Ian Sollom MP Newsletter - 4 December 2025

4 Dec 2025

Welcome to the latest of my newsletters, updating you on my work in Westminster and across St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.

The Chancellor's Autumn Budget last week has caused even more headlines than usual with the accidental early release of the detail by the Office for Budget Responsibility, and question marks over the timing of other announcements. Away from the heat of those arguments though, this budget was sadly a missed opportunity to tackle the cost of living and deliver the growth our economy desperately needs. While there was some welcome news in the long-overdue end to the two-child benefit cap to tackle child poverty, the Government failed to take meaningful action to cut energy bills or support our struggling high streets – key things I was asking for ahead of the Budget.

Though disappointed this time I'll continue pushing the Government to deliver a better deal for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.

Update on petition to save palliative care beds at Arthur Rank Hospice

In a previous newsletter, I shared a petition that my Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat colleagues and I had launched to save beds at Arthur Rank Hospice from devastating cuts. You can read more about the cuts and our letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care here.

I am grateful for every signature that was added to the petition, and for all the messages sharing support for the campaign as well as personal experiences of the fantastic care that the hospice provides.

On Monday the 3rd of November, I joined my constituent, Vivien Biggs, along with Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat MP colleagues and campaigners, to hand in our petition to No 10 Downing Street. The petition is also part of the Liberal Democrats’ national campaign calling for urgent government action to protect vital hospice services, so we were also joined by Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Helen Morgan MP.

The day received coverage from Cambridge Radio, Greatest Hits Radio, The Hunts Post, the BBC online and on Look East, and Vivien’s story was covered here.

Report on Paediatric Orthopaedics at Addenbrooke’s Hospital – Meeting with affected families

Alongside Lynne and Natasha from my constituency, I recently met with Minister for Patient Safety, Zubir Ahmed, to demand action following the Verita report into disgraced Addenbrooke's surgeon Kuldeep Stohr. Lynne's daughter Tammy underwent multiple operations by Ms Stohr.

Natasha's daughter Neave is now wheelchair-bound and unable to communicate. They are just two of hundreds of children who were treated or operated on by Ms Stohr, many suffering physical and mental injury.

The recent Verita report into the scandal revealed Cambridge University Hospital Trust (CUH) failed to act on a 2016 external review of the surgeon's work, exposing fundamental governance failures. Ms Stohr was allowed to continue operating on children - many with special needs - for nine more years after concerns were raised by staff in 2015.

We secured two key commitments:

Direct ministerial oversight – the Minister will maintain a "direct line of sight" to CUH's governance reforms, working with NHS East of England to ensure change happens.
Independent whistleblower protection – The Department For Health and Social Care will independently provide protected channels for CUH whistleblowers to come forward, separate from the Trust, while new legislation on NHS whistleblowers is developed.

I also raised that governance problems extend beyond one division at CUH and that we're seeing similar patterns elsewhere, like at the John Radcliffe in Oxford. Affected families want to ensure this doesn't happen to other children.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged that NHS managers who silence whistleblowers have no place in the health service. The Minister must ensure that promise is kept at CUH. I'll be continuing to work with affected families to monitor progress carefully in the coming months.

East of England Hong Kong Welcome Hub & UK Welcomes Refugees event in St Neots

Since the Government published its immigration white paper, I have received many messages from constituents who are concerned about how changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) may affect them. These changes were particularly worrying for the large Hong Kong community we have in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, many of whom are here on a scheme launched in 2021 in response to concerns about the erosion of human rights in Hong Kong – the British National (Overseas), or BNO, visa.

It was welcome news that in November, the Government confirmed that BNO visa holders will be exempt from changes to the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain – this upholds the promise that the Government made to many people from Hong Kong that the UK would offer them safety, community and dignity. However, I remain concerned about proposed changes to language and earnings requirements for ILR, which create unnecessary barriers to settlement and seem to run counter to the original humanitarian purpose of the BNO visa scheme.

More generally, I am also concerned that these changes threaten our economy by adding unworkable red tape for businesses and for people and families who came to the UK legally. From the NHS to research and innovation, much of the UK relies on a workforce that are not British nationals, and it is deeply disappointing that the Government seem to be creating such an unwelcome environment for foreign nationals, while also neglecting to support and encourage domestic workers into these roles.

I recently attended one of the regular ‘UK Welcomes Refugees’ event in St Neots, which brought together people from Hong Kong, as well as and other refugee communities who have made St Neots their home. They shared with me their stories of arriving in the UK and how they have integrated into the community in St Neots, as well as their concerns regarding changes to ILR and the challenges of navigating the complex immigration system.

Huntingdon train attack

At the Government's statement on the shocking attack that took place on a train near Huntingdon recently, I took the time to thank Cambridgeshire's emergency services as well as rail passengers and staff for their quick response and extraordinary bravery in the face of such danger.

I also asked the Home Secretary whether she would ensure that once a full investigation has taken place, time would be made for Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean to be properly thanked for their actions. My Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on the Government to recommend that both men be awarded the George Cross.

My thoughts are with all victims of the attack, and I wish them all a full recovery.

Remembrance Day at Cambourne Church, service and parade

On Remembrance Sunday, I attended the parade and service at Cambourne Church and laid a wreath in memory of all those who lost their lives in service of our country. In Parliament, I also planted a tribute in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance, hosted in partnership with the Royal British Legion.

The parade in Cambourne was hosted by the 105 (Cambourne) Squadron Air Cadets, who were joined by Cambourne Army Cadets, Scout and Girl Guiding groups, veterans, and uniformed services.

