By Harpreet Uppal, MP for Huddersfield
As 2024 comes to a close, and as I reach the end of my first five months as your MP, I have been reflecting on Huddersfield’s untapped potential and the many brilliant things happening in Huddersfield.
As someone born and raised here, I know how much Huddersfield has to offer, and it’s my mission to champion that.
Whether it’s our rich heritage, our creative communities, or the remarkable people who make our town what it is, Huddersfield is a place worth celebrating!
Huddersfield’s cultural life is one of its greatest assets, and nowhere is that more evident than in our music. The annual Huddersfield Choral Society performance of Handel’s Messiah at the historic Town Hall is a cherished tradition that draws people from across the region to witness a world-class performance.
Alongside this, our town comes alive in the festive season with carol concerts accompanied by our brilliant local musicians. I was delighted to recently attend a Christmas concert by the Gledholt Male Voice Choir and Huddersfield’s legacy steel pan band.
These events capture the warmth, community spirit and cultural pride that define Huddersfield.
As I noted in my maiden speech, what makes Huddersfield truly great is its potential. As your MP, I want to ensure that everyone—no matter their background—has the opportunity to thrive here.
That means tackling inequalities, creating more jobs and supporting our young people to build futures they can be proud of.
Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal presents Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner with some HuddersFudge!
I am delighted that the Government has already committed to delivering for towns like Huddersfield, with funding confirmed for improvements and investment into local rail systems (including funding for the TransPennine Route Upgrade, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK!) and the Huddersfield Open Market in the latest Budget.
At the heart of Huddersfield’s ambition for the future is the National Health Innovation Campus, a game-changing development that will position us as global leaders in health and care innovation.
This campus brings together academics, healthcare professionals and businesses to tackle some of society’s biggest health challenges while boosting our local economy.
It’s a project that exemplifies what Huddersfield does best: finding solutions to real-world problems, fostering collaboration and driving forward progress.
This initiative will not only create high-value jobs but also attract investment and spark innovation that will benefit the entire community.
Of course, it’s not just bricks and mortar that make Huddersfield special – it’s the people. When I meet with local businesses, schools, charities and community groups, I see Huddersfield’s unique energy first hand – a town where heritage meets ambition.
Our local churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and community organisations do much to support our local communities and enrich our town.
I have also met local apprentices and I have been hugely impressed by their confidence and talent. I want to make sure more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities are available to young people and people of all ages. I will continue to push for this.
As part of Small Business Week, I took the opportunity to promote amazing small businesses including by taking a pack of HuddersFudge to the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. Read more about HuddersFudge HERE.
At a recent visit to Fixby Junior & Infant School the students asked me to raise children’s playgrounds with the Education Secretary. Pupils at Oak Primary School in Crosland Moor also raised the need for more play time! I hope to do so at my next opportunity in the House of Commons chamber.
I also had the opportunity to meet with local bus drivers, instructors and engineers at the First Bus depot on Leeds Road. They also afforded me the opportunity of driving a bus and I was ably supported by instructor, Khalid!
At Kirklees College I have been so impressed by the catering students and team at their restaurant, Landings 72.
The restaurant offers students an opportunity of real work experience in the hospitality sector and I have to say they do a fantastic job. The restaurant is open to the public so please do pop along and enjoy the food.
The kindness and community spirit which runs through Huddersfield was on display during recent meetings I have had with Forget Me Not and The Kirkwood hospices.
To meet the teams who work so hard behind the scenes to support families in need made me feel immensely proud that I get to call Huddersfield my home.
I know how much these organisations do for our communities, and I have been in ongoing discussions with the Health Secretary regarding funding for hospices.
I welcomed the recent announcement of £126m investment in hospices but I will continue to push for long-term investment which recognises the increasing role hospices play in the community and in end-of-life care.
Whether you’ve lived here all your life or recently moved here, you’ll know it’s a place where you’re welcomed with open arms.
Our heritage, our culture, our people—Huddersfield has so much to offer. I truly believe in what we can achieve together, and I’m proud to stand up for our town’s future every day.
I want to wish everyone in Huddersfield a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I want to particularly pay tribute to all the people who will be working over Christmas including those in the emergency services, health and social care, our armed forces, hospitality, charities, transport and shops who do so much all year round but particularly at this time of year.
