Max Wilkinson MP

Potholes, potholes & more potholes…

I’ve asked the county council to come to Cheltenham for a public meeting to talk about what they’re doing to improve road maintenance. In the meantime, let me know areas that need attention in the comments below or by emailing max.wilkinson.mp@parliament.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I love trying new ways to stay happy, fit & healthy. So I was delighted to receive an invitation to join Laura & the Kitchen Disco Fit squad’s ‘rebounding’ class at Cheltenham Cricket Club. It turned out to be a full body workout on a small trampoline - I promise it’s easy to avoid falling off!

In Cheltenham, more than 1,600 people took part in an apprenticeship programme during the 2024/25 academic year.

Learning on the job has never been more valuable, so it’s wonderful to see more and more people discovering this as their path to employment and a fulfilling career.
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This National Apprenticeship Week I met Archie, a construction engineer with an important job: nuclear decommissioning. He went to Winchcombe School before studying engineering, physics & maths. Now, he’s working at the Berkeley Nuclear Reactor – an impressive role so early in his career.
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My response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Sky News interview 👇

I’m told this is an anomaly caused by engineering works. I’ve asked GWR whether they can lay on quicker journeys in future.
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Last week, Cheltenham train users noticed something unusual - a service from London taking just 1 hour & 34 minutes! The standard service is two hours, which leads many local people to drive to Swindon, Kingham and Kemble for quicker journeys & cheaper fares.
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I have provided ministers with all the information and look forward to their response.

If you run a business in Cheltenham and are interested in joining our next meeting, email me at max.wilkinson.mp@parliament.uk for more information.
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I run the Cheltenham MP and Business Forum to ensure I have an open channel with local businesses. Yesterday, I raised an urgent concern with ministers on behalf of Rendesco, in the hope of securing contracts to make our area more prosperous.
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Experts left and right have warned about the impact rapidly decreasing net migration will have on our economy and public services. I agree that we need a controlled system, but we can’t afford to put our economy or NHS at risk.

Tories & Reform are toying with the idea of a Trump-style ICE force for Britain. I asked the Labour Home Secretary to reassure British people there wouldn’t be a UK ICE force & to condemn Trump's tactics. She said she didn’t pay attention to what happens in America. I’m shocked at her blasé answer.

The current international negotiations must focus on creating a controlled and fair migration system in Europe, without putting at risk the rights that all British people benefit from.
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The ECHR protects our right to privacy, freedom of expression, family life and a fair trial, among so many other things.

For the past couple of days, I’ve been with a cross-party delegation to Strasbourg with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration.
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Absolutely. It’s also vital that more research into ME/CFS, alongside Long Covid, is funded.

And finally, I supported ITSA Digital Trust's 'Great Gloucestershire Mouse Hunt'. The campaign collected working mice, keyboards, power leads and cables so people in need can access technology for education & employment. The photo of my visit proves I’ll dress up like a wally for a good cause!
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Maggie's in Cheltenham invited me to visit their new space and discuss the work they do. With this bigger space, Maggie’s Cheltenham can now help even more people battling cancer and their loved ones.
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Recently, I've been fortunate to meet some of the incredible charities & community groups we have in Cheltenham.

I met with local representatives of the ME/CFS friendship group in Gloucestershire. Parliament must work faster to ensure sufferers have access to proper healthcare and support.
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Thank you to Daniel, Cordel and Tad for the invitation. I am proud to see such incredible community work happening in Cheltenham and offer my ongoing support to their efforts.
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It was a pleasure to meet with SLT & volunteers at Cheltenham-based charity CCP. I visited the Community Pantry, with its own polytunnel growing fresh fruit & veg to buy. I also saw inside one of its ChelPods, self-contained accommodations providing safety, privacy & dignity for people in need.
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It’s time to end the Peter Mandelson charade. The government should boot him out of the House of Lords for good. I asked the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister to bring forward legislation to do just that.

The damage caused by Brexit was never going to be confined to one area of policy. It’s now clear that potential defence investment is being hobbled by the failed Brexit deal. For the sake of our economy and our security, we badly need a much more urgent approach to reintegration with the EU.

In signing, I pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and to speak out against all forms of antisemitism. In recent months this has risen sharply. We must challenge this alarming trend.
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Signing the Holocaust Book of Commitment on Holocaust Memorial Day in Parliament is a profoundly moving experience.
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The ‘temporary’ closure of the Aveta Birth Centre in Cheltenham to labour and births almost four years ago continues to impact the choices of women who want to give birth locally.

Today at Women and Equalities Questions I asked ministers to look again at the issue and to push for a full reopening.

While the processes of Parliament mean I cannot hope to raise every local case directly with a Minister at the despatch box, I will continue to work hard for local people.
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At one of my surgery appointments last week, a constituent came to see me to discuss her long-term issues with the Child Maintenance Service. I am pleased to share that earlier this week I raised the issue with Ministers in Parliament and they have agreed to look into her case.
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Without this, I share the concern of the local Commissioner that any budget shortfall would involve reducing frontline policing in our communities. This is unacceptable. I will be monitoring this issue closely until it is resolved.
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Letter reads: Sarah Jones MP Minister of State for Policing and Crime 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF By email 22 January 2026 Dear Minister, We write as a matter of urgency to express our sincere hope that Gloucestershire Constabulary will be given the financial resources and flexibility required to ensure an adequate budget can be supported for 2026/27. We also endorse the Constabulary bid for a one-off Home Office grant of £10.5M to overcome the constraints imposed by legacy IT. Without this support, the Constabulary will face the same type of cuts in operational capability seen in other forces, with reductions in officer, PCSO and police staff numbers. Estate cuts will also be on the cards, with changes to its front of house service and sale of police buildings. This is despite the recently announced and very welcome relaxation of financial penalties if warranted officer numbers are not maintained, allowing a better balance between officers and police staff, facilitating better budget management. Our Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson has delivered a detailed briefing to the County’s MPs. He assures us that he is determined to avoid issuing a section 114 notice and will do whatever it takes to deliver a balanced budget for FY 26/27. Gloucestershire residents are clearly in favour of a more visible police force with a particular focus on visibility in local communities and measures to tackle crime. The Commissioner tells us that without the requested Home Office IT grant, the requirement for a balanced budget could involve cuts to our Neighbourhood Police Teams and the Constabulary’s ability to keep our citizens safe from serious crime. As local MPs, we hope the Home Office will work with the Commissioner to minimise the risk of any cuts to frontline policing. Yours sincerely Max Wilkinson MP Member of Parliament for Cheltenham Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Home Affairs

I've written to the Minister for Policing and Crime to urgently request that Gloucestershire Constabulary be given the financial resources it needs for 2026/27. My letter followed a briefing by local officials which advised of the need for a one-off £10.5m grant & extra budgetary resourcing.
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