By KLTV Newsdesk –

Focus on community, healthcare and environment as May vote approaches

Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal has outlined a busy month of activity across the constituency, with a strong focus on community engagement, healthcare improvements and preparations for the upcoming local elections.

Local Elections Set to Shape Kirklees Council

With all council seats in Kirklees up for election on Thursday 7 May, Uppal emphasised the importance of the vote for both the local area and the Labour Party.

She encouraged residents to get involved in campaigning efforts, highlighting that there are a variety of ways to contribute beyond door-knocking.

International Women’s Day Event Celebrated in Huddersfield

Harpreet marked International Women’s Day on 8 March by hosting an event bringing together women from across Huddersfield.

The event featured contributions from a range of local speakers, including the first female Bishop of Huddersfield, Reverend Smitha Prasadam, as well as representatives from Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership, the Women’s Centre, and Kirklees Rape and Sexual Assault Centre.

Discussions focused on the meaning of International Women’s Day, the progress made towards gender equality, and the work still required to tackle violence against women and girls.

New Community Diagnostic Centre Opens

A significant healthcare development was marked with the official opening of the NHS Southgate Community Diagnostic Centre, located within the Emily Siddon Building on the University of Huddersfield’s Health Innovation Campus.

Harpreet welcomed Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP to the town for the opening. The facility is the first of its kind, combining a diagnostic centre for public use with a state-of-the-art training environment for students.

The centrally located site is expected to improve access to tests, scans and health checks for local residents.

Residents Engage at Surgeries and Community Events

Throughout March, Harpreet continued her regular programme of community engagement. She hosted a coffee morning at St John’s Church in Birkby, providing residents with an opportunity to raise local concerns and seek support.

She also held constituency surgeries, offering assistance to residents with casework issues.

Action on Litter and Fly-Tipping

Environmental concerns remained a key priority, with Harpreet highlighting ongoing frustration over littering and fly-tipping in the area.

She joined efforts as part of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean 2026, hosting a litter-pick at Dalton St Joseph’s Primary School.

Year 4 pupils collected more than 20 bags of litter, helping to improve the school environment.

Harpreet also welcomed new government powers that could require fly-tippers to clean up their own waste.

The measures build on existing enforcement actions, including police powers to seize and crush vehicles used in illegal dumping, alongside increased capacity within Kirklees Council’s Waste and Recycling Team.

Regional Political Issues Discussed on BBC Programme

During the month, Harpreet appeared on BBC Politics North, where she discussed a range of issues, including sewage and water companies, the upcoming local elections, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision.

Backing Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal

In Parliament, Harpreet supported Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal, which raises funds for Marie Curie nurses and hospice workers providing end-of-life care.

She also met actress Alison Steadman, an ambassador for the charity.

Harpreet reiterated the importance of palliative care services and pledged to continue working with the Government, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and The Kirkwood to ensure people receive the support they need at the end of their lives.

The update reflects a month of active engagement across Huddersfield, as focus now turns to the pivotal local elections in May.