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March + April 2025
Monthly resident update
Hi Reader
Thanks for bearing with me — it’s been another action-packed couple of months, and I'm thrilled to finally bring you all the latest updates!
In this edition:
- Wareham Rail Crossing secured - an update on next steps
- Fighting wildfires in Dorset - BBQ ban petition
- In Parliament
- Chairing the New APPG for Town Centres
- Surveying local businesses in Wimborne & Wareham
- Cutting the ribbon to launch AFCB's performance centre
- Marking International Women’s Day at Parkstone Grammar
- Meeting with Crisis UK to discuss tackling homelessness
- Fixing the education system with Jamie Oliver
- Opening Wimborne Model Town for the 2025 Season
- Free School Transport for 16–18 Year Olds
- Backing the Great Dorset Hedge Project
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Wareham Rail Crossing Secured, next steps
Back in March, I was thrilled to be able to bring together Network Rail, the Rail Minister & Dorset Council to secure the long-term future of the Wareham ground-level rail crossing. I have had countless emails and letters about this with people raising many issues in particular around accessibility and community impact.
As your MP, I’ll always look to work collaboratively to push for solutions that matter to you. I'm pleased to report that a draft agreement is currently being drawn up, with both Network Rail and Dorset Council and is expected to be signed in May. Councillor Ireland and Dorset Council are also working on a five-year contract to cover the cost of maintaining and overseeing the crossing.
You can read more by clicking here.
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Fighting Wildfires in Dorset |
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Recent fires at Upton Heath and Canford Heathhave destroyed over 70 football pitches’ worth of rare habitat. These devastating incidents fuelled by climate change, careless behaviour, and sometimes arson highlight the urgent need for action. A huge thank you to the fire crews who worked tirelessly to protect our countryside.
I’ve raised the issue in Parliament, met with Dorset’s Fire Chief, and launched a campaign to ban disposable BBQs, which are a common cause of wildfires.
You can see my speech on the fires here and support my campaign to ban disposable BBQs click here.
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Speaking in Parliament to raise your concerns and demand answers for constituents is a privilege and something that I take the opportunity to do as often as possible.
To watch some of my contributions in the House you can visit my website by clicking here and to read all of my contributions you can search for me in Hansard. Below are just a few speech's I made.
Challenging the Canford Magna Incinerator
At PMQs, I challenged the Prime Minister on the proposed Canford Magna Incinerator, which would burn 260,000 tonnes of waste a year—more than all of Dorset produces. I warned we risk "feeding the monster" just to keep it running. Watch here. In addition I'm chairing a public meeting this Friday 9th for Bearwood and Merley residents to question MVV Environment (the company making the planning application) and local Lib Dem councillors directly, which you can join here.
Backing Child Protection - Standing Up for Home Educators
I was pleased to support the Children & Wellbeing Bill, especially its focus on improving child protection and strengthening cooperation between professionals working with children. However, I did raise a significant concern about one part of the Bill: the proposed register for home-educated children. I believe the current provisions, far from protecting families, could endanger them. This needs amending. Watch here.
Channel Crossings: Tackling the Criminal Gangs
In Parliament, I called for stronger international cooperation, particularly with Europol, to tackle the criminal gangs behind dangerous channel crossings. We must do more to disrupt these networks and prevent them from profiting off human misery. Watch here.
Fighting for Fair Funding for Nurseries
I also raised the issue of business rates threatening the future of nurseries in our area, including Cuddles, Trailway Tots, and Nature Nurseries. Unlike in Wales and Scotland, these vital early years providers are not exempt from business rates in England. I urged the Government to address this unfairness and give our nurseries the support they deserve. Watch here.
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Chairing the New APPG for Town Centres &
Surveying Small Business Owners in Wimborne & Wareham
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I was proud to chair the inaugural meeting of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Town Centres.
As a former small business owner, I ran Molly’s Café in Broadstone, I know just how tough it is to keep a small enterprise afloat. Business rates are outdated and unfair, hitting family-run firms much harder than large corporations like Amazon.
