In my inaugural column for 2026, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a joyful and optimistic beginning to the year for all residents across Hyndburn and Haslingden. January invariably presents an opportunity for renewed concentration, and for me, this translates into an immediate return to addressing the most pressing concerns affecting local families, enterprises, and the younger generation.
Championing Support for Special Educational Needs
A paramount focus this month has been advocating for children and families navigating special educational needs and disabilities. I recently convened a dedicated SEND roundtable, creating a vital forum where parents, carers, and professionals could openly and candidly share their personal experiences. The palpable passion and profound expertise in the room underscored precisely why such dialogues are indispensable. My sincere gratitude goes to the Hyndburn Family Hub for hosting this essential gathering and for their unwavering daily support.
To ensure broader participation, I also organised an online SEND meeting, inviting even more community members to contribute. My objective was to listen not only to the challenges families encounter but also to understand what support mechanisms have proven effective and what constitutes exemplary assistance. These invaluable local perspectives are being directly integrated into the national governmental efforts to reform a system that has, for far too long, failed to meet expectations.
Elevating Educational Priorities Locally
Education, in its broader sense, has remained a central theme. Last week, I facilitated a visit by the Schools Minister, Georgia Gould, to Haslingden High School. This provided her with a firsthand view of our community and enabled direct conversations with students and staff. I am a firm believer that ministers must venture beyond Westminster and immerse themselves in localities like Hyndburn and Haslingden, as policy decisions formulated in London have tangible repercussions here.
During this engagement, pupils spoke forthrightly about their educational journeys, teachers highlighted successful practices, and there were frank discussions identifying areas requiring enhanced support, particularly concerning SEND provision. I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring our educational institutions and young people receive the attention and advocacy they deserve.
Bolstering the Local Economy and Business Community
Sustaining our local economy continues to be of critical importance. I have made several visits to Deardengate in Haslingden to observe the ongoing improvement works and to hear directly from local traders regarding the impact on their businesses and clientele. I am actively lobbying for the swiftest possible completion of these works and for appropriate support measures for the traders, who have demonstrated remarkable commitment and patience throughout this period. I encourage everyone to continue supporting our local shops whenever possible.
Furthermore, I participated in a recent business roundtable and conducted visits to several local enterprises and entrepreneurs. Our small businesses form the very backbone of our community, providing employment, fostering skills, and instilling pride in our high streets. I will persistently champion their cause and interests.
A Personal Commitment to Road Safety Reform
Road safety is another issue that holds profound personal significance for me. Every life lost on our roads is an absolute tragedy, and historically, insufficient action has been taken. Following my own family's involvement in an accident just before Christmas, my conviction that we must strive for greater progress has only intensified.
The Labour Party has set forth an ambitious strategy aiming to reduce road deaths and serious injuries across Britain by sixty-five percent by the year 2035. Concurrently, the government is consulting on several potential measures, including lowering the legal drink-drive limit, instituting a mandatory minimum learning period for novice drivers, and implementing compulsory eyesight testing for drivers over the age of seventy. I am eager to gather and represent local opinions on these significant proposals.
As we progress through this new year, my dedication to listening to constituents, being a vocal advocate for Hyndburn and Haslingden, and delivering substantive, positive change for our community remains unwavering.
