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Through the Crime and Policing Bill, completing its path through Parliament, the Government will protect Portsmouth’s own local businesses.
MP for Portsmouth North Amanda Martin has said this bill will introduce a comprehensive set of new measures will tackle antisocial behaviour, shop theft and street crime head on, giving Portsmouth’s police and communities new powers to take back town centres from thugs and thieves.
Among others, measures within the bill protecting local business include:
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North, said: “Every day Portsmouth’s retail workers play a vital role across our city by helping to keep not just our high streets but also our community alive.
“The Crime & Policing Bill will protect local shops and retail workers by taking back Portsmouth’s streets.
“This new law will tackle antisocial behaviour, shop theft and street crime with bold action in our community, issues that retail workers have unfortunately faced increasingly across recent years.
“I was proud to back the bill in Westminster this week as it completes its path through Parliament.”
Amanda Martin MP has committed to taking further action to protect local businesses within Portsmouth and will be out on patrol with local police officers across Portsmouth coming weeks.
The post Crime & Policing Bill will protect retail and retail workers by taking back Portsmouth’s streets” – comments Amanda Martin MP appeared first on Amanda Martin MP.
Stephen Morgan MP has accompanied an NHS ambulance crew shift for South Central Ambulance Service to understand the difference being made to healthcare access across Portsmouth.
During the shift, Mr Morgan was able to observe firsthand and discuss with ambulance workers the major difference investment and reform is making to ambulance services, such as response times and resources within vehicles.
Recent Government action, among other things, includes the major provision of over 1,100 new or replacement ambulances across England between April 2025 and March 2026.
A majority of these vehicles have replaced older fleet, improving reliability and keeping more ambulances on the road. Additionally, new ambulances have been with modern technology improving protection for patients and staff, while supporting paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively.
This can be read about in further detail here.
It was also announced in January of this year that Portsmouth’s waiting lists have dropped by over 6,000 since the General Election, as reported by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
This was part of a broader waiting list drop across England of over 374,000 overall, marking a major step forward in improving healthcare access following 14 years of mismanagement of healthcare services under the Conservatives.
This can be read about in further detail here.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“I would like to pay tribute to dedicated ambulance crews across the city and thank them on behalf of all Portsmouth people for the life-saving frontline services they are able to deliver every day.
“By accompanying a recent shift across our city, I was able to observe firsthand and discuss with ambulance workers the major difference investment and reform is making to ambulance services since the General Election.
“We should all be able to trust that the NHS will be there for us when we need it, whether it is a GP appointment or help at A&E.
“Thanks to Labour, more patients in Portsmouth are receiving a faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and getting the all-clear sooner.
The post City MP accompanies ambulance crew shift following Portsmouth waiting list drop appeared first on Stephen Morgan MP.
George Freeman calls for an end to the Government’s policy of massive subsidised solar “farm” power stations on agricultural land and switching to solar panels on rooftops, roads, motorway sidings, reservoirs & industrial sites instead of farmland.
With the Middle East crisis blocking supplies of fertilisers & imported food, reinforcing how vulnerable UK food security is to geopolitical events and global supply chains, George Freeman MP, former Minister for Science & MP for Mid Norfolk, criticises the Government’s policy of subsidising massive solar “farm’” power stations on Norfolk’s productive farmland, highlighting
On the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill (Peter Fortune) made, I can say that when I was the Minister for Space, I strongly supported space solar, which is a genuinely exciting British breakthrough.
My hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Lincoln Jopp) is making a really important point about food security. As the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on science and technology in agriculture, I know that we are hugely vulnerable to the geopolitics of the strait of Hormuz and global supply chains more broadly, so we need to do more to support UK agricultural production. In my patch, we have an 8,000-acre solar farm on farmland, which will see good, productive land taken out. This Friday, I am chairing the Central Norfolk Solar Factory Farm Alliance. We are very keen to see solar on reservoirs, motorways, council buildings—on any surfaces we can—but not on good farmland.
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On the important point that the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Samantha Niblett) made about connections, what we are discovering in Norfolk is that the grid connection investment is an open door to much bigger solar applications. We have an 8,000-acre one that I am dealing with today. Land agents tell me that 20,000 acres in Norfolk are now being released because we have the grid connection. Much of that will be good land. The danger is that the connectivity driving the investment means, unfortunately, that the land use argument gets distorted.
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.


On the 28th March, half a million people came together in Central London for one of the largest marches against the far right in British history. Organised in response to last year’s Unite the Kingdom rally, this weekend’s demonstration brought together people from every walk of life. It was a clear and powerful show that racism has no place in our country. But the fight against the far right is far from over. Tommy Robinson has called his next protest on the 16th May. With Reform surging in the polls and the far right still on the march, we must get organised in our communities and turn out in numbers once more.
The post Together Against the Far Right March appeared first on Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
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.”
Tuesday 31st March 1.30pm – 3.30pm All Saints Community Association Tuesday 7th April 11.30am-12.30pm Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall & Whiteleas Family Hub Friday 17th April 5.00pm-9.00pm- ‘Climb / BBQ’ at Simonside Climbing Wall (Event for Young people) Tuesday 21st April 11.30am-12.30pm Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall & Whiteleas Family Hub Friday 1st May 10.00am -12.00pm Action Station Tuesday 5th May 11.30am-12.30pm […]
The post Pride In Place Drop In Events appeared first on Emma Lewell MP.
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.
It was great to call into Neighbourhood Watch in Pelsall again and catch up with Edwin and Andrew.
We discussed a range of local issues across the Rushall, Shelfield, Pelsall, and Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch area. Our focus was on how we can work together as one community to address these challenges.
It was also fantastic to hear about Project Phoenix – a pilot community-run initiative launched by Walsall Council! This project is dedicated to building a stronger community right across our Borough, and I’m really keen to see the positive impact it will have.
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.