I attended a drop-in with RAC and Road Safety Britain to tackle dangerous speeding. Excess speed causes 1 in 5 road deaths, especially on rural roads. I signed a letter to Downing Street calling for action, including trials of speed-limiting tech for repeat offenders.

Thank you to everyone who attended my surgery in Sandbach yesterday to share your concerns and help work towards solutions together. It was really valuable to hear directly from you. If you’d like to book a surgery appointment, please do get in touch via email. 📧 [email protected]

May has been another busy month, with a mix of constituency and parliamentary work. This is a snapshot of some of my visits, meetings and events. If you’d like to contact me, you can do so at [email protected].

Happy World Environment Day 🌍 Carbon Budget 7 shows our commitment to climate action. The net zero economy supports 1m jobs and £105bn GVA. Clean energy means lower bills and secure jobs. There are plans for a new national forest in the North or Midlands that will bring significant benefits.

May has been another busy month, with a mix of constituency and parliamentary work . This is a snapshot of some of my visits, meetings and events. If you’d like to contact me, you can do so at [email protected].

After raising rural transport issues, I stressed that apparently “walkable” routes are often along unsafe 50mph roads without pavements. The Minister said a new connectivity tool is in development and will now consider this issue. I also raised trains issues. I’ll share updates as I learn more.

I’d like to congratulate the new Mayors and Deputy Mayors for Alsager, Sandbach, Congleton and Cheshire East. Wishing you every success in your civic year and I look forward to working with you and supporting our communities together.

I’m delighted three local schools (Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, Marlfields Primary and Elworth Hall Primary) will receive 2026–27 CIF funding to improve buildings and facilities.

I met with Pensions Minister Torsten Bell to raise casework and concerns about the widening gender pensions gap. Women retire with far less than men, and this risks worsening. I highlighted how employment figures mask future pension poverty and pointed to models like Australia.

I spent a lovely sunny day exploring Biddulph Grange with the family 🌿️. We wandered through the stunning gardens and enjoyed the beautiful Chinese Garden, complete with its iconic red bridge, and learned it is home to Britain’s oldest surviving Golden Larch, brought from China in the 1850s.

I raised residents’ concerns about unadopted estates with the Housing Minister, setting out how developers’ failures leave homeowners stuck with roads and sewers. I’m pressing for clear standards, transparency for buyers and reforms so individuals aren’t left to chase endlessly.

Today is Amnesty International Day, marking a global movement for human rights. Doing death row work in Jamaica in my twenties I saw terrible things. Days like this are a reminder of the power of civic organisations. Get involved in campaigns near you via their website: www.amnesty.org/en/

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your views and experiences about the current SEND proposals. These gave been anonymised and shared with the Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould, as part of a constituency response to the now closed SEND consultation.

I met with Health Minister, Stephen Kinnock, to discuss dentistry and hospice care locally. I raised workforce shortages, access to end‑of‑life medication, and pressures on NHS dentists. I’ll keep pushing for fair funding and better local services.

I was delighted to attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as Chair of the Gardening & Horticulture APPG, and also discuss upcoming work with the Nature Minister 🌷 I hope you are enjoying the Spring Bank Holiday and National Children’s Gardening Week! Find local gardens: ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden

I was thrilled to welcome Alsager Highfields Primary School to Parliament. The pupils engaged brilliantly and asked lots of insightful questions about how Parliament works.

Civil Service Care Leavers’ Internship 2026 is open. Apply by 31 May. An 18‑month paid programme across departments and no formal qualifications needed. Follow this link: www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/civil-servic...

Pleased & awed to welcome Julia Gillard, former PM of Australia & Professor Heejung Chung for an important discussion on parental leave. We’re now very behind internationally, by comparison to Australia, that has a similar culture & economy to ours. Research here: www.kcl.ac.uk/giwl/assets/...

Today, I remember with deep sorrow all those affected by the Manchester Arena attack. The strength, resilience, and unity of our community in the face of tragedy will never be forgotten. 🐝

There was a lot to like in Rachel Reeve’s announcements of economic support for families & business today. In particular, the “Great British Summer Scheme” will cut VAT from 20% to 5% on family attractions this summer.

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes affect 240 people daily, and the symptom acronym is FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Local support groups are available in Alsager, Sandbach & Holmes Chapel. Helpline: 0303 3033 100. Please learn the signs and share. 💜

I welcome the Government crackdown on organised criminals exploiting our high streets. I’ve seen in casework the concern caused by the illegal economy. With new enforcement units, more officers and £30m funding, I’ll keep pushing to support safe, fair local businesses and crack down on offenders.

Let’s get everyone in our local area joining in UK Parliament Week (23-29 November). It’s a great way to find out more about @UKParliament, democracy and how to get involved! Sign up for your free all-new #UKPW resource kit at ukparliamentweek.org

This Government has fulfilled its manifesto commitment to recruiting 8,500 more mental health practitioners. But there is still more to be done. The Mental Health Foundation offers expert‑reviewed, evidence‑based information tips: mentalhealth.org.uk

Early in my career drafting wills, I saw many people dying from asbestos cancers. More recently, it hit my own family. I attended a Parliament event on mesothelioma and learned Australia has a plan to remove asbestos. This is a solvable problem, but not yet solved in the UK.

