They talked about the importance of support not just in school but throughout the community so they could have a social life and take part in activities that are often not available to them.
I will continue to support their campaign.
I was so impressed with the way the group I met advocated for all those young carers in a similar position to them. Many had taken a lead in driving change and support in their own schools where it hadn’t been before.
Someone who understands what is happening outside of school life and can advocate on their behalf if homework deadlines or classes are missed, for example. A champion would also help educate staff and pupils through assemblies and lesson plans.
Young carers are calling for the Government to ensure there is a Young Carer Lead or Champion in every school, college and university. This gives children and young people someone to talk to if needed.
Educational inequalities for young carers are clear. Figures from the @carerstrust.bsky.social and Young Carers Alliance show that young carers miss 23 days of school a year; 38% are persistently absent and 46% achieve 5 GCSE passes including maths and English – the national average is 58%.
To mark #YoungCarersActionDay yesterday, I met with a really impressive group of young people to listen to how they are campaigning for proper support in schools for young carers, and the need for more funding so they don’t miss out on education because of their responsibilities at home.
If you need my help or would like to speak to me about an issue, please email me at ian.sollom.mp@parliament.uk and a member of my team will be in touch.
And as usual, I enjoyed some campaigning on the doorsteps of St Neots at the weekend, and held my weekly online and in-person surgery to speak to local residents about their concerns and advising them on the help I can give.
Away from Parliament, I spoke to the Hunts Post about my ongoing campaign for fairer funding for road repairs in Cambridgeshire and the letter I have written to the Roads Minister on this. You can read the interview here: www.huntspost.co.uk/.../25890824...
🎓 Pressing the Government to urgently unfreeze the repayment threshold on student loan plans and tie it to earnings and graduates were originally promised, and to start structural reform on the system that will work for everyone - from 18-year-olds to those studying flexibly and later in life.
🏆 Celebrating the achievements of Cambridge Regional College and Citizen Hub as they won an award for their work to bring together employers local voluntary groups to support young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) and those facing social or financial challenges.
🌱 Meeting with representatives from the National Institute of Agriculture Botany (Niab), based in Impington, who were showcasing their research on turning industrial hemp into carbon-negative construction materials such as insulation, fibreboards and concrete for sustainable housing.
🫂 Supporting Marie Curie's 'Great Daffodil Appeal' and speaking to palliative care nurses about their experience and how much interest the Assisted Dying Bill sparked in our country's end-of-life care capacity. It's great to see that they are seizing on this to draw attention to gaps in provision.
I always endeavour to represent residents of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire in Westminster on issues you care about. Thank you to everyone who writes to me each week, expressing your views, sharing campaigns, and inviting me to attend various meetings in Parliament. Last week, this included:
Here is my weekly roundup of highlights from last week in Parliament and across St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. 👇
It was also good to meet IQ Capital during the visit and discuss its role in supporting Nyobolt’s growth — a good example of how the right investment partnership can help turn world-class research into real-world impact.
As someone passionate about strengthening the UK’s skills pipeline, universities, and spin-out ecosystem, it is genuinely inspiring to see a local company developing technology that will more sustainably power the industries of the future.
Its breakthroughs in high-power, fast-charging battery technology show exactly what can be achieved when cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial ambition combine with the drive to advance our low-carbon energy transition.
Last week I had a fascinating visit to @nyobolt.bsky.social, an Impington-based company, which builds super-fast charging, high power, and long cycle-life lithium-ion batteries. It's a shining example of the world-class innovation that defines the Cambridge ecosystem.
Adult learning is a powerful tool for personal growth, economic resilience, and social cohesion but for too long has been undervalued and underfunded.
That's why I support the AoC's #AdultLearning campaign and call on the government to recognise and invest in lifelong learning.
Colleges Week is held each year to celebrate the important work colleges do all year-round to support learners and their communities. This year’s theme is Skills for All, with a particular focus on adult learning.
The Beacon Awards, which this year were held during #CollegesWeek2026, celebrate the best and most innovative practices in further education (FE) colleges and show the impact that they have on people, communities and the economy.
The initiative provides careers advice, help with job searching, referrals to training, and access to other local services.
The team won the Award for Excellence in Careers & Enterprise after bringing together CRC, employers, and local voluntary groups to support young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), adults changing careers, people made redundant, and those facing social or financial challenges.
I was delighted to celebrate with Cambridge Regional College and St Neots Citizen Hub after they won an award for excellence at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards in Parliament yesterday.
We have a duty to defend our brave British troops and citizens in the region, but that should be the limit of British operations. The UK must not be complicit in illegal or unwise military action again.
Starmer must come to Parliament and give MPs a vote. We should not agree to British participation in this conflict simply because Labour government lawyers say it is legal – as they did on the disastrous invasion of Iraq twenty years ago.
The PM must not let Trump drag Britain into another unwise war in the Middle East. Trump has no plan for what comes next - and neither does Starmer.
I am concerned to see the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, and that the UK has allowed the US to use its bases for strikes on Iran. No matter how the Prime Minister tries to redefine offensive as defensive, this is a mistake.
There is still much to do, but l will keep listening and standing up for the rights that I believe are essential for a free and fair society.
