Simon Lightwood MP

@simonlightwood

Labour & Co-operative MP for Wakefield and Rothwell | Transport Minister | Minister for Equalities | 🏳️‍🌈 Promoted by and on behalf of Simon Lightwood c/o Yorkshire & the Humber Labour, Quayside House, Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS

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Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 1d

Behind every fundraiser is a story. 🏹 After discovering archery just months ago, Simon Kitchener found a sport that boosted his confidence and wellbeing. Now he’s raised £1,500+ for the Access Archery Fund through his 1000 Arrows challenge.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 3d

Cheers to the weekend! ☀️ Whatever your plans, I hope you get the chance to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy yourself.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 5d

It is never a chore to catch up with the Dean of Wakefield, Philip Hobday. We had a good discussion about a range of issues affecting our city, as well as the important role Wakefield Cathedral continues to play in bringing people together and supporting communities across Wakefield.

Alt text: Two people standing indoors in front of a textured cream-coloured wall. One person (Simon Lightwood MP) wears a dark suit and patterned tie, while the other (Dean Philip Hobday) wears a black clerical shirt with a white collar and a blue lanyard with an ID badge. A framed picture of Wakefield Cathedral hangs on the wall between them, and striped curtains frame windows on either side of the room.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 6d

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: More say for local people on vape shops and betting shops 🚨

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 8d

Luke Jerram’s stunning Helios installation is at Wakefield Exchange until 6 September. The spectacular six-metre-wide artwork brings the Sun to life through incredible imagery, light and sound. Make sure you add it to your summer plans! ☀️

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 9d

Outwood residents deserve a reliable train service to Leeds. Too few trains at peak times mean one cancellation or overcrowded service can leave people late for work or studies. I’ve raised this with Northern and called for urgent improvements. ⬇️🚆

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 10d

Always good to meet local business owners investing in Wakefield. I recently visited Workspace Furniture on Garden Street, where Caroline showed me around and shared the firm’s plans for the future. Great to see another Wakefield success story in the making.

Copilot said:

Alt text:
Two people stand in a parking area outside a modern commercial building with a dark grey façade. A large sign above the entrance reads “Workspace.” The building has large glass windows revealing office furniture inside, including chairs and tables. One person wears a navy suit with a light-coloured shirt, while the other wears a dark short-sleeved top, dark trousers, and tan slip-on shoes. The sky is overcast, and the image is taken from the front of the building, showing both people standing side by side in the foreground.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 13d

Great to be back with the Lupset - Pride in Place Board on Friday for our second meeting, this time at St George's Community Centre. We had some really productive discussions about community engagement and how we can ensure local people are at the heart of shaping Lupset's future.

Alt text: A group of eleven people standing together indoors at St George’s Community Centre during a Lupset Pride in Place Board meeting. The group is arranged in two rows against a white and yellow wall, with wellbeing posters displayed behind them. Participants are wearing a mix of business and smart-casual clothing. The room has wooden flooring and bright lighting, creating a welcoming setting for community partners and local organisations coming together to discuss plans for the future of Lupset.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 18d

A pleasure to visit Iveridge Hall recently to hear about some exciting plans for the future of the site. We discussed proposals to bring four new padel tennis courts to Iveridge Hall, helping to expand local sporting facilities. I look forward to following the proposals as they progress. 👏

Alt text:
Five people stand together outside a stone-built health and wellbeing centre, posing for a photograph in front of the main entrance. The building has large black-framed windows and doors, with green signage reading “Iveridge Hall+” and listing services including a holistic spa garden, health club, chiropractic, physiotherapy, counselling services and sports massage. A metal access ramp with railings runs across the foreground. The scene is outdoors on a bright day, with trees reflected in the windows and decorative heart-shaped wreaths mounted on the stone walls.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 19d

Great meeting with Craig Barrass, Chief Exec of the mighty Wakefield Trinity today. Wakefield Trinity is a fantastic ambassador for our city, both on and off the pitch, and I'm looking forward to seeing the club go from strength to strength. 👏 Best of luck for Saturday lads🤞

Alt text:

Two men stand smiling side by side in the players’ tunnel at Wakefield Trinity’s stadium. The tunnel has bright blue flooring with a large white Wakefield Trinity crest in the foreground, while blue stadium seats fill the background. “diy kitchens” branding appears on signs above and along both sides of the tunnel. The man on the left wears a navy suit with a white shirt, and the man on the right wears a navy polo shirt, dark trousers, and white trainers. The image is centred symmetrically, with the club crest leading the viewer’s eye towards the two men.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 20d

Out in Portobello today, chatting with residents and hearing what’s on their minds. Listening shouldn’t just happen at election time - it should happen all year round. That’s the commitment I’ve always made to the people of Wakefield & Rothwell. Thanks to everyone who stopped for a chat 👍

Simon in a navy suit stands in the middle of a quiet residential street, facing the camera with hands clasped. Trees line both sides of the road, including two with clusters of bright orange-red berries. Parked cars and rows of modest houses extend into the background under a cloudy sky, with a few pedestrians visible in the distance

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 23d

Great to welcome pupils from Rothwell St Mary’s Catholic Primary School to Parliament before the summer. After visiting their school last year, it was brilliant to see them here asking thoughtful questions about Parliament and democracy. This is their Parliament too!

