Lab regained this seat from Con — last held it in 2017.
MP News Approval i
+72
Sarah Smith
Labour PartySarah Smith is the Labour MP for Hyndburn, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
MPs voted on the Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — the final Commons vote on whether to pass the assisted dying legislation in its amended form. Passing Third Reading sends the Bill to the House of Lords.
A procedural vote on whether to allow New Clause 16 to be formally considered as part of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at Report Stage, after proceedings had been interrupted on 13 June when an objection was raised. The debate excerpts do not reveal the substantive content of New Clause 16.
Vote on whether to prevent someone from qualifying as 'terminally ill' under the assisted dying bill solely because they have chosen to stop eating and drinking. The amendment would close a potential loophole where a person who is not otherwise terminally ill could meet the bill's eligibility criteria by voluntarily starving themselves.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Hyndburn has been mixed for Sarah across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Rally planned after 'frustration' at BT site closures leaving 700 jobs 'at risk'” — Lancashire Telegraph
“BT told to focus jobs in Blackburn in place of Warrington” — Lancashire Telegraph
A marginal seat — won by just 1,687 votes (4.6%) in 2024. Covers Accrington, Great Harwood and Haslingden. Population 92,583. Median income £25K (below average).
New image released in appeal for missing man
accrington · 13 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£25,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£29,600
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
2,895
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
58
40 primary, 7 secondary, 11 other
Total Income Tax▼
£149m
from 43,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,290
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,470
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▼
41.1
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
57.5%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 1 large town, 6 towns, 2 villages, rural areas — 94,023 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
19 councillors across 17 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altham | Labour Party | Vanessa Karen Alexander | May 2024 |
| Barnfield | Labour Party | Clare Elizabeth McKenna | May 2024 |
| Baxenden | Labour Party | Edward Blake | May 2024 |
| Central | Green Party of England and Wales | Mohammed Shabir Fazal | May 2024 |
| Church | Labour Party | Stewart Thurston Eaves | May 2024 |
| Clayton Le Moors | Labour Party | Melissa Fisher | May 2023 |
| Haslingden | Labour Party | Adrian Lythgoe | May 2024 |
| Labour Party | Ann Kenyon | May 2024 | |
| Labour Party | Marilyn Procter | May 2024 | |
| Huncoat | Labour Party | David Parkins | May 2023 |
| Immanuel | Conservative and Unionist Party | Judith Helen Addison | May 2023 |
| Milnshaw | Labour Party | Paul Ian Cox | May 2023 |
| Netherton | Labour Party | Noordad Aziz | May 2024 |
| Overton | Labour Party | Clare Marie Yates | May 2024 |
| Peel | Labour Party | Clare Pritchard | May 2024 |
| Rishton | Labour Party | Ethan Jack Rawcliffe | May 2024 |
| Spring Hill | Labour Party | Munsif Dad | May 2024 |
| St Andrews | Labour Party | Andy Gilbert | May 2024 |
| St Oswalds | Conservative and Unionist Party | Tina Walker | 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 | 12,186 | 33.5% | |
Won 2019 GE | Con | 10,499 | 28.9% |
| Ref | 7,541 | 20.7% | |
| Green | 4,938 | 13.6% | |
| LD | 1,210 | 3.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 20,565 | 48.5% | |
Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Lab | 17,614 | 41.5% |
| Ind | 2,156 | 5.1% | |
| LD | 1,226 | 2.9% | |
| Green | 845 | 2.0% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Lab | 24,120 | 53.4% |
| Con | 18,305 | 40.5% | |
| Ind | 1,953 | 4.3% | |
| LD | 824 | 1.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Lab | 18,076 | 42.1% |
| Con | 13,676 | 31.9% | |
| Ind | 9,154 | 21.3% | |
| Green | 1,122 | 2.6% | |
| LD | 859 | 2.0% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Lab | 17,531 | 41.1% |
| Con | 14,441 | 33.8% | |
| LD | 5,033 | 11.8% | |
| Ind | 2,137 | 5.0% | |
| Ind | 1,481 | 3.5% | |
| Ind | 795 | 1.9% | |
| Green | 463 | 1.1% | |
| Ind | 413 | 1.0% | |
| Ind | 378 | 0.9% |
Sarah Smith appeared in 1 national article across 1 topic (12 Apr 2026 – 12 Apr 2026)
Positive (+0.40)Ranked #120 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Smith presents herself as an effective advocate who has worked closely with government on SEND reforms, though the article provides limited evidence of tangible impact beyond positioning.
Police have released a new image of Mohammed Aslam, a 53-year-old missing man who was last seen at Burnley Bus Station on April 2nd. Aslam has links to Hyndburn and police are appealing for public assistance in locating him.
BT is closing its Globe Centre in Accrington and Telephone Exchange in Blackburn, putting around 700 jobs at risk and offering relocation to Warrington or redundancy. Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith is publicly backing workers and the CWU in opposing the closure, attending a planned rally at the Globe Centre on 16 April.
Hyndburn Council approved a planning application to convert a property into a five-person house of multiple occupation (HMO) before new restrictions came into force. The approval was granted because the conversion occurred before Article 4 directions were implemented, which now require full planning permission for HMO conversions in certain wards.
Hyndburn Borough Council has allocated £145,000 to restore 11 war memorials across the borough, with work scheduled for completion by November 2026. The restoration programme will address structural repairs, stonework conservation, and lettering work on monuments that are over a century old, many of which are listed structures.
During a Staysafe Operation in Hyndburn town centre and Oswaldtwistle, police and social services found three youths under the influence of an unknown substance, with one hospitalised. The operation highlights ongoing youth safety concerns in the constituency, with families now receiving social services support.
A motorcyclist in Oswaldtwistle was caught by Hyndburn police after failing to stop and attempting to hide. The driver, aged 20, was reported for driving without proper licensing and insurance, with the motorbike seized.
A 20-year-old motorbike rider fled police on Haslingden Old Road in Oswaldtwistle early Saturday morning, abandoning his bike and running into fields before being tracked down by a Lancashire Police dog handler and apprehended behind bushes. The rider was reported for driving without a valid licence and no insurance.
This article publishes death notices and funeral announcements from the Rossendale area, including details of two local funeral services. It is a routine local journalism piece announcing community deaths and providing information for bereaved families.
East Lancashire will receive almost £24 million in SEND funding as part of a wider £3.7 billion national programme to create specialist places and improve provision. MP Sarah Smith emphasises her priority work on SEND reform and coordination with government, though local councillors have previously criticised the funding levels as insufficient to address systemic issues.
Hyndburn Borough Council issued a statement responding to complaints about late-night fireworks disturbing residents across Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, and Baxenden. The council clarified firework regulations and advised residents on reporting procedures to police and local authorities.
An East Lancashire law firm, WHN Solicitors, has launched a specialist team to help clients navigate the Building Safety Act, which imposes new regulations on high-rise residential properties following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The team, based across North West offices including Blackburn and Rawtenstall, offers support for buying, selling, and living in affected properties.
Home Bargains has finally received full planning permission for a new £6m store and garden centre in Great Harwood after a two-year legal battle. The development is expected to create 70-80 jobs and regenerate the old gas holder site on Heys Lane, with construction potentially beginning in the coming months.
A suspected burglar was arrested in Accrington (Church area) after a quick-thinking neighbour spotted him on a doorbell camera and detained him until police arrived. The 50-year-old suspect remains in custody while investigations continue.
Hyndburn Borough Council held a 'Create Local, Go Global' event at Accrington Stanley's stadium featuring speakers Wayne Hemingway MBE and comedian Tez Ilyas, celebrating the borough's creative sector and inspiring local entrepreneurs. The event showcased how local talent can achieve global success while remaining rooted in their communities, with panel discussions, networking opportunities, and support from local creative businesses.
Hyndburn has been ranked 10th most affordable place to buy a home in the UK according to a new affordability index, with mortgage repayments accounting for 25.3% of median take-home pay. This positive ranking reflects the constituency's relatively low housing costs compared to national averages, though experts note affordability pressures remain for first-time buyers and households.
The article announces candidates for Lancashire local elections in May 2026, including several notable figures across East Lancashire constituencies including Hyndburn. In Hyndburn specifically, Labour currently holds 22 seats after winning the 2024 election, with Conservative and Reform candidates competing to regain influence.
Debbie Duncan, mother of Jay Slater who died in Tenerife in 2024, is campaigning for 'Jay's Law' to combat online trolling and misinformation targeting bereaved families. She has secured backing from her local MP Sarah Smith and government recognition for her petition, which aims to force social media platforms to rapidly remove malicious content about missing persons.
A five-day road closure is being implemented in Haslingden (within Hyndburn constituency) on Greenfield Street to allow urgent sewer repairs by United Utilities. The closure runs from April 9-13 with signed diversions in place for affected road users.
Colin Duncan Walker, a 53-year-old haulage contractor from Accrington, died in a road traffic collision in Vietnam last July. An inquest was opened at Preston Coroner's Court with a full hearing scheduled for July 26 at Accrington Town Hall.
Motorists using the M65 near Blackburn will face a series of overnight road closures from April 13-17 and again on April 22-23 and 28 as improvement works install new power infrastructure for street lighting, traffic signals, and cameras at a major junction. Diversion routes will be in place and emergency access maintained throughout.
Peter Durst, a founding member of Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team and globally respected mountain rescuer, has died following a long illness. Tributes highlight his decades of dedication to mountain rescue, search and rescue dogs, and mentoring volunteers across the UK and internationally.
Police arrested a 21-year-old man in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle after seizing illegal vapes believed to contain spice/THC from a vehicle. The arrest follows a report of males with a weapon and includes an additional charge of assaulting an emergency worker.
Police in Accrington stopped a taxi and arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of drug supply and assaulting a police officer after responding to reports of suspicious males with a weapon on Warner Street. The incident highlights ongoing crime and public safety concerns in the Hyndburn area.
Blackburn with Darwen Council is implementing overnight motorway junction closures on the M65 at junction 5 next week as part of improvement works, including new power supply installation for traffic infrastructure. The works will affect multiple roads in the area with signed diversions in place.
Finch Bakery, a popular local business in Great Harwood (Hyndburn constituency), is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by offering 2016 menu prices for one day on April 11. The promotion highlights how significantly prices have risen over a decade, with items now costing nearly double what they did in 2016.
Lancashire councils are implementing new weekly food waste collections as part of national recycling reforms. Hyndburn has already begun collections since April 1, 2026, with residents receiving caddies and receiving weekly kerbside collections, and councils will use anaerobic digestion technology to convert waste into electricity.
A 19-year-old man from Accrington pleaded guilty to burglary at Lanx Shoes in Whalley and a shed in Great Harwood, stealing 100 right-footed shoes in January. Shipley confessed to police and received a community order with rehabilitation requirements, praised by the judge for his cooperation.
Lomax Street in Great Harwood (Hyndburn constituency) will close for four days from April 8-12, 2026 to repair a sewer. The closure affects a section between numbers 13 and 25, with local diversions in place.
Rossendale Council is proposing a major redevelopment of Bacup Market, including a new landmark wooden canopy, public square, refurbished stalls, and café. The scheme aims to boost the local economy by attracting shoppers and tourists, with councillors set to decide on the plans on 14 April.
BT has announced closures of call centres in Blackburn and Accrington affecting 700 staff, with a proposal to relocate them to Warrington. Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith and local Labour councillors have backed a union counter-proposal to consolidate jobs at the Blackburn telephone exchange instead, arguing the Warrington move is unrealistic and damaging to the local economy.
A serious scooter crash on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle on Easter Monday left two local men with serious injuries and sent them to hospital. Police are appealing for witnesses and footage to help investigate the incident.
Two men were seriously injured in a scooter collision on Union Road in Oswaldtwistle on April 6, requiring emergency services and resulting in a major road closure for several hours. Police are appealing for witnesses and footage as part of their investigation into the incident.
A 32-year-old man was arrested in Accrington after police found him carrying a knife during a routine stop on Hyndburn Road in the early morning hours. The arrest highlights ongoing knife crime concerns in the area.
Police arrested a 32-year-old man found in possession of a knife on Hyndburn Road in Accrington early on April 7th. The arrest was made by Immediate Response Officers during a search under drug legislation, and the man remains in custody.
Altham St James Church of England Primary School in Hyndburn will receive a government grant to build a 15-place nursery opening in October 2026, creating early years provision and potentially saving parents £8,000 annually. The school is one of 17 in Lancashire sharing £45m from the Best Start programme, with MP Sarah Smith highlighting how this investment addresses childcare cost pressures facing local families.
A serious road traffic collision has occurred in Oswaldtwistle (within the Hyndburn constituency) on Union Road, with police and paramedics in attendance and the road closed for an extended period. Eye-witnesses report the incident involves a motorcycle.
Hyndburn Police arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of drug supply offences after stopping him for suspected disqualified driving on Stanhill Road in Knuzden. Officers also reported the driver for driving whilst disqualified and without insurance, and seized the vehicle.
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