Dear Friend,
I hope this finds you well. I don’t usually start my newsletter with international politics, but recent events have left us facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our country and our continent. As a leading European power, the UK must play its part, which is why the Labour government will continue to work closely with our European partners and increase our defence investment to 2.5% of GDP. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has provided global leadership in support of the brave people of Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, making it clear the UK will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine in its fight to secure its sovereignty and a just and lasting peace.
Telecomms infrastructure sharing
On 4 February I met with Chris Bryant, Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, regarding the pole infrastructure sharing trials taking place in Hull. The purpose of the trials is to lead to an agreement that allows sharing of infrastructure, meaning no new poles or trench digging – something everyone in the area wants to see.
The following week, I met with the KCOM CEO Tim Shaw and MD of Enterprise Jan Collins. They updated me on progress of the infrastructure sharing trials with MS3 and Connexin.
I was told one company has begun successfully connecting customers in their trial and it is hoped the other will begin doing so by the end of February. I will continue communicating with all the companies involved and do whatever I can to get an agreement as soon as possible.
Veterans Minister visits Hull
I was delighted to take our Veterans Minister, Alistair Carns, to meet local veterans and see the wonderful work Hull4Heroes Armed Forces Community Hub Hull and University of Hull are doing through their Veterans Career Transition programme.
The programme is funded by the government via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and focuses on career development, designed specifically for veterans and their families who wish to transition from professions in the armed forces to new, fulfilling career paths.
Alistair told me he was incredibly impressed with the programme and the support we give, as a city, to our ex-servicemen and women.
Remembering our lost fishermen
The winter months were always the most hazardous for the fishermen from Hull in the icy waters of the far north and this time of year sees the anniversaries of many tragic losses.
On 5 February I attended a service to remember the 18 Hull trawlermen who lost their life at sea on the Ross Cleveland, and on 10 February I attended the memorial service for the 30 crew members from Hull and six crew members from North Shields who lost their lives 51 years ago on the Gaul. Both services took place on Hessle Road, which for so many years was the beating heart of Hull’s fishing community.
It was really encouraging to see so many people of all ages attend these services. We will always remember those from our community who lost their life at sea.
City Centre Development Delays
I am deeply concerned that many of our city centre projects are falling behind schedule and exceeding their budgets. This includes the renovations of Queen’s Gardens, the old BHS building, and William Booth House.
Queen’s Gardens, in its current state, is an eyesore and a deterrent for visitors. Keeping it closed for another full summer would be detrimental to city centre businesses. I wrote to the leader of Hull City Council, but the reply I received was disappointing. It confirmed that the work would not be completed before the end of summer and that the cost, which has now risen to £21.1 million, remains an “estimate.” We all want this project to succeed and I hope it is getting the attention and focus it needs.
It has been nearly a year since Hull City Council purchased William Booth House. Local residents were promised they would be involved in discussions about the building’s future. However, almost a year later, they are still in the dark. I have written to the leader of Hull City Council again, asking when we can expect action and when the promised consultation with local residents will take place.
While it’s good news that all the asbestos has now been removed from the old BHS building, I was in town recently, and the site looks worse than when the scaffolding was up! The asbestos removal process took nearly two years, but discussions about the next phase of the project only began this week. Surely, these discussions could have been taking place while the work was ongoing?
On top of these delays, we are also facing setbacks with the A63 project. I’ve met with National Highways several times, and the delays are not due to a lack of funding or workforce. They are a result of complications during the build. The funding is in place, and the workforce is available—if they weren’t, I would be the first to ask the government to intervene. I will be having regular meetings with them and will keep you all updated on progress.
I’ve also spoken with many businesses affected by these delays. They’ve suggested practical actions Hull City Council could take to support them, including having a bus stop and a taxi rank. At the beginning of the year, I wrote directly to Hull City Council, requesting they help fund a bus service to The Marina. I have yet to receive a response and have written again to ask about the possibility of setting up a taxi rank and improving signage to show that businesses are still open.
I am disappointed with the lack of action from the Council regarding the city centre. There are steps they could be taking right now and commitments they could be making, but for some reason, they aren’t. I genuinely worry that having so much of our city centre out of action for such a long period will cause lasting damage and I really encourage you all to shop locally and use our shops and services in the centre.
Extra NHS appointments and falling waiting lists
Some good news! 2 million extra NHS appointments have happened since your Labour government was elected in July. As a result waiting lists have fallen by 160,000 from their record high under the last government.
We know that the job of fixing our NHS is a huge one, but this a really positive step in the right direction, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure Hull West and Haltemprice residents have an NHS that works for them.
Labour has announced 700,000 more NHS dental appointments across England to tackle the immediate crisis in access many people face and will mean an extra 27,000 appointments will be available in our region from April.
You can access them by contacting your NHS dentist. If you are not registered with an NHS dentist, you can call 111.
These additional appointments will allow patients to access the urgent dental care they need while we get on with our plan to reform NHS dentistry, which includes focusing on prevention, better retention of NHS dentists, and reforming the NHS dental contract to increase capacity.
EYMS bus services
I keep in regular contact with EYMS over the bus services as I know important it is for local residents. After I contacted them last week about cancellations of the 56 service they replied:
“We have a number of changes coming in from this weekend where we have made the decision to reduce the frequency on 44, 51, 56, 57 and 58 which reduce the daily requirement for vehicles and drivers and should allow a more regular and reliable service. Looking at staff availability for next week, this is much improved so customers should see a more regular and reliable service.”
This cannot be a permanent solution, but I hope it will at least mean people aren’t stood waiting for a bus that isn’t coming until EYMS sort out their driver shortages. I want to assure you that I will continue conversations with EYMS while they address these issues because residents must have the frequent and reliable bus services they need.
The revised timetable is here.
Free Breakfast Clubs rollout
I’m pleased to see the first phase of our promise of free breakfast clubs in primary schools being rolled out, and even more pleased that it includes two in the constituency – Willerby Carr Lane and Ganton.
I believe that every child deserves to start the day well fed so they can concentrate at school and have the best chance to achieve their dreams, and breakfast clubs are proven to boost attendance and attainment. They will increase parents’ work choices and children’s life chances, as well as saving parent’s an estimated £450 a year.
Business of the week
Three more featured fantastic local businesses this month: Metro Gym Hull, The Dog House, and Wishes of Willerby.
Works on the Common, Anlaby
I was alerted to work taking place on the Common in Anlaby, with diggers removing bushes and scrub by residents concerned with the destruction of wildlife habitat. I immediately contacted East Riding Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and Anlaby Parish Council, and through them the landowners.
I met residents at the Common that week to hear from them in person and attended the Parish Council meeting a few days later at which the works were discussed.
The Parish Council made a statement they had received complaints about the state of the land, including issues with fencing, fly-tipping, and the maintenance of hedgerows and trees, as well as concerns about the welfare of horses and ponies there. As Anlaby Common is private land they then contacted the landowners, Central Land Holdings, to address these issues. In response, the landowners promised to undertake remedial works including clearing rubbish, cutting hedgerows, and repairing the fencing. This is the work which has been the subject of complaints.
The statement in full is here.
The land currently has no special nature protections but is a valuable green space that frequently floods. With the rate of flooding on this land set to increase, I don’t believe developing this land is a sensible idea. While it is private land, I have requested a meeting with the land managers and am willing to work with all the parties involved to find a win-win solution.
And finally…
As always, I’m here to support you. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about how I can help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email me at emma.hardy.mp@parliament.uk or call my office at 01482 219211. Leave a message if I’m unavailable, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Best wishes,
Emma