Catherine Atkinson MP

Last week I met inspiring people across Derby - from Army Reservists to Race for Life runners and residents in Stockbrook Park sharing ideas for the new play area.

With wins on free school meals, defence, and transport we’re moving forward.

🎥 Watch the highlights here:

From the Dracula Returns conference to visiting local manufacturer Pentaxia, community fundraisers, raising key issues in Parliament like buses, rail skills & youth services and listening to residents on their doorsteps in Darley.

Sink your teeth into my latest round-up⤵️

Celebrating VE Day celebrations, encouraging young engineers, joining community events, welcoming the Transport Secretary to Derby, holding my advice surgery and speaking up for football fans, drivers and our community pharmacies - here’s a quick look at what I’ve been up to⤵️

Labour has frozen prescription charges and is backing local pharmacies - after years of Conservative cuts that forced hundreds to close. It’s real support for people’s health whilst keeping more money in people’s pockets.

Raised Derby’s rail sector with our Prime Minister, highlighted skills training to stop reoffending, questioned by Bemrose School Parliament, celebrated Derby Uni law students, supported charity tackling plastic waste in rivers, cultural events and more - watch my catch up

Some of what I've been up to recently:
🩸Met Derbyshire Blood Bikes
🎖️Spoken with local veterans
🚸Supported Children First Derby's Anti-Bullying Campaign
🚉Discussed GBR HQ in Derby
🧑‍🏭Championed Derby's Defence sector
🍛Welcomed a new restaurant in Littleover
🎶Celebrated Easter at Derby Cathedral

This year we'll see a brand new fleet of trains to our tracks in the East Midlands, especially exciting because they can run on electrified tracks. Electrification of our railways means lower noise, lower pollution, lower cost which is better for passengers, communities and the environment.

Last week, I met local pupils in both Derby and in Parliament, caught up with charities doing important work supporting our community, visited local businesses and spoke in support of housing for our veterans, as well as electrifying the Midland Mainline. Watch my week back here:

Those who serve deserve a safe home to return to.

I shared how Derventio Housing Trust is tackling veteran homelessness in Derby with the Veterans Minister.

It's right that this government is making it quicker and easier for veterans to get the support they deserve.

Minimum wage up, breakfast clubs being rolled out and NHS waiting lists coming down. Positive steps in the right direction. This is the real change we promised, being delivered.

Mickleover was promised a new GP surgery when housing was built under the last Government. It never happened. With new housing, infrastructure must follow. This government is committed to changing the rules so that new housing gets the infrastructure, including the GP surgeries our communities need.

200 new jobs for our city, holding a meeting of local headteachers, highlighting Derby's contribution to European security, preparing for Becketwell Live's opening night, another busy advice surgery & cheering on Derby representation on Team GB at the Deaflympics - here's what I got up to last week:

Exciting news for Derby: 200 new jobs, lower bills, warmer homes and a greener future.

Great to join Vaillant at the launch of their new heat pump plant alongside Ed Miliband & East Mids Mayor Claire Ward.

Heat pump demand is up 79% and Derby is stepping up to meet the country's needs.

Cheering on St Patrick's Day festivities, supporting Derby's rail freight sector, protecting our young people from knife crime, voting for every worker to have fair pay & conditions and listening to residents on their doorsteps in Heatherton - here's what I got up to last week⤵️