Member of Parliament for Torbay | Liberal Democrat 🔶 | For casework and policy questions email: steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk
Torbay, England
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It is one of the greatest honors of my life to have been elected as Torbay's MP.
Thank you.
Whether you voted for me or not, I will work tirelessly over the next 5 years for you and everyone across our Bay.
As your MP, Torbay will be at the heart of all I do.
ALT Picture of Steve Darling with the text 'Lib Dem gain' 'Torbay' 'Steve Darling MP'. With an orange to pink ombre background with the word 'Win' repeated in partially transparent text.
ALT The Torbay 2024 General Election result. Lib Dem 41%, Conservative 29.5%, Reform 18.8%, Labour 7.1%, Green 3.1%, Workers Party 0.5%.
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Kent's Cavern is an archaeological gem that should be better known in Torbay and nationally. Last week I met with Rob Cox from Tutor Hotels, the group responsible for the state of the art work at Bodmin Jail, who have similar plans for Kent's Cavern.
Fascinatingly, the group told me how they found human remains which are over 40,000 years old! We also discussed how to better boost tourism to Devon by improving travel links like the trains, and how to better advertise Torbay's tourist assets.
#KentsCavern #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve and Rob Cox from Tutor Hotels
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Businesses in Torbay have serious concerns about the newly announced tourism tax. I will be continuing to press the government to reconsider this damaging tax.
At my Business Community Meeting at TQ Beerworks this week, which was attended by key business leaders from industries ranging from tourism and retail, to the arts and high-tech manufacturing, I shared an update on what might be in the next budget, as well as recent work I have done both in Torbay and nationally around the Youth unemployment/ inactivity crisis.
Businesses shared with me that they have found it difficult to enact the government's recent VAT cut for children using hospitality venues, and that a broader, more simple VAT cut would be more welcome. High costs, especially around employment and utility bills, remain prohibitive for local businesses.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to improving the apprenticeship system, which would help both businesses and young people in Torbay.
#Business #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve with business leaders at TQ Beerworks
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Issues over planning applications and anti-social behaviour came up during my constituency surgery in Paignton this week.
I am always happy to meet constituents and to solve their issues. If you have a problem, please do not hesitate to email me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve Darling and a member of staff
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If you want to learn more about events in our community or are interested in politics, you can do both by signing up for my weekly email newsletter.
Inside, you'll find extra details on what's been happening in politics this week, what I have been up to in our community, and what upcoming community events are on...
torbaylibdems.org.uk/newslet…
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Mount Olivet Care Home do incredible work caring for residents. They have built a word-of-mouth reputation for being one of the best care providers, and have just been nominated for a national care home award and Nurse Manager Jodie Nelder has been nominated for a Queens Nurse Award.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Cat Johns and I visited the Care Home this week. We spoke about their innovative Alzheimer's and Dementia prevention programme, which involves increased socialisation through group activities and increased attention around eye health and mental skills. As someone who has had personal experiences in the adult social care system through family members, this was really heartening to hear.
We also spoke about the challenges of the ongoing decoupling of health and social care in our Bay. I am pleased to be meeting with Devon Health bosses at the ICB today to discuss the ongoing challenges that residents face as a result of this separation.
#Care #CareHomes #Dementia #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve Darling MP with staff from Mount Olivet
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Last week, the Minister for Tourism visited Torbay and saw how important the Tourism sector is to our area. The proposed Tourism Tax could undermine that by pushing up prices for overnight visitors.
I was pleased to meet with Alistair Handyside, Chair of PASC UK (Professional Association of Self Caterers) and Chair of the South West Tourism Alliance, and Ben Spier, Director of PASC UK, at Liberal Democrat Party Conference. We discussed meeting with the Minister, along with the dangers of the tourist tax, particularly the unintended consequences for business costs when travelling for work. Businesses and Hospitality are already struggling under mounting costs, a VAT rate higher than that of our international peers, and the Government’s national insurance contributions hike.
