Simon Lightwood · Labour and Co-operative Party
Yorkshire and The Humber, England
: 75,067
Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Wakefield.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
MP News Approval i
+40
Simon Lightwood
Labour and Co-operative PartySimon Lightwood is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, and has been an MP continually since 23 June 2022. He currently holds the Government post of Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport).
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Sign up freeCoverage of Wakefield and Rothwell has been predominantly positive for Simon across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Government cash boost for Grimsby A180 and M180 road rebuilds” — BBC
“£27B Boost for English Roads Revamp” — Mirage News
Critical coverage
“Row over pothole funding in North Yorkshire and York reaches Parliament” — D&S
Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Wakefield, Rothwell (Leeds) and Bottom Boat. Population 104,292.
New DVSA driving test rule kicks in from today for all learner drivers
Birmingham Mail · 31 Mar 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£27,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£33,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,265
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
47
31 primary, 4 secondary, 12 other
Total Income Tax▼
£251m
from 56,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,660
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£4,450
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▼
46.5
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
69.2%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 2 towns, 1 village, rural areas — 105,910 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
6 councillors across 6 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rothwell | Liberal Democrats | Conrad Hart-Brooke | May 2024 |
| Stanley Outwood East | Labour Party | Matthew Morley | May 2024 |
| Wakefield East | Labour Party | Natalie Walton | May 2024 |
| Wakefield North | Labour Party | Elizabeth Rhodes | May 2024 |
| Wakefield West | Labour Party | Hilary Gail Mitchell | May 2024 |
| Wrenthorpe Outwood West | Labour Party | Brendan James Fraser | 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 | 17,773 | 43.7% | |
| Ref | 8,427 | 20.7% | |
| Con | 7,322 | 18.0% | |
| LD | 3,249 | 8.0% | |
| Green | 2,389 | 5.9% | |
| WPB | 705 | 1.7% | |
| Ind | 606 | 1.5% | |
| Ind | 185 | 0.5% |
Simon Lightwood appeared in 2 national articles across 3 topics (13 Apr 2026 – 14 Apr 2026)
Mixed (+0.10)Ranked #64 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Lightwood presents government action on a high-profile issue ahead of local elections, though the need for such measures suggests prior underperformance.
Listed in the organisational hierarchy with no narrative or evaluative content.
19 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
The DVSA has implemented new rules limiting learner drivers to two test booking changes instead of six, effective March 31, 2026, to reduce waiting times and prevent system abuse. Labour Roads Minister Simon Lightwood has endorsed the changes as benefiting learners by ensuring fairer access to test slots and preventing inflated pricing by third-party booking sites.
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has confirmed the Government will assess amendments to mobility scooter regulations, potentially allowing speeds up to 20mph. A formal consultation running until April 22 aims to modernise decades-old legislation while balancing disabled users' needs with safety concerns.
Wakefield Trinity has signed NRL legend Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on a two-year deal starting in 2027, a high-profile acquisition aimed at strengthening the club's Super League ambitions. The signing of the former Dally M Medal winner and NRL Grand Final champion represents a significant investment in the club's competitive future.
Rugby league star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has signed a two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity, moving from the NRL to play in the Super League. The signing is described as a major coup for the club, with management highlighting it as evidence of their ambitions and a significant shift in the competitive landscape of Super League.
This article lists routine planning applications submitted to Wakefield Council, covering residential extensions, a commercial conversion, and a sports facility lighting project across various addresses in and around Wakefield. It is a standard administrative notice of no particular political or policy significance.
A dispute over pothole repair funding allocation between North Yorkshire and York has reached Parliament, with Harrogate MP Tom Gordon criticising the Mayor's reallocation of £4m from North Yorkshire to York. Simon Lightwood, the local MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Transport, responded that local leaders should decide spending priorities, drawing criticism for 'passing the buck' on chronic underfunding.
