Ian Sollom MP Newsletter - 1st August

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

It's been a busy summer locally, from pop-up surgeries to village fetes and visits, while nationally the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has been making a stream of policy announcements. It's a shame this is happening during recess, when we'd normally be scrutinising it properly in the Commons, but I'm looking forward to unpicking some of it in September.

One development I do welcome: Ed Davey met with the Prime Minister this week for cross-party talks on social care. There have been 22 failed attempts to fix social care since 1997, so it is well past time we got this right – it will make such a difference to so many families and is essential to the future of the NHS. I hope we will see more detail sooner rather than later.

Update: Potholes and subsidence in Cambridgeshire roads

Cambridgeshire had the worst pothole problem in England and Wales in 2024 with over 22 potholes per mile. A significant amount of the vital funding allocated to improve our roads is swallowed up by the high cost of maintaining peat-affected roads across our Fenland areas.
 
Earlier this year, I pressed the Transport Secretary to adjust the roads funding formula to take into account the unique geology of our area. Since then, I have submitted multiple Written Parliamentary Questions and a letter which all produced the same response: That the Government would be reviewing the funding formula in due course, but it would not provide any further details of options or approach.
 
I am therefore pleased that a recent joint letter to the Transport Secretary from Charlotte Cane MP, Pippa Heylings MP and me produced a much more encouraging response which now states "the Department expects to consider underlying geology as one of the many factors that affect the wear and tear of local roads."
 
This is a clear step forward. I will be watching closely as the Government develops proposals for changes to the Highways maintenance funding formula, and I will continue pressing for a fair deal that recognises Cambridgeshire's unique needs. 

Keeping cool in the ‘new normal’: Visit to retro-fitted sustainable home in Oakington 

I know many people have been struggling during the recent hot weather, and people are really worried about this potentially being our ‘new normal’. We Liberal Democrats have long called for support for homeowners to install proactive adaptation measures, and I was pleased recently to visit Paul Kershaw in his home in Oakington to see for myself the impressive retrofitting he has put in place to mitigate the effects of climate change in his home. 

Though he first began adapting his home to better accommodate his disabilities and support multi-generational living, he then became inspired by Open Eco Homes and has now become a case study for the movement himself.  

His house demonstrates what is possible through a combination of energy-saving measures and renewable technology. It has operated without energy bills for seven years, supported by solar generation, a 60kW home battery and vehicle-to-grid technology which allows an electric vehicle to power the house. The property is extremely well insulated, using cork and wood fibre, as well as demand-controlled ventilation, clay-based paints, level access design and a number of water efficiency measures.  

Paul spoke candidly to me about the challenges he has faced with installation of a heat pump, and highlighted his concerns around system design, noise levels, and regulatory oversight. The experience has made him a strong advocate for higher standards and stronger consumer protection, and he now supports other tenants and landlords to understand their rights and navigate EPC requirements. 

Thank you to Paul and his mother for their warm welcome and taking the time to show me round the house. It is an excellent example of the benefits that thoughtful retrofit and low-carbon technologies can deliver. You can find out more about Cambridge Carbon Footprint’s Open Eco Homes here.

Update: Local Government Reorganisation

On the final sitting day in Parliament before the summer recess, the Government announced it would be delaying its decision on Local Government Reorganisation for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
 
I welcome this pause. I've said all along that none of the options on the table were built around how our economy and communities actually work - they need to show a clear, credible path to paying for themselves, and reflect Cambridgeshire's role in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. Ministers have given themselves time to get this right. They should use it.
 
I was disappointed, however, to see that Lord Vallance, who was previously Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion, has stepped down from his role. I had a number of productive exchanges with him about the issues that getting LGR wrong will cause in our area, and he seemed to understand the issues better than most.
 
You can read an article on the topic I wrote back in June 2025 here.

SEND: Visit to Sense College, Knapwell

Sense in Knapwell is a specialist college for young people aged 16-25 founded to meet a clear local need for further education for students with complex and layered needs. Ahead of the college’s 20th anniversary this year and having heard much praise for its work from constituents, I was delighted to visit to meet students and staff.

I was impressed by the centre’s commitment to person-centred support and the creative ways it helps its students develop skills and independence. From its accessible kitchen with adjustable work surfaces, to a floor projector to support scoring and build maths skills during games, it’s clear that the team is dedicated to helping every student achieve their potential. One parent, whose daughter has attended for 20 years, described the college as a ‘godsend’ and said it was really comforting to know that her daughter’s needs will continue to be met there.

The visit also highlighted several challenges facing the sector, such as tight funding arrangements for over-18s, difficulties recruiting staff because of limited public transport links and growing pressure on capacity as demand for specialist provision increases. We also discussed both reforms to PIP and the Timms Review – which one of Sense’s students participated in – and the Government’s proposed changes to SEND and further education. We shared the view that the current focus on mainstream inclusion risks overlooking the vital role that specialist settings play for young people with the most complex needs.

As reforms progress through Parliament, I will continue to press ministers to ensure that providers such as Sense are properly recognised, supported and funded, so that young people and their families can continue to access the high-quality provision they rely on.

A428 development site visit & update

As work continues on the A428 improvement project between the Black Cat Roundabout and Caxton Gibbet, I am in regular contact with National Highways and recently went on another site visit to see progress and raise residents’ concerns.  