As chair of this APPG, I’m committed to reimagining our town centres, making them vibrant, inclusive and resilient spaces that support independent businesses and serve their communities.
To support this work and also better understand the challenges and successes our local retailers experience I have been out and about to hear first hand from business owners themselves.
In April I also launched my local campaign: Buy Dorset: Back Britain, designed to help local retailers who are not only struggling due to a variety of pressures including the impact of Trump's trade war, the introduction of a new jobs tax and a flawed business rates system. To find out more, click here.
If you are a small business owner and would like to complete my survey, click here.
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Opening AFC Bournemouth’s New Training Facility
I had the great pleasure of officially opening AFC Bournemouth’s impressive new training facility in Canford. This state-of-the-art campus is a major investment in the club’s future, and I hope it helps the Cherries continue their fantastic run of form both on and off the pitch.
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Inspiring Young Women at Parkstone Grammar
It was a pleasure to celebrate International Women’s Day with the brilliant students at Parkstone Grammar School. Their thoughtful questions and passion for politics left me energised and hopeful for the future.
As a woman in politics without a university degree, I want young people, especially our young women, to know that Parliament is for everyone.
I was the 571st female MP elected to Parliament (Westminster has 650 MPs) but we have made progress. Women now make up 40% of MPs, but there’s more to do.
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Tackling Homelessness with Crisis UK
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I joined a panel of MPs at the UK’s summit on homelessness, raising concerns about the growing number of children living in hostels and the pressure on housing associations.
Dorset, like many parts of the UK, has seen rising homelessness over the last five years. Factors like child poverty (23.6%) and high house price-to-income ratios make this a worsening crisis.
That’s why it’s essential that we listen to charities and work in partnership to prevent homelessness, rather than just react to it.
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Fixing the Education System with Jamie Oliver
I was proud to stand alongside Jamie Oliver in Parliament to support the 'Fix the System, Not the Kids' campaign—calling for real change in how we support dyslexic and neurodivergent children.
Too many bright, capable young people are being failed by a system that doesn’t work for them. With simple, logical changes, we can unlock a whole generation’s potential.
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Opening Wimborne Model Town
I was delighted to help open the 2025 season at Wimborne Model Town alongside the Mayor of Wimborne, the Town Crier, and his Deputy. This charming attraction is a truly unique gem in Wimborne and the wider Dorset area. If you’re in the region this summer, I highly encourage you to pay it a visit! For more information, please click here.
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Free School Transport for 16–18 Year Olds |
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Free School Transport for 16–18 Year Olds |
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Following a visit to Purbeck School earlier in the year and some brilliant letters I received from the pupils at Magna Academy, it was clear that our younger residents are suffering when it comes to staying in full time education but being forced to pay full price for transport. As a result, I challenged the Government to extend free school transport for students aged 16 to 18 especially those living in rural communities.
Listening to the experience of young people first hand it is clear that in areas like ours, young people often can’t walk or cycle due to distance and lack of infrastructure. This policy would ease the financial burden on families, cut car use, and support our move toward a lower-carbon future.
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Backing the Great Dorset Hedge Project |
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I raised the Great Dorset Hedge Project in Parliament, calling for long-term funding through the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
This project creates vital habitat corridors, linking fragmented ecosystems across rural and urban areas—where gardens, hedgerows and green spaces are essential for wildlife and biodiversity.
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Round-up of some of my other activities
- Visited Springdale School in Broadstone and held a Q&A session with the school council
- Met a range of businesses alongside the MP for North Dorset to discuss priorities and hear their concerns
- Challenged the Secretary of State to ensure disabled residents do not have to 'prove' their disability every time there is a change of circumstance
- Hosted a residents' meeting at the Allendale Centre to hear local concerns around shoplifting
- Visited Walford Mill GP Practice to discuss funding issues and the barriers to expand their services
- Met with the National Autistic Society to talk about the impact of the Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill on the Autistic community
- Challenged the Minister to increase the uptake for Pension Credit by simplifying the application process
- Spoke during the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill debate, calling for stronger collaboration between agencies to better protect children from harm.
