'They are missing opportunities to fight for investment': Wolverhampton Tory criticises MPs for missing regeneration meetings

Councillor Simon Bennett, leader of Wolverhampton Council's Conservative group, said MPs Pat McFadden and Sureena Brackenridge had repeatedly missed meetings of the body responsible for coordinating regeneration in the city, including crucial government-funded schemes in Bilston and Wednesfield.

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Councillor Bennett said of the six meetings of the City Investment Board held over the past 12 months, Mr McFadden had attended just one and sent representatives on two more occasions. He said he had failed to submit apologies to the previous two meetings.

He said Mrs Brackenridge failed to attend the most recent meeting on January 30, during which an important meeting had taken place regarding the future of Wednesfield High Street. Mrs Brackenridge said she had a strong attendance record at the board, but was accompanying Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during a visit to the constituency on the afternoon of the most recent meeting.

The MPs both defended their attendance records and said they were committed to attracting investment into Wolverhampton.

Councillor Bennett said the meetings were designed to ensure those with influence at Westminster, the West Midlands Combined Authority and within government agencies were present to help drive projects forward for the city.

He said: “The City Investment Board exists for one reason, to bring together, cross-party, the people who have the power to unlock funding, remove barriers, and drive regeneration in Wolverhampton.

"When our MPs repeatedly fail to attend, they are not just missing meetings — they are missing opportunities to fight for investment and progress for our city."

Mr McFadden, who is Work and Pensions Secretary in the Cabinet, said he fully supported the investment the Labour government was making in Bilston after years of Tory austerity, and was happy with the work the board members were doing. 

But Councillor Bennett said his attendance record at the board meetings was unacceptable.

"Cabinet minister or not, he was elected to represent residents of Wolverhampton, and Bilston, and that means being in the room when Wolverhampton’s future is being discussed, and millions of pounds of investment in Bilston are being decided upon," he said.

"Even more disappointing was Sureena Brackenridge’s absence from the January meeting, where the future of Wednesfield High Street was on the agenda. Instead of standing up for local traders and residents, she chose to spend the day on party-political campaigning. That shows completely the wrong priorities."

Councillor Bennett contrasted their non-attendance with their Labour colleague Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, who did attend the latest meeting.

"These meetings matter," he said. "Real decisions are discussed. Real projects are shaped. And Wolverhampton deserves MPs who show up."

Mrs Brackenridge said she had a strong attendance record and rarely missed meetings.

"On this occasion, I gave my apologies because I was accompanying the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a visit to Wednesfield and Bushbury, speaking directly with residents to ensure their voices were heard at the very highest level of government," she said.

"Some may criticise that decision and the Chancellor’s visit, but when residents have the opportunity to speak directly to national decision makers about regeneration and investment, it is essential to be there.

"We spoke with first-time buyers about the challenges they face. I also visited a local secondary school and a community pharmacy on that day, and attended events with young people in care, listening to their experiences and aspirations. These conversations matter."

Mr McFadden said he fully supported the Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods and Pride in Place initiative, which was seeing areas which had previously been deprived of funding receiving the support they deserved.

"Pride in Place means that places like Bilston are finally getting funding from the Labour government to address the long-term neglect which took place under the Conservative government," he said.

"These areas will now receive investment for the future."