Working Hard for High Peak

Last week, my team and I hit the milestone of opening our 30,000th piece of casework.

Casework is one of the most important, rewarding and essential parts of my job as your MP.

I’m proud that, since you elected me less than two years ago, me and my small team have handled on average over 340 items of casework a week and, more importantly, we’ve resolved 80% of them. My team and I have reached this number faster than any former High Peak MP and we’ve done more than any other MP newly elected in 2024 that I know of.

Behind these numbers are real people with real problems – and I know we can make a real difference. Take the resident of Buxton who we helped to receive £10,000 in arrears following a PIP tribunal; the patient from Glossop with long-term health problems who now has their NHS dental treatment reinstated; or the £760 we managed to get back from United Utilities, ending a seven-year dispute. We work hard everyday to make a difference for the lives of local people.

One source of casework comes from residents visiting my advice surgeries. We’ve held more than 50 monthly, online and supermarket surgeries since the general election.

It also arises from the conversations at my regular coffee mornings, to which 5,000 households have already received invites. If you’ve not had one yet we will get there, we’re working our way through every household I represent.

As your MP, one of the most important things I can do is bring people together under one roof. Last month I held a special “cost of living” surgery at New Mills Town Hall with local organisations, advice services and community groups providing residents guidance and practical support on making life more affordable. Two weeks ago, I held my third High Peak Careers, Skills and Jobs Fair in Buxton. With over 50 local employers, training providers and education organisations on hand, it was attended by hundreds of local people from sixth formers to late career job changes.

I also canvass all year round whatever the weather because I think knocking on doors is the best way of understanding what matters to local people. In New Mills last week people were concerned about the war in Iran and the impact it will have here on bills and cost of living. Many were grateful that the Prime Minister had kept us out of it unlike the Conservatives and Reform who were cheering for us to back Trump’s war.

In Buxton, people were worried about the threatened removal of services by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust from Buxton hospitals. I’m still fighting this hard. We’ve secured two delays but I’m determined to force Stockport to follow a proper process, produce an impact assessment and make sure any decision puts the health impacts on local residents front and centre.

Tackling problems for local people. Ensuring local conversations inform national debates. Delivering change for the working families of High Peak. Those principles will continue to drive my work for you.