The Government must announce vital hospitality support in the Budget, including an emergency 5p VAT cut and relief from NICs, alongside a reversal of this damaging tourist tax policy.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon #tourism #touristtax #hospitality
ALT Steve Darling MP and Jennie, Alistair Handyside and Ben Spier
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Teachers are integral to a child's development. The government urgently needs to support teachers, and the NEU are asking them to increase school funding from 4.6% to 5%. This would also help pay for an expansion of free school meals, vital to making sure children have the right start to their days.
At Liberal Democrat Party Conference, I was pleased to discuss this with the NEU at their stand. We also discussed the SEND white paper and the impact this could have on Torbay's already failing provision. I look forward to working with the NEU further on these issues, as well as their anti-misogyny campaign.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon #send #education #school #freeschoolmeals
ALT Steve Darling MP meeting with the NEU (National Education Union) at Conference
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Torbay has only 152 MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certified heat pumps, ranking 520th out of all UK constituencies. At Liberal Democrat Party Conference, I met with the MCS Foundation to discuss this statistic and what more can be done by the Government to help households with the cost of energy bills.
The Foundation is doing great work supporting households to install heat pumps, alongside working with organisations such as Devon County Council. The Government should fully remove the Renewables Obligation Levy from people's energy bills alongside helping the MCS Foundation by further promoting heat pumps.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon #liberaldemocratconference #liberaldemocrat #energy #mcsfoundation
ALT Steve Darling MP and Jennie, meeting with the MCS Foundation at Liberal Democrat Party conference, holding a sign saying "Lower Energy Prices"
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For far too long, successive governments have denied WASPI Women the justice they are due. The Liberal Democrats and I have long supported the WASPI campaign, so I was pleased to attend their stall at the Liberal Democrat Conference.
I will continue to fight for WASPI women and push the Government to finally give them the compensation they deserve.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon #WASPI #libdemconference #brighton
ALT Steve Darling MP with WASPI campaigners at Liberal Democrat Conference
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Too many people in this country are struggling with their water bills. Independent Age are currently running a petition for more affordable water bills with a fair water social tariff.
Currently there is a complete postcode lottery for what support low-income households can receive on their water bill. You can sign their petition here: campaigns.independentage.org…
#Water #Bills
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Torbay Council currently charges £8000 to install and maintain a commemorative bench for 25 years (and £12,000 in some locations). This is when Westminster City Council charges £1,625 for 10 years in prime London locations.
The Conservative run Council's regeneration plans should not be built off the backs of grieving families. Sign my petition for a new fairer memorial bench policy.
torbaylibdems.org.uk/campaig…
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
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Excited to hold my next meeting with local businesses this Thursday, ahead of next month's budget. Many great local business leaders have already signed up to attend, so if you are missing an invite and want to come, please email steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk
ALT the poster reads english riviera business community pre budget meeting, Steve Darling MP, 24th September 2026 5:15-6:30pm to get the location RSVP to steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk
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Active Devon work to widen access to sports and leisure facilities for some of the most deprived communities in our Bay. It was a pleasure to showcase their work to the Minister for Tourism and Sports last week.
Hannah Worth from Active Devon shared how as part of the Stand Up Paddle Boarding World Cup, the organisation has engaged with young people up in the Acorn Centre around the use of stand up paddle boards on our beaches, and this has now resulted in young people making their owns plans to participate in stand up paddle boarding, something they might never have dreamed of before.
#Paddle #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve and the Minister with others from Active Devon
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The Torbay Business Network gathers businesses together to discuss ideas and voice concerns. At last week's Torbay Business Network lunch I discussed the fact that many businesses are struggling to employ young people with Ben Pountney from South Devon College. We also spoke about how valuable it is to provide support for businesses to create apprenticeship opportunities.
I also spoke with Debbie from the RNLI about their lifesaving work and the great news of the recent financial support they have received from the general public.
#Businesses #RNLI
ALT Steve and Debbie from RNLI
ALT Steve speaking at the business network
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Surfers Against Sewage, Paddle UK, Rewilding Britain and the Marine Conservation Society do an amazing job of keeping our beaches clean and keeping people safe, both across the country and in Torbay.
