Delivering a Fairer Deal for Thirsk, Malton & Filey
As your MP, I’ve always fought to make sure our part of North Yorkshire gets its fair share — and while there’s more to do, we’ve made real progress. From saving vital local services to securing major investment in infrastructure, I’ve worked hard to stand up for our towns, villages and rural communities.
Local Wins
- Linton-on-Ouse Victory
After months of campaigning alongside dedicated local residents and the Linton Action Group, the Government finally scrapped plans for an asylum processing centre. This outcome was thanks to tireless efforts from North Yorkshire Council, local councillors, North Yorkshire Police and many others who came together to oppose the plans. - Better Rail Access
Thirsk and Malton stations have seen real investment: £1 million for new lifts and a footbridge at Thirsk, and £150,000 for a raised platform at Malton. Thirsk has also been selected for further feasibility work under the Access for All programme. - Backing Local Culture
I’ve helped secure funding for treasured local institutions including the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Castle Howard and the Rural Arts Centre. In 2024, we also secured £50,000 for Malton Museum to establish a permanent home. - Lambert Hospital, Thirsk
After working with Hambleton District Council, we saved Lambert Hospital from sale — it’s now being developed into the Herriot Hospice, bringing vital care back into local hands. - New A&E for Scarborough
We secured £40 million to build a brand-new A&E department at Scarborough Hospital, supporting residents in Filey and beyond. - Filey Fishermen Protected
After pushing back against unviable proposals to limit fishing seasons, we opened the door to a sustainable, long-term future for Filey’s heritage fishing industry. - Education and Jobs
£5.4 million for Easingwold School and a new £2 million sports hall and 4G pitch. At Dalton Industrial Estate, a £4 million investment supported hundreds of jobs. I’ve also launched a now-annual Engineering Apprenticeships Fair to connect young people with local employers. - Restoring Local Dentistry
After unacceptable delays, Helmsley and Thirsk are once again getting NHS dental services — thanks to relentless local campaigning. - Championing Public Services
Over £80 million a year in new funding has gone into our schools, SEND support, social care and policing. That’s helped deliver 58 more police officers across North Yorkshire. - Helped secure £25,000 funding for Ryedale Special Families from Omaze.
Fighting for Local Priorities
- A64 Dualling
After years of lobbying, the long-awaited A64 upgrade remains a live government project. We’re pushing hard both on the Mayor of North Yorkshire and the now Labour Government for a final decision in the next year to move to detailed planning and timelines. - Banking Hubs
With branch closures hitting rural towns hard, I’ve helped secure interim and permanent banking services in Filey, Pickering and Helmsley. - Water Quality and the Environment
I’ve worked with the Environment Agency, DEFRA and Yorkshire Water to clean up local rivers and restore pride in our waterways. I’m a founding member of the Conservative Environment Group and continue to lead cross-party efforts to reduce litter and improve environmental standards. - Filey Town Bus
I’m working with local residents and councils to bring back a community transport solution for Filey.
Holding Government to Account
Now serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, I continue to hold the current Government to account on housing targets, local government, extremism and planning reforms.
I'm also very pleased to be a part of Kemi Badenoch's Policy Renewal, leading on housing, communities and local government. This is aimed at rebuilding Britain from the ground up and will form a project of work for the next few months and years ahead.
National Campaigns That Made a Difference
- The Horizon Scandal
As a former Business Minister, I introduced the Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Act 2024, which fast-tracked compensation for victims. Over £160 million has already been paid to 2,700 sub-postmasters, with £600,000 offered to each person wrongly convicted. I continue to call for prosecutions of those responsible. - Tackling Economic Crime
I led efforts to pass the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, introducing a new offence for failure to prevent fraud and giving Companies House powers to verify data. I also pushed back on SLAPP lawsuits and championed small businesses in financial services. - Parent Bereavement and Guardianship Acts
Two Private Members’ Bills I introduced are now law — offering bereaved parents paid leave and supporting families of missing people through Claudia’s Law. - Council Tax Debt Reform
My work with the APPG on Poverty helped change national guidance on council tax debt enforcement, making collection fairer and more compassionate. - Fighting for SMEs
I co-created the Business Banking Resolution Service, improving access to justice for small businesses mistreated by banks. My campaign with victims of the HBOS Reading fraud also helped improve compensation processes at Lloyds. - Universal Credit Reform
Pushed through changes to reduce waiting times and protect those paid on weekly or four-weekly cycles. - Cladding and Fire Safety
After Grenfell, I worked cross-party to ban combustible materials on new high-rise buildings and helped secure over £10 billion to remediate unsafe existing structures.
A Record of Service
Over the last few years:
- Held hunreds of constituency surgeries
- Helped over thousands of constituents directly
- Remained a prolific parliamentary speaker and advocate
Looking Ahead
As your MP and now Shadow Secretary of State, I remain committed to:
- Delivering long-overdue infrastructure like the A64 upgrade
- Supporting rural industries and local jobs
- Campaigning for better housing, stronger communities and a fairer deal for the North
There’s more to do — and I’ll keep working every day to make sure your voice is heard in Westminster.
