Follow My Journey

Column June 2026

Working for Dudley

June has been another busy month both in Parliament and here in our community, and I wanted to update residents on some of the work I have been doing on your behalf.

One of the highlights of the month was joining local employers at a business roundtable organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Thomas Dudley Ltd. The discussion brought together businesses from across sectors including manufacturing, logistics, recruitment and tourism to talk about the opportunities and challenges facing our local economy.

From rising energy costs and recruitment challenges to skills shortages and economic growth, it was invaluable to hear directly from employers about the issues affecting them. Dudley has a proud industrial heritage and a thriving business community, and I am determined to ensure local businesses have the support they need to grow, invest and create jobs for local people.

Supporting residents and listening to local concerns remains one of the most important parts of my role. It was therefore a pleasure to hold another “Meet Your MP” session at the Compton Care shop in the Churchill Shopping Centre. These informal events provide an opportunity for residents to raise issues that matter to them, whether that is healthcare, housing, transport, local services or concerns about our town centre. I am grateful to Compton Care for hosting the event and for the incredible support they provide to families across Dudley every day.

This month I was also deeply moved to meet Dudley mum Jade Dunn and hear the heartbreaking story of the loss of her son, Noah. Following Noah’s death at 40 weeks in pregnancy, Jade has launched a campaign to improve awareness of low-dose aspirin in pregnancy where clinically appropriate. Her campaign is not about telling parents what decisions they should make. It is about ensuring expectant families have access to information and can make informed choices alongside healthcare professionals. I am proud to support Jade’s efforts and help raise awareness of her petition, which seeks to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.

Looking to the future, I also welcomed the Government’s expansion of the Youth Guarantee programme. Too many young people across the country find themselves not in education, employment or training, often through no fault of their own. The new investment in jobs, apprenticeships, training and work experience will create new opportunities for young people in Dudley and help local businesses access the workforce they need. I will be working closely with schools, colleges, employers and community organisations to ensure Dudley makes the most of these opportunities.

As always, if there is an issue affecting you, your family or your community, please do get in touch with my office. Whether in Parliament or here in Dudley, I will continue working hard to ensure your voice is heard.

Column May 2026

Over the past few weeks in Parliament and here in Dudley, I’ve continued focusing on the issues that matter most to local people: jobs, healthcare, support for veterans and ensuring our town has the opportunities it deserves.

Last week’s King’s Speech set out the Government’s programme for the year ahead and, importantly, a clear plan to rebuild opportunity and security for communities like Dudley after years of decline. The measures announced included plans to strengthen the NHS, improve neighbourhood policing, create more apprenticeships and skilled jobs, reform public services and improve transport and energy security.

For many people in Dudley, the past decade has been defined by rising costs, pressure on local services and a feeling that towns like ours were being left behind. I welcome the Government’s focus on creating opportunities for young people, improving workers’ rights and ensuring investment reaches communities like ours. I will continue working to make sure Dudley benefits fully from these plans.

I was also proud to take part in what was a historic debate in the House of Commons on allied health professionals, the first ever parliamentary debate dedicated to the profession. As an NHS physiotherapist myself, this was a particularly important moment.

Allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, paramedics, radiographers and speech and language therapists, are often the NHS’s “best-kept secret”. Yet they play a vital role in helping people recover from illness, stay independent and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. If we are serious about building a sustainable NHS focused on prevention and community care, then these professions must be placed at the heart of future health policy.

Back in Dudley, I recently joined local employers at a business roundtable organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce at Thomas Dudley. Businesses spoke candidly about the challenges they face, from energy and fuel costs to recruitment pressures and business rates. These conversations are vital because strong local businesses are essential for jobs, apprenticeships and economic growth here in Dudley.

Finally, I welcome new Government funding through the VALOUR veterans support programme, which aims to improve access to services for veterans and tackle the postcode lottery many former Armed Forces personnel face. Our veterans deserve consistent, high-quality support wherever they live, and I encourage eligible organisations locally to explore this funding opportunity.

As always, my focus remains on standing up for Dudley, whether in Parliament, with local businesses, or supporting residents and community organisations across our town.

Column April 2026

Sonia Kumar MP Column: Investment, Action and Delivering for Dudley

There is real momentum building for Dudley — driven by investment, action and a clear focus on delivering for our community.

I was delighted to help secure a £300,000 boost for Dudley town centre, working closely with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker. This funding will support local businesses ahead of the opening of the Metro extension and our new bus station — two major projects set to transform how people travel into Dudley.

The package includes direct support for businesses, improvements to public spaces around the new transport hub, and funding to bring more visitors into the town centre. After years of challenges for our high street, this is a real opportunity to boost footfall, support traders and restore confidence in Dudley.

We are also investing in what makes Dudley special — our heritage.

I was thrilled to welcome £454,159 for the Black Country Living Museum as part of the Government’s Museum Estates and Development Fund. This will help protect historic buildings, carry out essential repairs, and improve the experience for visitors. Our museum tells the story of who we are — and supporting it means supporting jobs, tourism and pride in our area.

At the same time, I know residents want action on the issues that affect daily life.

Fly-tipping continues to blight communities across Dudley. That’s why I welcome tougher proposals to crack down on waste crime, including stronger enforcement powers and harsher penalties for offenders. Those who treat our streets and green spaces like dumping grounds must face the consequences.

I’ve also been raising the cost of living in Parliament, particularly energy bills. In Dudley, around one in five households are living in fuel poverty — a reality many families are still facing.

While the independent energy price cap is set to fall in the short term, bringing some relief, it can also rise again — and families need longer-term stability. That’s why I will keep pushing for sustained action to bring bills down, tackle fuel poverty, and support households through the transition to cleaner energy.

