Mission One: Supporting local people with the cost of living.
Standing up for leaseholders and renters – Leasehold and housing costs are regularly raised with me. I’m taking those concerns to Westminster and backing stronger rights and protections so leaseholders and renters get greater transparency, capping charges and better protection from unfair practices. Including ending no-fault evictions and the ability to challenge rent rises.
Taking on Southern Water and unfair bills – I have challenged Southern Water over pollution and its plans to increase household bills, and I’m now campaigning for Southern Water to be brought back into public ownership so residents are no longer treated like cash cows while our rivers are treated like sewers.
Free Breakfast Clubs – Seven schools in Southampton Itchen are benefiting or confirmed to join: St John’s Primary and Nursery, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, Hightown Primary, St Mary’s CE Primary & Nursery, Woolston Infant, Valentine Primary & Nursery and Hope Community School Southampton – helping children start the day well while saving families money.
30 Hours Free Childcare – Eligible working parents can now access 30 hours of Government-funded childcare a week from nine months old until school age, potentially saving families up to £8,000 a year.
More School-Based Nurseries – Government funding is creating or expanding nursery provision at St Mary’s CE Primary & Nursery, Valentine Primary & Nursery, Bitterne Park Primary & Nursery and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, helping families access childcare closer to home.
Expanding Free School Meals – From September 2026, all children in families receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, extending support to thousands more working families.
Scrapping the Two-Child Limit – I voted to abolish the two-child limit on Universal Credit, a change expected to lift up to 2,500 children in Southampton Itchen out of poverty and put more money into family budgets.
Cutting the Cost of the School Day – Alongside breakfast clubs and free school meals, the Government is also capping the number of branded school uniform items, helping bring down everyday costs for parents.
Making Southampton a destination, not just a turnaround port – I brought together cruise operators, local businesses and tourism organisations for a Southampton Cruise Tourism Roundtable to look at how we get more of the millions of passengers passing through our port to stay, explore and spend in our city.
Ensuring Government backs our maritime industry – I’ve repeatedly taken Southampton’s maritime case directly to Government, meeting the Maritime Minister. I’m campaigning for the infrastructure, skills and investment needed to keep Southampton at the forefront of one of Britain’s most important industries.
Fighting for the investment our port needs – Southampton already has the UK’s leading cruise port and a globally important container terminal, but our future growth depends on the right infrastructure. I’ve been pressing Government and the electricity system operator over the grid capacity needed to electrify the Port of Southampton, so businesses can invest, create jobs and cut emissions without being held back by delays.
Championing Southampton businesses and hospitality – From meeting businesses directly to bringing together the cruise, tourism and hospitality sectors, I’m working to increase the amount visitors spend in Southampton and make sure regeneration brings more people onto our high streets and into our pubs, cafés, restaurants and shops. I am also campaigning for business rate cuts for our hospitality industry.
Restoring and improving Southampton’s buses – After residents raised lost bus connections with me, I worked with local partners to push for improvements. I secured £4.6 million for Southampton to improve buses; delivering: the extended Bluestar 16 will connect communities including Townhill Park, Midanbury and Bitterne directly with Southampton General Hospital and Aldermoor, helping people reach work, healthcare and the city more easily, Park and Ride, 24/7 disabled bus pass, £1 evening fare and more to come.
Protecting access to banking services in Bitterne – Following the closure of local bank branches, I’ve been campaigning for a Banking Hub in Bitterne so residents and businesses continue to have access to face-to-face cash and banking services rather than being forced entirely online.
Getting Government to Invest in Southampton – I’ve brought Ministers to Southampton to see our economy first-hand, including visits to DP World Southampton and Ocean Infinity, where we showcased major investment in new quay cranes, robotics and autonomous maritime technology. I want Government decisions about growth, skills and infrastructure to recognise what Southampton can deliver for the country.
Creating routes into good local jobs for young people – I’ve worked with Southampton employers, universities, colleges and the maritime sector to connect young people with careers and skills opportunities, including through my Southampton Opportunities Passport work. My aim is to make sure the jobs being created in Southampton are jobs local young people can access.
Backing the £235m Town Quay Development – I’m backing plans to regenerate Town Quay with new homes, a hotel, commercial space and an expanded marina, bringing major investment, jobs and economic growth into Southampton.
Backing £500m Investment in the Port – I’m supporting ABP’s proposed £500 million Solent Gateway 2 investment, expanding the Port of Southampton’s capacity, strengthening our position as a global trading gateway and supporting future growth in cruise, containers and automotive trade.
£42m Boost for Southampton Maritime Jobs – I welcomed £42 million of Ministry of Defence contracts for Southampton-based Griffon Marine, supporting skilled jobs, apprenticeships and investment in our maritime and defence industries.
Securing Northam Rail Bridge – After working with Satvir Kaur MP and backing Southampton City Council’s case, we secured Government support to replace the ageing Northam Rail Bridge – improving a vital route into the city and supporting future economic growth.
£20m for Weston – I helped secure £20 million of long-term Pride in Place investment for Weston, with local people helping decide how £2 million a year is invested in their community over the next decade.
£1.5m for Local Communities – Southampton has received £1.5 million through the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund for improvements across the city, including parks, play areas, libraries and community facilities – with nine projects in Southampton Itchen.
£16m to Repair Our Roads – The Labour Government is providing Southampton with more than £16 million for local highway maintenance over four years, giving the city long-term funding to repair and improve our roads.
£84m More for Council Services – Changes to Government funding will mean around £84 million more resources for Southampton City Council, helping put local services on a more sustainable footing after years of funding pressures.
Mission Two: Reduce crime in our city with community officers on our streets.Mission Three: Make our local NHS fit for the future - so you can see a GP within 48 hours. Mission Four: Help Southampton schools get the investment they need. Mission Five: Clean up the river itchen from pollution and protect the environment.