Simon Lightwood MP stands smiling with a class of around 20 pupils from Rothwell St Mary’s Catholic Primary School during a visit to the UK Parliament. The children, wearing blue school uniforms and visitor lanyards, are gathered in front of a colourful display featuring photos, notes and the word “Speak,” reflecting Parliament’s role in democracy and debate. A table and chairs are in the foreground, with the Palace of Westminster depicted in the background. Everyone is facing the camera and smiling for the group photograph.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· 23d

Great to welcome Sully and Danika to my office for work experience this summer. Both are studying for their A levels at local schools in Wakefield and Rothwell, and I’ve been hugely impressed. Giving young people opportunities to build skills and confidence really matters. Thanks both!

Two people stand side by side on a grassy lawn in a garden setting, posing for a photograph. One is wearing a light blue buttoned shirt and dark trousers with their arms folded, while the other is wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, dark trousers and a smartwatch. Behind them are neatly trimmed hedges, mature trees and dense green foliage, with sunlight casting bright highlights across the scene on a clear day.

Two people are seated side by side on a green leather bench, posing for a photograph indoors. One person is wearing a dark pinstriped short-sleeved shirt, black trousers and white trainers, while the other is wearing a navy suit, white shirt, patterned tie and black shoes. Behind them is a backdrop showing tiered green benches resembling those in the House of Commons chamber. The image is well lit, with both subjects facing the camera and seated with hands resting in their laps.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 12

Northern has finally set out a plan to keep Wakefield Kirkgate’s waiting room open, including a new door system to tackle vandalism. Welcome progress, but passengers have waited far too long. I’ll keep pushing until people can rely on the basic facilities they deserve.

Simon Lightwood MP stood in front of the Wakefield Kirkgate sign at the station.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 11

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹! Huge thanks to the organisers, volunteers, community groups, performers and sponsors who made it all possible. Brilliant to see so many people enjoying the day and celebrating everything that makes Rothwell such a great community. Here’s to next year!

Simon stands with a lively brass band at an outdoor summer festival on a sunny day. The three musicians wear white shirts, braces, steampunk-style top hats and sunglasses, and hold a banjo, trumpet and sousaphone. The sousaphone bell is painted with the word “BLUMPAH!” in large letters. Colourful market stalls, festivalgoers and trees fill the background beneath a bright blue sky.

Simon, wearing a purple T-shirt, dark shorts and white trainers, smiles while standing in front of a Ferris wheel at a sunny community festival. A colourful slush stand, fairground rides and green trees are visible behind him under a bright blue sky.

Simon, wearing a purple T-shirt, dark shorts and white trainers, stands smiling beside a children’s fairground ride. A miniature red London bus, colourful prize stalls and fairground attractions fill the background on a bright summer day.

Simon, wearing a purple T-shirt, stands smiling with three local residents in front of a Christians United community stall. The group are chatting and holding leaflets and a water bottle, with marquees and trees in the background.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 9

Constituents across Wakefield have rightly raised serious concerns with me about repeated power cuts. I've written to Northern Powergrid seeking urgent action, clear answers and a plan to address these ongoing issues. ⚡️📨

Text post reads:

Persistent Power cuts in WF2

Dear Northern Powergrid,

I am writing on behalf of my constituents across the Wakefield area, but particularly in Wrenthorpe, Alverthorpe, Lupset and Thornes who continue to raise serious concerns about repeated power cuts.

My office has received a growing number of complaints from residents experiencing frequent outages, often several times a week.

These power cuts are causing disruption to everyday life, affecting people working from home, going about their daily routines and trying to keep cool in the warm weather.

This level of service is simply not acceptable. Residents should not be expected to endure repeated and prolonged power cuts as a regular occurrence.

The people of Wakefield and Rothwell deserve a reliable electricity supply and clear action to resolve these ongoing issues.

Urgent intervention is now required to address these failures and restore confidence in the service being provided.

I look forward to receiving details of the steps Northern Powergrid is taking to resolve this matter as a priority.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Lightwood MP
Member of Parliament for Wakefield and Rothwell

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 8

Great to visit Sweet Peas at Rothwell recently and hear more about the important work they do, as a local family-owned nursery. Thank you to the team for everything you do to support local children and families. 👶📚🎨👏

Simon Lightwood MP stands with the staff of Sweet Peas Nursery smiling, they are outdoors on a sunny day.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 7

This morning I attended the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast alongside Roger Kirby of Rothwell Baptist Church. While I'm not a religious person myself, I recognise the enormous contribution that faith communities make to our country. Whether it's supporting foodbanks, tackling loneliness, he

Simon Lightwood MP (left) and Roger Kirby (right) stand smiling together in Westminster Hall during the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast. Simon is wearing a dark suit with a light blue shirt, patterned tie, and green lanyard. Roger is wearing a light checkered shirt, grey trousers, glasses, and a purple visitor lanyard. Round tables and attendees fill the historic medieval hall in the background, creating the atmosphere of a formal parliamentary gathering.

