May 2026 Monthly Newsletter

Next steps on national renewal set out

May saw the King’s Speech announce 37 Government Bills for a new session of Parliament.

This builds on the 50 pieces of new legislation so far passed by the Labour Government - including on employment rights, renters' rights and fighting crime and anti-social behaviour. 

The new bills announced include:

• An Energy Independence Bill boosting renewables, improving our energy security and self-sufficiency, to free UK consumers from global markets. Investing in clean energy means more jobs for Hull and the Humber.

• A Bill for Northern Powerhouse Rail - transforming rail travel across the North.

• Reforms cutting NHS bureaucracy and improving patient care.

• Action to tackle cyber-attacks, hostile state threats and extremist content online.

• Changes to introduce firm but fair immigration controls.

•  Nationalising British Steel.

• Modernising policing. 

The King's Speech can be read at https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-05-13/debates/40D921FA-7B9B-4501-9A6F-1C62C75CA7F0/King%E2%80%99SSpeech.

Although much has been done, the King’s Speech made it clear that there’s much still to do, especially in promoting the economic growth the country needs and measures that will help families with the cost-of-living.

In the week of the King's Speech it was good to hear that the UK economy grew by 0.6% in the first three months of 2026 and more recently that inflation had fallen.

Hull civilians in the Blitz remembered

Ahead of May’s annual VE Day anniversary, I had the honour of attending the annual Citizens Air Raid Memorial Service at the Memorial Cenotaph at Hull’s Northern Cemetery.

The service marked the 85th anniversary of the worst Nazi bombing that Hull experienced during the Second World War when 400 people were killed during the German attacks on the nights of 7 and 9 May 1941. A total of over 1,200 people in Hull were killed in bombing between 1940 and 1945.

Local pride at Sirius

I enjoyed visiting Sirius Academy North to hear from pupils about their visions for the Government’s Pride in Place funding for Orchard Park. I was very impressed by the way in which the pupils spoke with such confidence, honesty and real passion for their community.

Listening

The Government is planning to reform Special Educational Needs (SEND) provision. I met with representatives from the East Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum for a productive discussion on the SEND reforms proposed in the recent Government White Paper. It was helpful to hear first-hand from parents and carers about their experiences. Their feedback in the recent SEND consultation will be helpful in shaping the forthcoming reforms.

Constituents' views on local NHS services

In recent months I have undertaken an NHS survey with constituents. I am very grateful to everyone who took the time to respond and share their experiences. The results painted a concerning picture, with 65% of respondents saying that local NHS services have worsened over the past three years. Access to GP appointments, NHS dentists and hospital waiting times emerged as the issues causing the greatest concern - with 66% of respondents saying they are not registered with an NHS dentist.

Many people also took the opportunity to praise local NHS staff, particularly those working at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, recognising their kindness, dedication and the hard work that they do under significant pressure.

I will be sharing these findings with the local NHS and Health Ministers. The local NHS Trust is also now part of the Government’s NHS Intensive Recovery Programme to support the urgent progress needed in performance so that people in Hull North and Cottingham can see locally the improvements being made to the NHS around the country.

Focus on mental health

Mental Health Awareness week took place this month and I wanted to highlight the brilliant work of Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, a fantastic organisation supporting our local community for 50 years in Hull. You can find out how to volunteer here. Take a look at this article highlighting 50 ways in which you can support others and your own mental health.

Hearing from local businesses

Thanks too to everyone who took the time to complete my business survey. I understand the various challenges that local businesses in Hull North and Cottingham are dealing with and will continue to do all I can to champion their interests in Parliament. I am looking forward to meeting with large and small businesses in and around Hull in coming months, including Reckitt Benckiser in the next few weeks.

Tough results and lessons to learn

As ever, I campaigned in May's local elections in Hull. The results locally and nationally were very disappointing. Overall, we lost a third of the seats we defended and many hard-working Labour councillors.  I pay tribute to their years of hard work for our communities. We must reflect on these results and the wider lessons that need to be taken from them.

It is important to remember that under two years ago, Labour was elected with a 174 majority in a five-year Parliament to restore stability, focus on the cost of living and start a decade of change.

I will also continue to work constructively with Hull City Council and the Government in the months ahead to bring in investment, new jobs and improve the life chances of people in Hull.

A NEET solution

In my ministerial role, this month I spoke at the launch of Policy Connect’s report Earning or Learning: A New Agenda for Youth NEET Reduction. The report sets out a roadmap to reduce the number of young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). It can be read here https://policyconnect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Earning-or-Learning-05.2026.pdf.

I also spoke at the TUC Disability Conference in Bournemouth about supporting disabled people in work and closing the disability employment gap.

Crackdown on organised crime

In May, the Government launched a major nationwide crackdown on organised criminal gangs who exploit Britain’s high streets through rogue businesses. We have seen evidence of this problem in Hull, with the proliferation of dodgy barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops linked to organised crime – including modern day slavery. They will face raids, closures and cash seizures under a new £30m enforcement initiative.

Ministers have also announced major reforms to crack down on rogue waste operators and on tackling illegal dumping.

There was also a further package to help poorer households and energy-intensive businesses with energy bills, alongside a further freeze in Fuel Duty, to respond to the effects of the Iran war.

National Recognition for blood scandal victims

I have been involved for many years in the campaign to secure a Public Inquiry and justice for those infected and affected by the NHS contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 1980s.

On 19 May, on the second anniversary of the 2024 publication of the main Public Inquiry report, I was at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Infected Blood Service of Recognition, Remembrance and Reflection for those infected and affected in the scandal.

Those at  the service included Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former Prime Minister Theresa May and several serving Government Ministers. More important than all of us were some 1,300 people from the infected blood community who came from all over the UK. The service was part of the ongoing work to achieve justice and proper recognition for the infected blood community. It can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/live/sCtjsPgUxHk?si=bW7oPnbqjfp7ljmL.

It was also a pleasure to meet Sir Brian Langstaff who chaired the seven-year Public Inquiry and did so much to secure the progress that has been made. However, there is still unfinished business on compensation and other recommendations made by the Public Inquiry.