Did you hear me on BBC Lancashire on Monday? Here’s a clip but if you missed it, it’s on BBC sounds!

Our streets, parks and countryside deserve better. Last week, this Labour Government launched its new Waste Crime Action Plan - the toughest ever crackdown on illegal dumping.

Here are just a few highlights from last week, working for West Lancashire. If you’re a constituent and you need my help, please contact me: 📧 [email protected] 📞01695 559699

Did you know, you can access the archive of my monthly newsletter on my website? If you’d like to get them straight into your inbox, sign up here: https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2024/11/01/my-monthly-newsletter/

Do you have a strong and credible connection to Digmoor and/or Skelmersdale? I’ve secured £20 million for Digmoor over the next decade and we’re looking for an independent chair to lead the board. https://westlancsjobs.co.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=HR-0045-26

Great news that the government has announced more than £50 million in support for low income households. In England, these funds will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, from 1 April.

Here’s a clip from my interview on Woman’s Hour last week. Listen back on BBC Sounds to hear me talk about my decision to step down as Health Minister, my experiences of secondary breast cancer, my priorities for West Lancashire. Link here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002sftx

I’ve written to the Shaping Care Together Joint Committee, urging them to take the views and needs of West Lancashire residents into account when making their decision tomorrow.

My first week as a backbench MP again has been a busy one. Here are just some of the highlights.

Thank you to everyone who has got in touch recently about Royal Mail. I know delays are incredibly frustrating and I’ve raised this with colleagues. Blair McDougall, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation has recently met with Royal Mail to ensure things improved.

I’ve just come from the Chamber where the Chancellor of the Exchequer has made her Spring Forecast statement. Here are 3 reasons why Labour has the right economic plan for Britain.

Delighted to see @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social become the new Minister for Public Health and Prevention. Her dedication to public health and advocacy for those harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh stands her in good stead to take up this role. I’ll be cheering her on from the backbenches.

I have taken the decision to step down from my ministerial responsibilities to allow me to focus on my job representing you, the people of West Lancashire, while I continue to receive oral chemotherapy treatment. My letter to the PM below 👇

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is one of the top reasons that constituents contact me. That’s why I’m delighted at the government’s white paper released yesterday on our reforms to the system. SEND pupils will get the support they need, when they need it and where they need it.

This Labour government is getting young people into work, right here in West Lancs. Here's a clip from my recent jobs fair in Skelmersdale, where I explain more.

It was great to speak to people on Jeremy Vine last week about their experiences of cancer and their questions about the National Cancer Plan. If you missed it, you can catch the whole interview on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qckm

The ambitions of our National Cancer Plan mean that from 2035, 3 out of 4 people will be cured or living well with cancer 5 years after their diagnosis.   If you missed my interview last week, you can catch the whole interview on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qckm

In case you missed it... here is a link to my December newsletter 👇 https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2026/02/06/december-2025/ 📩 To receive my newsletters without delay and straight to your inbox, sign up here: https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2024/11/01/my-monthly-newsletter/

How are Labour supporting children in West Lancashire? Through our Plan for Change, we'll put money in parents' pockets and give children the best start in life.

Everyone who has been impacted by cancer will know how it affects every aspect of your life. That’s why this plan focuses on early diagnosis, swifter treatments and clinical trials – all underpinned by a revolution in cancer science and technology.

As the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, I've been responsible for driving through the National Cancer Plan. We're putting patients at the very heart of our cancer plan, led by a cancer patient at the head.

📢1430 children able to access free breakfast clubs from April in West Lancashire! 🥳 This includes the children at early adopter schools and 6 more schools joining the Government’s scheme. https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/mapped-kids-lancashire-schools-can-33350560

Last night, I voted to remove the 2 child limit and lift 450,000 children out of poverty. Here in West Lancashire, 2140 children will benefit from the 2-child limit being scrapped. That’s over 2000 children whose chances in life will be better off as a result of this Labour government.

How are your new years resolutions going? I recently put on a jobs fair in the local community so my constituents could smash their 2026 career goals 💫

Here are a couple of casework wins from this January. Each month, I deal with hundreds of cases like this– helping people deal with a wide range of issues. If you’re a constituent and you need my help, please do not hesitate to get in touch: 📩[email protected] ☎️01695 559699

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are looking at their next 5 year plan and want to hear from you. Complete the 5 minute survey by Sunday 15 March. 👉 www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LFRS26

2026 is the year that Britain turns a corner and people here in West Lancashire start to feel better off. My latest column in the Ormskirk Advertiser is out today. In it, I reflect upon 2025 and just some of what is to come for us this year.

