New Labour MP wants to set up 'financial support centres' to help families access expert advice

New Labour MP Keir Mather says he wants to set up 'financial support centres' in his constituency to offer expert advice to those struggling to pay their bills and living expenses.

Mr Mather overturned a 20,137 majority to win the Selby & Ainsty seat. It came in a night that saw each Labour, the Conservatives, and Liberal Democrats claiming a by-election win.

While 25-year-old Mr Mather secured a historic win in Yorkshire, Steve Tuckwell retained Uxbridge and South Ruislip for the Conservative Party and Sarah Dyke took Somerton and Frome for the Lib Dems.

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Mr Mather said his first priority would be setting up the financial support centres in the constituency. These would mean people could get expert to help with issues including mortgage payments and energy bills.

He told reporters he supported Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s policy of keeping the two-child benefit cap, saying: “I think we’re going to inherit an absolute economic mess from the Conservatives when we take power and we’re going to have to make extremely difficult decisions once we do, and I support the Labour government in doing so.”

Mr Mather said his victory was a “historic moment for the Labour Party”. He believes the win is “a ringing endorsement of our plan”.

Asked if people were voting for Labour or against the Tories, Mr Mather said: “Well, I make no bones about it, I think local residents were extremely frustrated at the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down, but they only voted Labour to the extent that they did because they knew we had a plan that would actually deliver on their concerns.”

Asked about whether he could fully understand voters’