<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Simon Lightwooc ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Simon Lightwood MP]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:53:18 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Should we ban social  media for under-16's?]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’m really keen to hear your views on an issue many parents and young people have raised with me: how we can help young people build a healthier, safer relationship with phones and social media.   The Government has launched a national conversation on children’s online safety, recognising both the huge benefits of technology and the growing concerns about its impact on young people’s wellbeing.]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/should-we-ban-social-media-for-under-16-s</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699387f8d7d63c8ec61ca841</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:12:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_59d5c96e9a81484c9d400730c22cb869~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Happy birthday Harry! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Wakefield WW2 Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday with Visit from Local MP and Messages from the King and Prime Minister A much‑loved Wakefield resident and Second World War veteran has celebrated his 100th birthday with a series of heartfelt tributes recognising his remarkable life and service. Harry  Birdsall, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps and helped evacuate prisoners from the Bergen‑Belsen concentration camp in 1945, marked his milestone birthday surrounded by family, friends,...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/happy-birthday-harry</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6992ffb9159d7fac9640ac1a</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Features]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_b7d5f7b6a0aa446d86cba621e94b309d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It’s time for a national conversation about social media and our children]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’m a dad, and like any parent, I spend a lot of time worrying about my kids. However, in the digital age, with more services moving online and smartphones, tablets and computers part of our daily lives, these worries now include making sure they are safe online. Many of you have contacted me about the effects that the constant connectivity, online content and social media use can have on children's wellbeing, concentration, sleep and relationships. Our children should be able to spend more...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/it-s-time-for-a-national-conversation-about-social-media-and-our-children</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6992f9afcf429c4fcb4bbc7b</guid><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_31ecff95f9894578bd8c5238f98bf9d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflecting on 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we begin the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved in 2025, the first full calendar year of this Labour Government, and to look ahead to what we can accomplish together in 2026. The General Election may feel like only yesterday, but already this Government has delivered transformative change for communities here in Wakefield and Rothwell. Over the past twelve months, we have passed crucial pieces of legislation that will make a real difference to...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/reflecting-on-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6992fe3e7ecf4e1c5f03d3b5</guid><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_70f76da67df24663892c34e0ea3602d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wakefield city centre needs a Post Office.]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Post Office branch at Trinity Walk is set to close at the end of February, following a decision by TG Jones, the business where the branch is currently located.  ​ I am working closely with Wakefield Council, the Post Office, Wakefield BID, and other local organisations to fight for a continued Post Office presence in the city centre - where it belongs. I am also extremely concerned about the impact this decision will have on branch staff, especially so close to Christmas, their busiest...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/wakefield-city-centre-needs-a-post-office</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6935e21b79a98c627a61291a</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 20:24:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_9346477a893b4466840497fe367007a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_710,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Budget that delivers for Wakefield and Rothwell]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week, the Chancellor delivered her Budget, which carried a strong message: Britain’s future will be built on fairness, not austerity. Gone are the days of cuts that hollowed out our communities or promises that couldn’t be paid for. Instead, this was a plan rooted in renewal, investing in people, in families and in the places we call home. But what does that really mean for us here in Wakefield and Rothwell? Let’s look beyond the headlines and into the lives behind the numbers. For too...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/a-budget-that-delivers-for-wakefield-and-rothwell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6992ff346afbe985b7a2d08f</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_44326f1631c0457893ff71c807c4d71d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Small business of the month]]></title><description><![CDATA[Small businesses in Wakefield and Rothwell are the heartbeat of our local economy. They bring innovation, character, and opportunity to our high streets and communities. Every month, I’ll be celebrating one local business as Small Business of the Month - shining a spotlight on their resilience, creativity, and the vital role they play in driving growth and supporting local jobs. Their success is our success, and they deserve to be recognised and championed. Do you know a brilliant small...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/small-business-of-the-month</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6923009764d3b7d3c7c535d3</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 16 Nov 2025 12:40:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_e63b997020744b249dc026e2d6c69426~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_654,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Honouring our veterans]]></title><description><![CDATA[Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day are opportunities for us to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who fought to defend our freedoms and protect our way of life.  And although they happen every year, these important dates never lose their importance and significance to our history and our national story.  From both World Wars to Kosovo and Afghanistan, our veterans have stood up for our country with courage and sacrifice. Their service has kept us safe and we must never forget...