Estuary, freeing up the congested west London site for much-needed housing while creating a world-leading transport hub fit for the 21st century. It was an ambitious plan—perhaps too ambitious for a nation that has lost its appetite for grand infrastructure. Seventeen years later, what do we have? The same tired debates, the same dithering, and now, a third runway proposal that represents the absolute minimum of what could be done. It is not a vision; it is a concession to stagnation.
Throughout history, Britain built infrastructure that transformed cities and continents. The Victorians laid thousands of miles of railways across India and Africa. British engineers built the world’s first underground railway in London, the great docks of Hong Kong, and the vast shipping hubs that made global trade possible. Ours was once a nation that saw scale and complexity as challenges to be overcome, not reasons to prevaricate. Today, while China constructs floating airports in Hong Kong and Dalian, we are still arguing over a few extra miles of tarmac at an aging airport hemmed in by suburban sprawl.
The case for expanding Heathrow is undeniable. The airport operates at near capacity, with any disruption causing delays that ripple across the global aviation network. Additional capacity is needed. But the third runway is not a bold leap forward—it is an unimaginative compromise. The design is a relic of a bygone era when Britain was still willing to approve large infrastructure projects but had already begun its slow descent into cautious incrementalism. Surely for a solution we should be looking beyond the immediate horizon, daring to create something transformative.
Compare this to the grand infrastructure ambitions of Asia. Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok, which replaced the legendary but perilous Kai Tak airport in the 1990s, was built on reclaimed land. It was a marvel of engineering (mostly British), completed in just six years. Now, China is taking the concept even further: Dalian is constructing a floating airport, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This is a country that doesn’t simply accept geographic limitations—it overcomes them. Britain, meanwhile, is paralysed by protest groups, endless consultations, and political hand-wringing.
A floating airport in the Thames Estuary—an idea proposed and swiftly dismissed—would have been a statement of ambition. London could have had its own Chek Lap Kok, a world-class hub unencumbered by the constraints of Heathrow’s location. Instead, we are left with a piecemeal expansion of an outdated site, in a project that will take decades and still leave Britain trailing behind.
The environmental argument against expansion is often cited as a reason for delay, but it is a red herring. Modern aviation is rapidly advancing towards lower emissions and greater efficiency. If the concern is air pollution and carbon footprints, the answer is not to stifle airport expansion but to embrace new technology, support cleaner aviation fuels, and invest in modern air traffic management. Britain should be leading these efforts, not using environmental concerns as an excuse for stagnation.
The economic cost of our hesitation is immense. Aviation is a key driver of trade, tourism, and investment. Heathrow’s constraints mean we lose out to European rivals, with airlines shifting long-haul routes to Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. The third runway, even if built, will do little to reclaim lost ground. By the time it is operational—assuming it even survives the judicial challenges that will inevitably come—other nations will have long since surpassed us.
What Britain needs is a fundamental shift in mindset. We must stop viewing major infrastructure projects as necessary evils to be endured and start treating them as national priorities. This requires reforming our planning laws, streamlining approval processes, and fostering a political culture that celebrates engineering excellence rather than recoiling from it.
The third runway at Heathrow is not the answer—it is a symptom of our decline. Instead of an afterthought tacked onto an aging airport, we should be considering radical alternatives: offshore airports, high-speed rail integration to regional hubs, and a renewed commitment to infrastructure that places Britain at the forefront of global connectivity. We were once a nation that built the world’s most advanced transport networks, that pioneered engineering breakthroughs others only dreamed of. We can be that nation again—but only if we stop settling for mediocrity and start daring to think bigger.
The world is not waiting for Britain to catch up. While we squabble over a single new runway, China is building entire new airports on water. The contrast is stark, and the lesson is clear: boldness breeds success, hesitation ensures decline. If Britain truly wishes to remain a global player, we must abandon the timid incrementalism of the third runway and embrace the kind of audacity that once made us great.
Kit Malthouse 1st February 2025
Christmas is a very special time. It's when we come together with friends and family to take stock, and give thanks for what we have.
Some years – in the best of times, this is cause for celebration.
Other years – it's more complicated if we're missing loved ones,
affected by illness, or facing money worries, homelessness, or loneliness.
Sometimes – let’s be honest, for many reasons, Christmas can just be about getting through it, and that's ok!
Because regardless of the year that’s been, or the circumstances you find yourself in, Christmas offers everyone a precious gift – hope.
The post Toby Perkins MP supports Chesterfield Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation appeared first on Toby Perkins Labour MP.