July round-up: out and about across Erewash

Like every month as your MP, July has been a month spent listening to residents, supporting local businesses, celebrating community organisations and taking the concerns of local people back into Parliament. Alongside my work in Westminster, I’ve been fortunate to spend time in every corner of the constituency, meeting lots of people and seeing first hand the incredible work taking place across our towns and villages. Whether it has been at constituency surgeries, on factory floors, at family fun days or simply stopping for a coffee in one of our brilliant independent cafés, every conversation has helped shape the work I do on behalf of our community.

Listening to residents
One of the most important parts of being an MP is making time to listen, and this month that has meant holding constituency surgeries across Erewash.

Throughout July I met residents in Kirk Hallam, Long Eaton and Breaston, with each surgery bringing a completely different range of issues. We discussed everything from planning applications and science funding through to pensions, disability rights, accessibility, veterans’ issues, problems with public services and a host of individual cases that simply cannot be shared publicly because of their personal nature.

Many people only contact their MP when they have exhausted every other option. For some, walking through the door of a constituency surgery is genuinely a last resort. My team and I never take that responsibility lightly. Every case is treated with care and confidentiality and we work hard every day to help residents navigate organisations and public bodies when they feel stuck.

I was also delighted to meet Feras from Feras Barbers in Ilkeston. Having come to Britain as a refugee from Syria, he has built a successful business in our town centre and now wants to give something back by offering free haircuts to elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents. It was an inspiring reminder of the generosity that exists throughout our community.

Knocking on doors
As always, there has been plenty of time spent out on the doorstep.

During the month I joined the team knocking doors across Larklands, Sawley, Long Eaton and Sandiacre. These conversations are invaluable because they provide an honest picture of what people are thinking about local services, national politics and the issues affecting their day to day lives.

The conversations in Sandiacre were particularly important, taking place in the neighbourhoods that suffered so badly during Storm Babet. While flooding understandably remains a major concern, it was encouraging to hear from residents who had been able to benefit from the Government’s Property Flood Resilience Scheme to help better protect their homes. We also discussed what more can be done to reduce flood risk in the future and improve local resilience.

Whether people agree with me or challenge me, I always appreciate those conversations. They make me a better representative because they ensure that the issues I raise in Westminster reflect the experiences of people here in Erewash.

Supporting local businesses
One of the real pleasures of this job is meeting the businesses that keep our local economy moving.

This month I visited Carter’s Prestige on Bath Street to hear about their growing flooring business and, just as importantly, their charity work supporting local veterans. It is always inspiring to see businesses that not only create jobs but also invest back into their communities.

I also enjoyed spending time with the team at Wade Spring in Long Eaton. Having spent a decade working in manufacturing research before entering Parliament, I always enjoy getting onto factory floors and talking directly with engineers and manufacturers. We had an excellent discussion about steel, advanced manufacturing, the future of British industry and the opportunities available to businesses here in Erewash. Our manufacturing heritage is something to be proud of, but even more exciting is the innovation taking place today.

July also saw me visiting several fantastic independent businesses including The Square Hideaway, a wonderful new café and sensory space for children in Long Eaton. It was great to see the impact of Erewash Borough Council’s Shop Sign Grant helping bring another empty unit back to life and creating an even more attractive High Street.

Supporting independents has also given me the perfect excuse to sample some excellent local food and drink. From breakfast at The Junction Café, banana milkshakes at Copper Cogs and a coffee porter at Beestonia to a toastie at The Square Hideaway and a chip cob from Captain Kirk’s, it has certainly been a busy month for my taste buds. Every visit is a reminder that supporting local businesses means supporting local jobs and helping our town centres thrive.

Celebrating our community
Erewash has an incredible community spirit and July provided countless opportunities to celebrate it.

Sawley Park Fun Day was a brilliant example, with families enjoying a packed day of activities, entertainment and community stalls. My egg managed to survive the Scouts’ egg drop challenge and I even found time for a pizza from Tossed Dough along the way.

I also attended the Every One Eats Family Fun Day at the Stute in Ilkeston. It was wonderful to see so many families enjoying themselves together and to recognise the huge amount of volunteer effort that goes into organising events like these. Community events do not happen by accident and everyone involved deserves enormous credit.

Another highlight was speaking at the opening of the new visitor centre and café at Bennerley Viaduct. This iconic structure has connected Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire for generations and the new facilities will help even more visitors discover its remarkable history. Heritage projects like this are about much more than preserving the past. They support tourism, encourage walking and cycling and bring new opportunities for local businesses.

