I’m here to help you
I'm here to support you in any way I can and help to find a resolution to problems you may be facing with housing, welfare, immigration or a range of other issues. Please register below and I will investigate your case. We aim to respond to all queries within 30 days. You will always receive a written response.
If you’ve already submitted a case request and haven’t yet heard back from me, we appreciate your patience in waiting for a reply. Please wait 30 days before contacting us again to chase progress.
What can my MP do to help me?
An MP can try to help you with all matters for which Parliament or central government is responsible, such as:
- HM Revenue and Customs Department- tax or national insurance problems.
- Department for Work and Pensions- benefits and pension problems.
- Home Office- problems with immigration and passports.
- Department of Health- problems with hospitals and the National Health Service (NHS).
Please note, strict Parliamentary protocol dictates I can only deal with concerns relating to or respond to policy queries of constituents resident in Stockton West. If I am not your Member of Parliament, please re-direct your query to your own MP. If you are unsure, you can check this here.
To request a surgery appointment or ask for Matt's assistance please email : [email protected] with the subject "SURGERY REQUEST" or via this link and the preliminary details of your case.
What an MP cannot do
- An MP cannot intervene with legal matters or court cases, nor interfere with decisions previously made in court. They also cannot provide any financial or business advice.
- An MP is not able to assist in settling family arguments or private disputes with neighbours, employers or consumer matters.
- If your problem concerns the Local Government (Council), you should have exhausted the internal complaints procedure at the Council before you contact Matt.
- As an MP, Matt has no jurisdiction over planning applications or parking concerns. However, if you have exhausted the authority’s complaints procedure, Matt may write to the them, on your behalf, to highlight the concerns you have.
- If you are unsure of who to go to or you have a problem of a more general nature then your nearest Citizens' Advice Bureau will be able to guide you.
Immigration:
In certain cases, it is possible for your local Member of Parliament (MP) to assist with your immigration matter, there are strict rules which state what an MP can and can’t do and it is always important to remember that MP’s are not above the law and so cannot overturn decisions that have been made by the courts.
MPs can do the following:
- Contact the Home Office to ask for the status of your application.
- If appropriate, raise cases with the Immigration Minister or Home Secretary directly. This could be if you have received a negative decision, have been waiting a very long time for a decision and want a response, if you are detained, or if you are facing removal or deportation.
- Chase delays - if there has been a long delay in a decision, your MP can push for a decision to be made. Make sure you want a decision, however, and be prepared for that decision to be negative. If you have a lawyer, always ask them first before involving an MP.
- Assist with matters relating to welfare benefits and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
- Where appropriate provide referrals to Law Centers and provide information about relevant charities and organizations.
- Ask for your reporting conditions to be reduced or amended.
MPs can’t do the following:
- Overturn decisions made in the court of law.
- Give immigration advice
- Fill in forms and applications
- Give legal advice
- Change the law, although Matt can raise policy issues with the relevant Minister with the hope of changing Home Office guidelines.
Seeking Legal Advice:
When making an immigration application it is always advisable to seek qualified and regulated immigration advice. You can search for a qualified advisor accredited by the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) here: https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser/search-for-an-adviser
Ombudsman
If you feel there has been unnecessary delay or maladministration you may refer your case to the Ombudsman. You can take your case to all Ombudsmen yourself, except for the Parliamentary Ombudsman, who can only be approached by an MP.
If you wish for me to refer your case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, you must send me the completed Ombudsman forms. I will look at your case before referring it to the Ombudsman, however an MP may decide not to pass on your complaint, if deemed unnecessary.