May 2026 – In Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
May has been one of the most significant months since I was elected. From the approval of the bridging loan to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, to reaching 9,000 pieces of casework resolved, to speaking up in Parliament on issues from British Steel to water safety. There's a huge amount to update you on.
Out and about in the constituency
Without doubt, the biggest news this month was the approval of the bridging loan to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. This is a project that will create up to 5,000 jobs, bring aviation back to our region, and put Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme at the heart of one of the biggest regeneration programmes in the North of England. I want to thank everyone who has backed this project through a difficult few months. The message from residents and businesses has been clear: get it open. That's exactly what we're now going to do.
It was great to officially launch the new permanent Banking Hub in Rossington alongside our local councillors. Banking hubs help make services more accessible right on our doorstep, and it's something ward councillors and I have long supported. It's fantastic to now see it in its permanent home. If you're planning a visit, Santander is available on Tuesdays, Lloyds Banking Group on Wednesdays, NatWest on Thursdays, and Barclays on Fridays.
Before I was elected, a number of residents raised concerns with me about the condition Tyram Hall had been left in following the sad passing of its owner. After being elected, I wrote to Doncaster Council to request action to tidy up the site and ensure it was safe for the community. I'm really pleased to see that work has now been carried out, and the site is in a much better condition.
I also joined a roundtable with local businesses, hosted by Doncaster Chamber. It was really valuable to hear directly from local business owners to ensure I can best represent their concerns in Parliament. If you're a local business owner and want to get involved in a future roundtable, please get in touch.
As part of my Pitcher's Parliament that I take on the road to local schools, I visited South Axholme Academy, Belton Primary School, and West Butterwick Primary School this month. Not every school can make it down to Parliament, so when I'm up in the constituency I try to visit as many schools as possible, running workshops with students teaching them about debating, voting and what it's like to be an MP.
I also held my regular advice surgery in Epworth this month and a drop-in coffee morning in Finningley. The next advice surgery is on 12th June in Finningley, so if you would like an appointment, please reach out.
Finally, next month is National Fish and Chips Day, and in anticipation I'm launching my "Golden Chippy Award"! You can vote for your favourite local chippy to receive the award, details are on my social media.
In Parliament
In Westminster, I've continued raising the issues that matter most to our area and pushing for real change.
I spoke during the debate on the future of British Steel and why this industry matters so much to communities like ours. Steel is a key part of our history and our future. From Scunthorpe to South Yorkshire, generations of skilled workers have built the backbone of Britain's industry, infrastructure and defence. That's why I backed action to protect British Steel and ensure the UK keeps the ability to make primary steel here at home.
Back in October, I stood up in Parliament and raised the unacceptable driving test waiting times affecting young people in our constituency, with waits averaging nearly 17 weeks. I called on the Department for Transport to act and this month, they have. New rules now mean only learner drivers themselves can book and manage their own driving test, ending the practice of third-party touts snapping up slots and reselling them at inflated prices. Driving examiner numbers are also now at their highest since 2018, with military examiners helping boost capacity.
I continued my work on audiology services, taking part in a debate on the issue in Doncaster. I've been working with Specsavers to put together a plan to approach the Integrated Care Board about providing drop-in audiology services both on the high street and in parish halls across our constituency. I'll keep you updated as this progresses.
I was also pleased to host a parliamentary roundtable on bus franchising and local connectivity, in partnership with the Campaign for Better Transport. We heard from Transport for London and the Bee Network on how franchising is already transforming bus services in their regions, with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority also at the table as they prepare to franchise across South Yorkshire. I presented my Doncaster East Superloop proposal, which would connect communities to jobs, education and services without the long detours through Doncaster town centre. Better buses matter, and I'll keep campaigning for the Superloop and for my Better Buses campaign for the Isle of Axholme.
This month I also relaunched my Pitcher's Parliament Programme, writing to every school in the constituency to invite them to take part. The programme gives students the chance to tour the historic UK Supreme Court in Westminster, take part in a workshop and Q&A with me as their local MP in Parliament, and see how our democracy works up close. For schools unable to make the journey, I'm still carrying out the On the Road version.
Casework highlights
This month marked another proud milestone – 9,000 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.
In May alone, my team closed 636 cases. A few that stood out are:
Reinstating rail travel facilities for a disabled resident who had wrongly had them permanently removed.
Securing a reimbursement for a parking fine that was wrongly placed on a resident.
Expediting a resident's DVLA application for a new driving licence, which had been stuck in a backlog for months.
These are exactly the kinds of situations where having someone to step in and push on your behalf can make all the difference. If there's anything you think I can help with, please get in touch at Lee.Pitcher.MP@parliament.uk.