Archive for category: News

Meeting with Anglian Water to Raise Residents’ Concerns

I recently met with senior representatives from Anglian Water to discuss the water supply disruptions that have affected residents in East Farndon, Clipston, Arthingworth, Great Oxendon, Upper Boddington and Eydon.

During the meeting, I raised the concerns that many residents and parish councils have shared with me, including communication during outages, access to bottled water and the support available for vulnerable customers. I also highlighted the ongoing issues experienced by residents in Upper Boddington and Eydon.

Anglian Water acknowledged that improvements are needed and outlined the investment being made to strengthen the resilience of the local water network.

I will continue to hold the company to account and press for the improvements that residents expect and deserve. I will also continue raising awareness of Anglian Water’s Priority Services Register, which provides additional support to customers who may need extra assistance during service interruptions.

Update on Palliative Care at Danetre Hospital

Following concerns raised with me by many local residents, I met with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to discuss the temporary suspension of palliative care beds at Danetre Hospital.

I was reassured that the suspension was due to an unexpected staffing issue and that an interim consultant has now been appointed. The Trust has confirmed that palliative care services will be restored, although it may take a few weeks before the beds are available again.

During the meeting, I also sought assurances about the future of Danetre Hospital and was pleased to hear that there are no plans to reduce services. I have asked to visit the hospital in the coming weeks to discuss its future and to follow the restoration of a service that so many local families value highly.

Thank you to everyone who contacted me to share their concerns. Your feedback played an important role in ensuring these issues were raised directly with the Trust, and I will continue to keep residents updated.

Over 55s Advice & Information Fayre a Great Success

It was a pleasure to welcome residents to my Over 55s Advice & Information Fayre at Moulton Community Centre, which brought together a wide range of local organisations offering advice, support and information.

The event received a great deal of positive feedback and provided an excellent opportunity for residents to speak directly with charities, community groups and service providers about the help available to them.

My sincere thanks go to all of the organisations that took part, giving up their time to support the event, and to Moulton Community Centre for kindly hosting us.

Following the success of the afternoon, I am already looking forward to hosting the next Over 55s Advice & Information Fayre in September, continuing to connect residents with the organisations and services that make such a valuable difference in our communities.

Supporting Our Rural Communities

I recently attended the Rural Community Support Hub at Perkin Guns in Staverton, bringing together organisations and residents to discuss the issues affecting our rural communities.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to meet local residents, speak with the Northamptonshire Police Firearms and Licensing Team, and catch up with Sam Phillips from BASC Central about the challenges and opportunities facing the countryside.

My thanks go to Dottie Davis from Signpost Wellbeing for organising such a worthwhile event, and to Perkin Guns for kindly hosting the evening.

Events like these are an important way of connecting local organisations, sharing information and ensuring that those living and working in our rural communities have access to the support and advice they need.

Visiting Build Test Solutions in Weedon Bec

I recently visited Build Test Solutions in Weedon Bec to learn more about the innovative work the company is carrying out to improve the way buildings are measured for energy efficiency and performance.

Based here in the constituency, the business develops and manufactures specialist equipment used across the UK and internationally to measure factors such as airtightness, heat loss and indoor environmental conditions. It was fascinating to see how the company is combining research, innovation and manufacturing to help improve our understanding of how buildings perform in the real world.

During the visit, we discussed the role that accurate building performance data can play in improving energy efficiency, tackling fuel poverty and supporting healthier homes. We also spoke about the company’s proposals to strengthen the information used in Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

It was a pleasure to meet the team and learn more about a local business that is making an important contribution to innovation, manufacturing and building performance research.

Visiting a Local Canal Business in Weedon Bec

I recently visited a local canal business in Weedon Bec to hear first-hand about the challenges facing businesses that rely on the Grand Union Canal.

During the visit, we discussed the impact that recent canal closures have had on local businesses, as well as concerns surrounding the proposed Grand Union Canal Transfer project and the potential disruption it could cause during future construction works.

Following these discussions, I have written to canal businesses across the constituency to invite them to a dedicated Canal Forum later this year. The forum will provide an opportunity for businesses to share their experiences, discuss the challenges they are facing and help ensure their views are heard as plans progress.

I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their concerns with me, and I will continue to work with local businesses and the Canal & River Trust to ensure the interests of our canal communities are properly represented.

Joining The Buzz Podcast

I recently joined The Buzz podcast to discuss the importance of educational visits, outdoor learning and supporting the wellbeing of young people.

During the conversation, we explored the benefits of helping children spend more time learning beyond the classroom, the positive impact that outdoor experiences can have on physical and mental health, and some of the barriers schools face when organising educational visits.

It was a pleasure to share my experiences from both Parliament and my previous work in the charity sector, and to discuss why giving young people opportunities to learn, explore and build confidence outside the classroom can make such a lasting difference.

My thanks to Jake and the team at The Buzz for the invitation and for an engaging discussion on an issue that is so important to the future of our young people.

Visiting a Local Steel Fabrication Business

I recently visited a long-established steel fabrication business in Daventry to hear more about the challenges facing UK manufacturers and the importance of supporting local industry.

During the visit, we discussed the pressures many manufacturers are experiencing, including rising costs, international competition and concerns about the impact of proposed changes to steel trade policy on British steel fabrication businesses.

It was a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand how these issues could affect local businesses, jobs and investment. Listening to employers and understanding the challenges they face is an important part of ensuring their views are represented in Parliament.

I would like to thank the team for taking the time to meet with me and share their insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

The Daventry Constituency Best Pub Awards are back for 2026, and I would love your help in recognising the fantastic pubs that are at the heart of our towns and villages.

Whether it’s a traditional village pub, a family-friendly local or somewhere known for great food, a welcoming atmosphere or a brilliant beer garden, now is your chance to celebrate the places that make our communities special.

If you have a favourite local pub, please nominate it by sharing the pub’s name and the village or town where it is located. Pub owners and managers are also welcome to nominate their own establishments.

Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to submit a nomination. If you haven’t yet nominated your favourite local, there’s still time to get involved. I look forward to celebrating the wonderful pubs and dedicated teams that make our constituency such a great place to live, work and visit.

June was another busy month in the House of Commons, with MPs debating a wide range of legislation and issues affecting people across the country.

Among the Bills considered were the Health Bill, the Armed Forces Bill, the Railways Bill, the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill and the National Security (State Threats) Bill.

The House also debated a broad range of topics, including NHS dentistry, the farming sector, the UK visa system, North Sea oil and gas, funding for brain cancer, spinal muscular atrophy, the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, Windrush Day, the legacy of Jo Cox and Government support for a permanent national monument to Sir David Attenborough.

The Conservative Party also used an Opposition Day debate to press the Government on defence spending and the UK’s military readiness.

Departmental Oral Questions throughout June covered Defence, Health and Social Care, Energy Security and Net Zero, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office, Transport, Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Foreign Office, Education, the Treasury, Women and Equalities, the Cabinet Office and other Government departments, alongside the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions.