Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Dudley North.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
MP News Approval i
+58
Sonia Kumar
Labour PartySonia Kumar is the Labour MP for Dudley, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
Vote on New Clause 2 to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, debated alongside related amendments including provisions on guidance, devolution, and regulatory consultation. The excerpts focus on New Clause 20, which would require the Secretary of State to issue guidance (consulting chief medical officers and palliative/hospice care providers) and enable Welsh Ministers to issue guidance on devolved health matters.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Dudley has been mixed for Sonia across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Sonia Kumar hails new SEND school in Dudley as 'lifeline'” — Dudley News
“New package of workers' rights to come into force with sick pay changes” — Dudley News
Won by Lab in its first election in 2024 by 5.3%. Covers Dudley (Dudley), Sedgley and Coseley. Population 103,371. Median income £26K (below average).
Full list of shop closures for April 2026 including GAME
Metro · 11 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,800
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£30,200
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
2,560
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
36
22 primary, 6 secondary, 8 other
Total Income Tax▼
£165m
from 48,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,370
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,480
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
39.5
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
54.5%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
4 large towns, 1 town, 1 village, rural areas — 100,743 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
9 councillors across 3 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brockmoor Pensnett | Labour Party | Judy Foster | May 2024 |
| Labour Party | Karen Westwood | May 2024 | |
| Labour Party | Steve Edwards | May 2024 | |
| Castle Priory | Conservative and Unionist Party | Faye Barras | May 2024 |
| Labour Party | Karl Denning | May 2024 | |
| Labour Party | Keiran Robert Casey | May 2024 | |
| Upper Gornal Woodsetton | Labour Party | Adam Michael Aston | May 2024 |
| Labour Party | Carol June Littler | May 2024 | |
| Labour Party | Mushtaq Hussain | May 2024 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 12,215 | 34.1% | |
Won 2019 GE | Con | 10,315 | 28.8% |
| Ref | 9,442 | 26.4% | |
| Green | 1,154 | 3.2% | |
| LD | 1,056 | 3.0% | |
| Ind | 857 | 2.4% | |
| WPB | 621 | 1.7% | |
| Ind | 136 | 0.4% |
Sonia Kumar appeared in 1 national article across 2 topics (12 Apr 2026 – 12 Apr 2026)
Positive (+0.70)Ranked #120 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Kumar demonstrates proactive constituency advocacy by securing transport investment and funding while pushing for further commitment from government ministers.
A national retail closure roundup for April 2026 mentions that GAME is closing its remaining standalone stores, including one in Dudley. The article lists dozens of shop and bank branch closures across the UK due to administration proceedings and market pressures, with Dudley's GAME store specifically named among those shutting.
A community fun run at Swan Pool Park in Wollaston attracted over 90 participants and was organised by the reformed Friends of Swan Pool Park group. The event was supported by the Mayor of Dudley and Dudley Council funding, with plans for park improvements including pathway and playground enhancements.
This article explains the structure and purpose of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), a regional body comprising seven core councils including Dudley, which work together on transport, housing, and economic planning across the region. As a full voting member, Dudley's interests are directly represented in these strategic decisions affecting the constituency.
A list of the cheapest petrol and diesel prices at garages in and around Dudley, compiled from petrolprices.com data. The article provides practical consumer information to help residents find the best fuel deals locally.
West Midlands Police have added five new suspects to their most wanted list, including Paul Burton, 26, who has connections to the Dudley area and is wanted for allegedly violating a non-molestation order. The article provides details on each suspect and encourages public assistance in locating them.
Dudley MP Sonia Kumar praised the newly opened Pens Meadow SEND School in Parliament, calling it a 'lifeline' for children with additional needs and their families. She highlighted the school as a long-awaited investment and committed to advocating for further SEND support in the upcoming parliamentary debate.
A 76-year-old murder suspect from Bilston has refused to attend court hearings for charges including the 2008 killing of a taxi driver in Tipton and a shooting incident in Dudley. The court has entered not guilty pleas on his behalf and ordered him to attend future proceedings in person.
West Midlands Police are investigating reports of balloons potentially containing bleach being thrown at pedestrians from a black Mercedes A-class vehicle in the Kingswinford area. Officers are appealing for CCTV footage and vehicle registration information to identify the perpetrator.
Royal Mail has confirmed service disruptions affecting 49 UK postcodes, including Dudley (DY1-DY3), due to local issues such as high sick absence and resourcing challenges. The postal operator states it will rotate deliveries to minimise delays while providing targeted support to affected offices.
Bodycare, a British beauty retailer that collapsed last year, is returning to UK high streets with six new store openings, including one at Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley. The reopening represents a positive sign for local retail and employment after the brand's administration and redundancies in 2024.
The Labour government's Employment Rights Act introduces new workers' rights including day-one statutory sick pay, paternity leave, and enhanced trade union protections, benefiting Dudley workers. MP Sonia Kumar welcomes the reforms as protecting workers from insecurity and improving public health.
Bodycare, which collapsed into administration in September 2024, is returning to the high street with 25 stores planned by end of 2026. One of six initial store openings is confirmed for Dudley, representing a retail investment and job creation opportunity for the constituency.
Nicholas Saxon, a 29-year-old science teacher at The Wordsley School in Stourbridge (West Midlands), has been permanently banned from teaching after pleading guilty to child sex offences. Despite receiving only a community order from court, the Teaching Regulation Agency issued a prohibition order preventing him from working in any school or youth setting in England.
