Luke Akehurst MP
@luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social
Member of Parliament for North Durham
The number of suicides or attempted suicides attended by fire services have tripled in the past decade. I’m joining @Samaritans #UnitedWithTheFrontline campaign in calling for suicide prevention training for emergency services.
Find out more at: bit.ly/4nw5wJI
Find out more at: bit.ly/4nw5wJI
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The number of suicides or attempted suicides attended by fire services have tripled in the past decade. I’m joining @Samaritans #UnitedWithTheFrontline campaign in calling for suicide prevention training for emergency services.
Find out more at: bit.ly/4nw5wJI
Find out more at: bit.ly/4nw5wJI
I’m pleased that Nationwide has committed to keeping its Chester-le-Street branch open until at least early 2030. With high streets across the country facing challenges – and North Durham being no exception - banking services remain vital to the strength and sustainability of our local communities.
December 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I’m pleased that Nationwide has committed to keeping its Chester-le-Street branch open until at least early 2030. With high streets across the country facing challenges – and North Durham being no exception - banking services remain vital to the strength and sustainability of our local communities.
At this year’s Remembrance Service at Ouston Community Centre, pupils from Ouston and St Benet’s Primary Schools delivered deeply moving readings. It is so important that we keep the memory of these tragic events alive for future generations. Thank you to the Community Centre for hosting.
December 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
At this year’s Remembrance Service at Ouston Community Centre, pupils from Ouston and St Benet’s Primary Schools delivered deeply moving readings. It is so important that we keep the memory of these tragic events alive for future generations. Thank you to the Community Centre for hosting.
This week's budget will directly benefit 2,200 children living in North Durham.
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This week's budget will directly benefit 2,200 children living in North Durham.
The numbers speak for themselves - minimum wage increase ✅
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The numbers speak for themselves - minimum wage increase ✅
Really enjoyed visiting South Stanley Partnership to learn more about what they do and the support they provide to residents across South Stanley. Paula provided some helpful feedback about potential projects in the area which I will include in the public consultation on Pride in Place Funding.
November 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Really enjoyed visiting South Stanley Partnership to learn more about what they do and the support they provide to residents across South Stanley. Paula provided some helpful feedback about potential projects in the area which I will include in the public consultation on Pride in Place Funding.
Everyone who worked in the coal industry deserves to see this long-standing injustice finally put right. I’m proud that Labour has made this a priority, and that 222 BCSSS pensioners in North Durham will now receive a 41% annual uplift to their pensions - which is an average of £100 more per week.
November 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Everyone who worked in the coal industry deserves to see this long-standing injustice finally put right. I’m proud that Labour has made this a priority, and that 222 BCSSS pensioners in North Durham will now receive a 41% annual uplift to their pensions - which is an average of £100 more per week.
Budget Day may be hectic, but I used PMQs to call out how Council Tax Reduction Scheme changes pushed through by Reform at County Hall will hurt the least well off residents in North Durham. The Prime Minister agreed, we are now seeing Reform's true colours.
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Budget Day may be hectic, but I used PMQs to call out how Council Tax Reduction Scheme changes pushed through by Reform at County Hall will hurt the least well off residents in North Durham. The Prime Minister agreed, we are now seeing Reform's true colours.
I’m really pleased to share some positive news for commuters using Chester-le-Street and Durham stations in North Durham. For the first time since the ‘90s, Labour is freezing national rail fares. That will mean savings for people across the country.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I’m really pleased to share some positive news for commuters using Chester-le-Street and Durham stations in North Durham. For the first time since the ‘90s, Labour is freezing national rail fares. That will mean savings for people across the country.
Reposted by Luke Akehurst MP
YouGov tend to record lower Reform scores than other pollsters, but this represents Reform's lowest polling in any poll since 25th April.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
YouGov tend to record lower Reform scores than other pollsters, but this represents Reform's lowest polling in any poll since 25th April.
Labour is stepping up support for our veterans and their families. Veterans' support centres will be rolled out across the country, to make it easier for veterans to get help with healthcare, housing, or finding a new job.
November 20, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Labour is stepping up support for our veterans and their families. Veterans' support centres will be rolled out across the country, to make it easier for veterans to get help with healthcare, housing, or finding a new job.
Reposted by Luke Akehurst MP
Councils in north of England and Midlands to get more funding in shake-up
Councils in north of England and Midlands to get more funding in shake-up
The changes could see funding boosts for Reform-led councils in the north with high levels of deprivation
Deprived towns and cities in the midlands and the north of England are the big winners in a major shake-up of local authority funding that will redirect cash from affluent rural areas to urban councils hit hardest by austerity.
Ministers said the changes put in place a fairer system that recognised the extra needs and weaker council tax raising powers of councils in so-called “left behind’ areas. It guarantees them real-terms funding increases for the next three years. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Councils in north of England and Midlands to get more funding in shake-up
I am delighted that Newker Primary School and St Bede’s Catholic School have been selected to receive funding for solar power from Great British Energy.
It will mean these schools spend less of their money on energy bills, and more on the resources that our children rely on
It will mean these schools spend less of their money on energy bills, and more on the resources that our children rely on
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I am delighted that Newker Primary School and St Bede’s Catholic School have been selected to receive funding for solar power from Great British Energy.
It will mean these schools spend less of their money on energy bills, and more on the resources that our children rely on
It will mean these schools spend less of their money on energy bills, and more on the resources that our children rely on
There are only three days left to get your tickets! Venue is in Stanley - sign up for a ticket and the venue will be sent to you before the event. Hope to see you there!
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
There are only three days left to get your tickets! Venue is in Stanley - sign up for a ticket and the venue will be sent to you before the event. Hope to see you there!
Yesterday the Home Secretary announced a major overhaul of our asylum system to secure our borders. The reforms will introduce temporary refugee status, end automatic housing support, and set limits on new legal routes. I asked the Home Secretary what impact these changes might have on HMOs.
November 18, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Yesterday the Home Secretary announced a major overhaul of our asylum system to secure our borders. The reforms will introduce temporary refugee status, end automatic housing support, and set limits on new legal routes. I asked the Home Secretary what impact these changes might have on HMOs.
I am holding a public drop in consultation event this coming Friday 21st November between 4-7pm on the £20 million funding for Stanley. I want to hear from residents on how we should spend this money. This is a ticketed event, so please book in advance: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luke-akehu...
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I am holding a public drop in consultation event this coming Friday 21st November between 4-7pm on the £20 million funding for Stanley. I want to hear from residents on how we should spend this money. This is a ticketed event, so please book in advance: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luke-akehu...
Back in July when I raised my concerns around Durham County Council's proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme I was called an "alarmist" and a "plonker" - now, DCC have announced that the poorest working households face a Council Tax increase of at least £162 from April.
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Back in July when I raised my concerns around Durham County Council's proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme I was called an "alarmist" and a "plonker" - now, DCC have announced that the poorest working households face a Council Tax increase of at least £162 from April.
I have joined forces with fellow County Durham MPs to ask for fairer funding for County Durham. Read our letter to the Minister below.
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
I have joined forces with fellow County Durham MPs to ask for fairer funding for County Durham. Read our letter to the Minister below.
Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.
Thank you to Nigel Humes of the Chester-le-Street Cultural Association for presenting me with this lovely picture of Lumley Castle for my office in Westminster.
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Thank you to Nigel Humes of the Chester-le-Street Cultural Association for presenting me with this lovely picture of Lumley Castle for my office in Westminster.
In North Durham, more than 7,550 people are living with diabetes - it's vital they all receive the care they need to live well. So, for #WorldDiabetesDay, I joined the APPG for Diabetes to hear about the challenges and innovations shaping diabetes care and prevention.
November 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In North Durham, more than 7,550 people are living with diabetes - it's vital they all receive the care they need to live well. So, for #WorldDiabetesDay, I joined the APPG for Diabetes to hear about the challenges and innovations shaping diabetes care and prevention.
I’m very alarmed to see that Lanchester Medical Centre has been rated “inadequate” by the CQC. Sadly, this fits with feedback I had received from residents and the patient participation group, whose active role in calling for better services I welcome.
November 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I’m very alarmed to see that Lanchester Medical Centre has been rated “inadequate” by the CQC. Sadly, this fits with feedback I had received from residents and the patient participation group, whose active role in calling for better services I welcome.
Labour’s Veterans Strategy means:
🏠 £27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support for those who served, including 22,615 veterans in County Durham.
📈 New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
👪 Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
🏠 £27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support for those who served, including 22,615 veterans in County Durham.
📈 New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
👪 Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Labour’s Veterans Strategy means:
🏠 £27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support for those who served, including 22,615 veterans in County Durham.
📈 New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
👪 Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.
🏠 £27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support for those who served, including 22,615 veterans in County Durham.
📈 New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
👪 Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.