I was also delighted to attend Long Eaton Rugby Club’s annual dinner, celebrating another successful year for the club and recognising the outstanding contribution made by outgoing president Duncan Gooch. I may even have made the mistake of promising to join a training session later this year. Time will tell whether my schoolboy experience at prop has survived!

Campaigns that make a difference
One story this month particularly stayed with me.

Earlier this year I met Ian and Christine Redfern following the tragic death of their son Adam from cardiac arrest. Through the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund they have worked tirelessly to improve awareness of defibrillators and ensure they can be located quickly during emergencies.

After our meeting I contacted local schools whose Automated External Defibrillators were not registered on The Circuit, the British Heart Foundation’s national defibrillator network. I was delighted that ten schools have since registered their devices, leaving only a handful still to do so. It is a simple step that could genuinely help save lives.

It was a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful work an MP can do comes from listening carefully to determined local campaigners who simply want to prevent other families experiencing the same heartbreak.

Representing Erewash nationally
Alongside constituency work, July has been a significant month in Westminster.

Following changes in Government, I was honoured to be reappointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Secretary and across the wider Home Office. It is a privilege to continue serving in Government and it gives me an important opportunity to ensure that the voices of people in Erewash are heard directly by ministers as decisions are made.

I also continued explaining Government policy through videos and public meetings, covering a wide range of issues that matter to residents.

We announced the removal of VAT from domestic energy bills from October, providing additional help with household costs. We also confirmed a twenty per cent reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from next April, supporting the businesses that play such an important role in our communities.

Other announcements included reforms to improve veterinary care by increasing transparency for pet owners, recognising veterinary nurses and strengthening oversight of veterinary businesses. We also set out plans to reform the SEND system, with earlier intervention, more specialist places and better support for children with additional needs.

Finally, the Government published its latest State of Climate and Nature Statement, outlining further investment in habitat restoration, new National Forests and climate technologies to protect our environment for future generations.

Staying connected
One of the ways I enjoy keeping in touch with residents is through my regular appearances on Erewash Sound.

This month’s visit to the breakfast show was another opportunity to discuss local events, parliamentary developments and some of the work taking place across the constituency. We looked back at judging the Long Eaton Carnival floats, talked about the upcoming Show and Glow festival and discussed wider national issues.

Local media remains incredibly important because it helps communities stay informed and connected, and I am always grateful to Paul Stacey and the whole team for the warm welcome they give me every month.

Wins this month
My team have been working as hard as ever to support local people – here’s the things we’ve won on this month:

• Helped a resident secure their driving licence after DVLA delays.

• Secured repairs to a damaged drain causing flooding in Breaston.

• Supported residents facing delays to their Civil Service pensions.

• Worked with Councillor Kate Fennelly to reopen the Crompton Road access to the Nutbrook Trail.

• Helped a resident secure their pension and lump sum after delays.

• Worked with Erewash Borough Council to maintain hedges around Long Eaton Library.

• Got EMH to schedule works to a tree damaging a resident’s garden.

• Secured a replacement boiler for a social housing tenant.

• Helped a resident secure their medical driving licence after DVLA delays.

• Got a large pothole repaired on Cedar Avenue in Long Eaton.

• Worked with Erewash Borough Council to remove racist graffiti on Abbey Street in Ilkeston.

• Secured repairs to a pothole in Sandiacre that was disturbing residents.

• Liaised with residents over the replacement of the wheelchair hoist at West Park Leisure Centre.

• Helped a resident secure their NHS pension after delays.

• Got shaky railings on Beauvale Drive in Ilkeston added to Derbyshire County Council’s maintenance programme.

• Supported a local SEND school to help keep it on track to open in September following Ofsted delays.

Looking ahead
As we move into August there is certainly no sign of things slowing down. Parliament continues to present new challenges while the summer provides even more opportunities to meet residents at community events, visit local businesses and continue holding constituency surgeries across Erewash.

Every month reinforces just how fortunate I am to represent such a vibrant, hardworking and community minded constituency. Whether I am helping residents through difficult personal situations, speaking to manufacturers about the future of British industry, opening new community facilities or simply enjoying a coffee in one of our independent cafés, every day brings fresh opportunities to learn more about the place we all call home.

Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me, stopped for a chat on the doorstep, invited me into their workplace or attended one of my surgeries this month. Your ideas, concerns and experiences continue to shape the work I do in Westminster and here in Erewash. I look forward to seeing many more of you over the weeks ahead.