This Liberal Democrat Conference I enjoyed participating in a Beach Clean in Brighton and spoke to Surfers Against Sewage about the ongoing horrific challenges with sewage being pumped into the ocean, even with one of the driest summers on record.
The event was organised to promote Liberal Democrat calls to replace Ofwat and end sewage dumping in bathing sites by 2030.
#Sewage #Oceans #Torbay #Ofway
ALT Steve with a large group of people on the beach holding a banner which reads end sewage pollution
ALT Steve engaged in the beach clean
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Torbay on the Move supports and encourages Torbay residents to be more physically active. Alongside the Minister for Tourism and Sports I met with Active Devon, Sports England, Torbay Council and Healthscape CIC recently to speak about promoting sports in Torbay.
They are focussed on tackling inequality in Devon and linking in with wider services, such as mental health support.
Sadly, there are children in Torbay who have never been to the beach and Active Devon is working in deprived areas to widen access into sports and leisure facilities.
You can find out more about Torbay on the Move here: torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports…
#Sports #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve and the other members of Torbay on the move with the Minister
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It was a privilege to join a panel at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference hosted by Carers Trust to discuss Securing Fair Futures for Young Carers.
As someone who is registered blind, alongside my wife, this is an issue that is very personal to me. Our sons grew up helping us navigate daily life, and quickly became incredibly independent, resilient and well-prepared for adulthood. Today they are both thriving in successful careers. But I know our family's story is not everyone's experience.
Far too many young carers are missing out on opportunities. Young carers are more than twice as likely to be not in employment, education or training, and too often they face barriers that make it harder to achieve their potential.
That's why I called for greater funding for local authorities to properly support young carers, and for the unfair 21-hour study cap for young carers receiving Carer's Allowance to be scrapped, so that education is never put out of reach.
It was great to hear from my colleagues Alison Bennett and Vikki Slade about their work in Parliament to support young carers, as well as Cllr Callum Robertson, Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh, and most importantly Oliver, a young carer who spoke powerfully about his own experiences caring for his mum.
Young carers give so much to their families and communities. They deserve every opportunity to succeed, and we must do more to ensure they get the support they need.
#carerstrust #LDconf
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Laurence Traverso owns and operates Torquay Coastal Gin. TCG is the only operating gin distillery in the Bay Area. Laurence's gin is exported all around the world, from Edinburgh to Tokyo.
I spoke to Laurence last week about the tax burden on small producers, as well as how businesses like Torquay Coastal Gin help raise the profile of Torquay.
I see a large part of my role as MP as liaising with businesses in Torbay to help them navigate any red tape. If you run a business and are interested in meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk
#Businesses #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve and Laurence Traverso
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The roadworks on Dartmouth Road have caused chaos for many across Torbay. After many residents raised this issue with me, I contacted Torbay Council and Stagecoach about this, which is why I am pleased to see that these roadworks will be postponed next Wednesday until the October Half Term.
Serious questions must be raised of Torbay Council about how they allowed this chaos to take place. I will continue to push Torbay Council for answers around this and what forward planning they undertook when allowing these works.
#Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon #roadworks #stagecoach #traffic #bus #buses
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This year Torbay has seen growth in its tourism economy; however we are still not back to pre-Covid levels.
After inviting the Minister for Tourism, Stephanie Peacock, to visit Torbay, I was delighted to welcome the Minister to Babbacombe Downs. Also in attendance were Alistair Handyside MBE from the professional association of self-caterers and Roger from the River Dart.
We discussed how the footfall into businesses has become less regular and how the tourism tax will negatively impact on hospitality businesses in Torbay, some of which are already operating on razor thin margins.
I will continue to liaise with the government and businesses in Torbay to ensure we have the best deal for everyone.
#Tourism Hospitality #Torbay #Torquay #Paignton #torbayweekly #TorbayHour #BoostTorbay #brixham #CommunityMatters #southdevon
ALT Steve, Minister Stephanie Peacock, Roger and Alistair Handyside
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