An MP has reaffirmed her support for a scheme that brings together science, landowners, and environmental action. Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, is backing the Dorset TESTBED Living Science Park, a collaborative project focused on landscape-based innovation. Continue reading here

The chief executive of a multi-academy trust that is making cuts to its teaching staff has announced her retirement. Initio Learning Trust is restructuring Queen Elizabeth (QE) School in Wimborne and Corfe Hills School in Corfe Mullen. Continue reading here

Dorset was firmly in the spotlight at Westminster thanks to a special showcase co-hosted by two Liberal Democrat MPs. The event, co-hosted by Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade and West Dorset MP Edward Morello, took place in Parliament’s Jubilee Room and celebrated the county’s culture, produce and community. Continue reading here

AN MP is backing a policy for SEND, warning that vulnerable children must not be treated as 'cash cows' by investors. Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has backed her party’s policy for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision to be designated as Critical National Infrastructure, warning that vulnerable children must not be treated as “cash cows” by offshore investors. Continue reading here

A Liberal Democrat MP has congratulated a town steeped in history for being crowned Dorset’s Town of Culture. Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, described the announcement of Wimborne Minster becoming Dorset's Town of Culture for 2026 as a "fantastic opportunity" and has raised an early day motion in Westminster to mark the win and celebrate the town’s cultural assets. Continue reading here .

An MP says she is "deeply worried" about reports of potential redundancies at schools run by a multi-academy trust. Continue reading here .

Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has challenged the Home Secretary in Parliament over Dorset being the second worst-funded police force in England, ranking 42nd out of 43 nationally. Continue reading here

People living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could face a 7.5% rise in their council tax in April. BCP council forecasts it will face a £10.5m bill for the interest on borrowing needed to provide support and education to children with extra needs. Continues here

MID Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade hosted a public meeting in Shapwick to give residents the chance to raise concerns over flooding, sewage, housing conditions and the long‑term future of the Kingston Lacy Estate. The meeting brought together villagers, representatives from the National Trust – which manages the Kingston Lacy Estate – and Wessex Water.Slade said the aim was to allow residents to put questions directly to the organisations responsible for local infrastr

AN MP for Dorset has spoken out after the House of Lords voted in favour of banning social media use for under-16s. Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, is backing up social media ban for under-16s. The vote came as part of the children’s wellbeing and schools bill, with the amendment expected to return to the House of Commons in the coming weeks alongside a Government consultation on children’s access to social media and mobile phones. The full ar

Some MPs have said they are quitting X amid reports its AI tool is being used to create sexualised images. Ofcom launched an investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform and its chatbot, Grok, which is reportedly being used to create and share undressed images of people, as well as "sexualised images of children". In the south of England, MPs Layla Moran, Darren Paffey and Vikki Slade are among those announcing their departure from X in recent days. The full article c

A new constituency-wide campaign has been launched inviting residents to share photographs of places they value across the mid Dorset and north Poole areas. The Love MDNP project is asking people to submit images of favourite locations, ranging from countryside and heathland to town centres, parks and lesser-known spots, with entries open until 6 February as part of the first stage of the campaign. After submissions close, a shortlist will be chosen and put forward to a publi

Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has joined Whizz Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, at a parliamentary event calling for urgent reform of disabled bus pass legislation in England. Under current rules, disabled people are only guaranteed free bus travel between 9:30am and 11pm. While some Travel Concession Authorities extend these hours, many do not, creating a postcode lottery that prevents disabled people from accessing work, education

Vikki Slade, Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has announced The Old Inn, Holt as the winner of her Pub of the Year competition. The full article can be read here .

More than 123,000 patients in Dorset waited over a month for a GP appointment in October, prompting calls for a new legal right to be seen within seven days. Liberal Democrat analysis shows the figure represents a 213 per cent rise compared with July last year, when Labour took office, with waiting times increasing sharply across the county as demand continues to grow. The full article can be read here .

A change to inheritance tax rules for family farms has been welcomed locally, with the Government raising the threshold from one million pounds to two point five million. The move follows sustained pressure from farming communities and Liberal Democrat MPs, after concerns that earlier plans could have forced long established family farms to sell land or cease trading, particularly in rural parts of Dorset. Vikki Slade said the decision was a positive step but warned it did no

Hospital admissions for flu have risen sharply, prompting calls for urgent community vaccination measures to protect vulnerable Dorset residents. Calls have been made for vaccinations to be delivered in familiar community venues across Dorset, including village halls, pubs and churches, as pressure on NHS services increases and hospital admissions linked to flu rise week on week. The proposals have been backed by Vikki Slade, who says Dorset’s older population means the count

Andrew Kenway has been named the first Local Hero Award winner for Mid Dorset and North Poole after being recognised for his contribution to community life. The award, launched by Vikki Slade MP, is designed to highlight individuals and organisations whose everyday actions help strengthen communities across the constituency, with a focus on work that often happens quietly and without public recognition. The full article can be read here

Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing the controversial mandatory digital ID policy, an MP says. Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade, has urged ministers to scrap the policy. This comes after a Westminster Hall debate on the subject. The full article can be read here .