Find your next role by attending my jobs fair this Friday. • Friday 23 January, 9am-12pm. • Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre • Please register interest by emailing your name and contact details to [email protected]. • Alternatively, you can turn up on the day.

I’ve written to Cllr Graham Dalton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Lancashire County Council, to highlight the concerns that constituents have shared with me.

Congratulations to Asmall Community Primary School for their successful application to the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme next month! 🎉 I’m proud that a school in West Lancashire is playing their part to develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Last chance to apply to the Caseworker role in my team! Applications close tomorrow (Wednesday 21 January) at 5pm. Please share with anyone you think may be interested. Full details on my website: https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2026/01/07/vacancy-constituency-caseworker/

Just some of what I've worked on this week as your MP for West Lancashire 👇

Fantastic news that Tour de France is coming to West Lancashire next year! 🚴 On Saturday 3 July 2027, Stage 2 will start in Keswick and finish in Liverpool, going through West Lancs on the way. This is going to be brilliant for our local tourism, and an exciting cultural day out in West Lancs.

👶From April this year: new day 1 rights confirmed for parental leave. 👶 New parents will no longer have to make the difficult decision to go back to work after the birth of their child.

📢NHS waiting lists are down! Brilliant news that NHS waiting lists fell across England by 86,000 in November. This is the second biggest drop in NHS waiting lists in 15 years, despite record demand in 2025, a challenging winter and strikes.

🔎 Looking for a rewarding apprenticeship? National Grid apprenticeship applications are now open: https://jobs.nationalgrid.com/uk/early-careers/apprenticeships

If you like helping people, and have excellent communication and relationship skills, please have a look at my vacancy. 1 week left to apply to be a Caseworker in my team. Please share this with anyone who may be interested: https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2026/01/07/vacancy-constituency-caseworker/

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Colin Pickthall, former Labour MP for West Lancashire in 1992-2005. Many of you will fondly remember his time serving locally and the impact that he had on the area. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.

I’m so excited about some of the names that have been confirmed for my jobs fair on 23rd January! Read the article to learn more 👇 https://www.lep.co.uk/news/mp-hosts-west-lancashire-job-fair-featuring-opportunities-at-muller-victorian-plumbing-edge-hill-university-5468286

New Year, New Job? Come along to my jobs fair to meet with hiring organisations and learn about upcoming opportunities! • Friday 23 Jan, 9am-12pm • Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre • Please register interest by emailing [email protected]

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has launched a survey asking local folk for their views on the funding they pay towards policing and community safety. The survey link is below - deadline is 12pm on 14th January 2026. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/budget-survey-2026

2026 is going to be a brilliant year for Skelmersdale. If you live in Skelmersdale and would like to share your views on what the £20 million should be spent on, please complete my survey: https://www.ashleydalton.uk/2025/09/23/ashley-fights-for-major-investment-in-skem-and-wants-your-views/

After 14 years of Conservative austerity, Labour is putting money back into our local services. The government has decided to give a £310 million cash injection (a 27% increase) for Lancashire County Council and an additional £1.3 million for West Lancashire Borough Council.

Did you spot my monthly column in the Ormskirk Advertiser? I discuss the action this Labour government is taking on the cost of living. From reducing energy bills to increasing the minimum wage, read the article to find out how this budget will help residents in West Lancs.

Last week was another busy one, working hard for constituents in West Lancs. Here is just some of what I achieved.

There are too many NEET young people in West Lancashire. We are changing that - with 350,000 new workplace and training opportunities and a Jobs Guarantee for 18-21 year olds who are long-term unemployment. We are investing in the futures of our young people 💪

If you’re local to Digmoor, why not pop along to West Lancashire Borough Council’s ‘Celebrate Digmoor’ day on Tuesday 16th December? This is being held at Digmoor Shopping Parade, WN8 9HR and is being supported by funding from the government. Full details are on the flyer 🎄

Here are just a few highlights from last week, as MP for West Lancs...

Calling primary schools in West Lancs: applications are now open for the next wave of Breakfast Clubs! Find out if your school is eligible and apply here: Home - https://free-breakfast-clubs.education.gov.uk/ You have until Friday 5 December to apply, so don’t hesitate to be in with a chance.

Don’t forget to share your views on the Lancashire Combined County Authority’s draft Local Transport Plan. The survey ends on Sunday 30 November Draft Local Transport Plan: https://www.lancashire-cca.gov.uk/.../supporting-documents Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Local-Transport-Plan