A broken lamppost on Southerndown Road in Sedgley, Dudley, damaged in a February road traffic accident, remained unfixed for three months with only warning tape and a cone marking it. Dudley Council has now confirmed it will be replaced next month, though the council initially misrepresented whether a safety barrier had been installed around the damaged post.
Discount retailer Bodycare, which collapsed into administration in 2025, is making a comeback with plans to open six new stores across the UK, including one at Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley. The brand aims to establish over 200 locations nationally by introducing a new 'Bodycare Studio' format featuring demonstration zones and creator spaces.
Dudley's Conservative council leader Patrick Harley expresses confidence ahead of May 7 local elections, believing his party can defend all eight Tory-held seats and potentially gain overall control. Harley discusses the party's track record on financial management, asylum concerns, and positions the Conservatives as a credible alternative to both Labour nationally and Reform UK locally.
Long Lane Library in Halesowen (Black Country) is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a month-long series of community events including interactive activities, talks, and family celebrations. The library, operated by GLL on behalf of Dudley Council, remains an important community asset that has served the area since 1936.
An elderly woman was hit by a car on Dudley Road in Birmingham on Thursday afternoon and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with serious injuries. The incident caused road closures and disruption to local bus services in the area.
Dudley Council has approved 13 new homes on a redundant brownfield site in Brierley Hill next to the Stourbridge Canal, converting a former car wash facility into residential dwellings. The approval includes conditions requiring contamination surveys and construction safeguards due to the site's former use as a fuel storage hub.
The Thomas Robinson Building in Stourbridge is celebrating its tenth anniversary by offering ten £100 wedding ceremonies on a special 'Wedding Wednesday' event in June. The initiative is being promoted by Dudley Council's director for growth and infrastructure as a way to commemorate the venue's success and attract more couples.
The Summer House pub in Sedgley has reopened under new management after a four-month closure, with new tenants Craig and Claire Morris implementing plans to focus on real ale, cider, food service, and community entertainment. The reopening represents a positive revival of a local business with investment in facilities and extended opening hours.
Dudley College of Technology has received £2.2m from a government £307m fund to repair and modernise college facilities across England, with Halesowen College also benefiting. This investment is part of Labour's broader £1.7bn Industrial Strategy commitment to upgrade college infrastructure and support skills training for young people.
Mike Lord, CEO of Stiltz Homelifts based in Kingswinford, has won a major West Midlands business leadership award. The company, which manufactures home accessibility lifts, employs 220 staff locally and has grown to become a global market leader with £80 million expected turnover.
Adrian Hughes, a former Dudley councillor elected in 2022 to represent Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, has admitted to grooming and sexually abusing girls aged 12 and 13. Hughes served on Dudley Council's Children's Services Select Committee and related scrutiny bodies before being suspended by Labour in October 2023 and subsequently removed from the council in May 2024 for non-attendance.
A 17-year-old was arrested in Dudley on suspicion of possessing over 20 wraps of crack cocaine with intent to supply during an Easter weekend operation by West Midlands Police's Guardian Taskforce. The arrest is part of ongoing efforts to tackle drug dealing and youth violence in the area.
Dudley Council has launched a new waste and recycling service with fortnightly collections of black bins (waste) and blue bins/bags (recycling), plus weekly food waste collection. The service implements mandatory national legislation requiring councils to expand recycling and introduce separate food waste collections.
Dudley Council has approved plans to convert a Grade II listed former Citizens Advice Bureau building on Market Street in Stourbridge into five residential apartments. The development involves interior modifications and demolition of rear extensions, with planners concluding it will conserve and enhance the historic building while bringing it back into productive use.
A 19-year-old driver was arrested in Brierley Hill and Stourbridge after dangerously evading police, driving on the wrong side of the road, and colliding with another vehicle on Easter Sunday. Police recovered class A drugs and two knives from the car; fortunately no one was injured in the incident.
Dudley Council has reinstated up to two hours of free parking in council-run car parks across the borough, a decision that has already boosted business in Brierley Hill with traders reporting increased footfall and sales. Local councillors and business representatives credit the policy with supporting high streets and helping small businesses thrive during the Easter weekend.
A two-car collision occurred on Pedmore Road in Brierley Hill, Dudley, with one vehicle overturned. Three people involved escaped serious injury, and the road was quickly reopened after emergency services attended.
Barber shops across the UK have been fined nearly £3 million for employing illegal workers, with Sedgley in the West Midlands mentioned as having over 30 barber shops—one for every 390 people. The article highlights concerns about illegal working, potential links to organised crime, and calls for stronger enforcement and planning powers to restrict problematic establishments.
A man was assaulted at a pub in Brierley Hill, Dudley on March 11, after a verbal row escalated to physical violence. West Midlands Police are appealing for information to identify the attacker.
Dudley Zoo and Castle is launching a Wildlife Champions scheme to recognise community members who support local wildlife and environmental conservation. The initiative is part of a Festival of Change event in June, with nominations open until April 30 and winners receiving tickets and exhibition features.
West Midlands Police have launched an appeal to identify a woman suspected of stealing a mobile phone from a supermarket on Priory Road in Dudley on 9 March. The suspect, described as aged 50-60 and wearing a grey coat and black crocs, allegedly picked up a phone left by another customer and hid it before leaving.
West Midlands Police have released a CCTV image seeking a woman in connection with a phone theft at a Dudley supermarket on Priory Road in March. The incident is a routine crime appeal with the police requesting public assistance in identifying the suspect.
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