The Department for Transport, under Under Secretary of State Simon Lightwood, is consulting on extending driving licence eligibility for Ukrainian residents from 36-54 months to 60-78 months. The consultation closes April 23 and affects Ukrainian licence holders driving cars, motorcycles, and mopeds in Great Britain.
The government has announced £27bn in road investment over five years, including major reconstruction of the A180 and M180 in northern Lincolnshire, plus M62 bridge repairs at Goole and Airmyn. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood described the project as 'transformational' for motorists and economic growth.
Wakefield celebrates the 200th anniversary of Charles Waterton's historic three-mile wall, built around the world's first nature reserve at Walton Hall. A month-long festival called WallFest 26 is planned for May 2026, featuring talks, walks, workshops and community events across four themes: nature, creativity, heritage and wellbeing.
The government announces a £27 billion Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) to upgrade England's roads over 5 years, including major schemes like the A66 dualling and Lower Thames Crossing. The strategy includes significant investment in motorway and A-road maintenance, with 16 additional road schemes approved to support jobs and housing across England.
The UK government announces a £27 billion, 5-year Road Investment Strategy to upgrade England's roads, including resurfacing over 9,000 km of motorway and major A-roads, fixing potholes, and approving 16 new local road schemes. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood is quoted praising the investment as transformational for drivers and businesses.
The DVSA is introducing major changes to driving test booking from March 31, including a two-strike rule limiting amendments to two per booking and subsequent restrictions on third-party bookings and geographic movement. Roads and buses minister Simon Lightwood supports the overhaul as a measure to restore fairness and prevent exploitation of the booking system.
The Government has announced a £27 billion five-year roads investment plan (2026/27–2031/32) but excluded the A64 dualling project, which has had cross-party support and decades of campaigning. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood, the local Labour MP, acknowledged the disappointment and said the Government will work with local leaders to explore alternative solutions, citing difficult budget choices inherited from the previous government.
Local artist Ruth Fones has created an innovative tactile mural at St Swithun's Community Centre in Eastmoor, designed to be touched and explored by visitors of all abilities. The work, funded by Arts Council England, reflects her commitment to making art accessible to people with sight loss and other visitors, and showcases Wakefield's vibrant creative community.
The Government has rejected funding for A64 dualling in Yorkshire for at least five years, disappointing the region despite a £27bn national roads investment plan. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood, the MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, says the Government will work with local leaders on improvements, but critics argue central funding is essential.
Local court report from Wakefield district listing 18 criminal cases with sentencing outcomes, including offences ranging from theft and assault to drug-driving, knife possession, and sexual harm prevention order breaches. The cases span multiple towns within the constituency including Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Ossett, and surrounding areas.
The Wakefield 10K running event raised a record-breaking £200,000 for Wakefield Hospice, with both the main race and the new Mini Fun-Run selling out completely. The event, now in its 29th year, has become the biggest running event in Wakefield's calendar and demonstrates strong community engagement and support for local healthcare services.
A routine planning applications bulletin listing decisions made by Wakefield district council across multiple sites including residential extensions, commercial conversions, and sports facility improvements throughout the Wakefield and surrounding areas.
YPO, a Wakefield-based company, has partnered with Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation as their Principal Inclusion Rugby League Partner to provide free taster sessions and equipment to SEND schools across the district. The partnership aims to create inclusive sporting opportunities and a lasting rugby league legacy for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Wakefield Pride, a long-running LGBTQ+ festival, was cancelled in 2025 due to catastrophic loss of grants and sponsorship, with organisers unable to secure the £265,000 needed. A council opposition member has called on the local authority to support the event's return, and the Labour cabinet member responsible for culture has committed to exploring ways to help restore this 'vital' community event.
The article reveals that 13% of England's Strategic Road Network sits in high flood risk locations, with approximately 965km of the 7,400km network vulnerable to flooding. Roads minister Simon Lightwood disclosed this data in Parliament, noting that National Highways has only adapted 7% of the SRN to climate standards set 20 years ago, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience as climate change increases flooding disruption.
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