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/honouring-our-veterans</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6911e178f62ae997b5c78185</guid><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Feature Article]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_5d8ad9217113471aa6f24c559986a1eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_562,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Britain Built for all]]></title><description><![CDATA[For many people, party conferences can feel a world away from everyday life. Four days of speeches, resolutions, and political jargon -...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/a-britain-built-for-all</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e60621a062988b037452f0</guid><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Features]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:35:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_01c8ccfdac844bb8a62afdabbc71e0ae~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Love Lupset]]></title><description><![CDATA[After years of being left out, Lupset is finally getting the support it needs - thanks to our Labour government. ​ I’ve worked hard to get £20 million for Lupset. This money will be given over 10 years, which means £2 million every year to make our area better. Read more]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/love-lupset</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d580c763aa22bf1d63dd4b</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:50:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_223d9da013f440deaa463e918806ec15~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_795,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Recognition of the State of Palestine]]></title><description><![CDATA[The State of Palestine On 21 September 2025, the UK Government made a historic decision: to formally recognise the State of Palestine....]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/recognition-of-the-state-of-palestine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d10d68d5ac6ba276886e02</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Features]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_023dd286e5914cf885fe76bfdd327589~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Next Stop: Better Buses]]></title><description><![CDATA[There’s no sugar-coating it - bus services across Wakefield and Rothwell haven’t been up to scratch for a long time.    I hear about it...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/next-stop-better-buses</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c162e37d132fe454fb91ad</guid><category><![CDATA[Buses]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:37:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_08f994ac19c2405aad4129ffba87753d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Turning the tide on polluters]]></title><description><![CDATA[After 14 years of Conservative failure on sewage, Labour is cleaning up the mess and reforming our water system to work better for...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/turning-the-tide-on-polluters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6880d820a1c535cc1b4acd6b</guid><category><![CDATA[Features]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sewage]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_6a39385449542d6559556b~mv2_d_3599_2218_s_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Our NHS is broken - but not beaten]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every single week, one issue comes up more than any other—the state of our NHS. And for me, this isn’t just political, it’s personal....]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/our-nhs-is-broken-but-not-beaten</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6878e9130902c615f4d0684e</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wakefield Express Column]]></category><category><![CDATA[Dentistry]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_2ceee5ac19af47688a3625c1fd6c55be~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Better Buses Bill]]></title><description><![CDATA[Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of leading the Government’s Bus Services Bill through its Committee Stage in Parliament. This...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/better-buses-bill</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6878e8b98ca343d27f6084dd</guid><category><![CDATA[Buses]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_c99cdec37f67427ea98450415284faaf~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Safer Streets this summer]]></title><description><![CDATA[This summer, I’m proud to support a bold and much-needed initiative to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Wakefield city centre....]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/safer-streets-this-summer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6878e80ed85c525ad1aaec97</guid><category><![CDATA[Anti-Social Behaviour]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_e169b1d817f84f008a43dae08cd6e362~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_987,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>elliecjames8</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Statement on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.]]></title><description><![CDATA[For months, I’ve listened - really listened to the voices of Wakefield and Rothwell, engaging with local people on the Terminally Ill...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/statement-on-the-terminally-ill-adults-end-of-life-bill</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6855c282ec7b28e8dfaf8367</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:22:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_f9782b29769d4e53b0e358fbc8f5fd81~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_832,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Bobbies on the Beat]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’m pleased to welcome a major step forward in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across Wakefield. Thanks to a new partnership...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/more-bobbies-on-the-beat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6841e1ab169e129fc7ee2eba</guid><category><![CDATA[Anti-Social Behaviour]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/829b93_c4485a2f14a5436aa3e511a46b3fb359~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Better Buses for Wakefield &#38; Rothwell]]></title><description><![CDATA[As your MP, I’m proud to be introducing a new Buses Bill—a bold step towards transforming bus services not just here in Wakefield and...]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/better-buses-for-wakefield-rothwell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6841e1ab169e129fc7ee2ee0</guid><category><![CDATA[Buses]]></category><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_2fd0cc4d887341d0ba21dbf137bac336~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pay rise for our frontline workers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our incredible public service workers—from NHS staff and prison officers to teachers and support staff—deserve more than just praise....]]></description><link>https://www.simonlightwood.org.uk/post/pay-rise-for-our-frontline-workers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6841e1ab169e129fc7ee2eb9</guid><category><![CDATA[All News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3348ed_181ebbcc278344d5971409a0647fbb94~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_624,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Simon Lightwood</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>