Across all of this — from backing our high street, to investing in our heritage, to tackling everyday concerns — my focus remains simple: putting Dudley first and delivering for our community.

Column March 2026

Action Needed Locally, Progress Nationally: My Work for Dudley

Residents across Dudley will know all too well the state of our roads — which is why I recently called for urgent action after our borough received an ‘amber’ rating in new national pothole data, alongside a ‘red’ rating for best practice.

This comes despite the Government committing a record £7.3 billion to improve roads, including long-term funding to help councils move away from patchwork repairs towards proper maintenance. I have written directly to the Leader of Dudley Council to urge them to make full use of this funding. Quite simply, Dudley cannot afford to remain in the slow lane when it comes to road safety and reliability.

There is, however, more positive news when it comes to local healthcare. I was delighted to welcome £88,644 of government investment for Eve Hill Medical Practice to expand its research capacity. This funding will support new equipment and facilities, allowing local patients to take part in clinical trials and benefit from cutting-edge treatments closer to home.

As a former NHS physiotherapist, I know how vital research and innovation are in improving patient outcomes. This investment puts Dudley at the forefront of medical advancement and ensures our community plays a role in shaping the healthcare of the future.

Last month, I also had the privilege of leading a delegation of British physiotherapists to Kyiv, delivering hands-on training to Ukrainian clinicians treating complex war injuries. This work — carried out in partnership with Ukrainian organisations — is about more than solidarity; it is about practical support that helps rebuild lives.

While in Kyiv, I also attended memorial events marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. It was a powerful reminder that alongside remembrance must come continued action. Supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system is one way we can make a tangible difference, and I am committed to strengthening these partnerships going forward.

Finally, I continue to press for a fair deal for residents in Dudley North, who lost their permanent waste site at Anchor Lane in 2021. Nearly five years on, around 40,000 residents are still relying on a pop-up service that operates just 12 days a year.

This is simply not good enough. It is an ongoing issue I am working to resolve, and I will continue pushing for a permanent, fair solution so that all residents receive the basic services they deserve.

Column February 2026

Safer Streets, Smoother Roads, Stronger Dudley

This month I’ve continued working locally and in Parliament on the issues residents tell me matter most: safer neighbourhoods, reliable local services, secure homes and investment that helps Dudley move forward.

Residents will already be starting to see changes from the Government’s programme to restore neighbourhood policing. After years of declining visibility, the focus now is on putting officers back into our communities, with named neighbourhood officers for every ward and clear national standards for response times. Alongside this, policing is being strengthened to tackle modern crimes such as fraud, online abuse and organised criminal activity. These reforms are about rebuilding confidence and ensuring people feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in our town centres.

I’ve also been pressing hard on a very local issue affecting residents in Sedgley, Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton: access to household waste services. At present, many residents have to travel across the borough to dispose of everyday waste — something that is costly, inconvenient and contributing to fly-tipping. I raised this directly in the House of Commons and have called for the reinstatement of accessible provision at Anchor Lane, along with interim solutions while longer-term arrangements are considered. Proper waste services are not a luxury — they are a basic service residents should be able to rely on.

Supporting residents facing difficult housing situations has been another priority. Earlier this month I held a public meeting with residents of Goodrich Mews following serious concerns about the safety of a retaining wall affecting their homes. Families have lived with uncertainty for years, and it is simply not acceptable that they are still waiting for clear answers. I am continuing to press all responsible parties and Ministers to ensure residents receive transparency, accountability and the protection they deserve.

There has also been positive news for our area. Dudley Council will receive an additional £11.7 million in recovery funding over the next three years following representations made to Government. And regionally, the West Midlands Combined Authority has confirmed that funding for pothole repairs and road improvements is being doubled to £240 million. After years of residents raising concerns about road conditions, this investment is a major step toward safer, smoother journeys for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians across Dudley.

As always, my priority is delivering practical results for local people — and I will continue working every day to make sure Dudley’s voice is heard and our communities get the investment and support they deserve.

Column January 2026

Putting Residents First: Grit Bins, Health Services and Local Waste Provision

This January has brought into sharp focus a simple truth: people want practical, reliable services in their communities — and they expect their voices to be heard.

At the start of the year, severe, icy weather swept across Dudley. But for many residents it wasn’t just the cold that made daily life harder — it was the removal and lack of replenishment of grit bins across our borough. Streets and pavements became treacherous for pedestrians and drivers alike, particularly for older residents and families with young children. I heard from countless constituents who felt unsafe and frustrated that basic winter maintenance had been deprioritised.

Local people made their concerns clear, and I made sure their voices were taken to Dudley Council. In response to this public outcry, the council has performed a U-turn on its grit bin policy, agreeing that bins will now be refilled as required while a full review of winter services is carried out.

This is a welcome step — but it should never have taken dangerous conditions and sustained pressure from residents to trigger it. Local services exist to support people, not frustrate them, and I will continue to push for a winter maintenance plan that truly reflects the needs of every community.

Another issue that has dominated discussions this month is the future of Ladies Walk Health Centre and Library in Sedgley. For many months, residents faced uncertainty after the lease on this vital facility ran down. People were understandably anxious: this centre provides essential health services alongside community support. After sustained campaigning by local people and myself, the council has now agreed to purchase the building and secure those services for the long term, a decision that brings real reassurance to families across our area.

Finally, a recurring theme in my casework continues to be household waste provision in the north of the borough. Residents in Sedgley, Gornal, Upper Gornal and Woodsetton tell me it is unacceptable that the closest household waste recycling centre is in Stourbridge — a journey that many struggle to make, particularly without private transport. I will keep pressing the council to reinstate more accessible local waste services that reflect community needs.

These achievements and ongoing campaigns show what can be done when we stand together and make our voices heard. My door remains open, and my work continues to focus on the practical issues that matter most to our community.