October 2026 – In Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
October has been a historic month. A landmark announcement from Mayor Coppard has brought public ownership of Doncaster Sheffield Airport within reach for the first time. Alongside that, the Budget delivered real wins for our constituency, I’ve been pressing on the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, securing results for residents on everything from bus services to water repairs, and speaking up in Parliament on issues from baby loss to the future of our mining communities. Here’s the full update.
Out and about in the constituency
The biggest news this month was the landmark announcement on Doncaster Sheffield Airport. When I asked to become your Member of Parliament in 2024, I made reopening the airport my number one promise. With this new deal, we come one step closer to realising that promise. When negotiations with Peel began, everyone believed this would mean a lease agreement. We couldn’t begin to dream that we might be able to take DSA into public control. But now things are different. Two Labour Mayors fully committed to getting us the best possible deal, Doncaster Labour MPs fighting your corner, and a Labour Government that believes in the power of giving control back to local people mean that the dream can be a reality. We can make DSA the People’s Airport. Owned by us, controlled by us, for us. I want to thank everyone involved in getting this across the line. Like most things worth waiting for, it has been tough going and a long time coming. The focus now turns to the next step: a reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the wider development of the entire Gateway East area, delivering growth, jobs and innovation right across Doncaster and the region.
This month I sat down with local farmers and representatives from the National Farmers’ Union to host my bi-annual roundtable, hearing directly about the issues affecting our rural and farming communities. It was a well-attended session with a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the impact of cheap overseas imports undercutting British produce, trade and pricing pressures on pig and beef farmers, skills shortages and water management. As Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department which covers farming, I will be feeding these concerns directly back into DEFRA.
A number of residents in Old Cantley raised with me their frustration at how long it was taking to get a burst water main repaired. I got in touch with Yorkshire Water to let them know that local residents expected this to be sorted as soon as possible. Following my intervention, repair works were scheduled and completed. Thank you to all those who raised this with me.
After parents raised concerns about overcrowding on the 399 bus service to Scunthorpe and local colleges, I brought together the colleges and bus providers to find a solution. I’m pleased to confirm that from Monday 3rd November, an additional bus will be running on the 399 route with an extra single-decker from Belton to Scunthorpe in the morning and the same arrangement for the afternoon return, alongside the existing double-decker service continuing as normal. The additional service will run until the end of 2026, with passenger numbers reviewed to shape what happens next.
I’m really pleased to have worked with Thorne-Moorends Town Council and Doncaster Council as part of the #LightUpForPANS campaign, lighting up the Pavilion in Thorne Memorial Park and the Mansion House in the city centre in green for PANS PANDAS awareness day. PANS and PANDAS are rare medical conditions that cause a sudden, severe change in a child’s behaviour, thinking and body movements after an infection.
Members of the Pride in Place Rossington Board joined forces with the Keep Rossington Tidy Group for one of their regular litter picks this month. We collected 10 full sacks of litter and took the chance to chat with passers-by about what they would like to see the £20 million I helped secure for Rossington community projects spent on over the next 10 years.
In Parliament
Over the past two years I have repeatedly championed residents who are part of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. This month I was pleased to see the Budget deliver the end of surplus sharing arrangements and the abolition of the standstill rule, meaning mineworkers’ pensions will keep rising. However, I am very disappointed that the remaining Guarantor’s Fund was not transferred. Our mining communities have waited far too long. I took immediate action, meeting with the Chancellor alongside other coalfield MPs and pressing the urgency of putting this right. The Government has said this is unfinished business and that it will work with the Trustees towards the transfer of the fund. I intend to hold them to that promise and I will not rest until our miners get the full justice they are owed. I also raised this in a Westminster Hall debate, stressing the urgency after another former miner in our constituency passed away.
I welcomed a number of key Budget measures for our constituency, including a £100 Household Energy Payment for nearly 40,000 local households in January, the extension of 0% VAT on electricity until June 2027, the freezing of fuel duty with the 5p cut extended, the abolition of gas standing charges, an extra 20% business rates cut for pubs and live music venues, £4.7 billion for the Your First Home scheme, and £1.5 billion extra for social and affordable housing. The Prime Minister also announced five everyday fixes ahead of the Budget, including the removal of tariffs on over 100 everyday products, higher tax-free mileage rates made permanent at 55p per mile, and the ending of the Carer’s Allowance cliff edge.
I also relaunched my Pitcher’s Parliament Programme for a third academic year, welcoming Auckley Primary Academy to Parliament. If your school or your child’s school hasn’t taken part yet, please get in touch at and we’ll get them booked in.
This month I spoke in a debate about baby loss, and specifically miscarriage. I highlighted the work of Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity, who want to see parents receive care, advice and testing right from their first miscarriage, rather than waiting until a third. For all those who have been impacted by baby loss, my love and thoughts are with you. Tommy’s offer confidential bereavement support from their midwives at 0800 0147 800.
Casework highlights
My team resolved 356 cases this month. A few that stood out:
Secured the reissue of a driving licence for a resident who had wrongfully had it removed.
Ensured a resident was placed on the correct tax code after being overcharged.
Secured a bulky waste collection for a resident after repeated attempts to arrange one had been ignored.