On Friday 28 November, Harpreet Uppal MP for Huddersfield, visited Kirklees College’s Huddersfield Centre to speak with students about the issues affecting their everyday lives. The conversation highlighted clear priorities for improving opportunities, wellbeing and representation across the town. The session focused on education, mental health, transport and youth empowerment.
Young people called for greater investment in the NHS and health and social care, as well as more funding for vocational colleges. The MP said boosting opportunities in Huddersfield was a key priority, including expanding access to jobs, apprenticeships, work experience placements and summer programmes as well as ensuring equal value was placed on university and apprenticeship routes.
Mental health services emerged as a major concern. Participants agreed current provision falls short, with charities overstretched and services closing due to funding pressures. The MP outlined plans for neighbourhood health centres with integrated mental health support and bringing specialist staff into education to deliver early intervention.
On political engagement, the MP emphasised meeting young people regularly and taking their views back to Westminster was important to her. The Labour government’s commitment to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds was highlighted as part of a wider focus on increasing youth participation, alongside encouraging responsible fact-checking in a fast-moving information environment.
Transport improvements, particularly for young people, were another key topic. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin’s move to bring buses back under public control was praised, alongside a major £11 billion investment in the TransPennine rail route.
Reflecting on their role, Harpreet said their goals include ensuring residents know how to contact them, securing investment for Huddersfield, and tackling barriers such as child poverty and inequality. They also spoke frankly about the pressures of political life, but said their connection to Huddersfield keeps them grounded.
Students outlined what they want to see from society: safer streets, action on knife crime, better public transport capacity, stronger support for neurodivergent children, including non-verbal young people, and more apprenticeships and youth empowerment initiatives.
The discussion ended with a focus on aspiration and resilience. Students were encouraged to recognise their talents, work hard, build communication skills and embrace opportunities, with recognition that not everyone receives the same support or has access to the same resources from day one. Harpreet stressed the importance of hard work, confidence and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your potential.
After meeting with the students, and Principal Palvinder Singh, Harpreet was taken on a tour of the college’s brand-new Student Services hub, a one-stop-shop for all the college’s student support needs. The new area has private rooms for students to have conversations about mental health and wellbeing, as well as Job Shop, where students can plan their career paths with a qualified Job Coach or a Disability Employment Advisor as part of the new partnership with Job Centre Plus.
Head of Student Experience, Rebecca Swallow said:
“Conversations like these are invaluable for our students. They give young people the chance not only to express their views directly to decision-makers, but also to see that their experiences, worries and ambitions genuinely matter. When students are heard, they feel empowered, and that confidence stays with them far beyond the classroom. These interactions help build a stronger, more connected community where young people recognise that their voice can shape real change.”
Principal and CEO of Kirklees College, Palvinder Singh added:
“It is vital that we make the time and give students the space to engage with influential local figures like our local MP for Huddersfield. In an uncertain world, it is our purpose to amplify the voices of our students, to empower them to feel as though their opinions are being heard, and that they can influence positive change in our Kirklees community.”