A wide view of Westminster Hall during the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, with hundreds of attendees standing around round banquet tables facing a stage at the far end of the hall. The vast medieval timber roof arches overhead, and a large stained-glass window fills the space with natural light behind the stage. Two large screens flank the stage, while the hall's historic stone walls, statues, and high arched windows frame the gathering.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 5

Great to drop into the coffee morning at St James Church recently with my friend and local resident Helen Antcliff. It was lovely to catch up with volunteers and supporters over a cuppa. ☕

Simon (wearing an England shirt) and Helen (wearing a blue and white summer dress) smile in front of St James’ Church.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 4

Another brilliant Armed Forces Day at Pontefract Park. Proud to join people from across the Wakefield District in thanking serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and military families for their service and sacrifice. Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success. 🇬🇧👏

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 3

Inspiring first meeting of the Lupset Pride in Place Board at Lupset Jubilee Hall today, bringing together local residents, community organisations and partners who are committed to making a real difference for Lupset.

Simon stood by the Jubilee Hall sign smiling.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jul 1

Really good to visit Rothwell Victoria Junior School last week to speak with Year 6 pupils and school staff about the impact of the proposed social media changes for under-16s. 🏫 I was incredibly impressed by the thoughtfulness, maturity and insight shown by the students.

Simon Lightwood MP stands in the centre of teachers from Rothwell Victoria Junior School. They are stood outside in the sun, with a mural depicting children sat at desks behind them.

Simon Lightwood MP stands at the centre of a group of pupils at Rothwell Victoria Junior School. They are stood in front of a bookshelf, which has a display above it that reads ‘reading opens your mind to new adventures’

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 30

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: 𝗟𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝘅-𝗠𝗲𝘅! 🌮 A huge congratulations to La Chingada Tex-Mex UK in WX Wakefield - my Small Business of the Month for June! They received loads of nominations, with so many people telling me how much they love the food, the service and the atmosphere.

Simon stood with the staff of La Chingada Tex Mex, smiling and holding their certificate for Small Business of the Month. Their premises are decorated with leaves and bright colours, including a neon sign reading ‘Tacos’.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 28

Called in at the Outwood WMC Beer Festival yesterday! 🍻 Delighted to support the festival through sponsorship too. Certainly not a tough day at the office for me! 😂

Simon and a barman stood behind the bar, Simon is holding a pint.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 27

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮! 🌞 A brilliant community-focused event. And now 🤞 for the right result tonight. C’mon England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ⚽️ 🦁

Simon smiling holding a 99 ice cream wearing an England shirt.

Simon and Wrenthorpe Academy pupils stood with their backs to the camera next to their wheelbarrow design entry.

Simon and the Marsden family with their Alice in Wonderland themed wheelbarrow.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 25

It was a pleasure to host Aphasia Support for their drop-in event in Parliament recently – the second year running we’ve worked together on this. I’ve worked closely with James and the team for a number of years, and I’m always proud to highlight the brilliant work they do.

Four people, including Simon Lightwood MP, stand together at an indoor awareness and networking event in front of three display banners about aphasia support. The banners include “Aphasia Re-Connect” and “Aphasia Support,” with photos and information about communication support services. All four attendees wear event lanyards and name badges. A wall-mounted screen in the background displays the words “URGENT QUESTION” and “STEEL TARIFFS.” The photograph is taken in a meeting or conference room with bright lighting and exhibition-style displays.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 24

Great to welcome students from English Martyrs Catholic Primary School to Parliament recently whilst on their London trip. It was a pleasure to show them around, talk about how Parliament works, and answer their questions about life as an MP and the issues that matter to them.

Simon stands in a classroom in Parliament speaking to school pupils.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 23

4 years since I was first elected MP - for Wakefield then, now Wakefield & Rothwell. An absolute honour. My team and I have helped 30,000 people and I’m proud to serve this community. I’m as committed as ever to being a strong voice for Wakefield & Rothwell - and there’s much more still to do.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 21

Today I took part in the 10th and final #RunForJo In 2016, Jo Cox was tragically killed while doing the job she loved. Ten years on, it feels more important than ever that we come together to remember Jo, her values, and her enduring message: “There is more in common than that which divides us.”

A group of parliamentary colleagues, including Simon Lightwood MP, pose together after completing the final Run for Jo event. The group stands smiling inside a large purple photo frame displaying the message “We’ve got More In Common,” referencing Jo Cox’s famous words. Several participants wear running kit, race medals, and bib numbers, while others are dressed casually. The photo is taken outdoors on a sunny day, with green grass, trees, and blue skies in the background, celebrating community, friendship, and Jo Cox’s legacy of unity and bringing people together.

Simon Lightwood MP@simonlightwood· Jun 17

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱! 🦁🦁🦁 Best of luck to the Three Lions tonight as England take on Croatia. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇭🇷 Could it be coming home? 🤞 🤞 🤞