Following the service, I was proud to officially open the Cambourne Remembrance Garden which has been designed and created by the local cadet forces, veterans and members of the community including the District Council.

Coton Garden Centre helped with providing plants and chose them based on their significance. There is a rose in the garden, which was planted by Sarah Jame, the granddaughter of Claude Whitehead who fought in Arnhem in World War 2. And the garden also has an RAF bench which points to the history of the former airfield at Bourn. It is a lovely tribute and a peaceful space to remember that I hope many residents from Cambourne, and those from further afield, will take the time to visit.

Planning and Infrastructure Bill – Protection of wildlife

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to email me with concerns about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and its effect on nature and wildlife.

When the Bill was first voted on in the House of Commons, we Liberal Democrats led the opposition to it. We were the only party to vote against it for overriding local communities, local councillors, and crucially – nature. You can read our reasoned amendment which lays out our position on the Bill here.

There were two crucial amendments that passed in the Lords that the Government has been refusing to accept. These are amendment 40 (Lords amendment 130), and amendment 38 (Lords amendment 94).

Amendment 40 proposes to limit the scope of Environmental Delivery Plan (or the “pay to pollute” mechanism) to prevent it from being used on protected species, and amendment 38 places a duty on strategic planning authorities to safeguard chalk streams – which although we do not have in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, are a key feature of the environment in other parts of the county.

I voted to keep Lords Amendments 40, 38 and others in the Bill, but the government used their majority to vote down the Lords’ changes. Despite this, we Liberal Democrats will continue our work to ensure that the protection of our environment is placed at the heart of this legislation and of everything we do in relation to planning and development.

Environment Agency – Flooding prevention on the Great Ouse

I recently met with the Environment Agency again to discuss the flooding challenges posed by the Great Ouse. Since my previous meeting, some funding has been found for some improvements to the sluices along the river but their funding situation remains very challenging - they really don't get the money from government that they need!

They are also trying to better model drainage from new developments so that new housing can be better planned. And this will be crucial as the proposed new town at Tempsford takes shape; thankfully the EA has grasped that homes should not be built in the flood plain.

Farmers Group, Bourn

I recently met with the Bourn Group of local farmers to discuss the challenges facing agriculture in our area. We talked about the Government's changes to Agricultural Property Relief in the last Budget, concerns about budget cuts in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the different approaches to balancing productivity with environmental goals. It was valuable to hear their perspectives on the financial pressures many farms are currently facing, and I'll continue working with my colleagues to secure better support for our farming communities.

Justice Oral Questions

It is a real concern that having already been rated 'inadequate' in July 2024, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Probation Service might still be operating with only half of the staff it needs to ensure the security of people in the region. It is even more concerning that this staffing shortfall may be putting children's safeguarding at risk.

I recently asked the Justice Secretary to urgently address inaccurate staffing targets for the service and ensure that the safety of children would not be jeopardised due to a lack of resources.

It is a welcome step that he offered to ask the Prisons Minister to meet with me, and I will be following up on this to make sure the issue is addressed as soon as possible. You can see my question here.

Parliamentary Business

I always endeavour to represent residents of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire in Westminster on issues you care about. Thank you to everyone who writes to me each week, expressing your views, sharing campaigns, and inviting me to attend various meetings in Parliament.

Here is a taste of some of the work I have been doing in Westminster recently:

Met representatives from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the British Burn Association, Dogs Trust and Help for Heroes at the Fireworks Impact Coalition event – calling on the Government to conduct a review into current fireworks legislation to determine whether it effectively protects animals and vulnerable people.
Supported the ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign, which calls for an end to the use of cruel cages for laying hens.
Met with Radiotherapy UK to hear first-hand from those who have received the treatment, and to support calls for the National Cancer Plan to ensure fair access to its benefits.
Marked ‘Wear It Pink Day’ with Breast Cancer Now to spread awareness of the disease and to support calls for better cancer care and screening.
Attended the launch of the Young Lives, Young Futures report – which shows how policymakers across government - and society as a whole - can better support the education-to-work transitions of the 50% of young people in England who don’t go to university.
Joined Huntingdonshire MPs and councillors, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence, to hear more about proposals to create a North Huntingdonshire defence cluster at RAF Wyton.
Hosted an event in Parliament to celebrate ‘Get the Nation Learning Week’ alongside the Learning and Work Institute, showcasing the latest AI and VR technology helping people to reskill or change career.
Joined the Parkinson’s community in calling for equal access to care for people with the disease, and for more specialist doctors to reduce waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment.
Spoke to the RNIB about how best I can support the estimated 3200 people living with sight loss in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, and supported their calls for timely access to vision rehabilitation services.

Surgeries and Further Information

Each week I have been holding both in-person and online surgeries to speak directly to constituents about their issues. If you feel you have a problem I could help with, or you have a campaign matter you would like to discuss with me, please don’t hesitate to contact me at ian.sollom.mp@parliament.uk to request a surgery appointment.  

I will continue to keep you updated about my work to represent the constituents of St Neots & Mid Cambridgeshire. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, volunteer or get involved with our campaigns.

If you are writing as a constituent, I will need to verify that you reside in the St Neots & Mid Cambridgeshire parliamentary constituency to reply and deal with your case. Therefore, please ensure that you have included your full name and home address in your email.

I receive a significant volume of campaign and casework emails each day. Therefore, I ask for your patience as my team respond to new emails. Please know your messages are being received and we are working as fast as we can to respond to every inquiry.