March 2026 – In Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
March has been another incredibly busy month, both here in the constituency and in Parliament. From securing investment and pushing local campaigns forward, to supporting hundreds of residents through casework, there’s been a lot of progress to share!
Out and about in the constituency
One of the biggest priorities for me is our local NHS. This month I met with the Health Secretary to press for more support for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which so many residents across the Isle of Axholme rely on. That is why I’m pleased that the Trust is now included in the Government’s new NHS recovery programme. This is an important step towards shorter waiting times and better care for patients.
There was also positive news for families and schools, with a major funding boost for SEND provision. Locally, that means £5.5 million for Doncaster and £2.8 million for North Lincolnshire to improve facilities and ensure children can access the support they need earlier and closer to home. I’ll be working closely with local councils to make sure this delivers real change for families.
This month also marked a significant milestone – 8,000 pieces of casework resolved since I was elected. Every one of those cases represents someone who needed help, and I’m incredibly proud of the work my team does day in, day out.
At Doncaster Sheffield Airport, I joined over 2,600 people for the “Run the Runway” event. It was a brilliant day that really showed the strength of local support for the airport’s future. Alongside that, we’ve seen real progress with recruitment, with seven new roles being advertised as work continues to bring the airport back into operation and create hundreds of local jobs.
Transport has also been a key focus. I met with the Rail Minister to push forward my campaign to restore hourly train services at Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle and Althorpe. Following a constructive discussion, I’m now taking forward a detailed proposal to operators to reinstate services to pre-COVID levels.
I also joined the Mayor of South Yorkshire to launch the South Yorkshire People’s Network, a new vision for public transport in our region. With bus franchising coming in from 2027 and continued investment across buses, rail and the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, we have a real opportunity to reconnect our communities and build a transport system that works for everyone.
Alongside all of this, I’ve continued visiting schools across the constituency including Westwoodside, Crowle, Bawtry and Owston Ferry, and holding advice surgeries and coffee mornings to stay connected with residents.
In Parliament
In Westminster, I’ve continued raising issues that matter to our area and pushing for change.
I attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Aviation, working with industry leaders to look at how we can open up careers in aviation to more young people. One of the key issues is the lack of accessible funding for pilot training, and I’m now working with colleagues to push for change. This will be particularly important as Doncaster Sheffield Airport moves closer to reopening.
It was also fantastic to welcome Auckley Primary Academy to Parliament as part of my Pitcher’s Parliament Programme. The questions from the pupils were thoughtful, insightful and a great reminder of why engaging young people in democracy matters.
This month I spoke in Parliament in support of “Lyla’s Law”, raising awareness of the importance of early testing for type 1 diabetes in children. Meeting Lyla’s parents and hearing their story was incredibly moving, and I will continue to support efforts to ensure no family has to go through such a tragedy.
I also continued to press on audiology delays at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. While there has been some improvement, too many residents are still waiting far too long for follow-up care, repairs and refitting. However, I am glad that in April the first ever Audiology Action Day is being launched to allow residents to come and get their fittings checked out, without an appointment.
Housing is another issue I feel strongly about. Drawing on my own experiences growing up, I spoke about the importance of tackling homelessness and welcomed the Government’s £3.5 billion National Plan to End Homelessness, focused on prevention and support for families.
I also used a Westminster Hall debate to push for better funding and long-term maintenance of rural roads, something I know matters greatly across our villages.
Finally, I was honoured to be elected Chair of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) APPG, continuing my work on water, resilience and environmental issues both at home and globally.
Casework highlights
March has been another busy month for my team:
1,276 emails received
1,207 emails sent
593 new cases opened
668 cases resolved
Two cases that stood out this month:
Helping a resident finally secure a long-delayed driving licence update, after waiting since October 2025
Supporting a family dealing with serious issues with an energy supplier, where persistence from my team helped overturn unfair charges and bring real relief to the household
These are exactly the kinds of situations where having someone to step in and push on your behalf can make all the difference.