Westminster Life: Standing up for commuters and communities

Peterborough has been a railway city for generations, and many people live here because of our rail connections. But the new timetable introduced many changes that have caused problems for passengers, not least the 40-minute hole in the morning service to London. Thank you to everyone who got in touch, especially those crowding to get onto the 7.34am service. LNER has now agreed to introduce a new 7.43am departure from Peterborough to London, closing that gap in the timetable. It is a welcome step that shows what we can achieve when passengers, local representatives and ministers work together, but it is also just the start of what needs to change.

Since the start of the year, I have met LNER several times, raised concerns directly with the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, and worked alongside my colleague Sam Carling MP to push for extra capacity and a fairer deal for our city. The decision to add a new 7.43am service is a direct response to the strength of feeling here in Peterborough. There is more to do, and I will keep working until our timetable and pricing reflect the needs of the people who rely on these services every day.

This week we also had positive news that Peterborough is set to receive £12 million over the next three years from the Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which will replace the Household Support Fund from April 2026. This fund will allow Peterborough City Council to offer “cash‑first” help to people facing sudden financial shocks rather than relying solely on vouchers or food parcels. Crucially, you will not have to be on benefits to apply, with support available to anyone in real need, in or out of work.

For me, this is not an abstract policy debate but part of the same story I hear regularly from our city’s foodbanks and advice services. Under the Conservatives, foodbank usage surged here in Peterborough as more and more families were pushed to the brink by low pay, insecure work and rising housing costs. I have spent time with Peterborough Foodbank and other local charities who see that reality first-hand, and I will keep working with them to make sure this new Crisis and Resilience Fund genuinely helps people rebuild, not just get through the next week.

Finally, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to my recent neighbourhood policing meeting in Central Park. We had a frank and constructive conversation about the issues that matter to people living in the area, from speeding and anti‑social behaviour to fly‑tipping and the irresponsible use of e‑scooters. I am grateful to Policing Peterborough and to Councillor Angus Ellis for joining the discussion, answering questions and listening to residents’ experiences. These meetings are part of how I want to work as your MP, bringing the police, council and community together to make our streets safer and our public spaces somewhere everyone can enjoy.