I was delighted to hear, while at the Sandbach Transport Festival, that 1873 (Sandbach) Air Training Corps will have their base rebuilt in part through new MOD/Government funding, as part of the ‘30 by 30’ initiative. I’m really pleased to see this kind of investment coming into our local area.

Labour has had a difficult week. We didn’t have local elections, but I have still heard the message clearly that people want a greater change than the government has delivered so far. I remain focused on representing you effectively within the Government and giving voice to what matters locally.

Last week, I visited Alsager Book Emporium with my family and spent some time at the monthly Rode Hall Farmers Market too. The Emporium is open Fridays and Saturdays. The next market is on Saturday 6 June, 9am–1.30pm and has some amazing local art, crafts, produce and music!

Well done to everyone who took on the Mow Cop Killer Mile. It was great to be there cheering runners on, and I felt really honoured to present the medals at the finish line. Thank you to all the volunteers who made the event possible, to Chaffinch and Alsager Runners, and to every participant.

It was a pleasure to welcome Brereton CE Primary School to Parliament. Bookings for school visits to Parliament for the autumn term 2026 open at 10am on Wednesday 13th May. Spaces fill up fast, head over to Parliaments learning website to book on!

As the first full parliamentary session of this government ends, I am pleased to present a few examples of the important new laws that Government has delivered to start improving lives for millions of people. The new session will start with the King’s Speech on the 13 May. #Labour #Government

I enjoyed visiting Millie’s Vets in Congleton to see their facilities and learn more. We discussed reforms to the veterinary sector to improve transparency and value for pet owners, and the pressures independent practices face. Hearing directly from James helps inform my work in Parliament.

I had a productive meeting with Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, cross‑party MPs and the Women in Tech Taskforce as part of my role as APPG Women and Work co‑chair. We discussed entry, retention, AI bias and the investment gap. I also attended a No10 celebration with a local constituent

April has been another busy month, balancing constituency work with time in Westminster. Here’s a snapshot of some visits, meetings and events. It was also great to enjoy family time over Easter. Read more and sign up for my newsletter at www.sarahrussellmp.org

I’m really pleased that 4,578 renters in our area get better rights and protections from today. Cheshire East Council is also receiving £222,101 from the Labour government to deal with rogue landlords.

Thank you to everyone who attended the SEND coffee afternoon.  I had many interesting and informative discussions. I will share the constituency consultation response that we produce in due course.

I am delighted that AstraZeneca is investing £150m in its Macclesfield site, supporting local jobs. I visited in February with the Investment Minister. This is welcome news for many families in our area.

Parliament is spending a lot of time at the moment talking about processes and procedures and appointments. I will continue to ask questions because ensuring Parliament is given all of the documents that it has demanded in relation to this matter is an important part of ensuring accountability.

Well done to everyone involved with the Sandbach Transport Festival this weekend. I would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers, artists and organisers that worked super hard to make this weekend such a success!

Last week, it was fantastic to view the facilities on hand at Congleton’s new £5 million Community Diagnostic Centre based at the War Memorial Hospital. I met with the CEO and the Chair of the East Cheshire NHS Trust, to discuss the importance of the NHS 10-Year Plan and its benefits.

It was great to visit Elworth School in Sandbach and spend time with their fantastic Year 5 and 6 pupils. We had a brilliant discussion about life as an MP, what inspired me to get involved in politics, and the importance of social justice.

I met with the Civil Service unit with responsibility for rural broadband delivery, to discuss local broadband speeds, and future superfast fibre roll out plans. I emphasised the need for better broadband for my rural residents.

The initial appointment of Peter Mandelson was wrong, and the Prime Minister was right to apologise for it. I asked the PM about how quickly he came to update the House of Commons, after the Civil Service told him that Peter Mandelson had failed his vetting.

I’m proud that the Labour government has provided funding to help households with their heating oil, and other emergency costs. To apply for support, please visit Cheshire East Council Website. I will continue to lobby for support for you in these difficult times.

I recently met with the Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves, to discuss domestic abuse, the delays in criminal cases and especially rape trials, and how the legal system must work better for survivors.

On Friday I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful, historic St Mary's Church in Astbury. I met the Rev Heather Carter and discussed her fundraising plans to maintain and improve the Church.

It was a real pleasure to attend the 230 (Congleton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Annual Dining Night in Cranage. It was inspiring to see the dedication of so many volunteers, and to see so many cadets achieving great things and making a positive contribution to the community.

Last month, I attended a Police & Crime Commissioner’s Citizen Assembly event at Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre. One of the topics raised was the concern around e‑bikes in Sandbach, with many residents sharing their experiences and views.

I have written to the Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council and the Interim Assistant Chief Executive about bin collections. I have also spoken to the leader of Cheshire East.

The government is making new laws for: ✅ Easier and cheaper lease extensions ✅ Greater transparency on service charges ✅ Stronger rights to challenge unfair fees ✅ A move away from leasehold contracts It was lovely to hear the the Minister recognise my continued work and local involvement.