James writes:
‘It’s hard to believe it’s over a year since the general election.
‘As we come towards the end of the summer recess, given parliament hasn’t been sitting for a few weeks, it feels like the right time to reflect on what’s been achieved so far; what’s proved unexpectedly challenging; and to start thinking ahead to what the next 12 months might entail.
Summer 2024: quickly adapting to a new way of living
‘For most people, an election is the chance to express your democratic right. For candidates, it’s rather different … weeks and weeks of canvassing followed by, for winning and losing candidates, the realisation that the next few years of your life are going to look very different.
‘I didn’t assume that I’d be elected, so I spent last summer learning the ropes as a new MP while winding down my full-time job at the energy company SSE and finishing my role as the Leader of Bassetlaw District Council. I also recruited teams in London and Rushcliffe; found an office in West Bridgford; and threw myself into meeting as many people, community groups and businesses as possible.
‘Since last autumn, I’ve been hosting surgeries every week, either in my office or out and about in the smaller villages across Rushcliffe. This is one of the most enjoyable parts about being your MP. Listening to your views, and helping wherever I can, will always be at the heart of my work.
Pushing delivery and results locally
‘Locally, I know that my team is working hard and that we’re seeing some good results. For example, we’ve helped over 9,000 constituents so far; sent over 30,000 letters and emails on their behalf; and have helped to secure over £175,000 in direct support for residents who need it most. No case is too big or too small to be considered, so please get in touch if you or your family would appreciate advice or support.
‘Beyond casework, we’ve also seen progress on the issues that matter most to our community.
‘The obvious area of progress is local healthcare. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has been ranked among the top 10 most improved trusts in England for urgent and emergency care, after hospital bed-blocking was reduced by two-thirds; ambulance waiting times for stroke patients were down 20 minutes; and 100% of scheduled operations went ahead locally, despite winter pressures. We’ve also tripled urgent dental care providers across Nottinghamshire from 2 to 7 to ensure we get our fair share of 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments, and new triage systems are being trialled by local GPs to end the 8am scramble for appointments.
‘I’ve also had several meetings with the local Integrated Care Board and the Department for Health and Social Care about upgrading two critical health centres at Radcliffe-on-Trent and East Leake. Ministers know how important these projects are, and I am cautiously hopeful that we will see formal progress over the next 12 months.
‘Elsewhere, I’ve been pleased to see local progress on education and childcare. I’ve personally supported the Safer Phones Bill campaign in parliament and have met local campaigners and schools about this. Funding has been confirmed for new heating and energy systems at primary schools in Langar, Keyworth and Gamston; and the new school build is progressing well at Sutton Bonington. From this September, most families will be able to access up to 30 hours of free childcare which will help with rising costs. And from next September, over 2,500 extra Rushcliffe pupils will benefit from expanded free school meals, helping to lift approximately 100,000 children out of poverty in England.
‘I’ve also spent a lot of time thinking about water quality and flooding. It has been good to see natural flood management schemes moving forward in Costock, Gotham and Cropwell Butler; to see the Kingston Brook dredged for the first time in around a decade; and to see Severn Trent plough £29 million into upgrading the treatment works between East and West Leake. Water and flooding issues are mentioned at almost every surgery I host, so I will keep pushing for more progress over the next 12 months.
New investment for the East Midlands
‘As a Council Leader, I was acutely aware that the East Midlands struggled to secure as much inward investment as other parts of the UK. To that end, since being elected Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the East Midlands, I’ve been fighting to change this and we’ve seen some early successes:
• £1 billion being invested at East Midlands Airport (Prologis).
• £9 billion for Rolls-Royce at Derby to provide full support to the Royal Navy submarine fleet.
• £2 billion for East Midlands transport projects including better links between Nottingham and Derby.
• £2.5 billion for the first small modular reactor to be produced by Rolls-Royce.
• £2.5 billion for fusion energy including the UK’s first prototype being built in Nottinghamshire.
• Money for the A46 Newark bypass, the A38 near Derby and for the Midlands Rail Hub linking Nottingham to Birmingham.
‘Like many of you, I am disappointed that the electrification of the Midland Mainline isn’t going ahead. This feels like a missed opportunity, as I said to the Secretary of State in parliament. The recent announcement won’t stop me from continuing to campaign for the scheme behind the scenes, however, so we are well-placed to replace any projects that don’t move as quickly as expected.
Fixing the foundations nationally
‘You may remember that we talked about needing a “decade of national renewal” at the general election. I believe this was an honest assessment of the state of the country at the time given the many complex challenges facing personal finances, the UK’s energy mix, local government, prisons, social care, the high street and many other areas. I am conscious that lots of you would like to see quicker action – on the climate, on Europe and on small boats to name a few of the regular subjects in my inbox.
‘I am, of course, disappointed that I can’t meet everyone’s expectations – and to quote a well-known phrase from a recent administration, I am frustrated that there haven’t been more “oven-ready” solutions to tackle the challenges in social care, people smuggling and – of course – the humanitarian catastrophes in Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere. I remain convinced of the value of foreign aid and of the UK leading on matters of international law.
‘However, I don’t easily lose heart and can see green shoots emerging. On the NHS, for example, we’ve restored funding, reformed the GP contract, created 7 million extra appointments, and reduced waiting lists by over 200,000 to the lowest level in over 2 years. Community pharmacy funding has been boosted by over £800 million.
‘To help with cost-of-living pressures, we’ve increased the Household Support Fund to £1 billion for 2025/26, reduced debt repayments from Universal Credit and extended the Warm Homes Discount Scheme to 2.7 million more families, meaning one in five households will now be eligible. I raised concerns about the low pension credit threshold when the Winter Fuel changes were initially announced, so I’m pleased the government has moved this. I am also pleased that the minimum wage has been increased for 280,000 people across the East Midlands.
‘And, of course, my interest in the energy industry and the climate will never leave me! Progress here has been welcomed too, given the government has:
• Secured over 130 green energy projects capable of powering 11 million homes.
• Ended the moratorium on onshore wind.
• Embraced nuclear technology including modular reactors.
• Expanded fusion energy research and development.
• Launched the UK’s first-ever land use framework, enabling strategic rewilding.
• Announced the first national forest for 30 years.
• Improved the regulation of the water industry.
• Enabled the building of the first new reservoirs in 30 years.
Tracking the government’s progress
‘We can and must go further – in so many areas – in partnership with residents, community groups and businesses, many of whom I know are finding the going tough. But be assured that there are positive things underway as described above, and these will make a tangible difference to ordinary people’s lives over the coming months.
‘To that end, I’d encourage everyone to look beyond the headlines from time to time and to visit Full Fact’s “Government Tracker” which is monitoring the government’s delivery on its 72 key pledges (https://fullfact.org/government-tracker/). No party or government is perfect, but I recognise that trust in politics hinges on seeing results delivered, so it’s important that tools like this are publicly available.
‘I hope you can see some cause for optimism in what I’ve covered above. Either way, I’ll keep working hard over the next 12 months to improve things further wherever I can.
‘As always, my team and I can be reached via [email protected] or by calling 0115 646 6404.
‘I hope you’ve all had an enjoyable summer and wish everyone the best for the autumn term.’
