May 2026

Monthly Resident Update

Hi

News from Vikki Slade MP – May 2026

If you’ve felt like summer arrived early this year, you’re not alone! May’s heatwave has brought sunshine, busy beaches and a real buzz across Dorset. While the warmer weather can bring it's own issues, it was great to see so many people out and about enjoying our lovely part of the country.

May was a busy month – spent mainly based here at home, as Parliament was paused in advance of the King’s Speech and ended with the Whitsun recess. This gave me the opportunities to meet residents and visit local groups and events. Those conversations are at the heart of my work, shaping the issues I take forward both locally and in Westminster.

In Parliament, the King’s Speech, set out the Government’s priorities for the year ahead and was followed by a week of debate focusing on what these new laws would mean, and also talking about what was missing from the legislative programme.

Alongside this, I’ve continued to speak up on the issues that matter most to Mid Dorset and North Poole - from fighting for a fair deal on Fire and Rescue Service funding, to presenting a petition on anti-social behaviour on the roads around Holton Heath. I remain focused on making sure our area gets the attention and support it deserves.

In this edition, I’ve pulled together some highlights from May, from work in Westminster to what’s been happening across the constituency.

Thank you, as always, to everyone who has been in touch. I hope you enjoy the update, and please do share it with others who’d like to stay connected!

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In this edition:

• Challenged the Government on cuts to Fire funding
• Visited the UK Dementia Research Institute
• Supported teachers at school strikes against funding cuts
• Visited Poole Hospital to discuss their investment
• Joined Wimborne First School in a Bikeability session

Challenged the Government on cuts to Fire funding

Early this year, I was advised by the Chief Fire Officer and members of the Fire Authority that the funding for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services faced a cut in coming years, and as result the Fire Authority had been asked to consider proposals to close eight fire stations across Dorset and Wiltshire.

While none were in Mid Dorset and North Poole, any loss would have a direct impact on our communities. Cranborne Fire Station are often called to road traffic collisions north of Wimborne, and played a huge role in the Holt Heath fire; Hamworthy supported Bakers Arms flooding, and worked alongside Poole firefighters on our many heath fires last year.

Any reduction in firefighters, fire engines or fire stations would inevitably mean slower responses not just to fires, but to road traffic collisions, flooding and other emergencies and an increased risk of harm. The Chief Fire Officer took the time to share details about how he had minimised this risk, and explained that as these stations were 'on-call’ in many cases they were unable to mobilise.

This is because enough fire fighters were not available to attend the fire station within the required five minute window, and so the call would have passed to the next nearest station. He assured me that the alternative reduction in whole time firefighters would present a greater risk to communities and explained that without extra funding he felt he had no real choice.

I have a close affinity with the fire service, my dad served for 30 years and having been a member of the Fire Authority myself and I have visited fire stations around Dorset frequently over the last few years, and spent time with their prevention team, visited their training facility and helped to bring their hard hitting road safety programme to local schools.

As well as meeting with the Chief Fire Officer, I met firefighters when the visited Westminster and have spoken in Parliament to share my concerns about how we respond to the more frequent fires and the potential impact of climate change on fire and rescue services.

I arranged a meeting with the Fire Minister, which was attended by other local MPs and, during my meeting, I called for the funding of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) to be increased to the average of other fire and rescue services across the country. Alongside this, DWFRS carried out a public consultation and, through our lobbying and this consultation, I am delighted to confirm that this call has been answered.

This means that Cranborne Fire Station will remain open and the firefighter’s jobs at Hamworthy will be retained.

I will continue to speak up in Parliament for a full funding review that recognises that rural and coastal communities require a different formula as the demographics are different and the cost of delivering services are higher.

You can watch me challenge the Government on this here​

Visited the UK Dementia Research Institute

To mark Dementia Action Week I organised a fascinating visit the UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London with the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Care, Alison Bennett MP.
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It was inspiring to see the incredible research that is transforming our understanding of dementia and neurodegenerative conditions, paving the way for prevention-first models of care.

It was particularly fascinating to see the research at cellular level which is helping us to understand how things go wrong in the brain but also reiterates the importance of long-term funding for scientific research as well as funding for those conditions where a cure is imminent.

By supporting this ground-breaking research, we are investing in a future of healthy brain ageing, building toward therapies that slow or prevent onset and ensuring that families living with dementia have a better chance at help early on with a tailored, more personal experience of care.

Supported teachers at school strikes against funding cuts

I have consistently said that school funding belongs in the classroom, not the boardroom.​
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The unprecedented cuts at Corfe Hills and QE School are devastating for the whole education community with teaching and support staff facing redundancy and vital subjects being stripped away for study next year.

Both of these schools are run by Initio Learning Trust and they had claimed the cuts were necessary due to falling numbers of children. Whilst I accept that our aging population is leading to fewer children, this information has been known for some time, and I challenged recent increases in the number of executive staff at the Trust and high charges for central services. I have raised my serious concerns directly with the Department for Education, Ofsted, and the Schools Minister and whilst I welcome Ofsted inspections of Trusts, it is disappointing that these are not due to start until the end of next year. We need urgent reform to Multi-Academy Trust governance to ensure every penny of funding prioritises our students, not executive operations and I have been clear that I will call for this in the Education for All Bill when it comes before MPs.
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Whilst I recognise the concern of parents to the strikes by staff, I am standing with our teachers, parents, and students to ensure that the funding is spent where it belongs – on our children.

Visited Poole Hospital to discuss their investment

I was pleased to visit Poole Hospital and hear about their plans for future investment at the site.

Poole Hospital is being transformed to become the major planned care hospital for Dorset, providing high quality and timely planned (elective) care for patients.

Whilst they have faced some challenges, progress is being made towards an upgrade which will provide them with additional capacity that would have a really positive impact on patients by helping staff see them quicker.

It was also great to meet volunteers supporting the hospital’s relocated Outpatient Assessment Unit, which has now moved from the Dolphin Centre to the former St Mary’s Maternity Hospital building.

Joined Wimborne First School in a Bikeability session

It was great to visit Wimborne First School and to join their year four students on their brilliant Bikeability session earlier this month.

These important classes help children in our area to gain the confidence they need to cycle safely and be safe however they use our roads.
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Bikeability is about much more than riding a bike, it helps children build awareness, independence and a sense of freedom.

Supporting work like this helps young people travel actively and safely in their local communities and gives them life-long skills.

Out & About in MDNP

Spending time with residents and local organisations is always one of the best parts of this role. Recent highlights include:

Resident Surgeries - I held advice surgeries in Wimborne, Corfe Mullen and Bere Regis to help residents with a range of issues including social housing, scam calls and SEND support.

School Visits - I visited Wimborne First School to join in their Bikability session, and Sandford St Martin's Primary School during SATS week where the young people shared their views about the tests and also their hopes for the future. I also presented Lockyers Middle School with a signed copy of the Tobacco & Vapes Act – as their letters to me had influenced my voting position.

Civic Thanksgiving Service - I joined the Civic Thanksgiving Service Parade in Wimborne Minster.

Round-up of some of my other activities