John Whitby MP

This is a brilliant example how people can come together to preserve our history while creating a sustainable future for the building at the heart of Wirksworth. Congratulations to everyone involved, this win is a testament to the hard work of volunteers and local organisations.

It's so important that a community asset like this is able to stay in heritage-focused ownership, while providing the much needed social space and benefits of the public cafe, which I enjoyed going to several times.

I'm really pleased by the news that the Wirksworth Heritage Centre looks set to be secured for the future thanks to Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust stepping in to take ownership of the building.

Children in care often experience trauma or abuse, making them more likely to enter the criminal justice system. I urged the Minister to provide counselling to children in care and I glad the Deputy PM has met with the Minister for Children and Families to discuss these issues.

I am pleased to have brought forward an Early Day Motion to mark Foster Care Fortnight 2026. Foster Care Fortnight is a time for all of us to celebrate the work foster carers do to support young people and to bring increased stability and care into their lives.

Parents, teachers and campaign groups across the country are therefore rightly demanding stronger protections and real accountability from tech companies. I’m looking forward to working alongside campaigners and charities to help make the online world safer for every child.

I’m honoured to be the new Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Children’s Online Safety. Evidence shows that young people are facing growing harms online, from exploitative algorithms to dangerous content and online abuse

This meeting followed interventions that other Derbyshire MPs and I made in Parliament about Ashgate. Ashgate is also the only provider of specialist palliative and end-of-life care in North Derbyshire, and it is right that they can continue providing much-needed care.

Throughout the last year, I have been working with Toby Perkins MP and other Derbyshire MPs to ensure that a better deal is secured for Ashgate. In February, we met with the Minister for Care and DDICB and stressed the urgent need for adequate funding to be provided to Ashgate.

A new agreement has been agreed between Ashgate and Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (DDICB) This agreement will enable Ashgate to increase inpatient capacity from 8 to 10 beds, and enable the continued running of wider services.

A busy week standing up for Derbyshire Dales👇

Come and see me at my next surgery in Wirksworth 👇️

New: Derbyshire Dales MP @JohnWhitbyMP has signed a letter opposing the leadership campaign He tells me, "If we're tanking in the opinion polls in a couple years time, maybe you'd do something about it, but we are not even two years in, it's not time to panic"

Great to visit Chatsworth to see the innovative work being done on moorland management - from high tech drones monitoring the landscape to solar powered cattle collars helping manage grazing. Brilliant examples of technology and conservation working hand in hand.

📣 The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act is now law. As a result there will be: 🥣 Free breakfast clubs in all primary schools 👔 Caps on branded school uniform items 🏫 New local authority schools 🏡 Powers to cap the profits of children’s homes and fostering agencies

Like many of my constituents, protecting the Environment is something that I care deeply about. This is what I’ve done to defend and restore the natural world as your MP 🌱

I met with Mary Creagh, the Minister for Waste, to discuss fly-tipping in Derbyshire Dales. Waste crime costs the English economy £1 billion each year, and under this Labour Government, we are delivering the toughest ever crackdown on fly-tipping.

📣 The Tobacco and Vapes Act is now law Having sat on the Bill Committee, I'm proud to see this legislation enacted. This Act will: 🚭 Ban tobacco sales to anyone born after 1 Jan 2009 📺 Stop vapes being branded or advertised to children 👮 Toughen penalties on illegal sales

📣Today the Renters' Rights Act comes into force, it includes: 🏡Ending “no-fault” evictions 🐾Landlords can't refuse a pet without a valid reason 💷Renters can challenge unreasonable rent increases ⌛Tenants must receive at least four months’ notice if a property will be sold