I raised issues that local residents have had with dust in the area, and the team were keen to show me water bowsers dampening down the ground around the site to try to tackle this. To keep local people informed of progress, advance notice letters are regularly sent out, and electronic signs are being placed on major arterial routes to provide at least three weeks’ notice of upcoming works and changes. If you are experiencing disruption as a result of the project, please do continue to contact me and I will do my best to work with National Highways to minimise impact.

Update: Timms Review, Government changes to PIP and Universal Credit

I recently met with members of organisations and charities that represent local disabled people and their carers to discuss the Timms Review and its interim report into Personal Independence Payments (PIP) published today. 

The group was set up in April last year when the Government announced plans to make large-scale cuts to disability benefits, and following the huge number of emails I received from worried people, their families and friends across the constituency. Since then, I have been regularly meeting with members to continue listening to their concerns and providing advice and support where possible.  

The review is being led by Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms, and is looking at the processes around claiming PIP and will make recommendations for changes in the Autumn. However, in our discussion today, forum members raised concerns, including that it needs to involve disabled people more fully; that PIP is being viewed as an out of work benefit when in fact the vast majority of people who claim it are working and it supports them in that; and that it won't tackle all areas of the assessment and appeals process. 

It is positive that the interim report acknowledges the PIP process is not fit for purpose and needs an overhaul. I have assured the forum members that I will continue to raise their concerns with the Minister, and ask him to ensure the voices of those people who need PIP to both support them into work and then enable them to stay in employment, are heard. 

I will continue to work with the Forum as the Timms Review progresses towards its final report in the Autumn.

Great Ouse Boating Association: River campaign cruise in St Neots

The River Great Ouse is a central part of the culture, tourism and landscape of St Neots, and the Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) are working hard to highlight the increasingly urgent challenges that our waterways are facing. I recently joined members of the group for a short cruise from Regatta Meadow down to Eaton Socon Lock to see conditions first-hand and hear more about their campaign. 

Being able to enjoy the River Ouse by boat is important, but keeping the river well-maintained is also crucial for climate adaptation and flood prevention – which I know are significant concerns for residents of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. The group are campaigning for a national waterways resilience plan to secure sustainable long-term funding for our river infrastructure. I meet with the Environment Agency regularly, and will keep raising the issues directly with them.

Pop-up surgeries & work experience taster sessions

Parliament is now in recess, which means I’ll be spending more time out in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire meeting residents and listening to your views. This summer I’ll be holding a series of informal pop-up surgeries at venues across the constituency.

I have already held successful pop-ups alongside local councillors in Over, Papworth, Bar Hill and Histon, and my next two sessions will be in St Neots on the 3rd of August and Cambourne on the 26th August. Details about times and exact locations will be posted on my social media prior to the event, so do look out if you have an issue, idea, campaign or just want to say hello – no appointment needed.

Another part of my work this summer has been engaging with young people who have expressed an interest in careers in politics. Unfortunately, with such high demand for work experience, I am unable to offer individual work placements to everyone that has enquired about this. Instead, I recently hosted a group work experience taster evening where I gave a short presentation about my career and work as an MP, and where young people then had the opportunity to ask questions of my team and hear more about how the kind of work they undertake.

The next of these sessions will be taking place in St Neots in August. Do get in touch if you know a young person who might be interested in attending.

Village fetes: Eltisley, Little Paxton Big Summer bash, Bar Hill, Girton Feast

Village fete season is in full swing across St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, and it is always a privilege to be invited to see the range of events happening in our area.

At Eltisley, I visited a number of great stalls including a history stall with finds from archaeological digs over the years, classic car and bike displays, and of course a cake stall where I treated myself to a coffee and walnut slice to take home.  

In Little Paxton, I attended the annual Big Summer Bash hosted by the Hinchingbrooke District Scouts at Little Paxton Pits. I was pleased to present awards to the groups, including the very first award ever given to the Squirrels group from St Neots. Thank you to all the volunteers for their time, energy and commitment to giving our young people such a brilliant variety of opportunities.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Bar Hill Fete & Festival this year. I had a particularly interesting chat with Dave Wright who is currently campaigning and raising money for a new skatepark on the plot of land opposite the Fox on Saxon Way. It’s a well-supported campaign and would be an asset to the community. Well done to Dave too for running some excellent skateboarding taster sessions for young people in the heat. You can find out more about the proposals at www.barhill-ca.org/committees/saxon-park-skatepark.  

Girton Feast was, as ever, a highlight of the summer calendar. It was particularly good to drop in on the Turtle Dove pop-up café - a fantastic local social enterprise that gives young women aged 14 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training hands-on experience in catering and hospitality, building the confidence and skills to move into work or further study. It's exactly the kind of practical, local response to youth unemployment that makes a real difference. I also caught the end of a set from the Rock Choir and caught up with CamCycle, the Parish Council and the Local Nature Recovery Group about their work in the village.

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. 

• Showed my support for the Campaign for Gigi, hearing from parents whose trust was broken in the most devastating way and speaking to them about why urgent action is needed to make nurseries safer for children. 
• Voted against the Government’s Public Order Act, which would designate life sciences facilities as ‘key national infrastructure’, and therefore undermine the right to peacefully protest. 
• Met with Age UK at their ‘Ending Corridor Care and Long Waits in A&E’ event in Parliament, to hear from staff and patients affected by the corridor care crisis and receive a briefing on the impact of the issue across St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.

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.

Best wishes,

Ian Sollom MP

St Neots & Mid Cambridgeshire