The number of young people (aged 16-24) claiming unemployment has nearly halved since 2010. This positive trend reflects my continuous efforts to create opportunities for our younger generation. Overall, the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in our area is impressively low, with a current rate of 2.6% — significantly below the national average and among the lowest in the East Midlands. I remain fully committed to achieving the highest levels of employment and supporting our local businesses. Together, we’re building a brighter future!

I have campaigned vigorously to ensure that the A46 receives the £400m investment it desperately needs. Skanska, the company appointed by National Highways, has begun with the task of designing bypass improvements with construction, pending final approval, projected to be completed by 2028. By widening 6.5km of the existing single carriageway to a dual carriageway between Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts, congestion will be significantly reduced in our area. The upgraded A46 Newark Bypass will serve as a vital trade corridor linking the M5 to the Humber Ports, and will result in smoother journeys for the approximately 17,000 daily drivers who rely on it.

We have been successful in our campaign to secure additional funding for Newark Hospital, resulting in extra parking spaces for patients, visitors and staff. Furthermore, a substantial investment of £5.6 million, by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will allow for an impressive increase of 2600 surgeries per year. It is great to see the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust performing well despite the pressures of Covid and its aftermath. Whilst we celebrate these accomplishments, it is crucial to address concerns surrounding worryingly high NHS ambulance waiting times. I met with the Chief Executive of the East Midlands Ambulance Service to seek updates on their relocation plans, and to raise your issues with him. I passionately advocated for the urgent inquiry into the maternity service failures at Nottingham University Hospitals, urging the Secretary of State to appoint Donna Ockendon to lead the (ongoing) inquiry. We are making significant strides towards enhancing our local healthcare system.

There has been a major breakthrough in ensuring full fibre connectivity across our constituency. Thanks to an investment of £10 million by CityFibre, we are witnessing an area-wide rollout of full fibre broadband. This initiative is set to stimulate growth in Newark, ensuring that every individual and business in our community has access to high-speed, reliable internet. I continue to take up and seek to resolve cases of inadequate rural connection. Please contact me if you need my help to improve the connectivity in your home.

Through dedicated efforts, I have successfully secured the restoration of an hourly train service between Lincoln and Nottingham passing through Newark. Following my lobbying of the government, alongside Midlands Connect and Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM), we received assurances that six additional weekday services and eight extra services on weekends would be added, marking a return to pre-COVID timetables. In addressing accessibility concerns at level crossings in Bingham, I met with Network Rail, Rushcliffe Borough Council and local councillors to discuss making the pedestrian railway crossings in Bingham more wheelchair-friendly. Although faced with setbacks in upgrading the bridge over Bingham railway station, we are determined to find a resolution as the town continues to grow. Additionally, I recently met with Tuxford council, discussing traffic issues within the town centre. I am committed to enhancing all transport options in our constituency.

I have worked alongside the government to support you through the cost of living crisis. This includes being one of the leading MPs to call for a record 5p cut to fuel tax, a £15 billion energy bill rebate package, and substantial cost of living payments for various groups. We raised the National Living Wage by 6.6%, increased National Insurance Contribution thresholds and doubled free childcare hours. These measures have provided significant relief to millions. I remain steadfast in my commitment to addressing the challenges you face and ensuring your well-being during these difficult times.

Newark has secured a remarkable achievement as the government grants £45 million through the ‘Towns Fund’ initiative, which I established. This transformative funding will drive sustainable economic regeneration. Collaborating through the Newark Towns Fund Board, a diverse group of businesses, educators, and community representative developed an ambitious ‘Town Investment Plan’ encompassing 30 projects over the next 30 years. Exciting priorities include expanding the YMCA Newark and Sherwood Community and Activity Village, and creating a Smart Innovation, Supply Chain and Logistics Enterprise zone. With plans to help the council have the capital to invest in the town centre and plan regeneration projects, including revitalising the Castle and rejuvenating the town centre Newark is poised for growth. The Southern Link Road project, funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund (which I created with then Chancellor, Rishi Sunak), will address traffic issues while unlocking employment opportunities.

I am delighted to witness the progress of Suthers School, the free school I helped establish in Newark six years ago. They achieved an impressive first set of GCSE results last year. I am pleased to see several schools in our area receiving good and excellent Ofsted reports in recent years, along with commendable results in exams. The introduction of vocational opportunities, including ASI - the engineering and aviation college – and the availability of T-Levels (for which I campaigned successfully to be available in Newark), adds to the positive developments in our local education system.

The government has recently allocated £512,461 to farmers in our constituency through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. This will help farmers in our area to boost farm productivity, reduce waste and cut input costs. I have also led efforts to combat rural crime, including my work as the former Local Government Secretary, where I successfully introduced legislation granting the police more powers to address intentional trespass and illegal encampments.

I have been working to protect our community from the proposed expansion of JG Pears, a food processor planning to extend waste storage into High Marnham. I strongly objected to the construction of their new units, which would have significantly increase their operations. JG Pears has consistently violated environmental permits, causing distress to local residents and hindering our local economy. As the constituency MP, I have closely monitored their activities for eight years and have little confidence in their commitment to addressing existing issues, let alone handling an expansion. Our community deserves better, and I will continue to raise these issues and campaign for my constituents’ well-being.

When I was first elected as Member of Parliament for Newark (almost a decade ago), our constituency had disappointingly low rates of visits to Parliament. To address this, my team and I worked on making the free, official tours of Parliament more accessible to our constituency. I am extremely proud that our constituency now has one of the highest visitor figures across all constituencies, having welcomed over 8,000 visitors to Parliament through our regular coach trips from the constituency to Westminster. These cost price trips comprise travel to and from Westminster, a tour of both houses of Parliament and a Q&A session with myself, allowing for an insight into the inner-workings of Parliament. If you would like to be part of our next trip and experience this opportunity first-hand, please contact my office.