SEND provision
SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) provision has been one of my main priorities since I was elected, supporting parents with individual pieces of casework, campaigning for the Selby SEND school and trying to assist with the lengthy process of obtaining and implementing an EHCP. If I can offer any specific support to you and your family, please let me know.
Improving mobile signal
Since the election, I've heard from countless constituents who are frustrated by the poor phone signal we get in the local area. It stops businesses growing, frustrates local people when trying to do basic things on their phone, and, in some cases, means that people are left stuck without help when a power cut happens. This is particularly concerning for elderly residents. That's why I've made it a priority to hold phone operators to account and push for signal improvements across Selby and Kippax.
So far, I have:
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Written to EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone repeatedly since 2023 to raise concerns.
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Raised the issue directly with the CEO of Ofcom, urging a review of local coverage.
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Held a public event with Northern Powergrid to discuss power cuts. Local people highlighted that during outages, mobile signal is often also lost.
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Pressed operators on signal loss during power cuts. EE requested detailed information on impacted mobile numbers, dates, and times to assess whether battery backup could be improved.
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Collected and shared evidence from constituents affected by mobile outages to support calls for backup power solutions.
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Met regularly with VodafoneThree following their merger to discuss improving signal locally – including boosting one of their masts. I'm told that customers on both the Vodafone and Three networks can expect to see improvements in the coming years.
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Held two meetings with the Minister for Digital Infrastructure, most recently about the delivery of two major projects: Shared Rural Network (mobile signal) and Project Gigabit (broadband improvements).
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Launched a local mobile signal survey to gather real-world data. Many residents told me Ofcom’s new ‘Map Your Mobile’ tool doesn’t reflect their actual day-to-day experiences. Please take a few minutes to complete this - your feedback helps me hold providers to account and push for better coverage across our communities.
Latest outcomes:
Thanks to the data you’ve shared with me:
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Recently, three new local mobile network masts were approved, which should boost coverage for areas including Selby Town Centre, Staynor Hall, Wistow and Brayton. I’m also supporting plans for a new phone mast in Kippax.
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These come alongside planned upgrades to base stations in Sherburn, Osgodby, Hemingbrough, Hambleton, Eggborough.
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Using the data from the survey I launched, I approached Ofcom to raise the issue of ‘Map Your Mobile’ data not reflecting the lived experiences of many local people. I've attached my letter and their response below.
Next steps:
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I’m continuing to correspond with all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and relevant infrastructure companies about planned upgrades in our area to push for quick progress.
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Following the survey I launched last year, I'm meeting with Cellnex UK to discuss how the Government can ensure that signal strength/reliability is serving the needs of our area.
Thank you so much to all the local people who have got in touch and helped me make the case to providers so far. I’m pleased that some infrastructure upgrades are due to make an impact in the coming years and I hope that you have noticed an improvement to your signal recently, but I recognise that there is still so much to do.
I will continue to fight for our area to receive the digital upgrades we deserve. If you require assistance with a matter related to poor mobile signal, power outages or any other issue with connectivity, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office.