- Attended a Wateraid event to learn more how the charity work alongside communities globally
- Challenged the Home Office Ministers on the issue of rural crime and access to policing in small towns
- Joined a Social Care rally calling for the social care review to be speeded up and for exemptions from the uplift in employers' national insurance
- Visited Purbeck school, meeting the head and students, answering questions on local and national issues
- Raised concerns about fuel poverty during a debate on the Energy Price Cap
- Met the charity Dingley’s Promise to hear about their work on Early Years Special Educational Needs (SEND)
- Flagged the need for better MP behaviour in the Chamber on BBC, South Today and Greatest Hits Radio
- Met with the Friends of Victoria Hospital in Wimborne to learn more about the work they do to support patients
- Interviewed by Heart, BBC, & Greatest Hits radio to share my concerns around the fires at Upton & Canford Heath
- Spoke in Parliament to highlight my concern that Poole and Bournemouth Hospitals are to be included in the £500,000 rateable value tax
- Challenged the Minister on current road funding that appears to give authorities more money, but actually cuts the UK's road repair budget by 5%
- Met with staff at Forest Holme Hospice to hear about their amazing work and their views on the Assisted Dying Bill
- Met with the team at The Old School Nursery in Shapwick to hear their concerns around funding cuts for Early Years
- Challenged the Minister to reconsider the unfair treatment of the victims of the Horizon Scandal, which currently means lawyers get their payday before the Postmasters
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- Asked the Justice Secretary what provision she is making for the children whose mothers are in the prison system
- Supported local scouts in the community, helping with a bake sale and car washing
- Asked the Minister what they are doing to ensure water companies have measures in place to prevent flooding on both future and pre existing homes
- Met with Prisma Wellbeing to discuss their coaching services for teenage mental health and wellbeing
- Attended Broadstone Music Series to celebrate Alison Kay receiving the British Empire Medal
- Met the team at South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park who are creating an exciting and enticing experience for visitors to our area
- Visited the White House School and Bearwood Primary School to celebrate World Book Day
- Challenged the Government in the House on what they are doing to address homelessness and rough sleeping
- Hosted a Pop-Up Advice Surgery session in Tesco to meet with local residents to hear their concerns
- Called on the Government to improve the standards of affordable homes and hostels
- Met with the CEO of the Eve Appeal to discuss a pathway change aimed at ensuring women with ovarian cancer receive a quicker diagnosis
- Hosted Marie Curie’s Parliament launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal with the support of Larry Lamb
- Surveyed residents in Sturminster Marshall and meet the team raising funds to improve their historic church
- Joined Rewilding UK, RSPB and Natural England at Stoborough Heath to hear about plans to drive nature recovery and boost economic growth locally
- Called for stronger copyright protections in a Westminster Hall debate to ensure artist’s work is not exploited by AI.
- Attended the MS Society drop-in at Westminster, learning more about the condition and how I can support those affected in my constituency
- Attended the Women's Institute's Dental Health report launch highlighting particular issues for women.
- Visited Merley First and Henbury View schools, speaking with students about my role and answering fantastic questions
- Chaired a meeting for retailers in Wimborne to discuss crime issues, joined by the PCC and Chief Inspector
- Joined the Wareham & Isle of Purbeck Scouts for their St George’s Day Parade, celebrating the vital role they play across our local communities
- Raised concerns with the Chancellor on the need for more support for hospitality businesses like Cross Keys Pub in Holt Heath and BEAR Cafe in Wimborne by cutting VAT
- Recalled to Parliament to take part in the British Steel debate recognising the importance of economic growth and industrial independence
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My Resident Surgeries
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I run a number of surgeries each month at various locations across Mid Dorset & North Poole. To attend, I'm afraid you do need an appointment so if you want to come and speak to me, please email me on vikki.slade.mp@parliament.uk and my team be in touch |
That's it for this month! I'll keep in touch with updates on all things MDNP.
Regards
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