The Official Site of Sammy Wilson MP
Bringing East Antrim’s Voice to the Centre of Decision-Making
Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK — yet too many families are still being left to cope alone at the most difficult time in their lives.
This week, I joined Dementia UK in Westminster to discuss the urgent need to improve palliative and end-of-life care for people living with dementia.
What I heard was deeply concerning.
Families — including many here in East Antrim — are facing a system that is too often unprepared, uncoordinated, and lacking the support they desperately need.
📉 Nearly half of families are not told what to expect at the end of life
📉 Over 70% of carers say they did not receive enough support
That is simply not good enough.
We need real change — and we need it now:
✔️ Earlier planning and support from the point of diagnosis
✔️ Better training for staff to recognise and manage symptoms
✔️ Greater access to specialist dementia nurses for every family
Dementia is a life-limiting condition. People deserve dignity, proper care, and support right through to the end of life.
I will continue to press for improvements so that no family is left to face this alone.
📞 If you or a loved one need support, contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Helpline on 0800 888 6678.
Motability Scheme Changes
⚠️ From 1 July 2026, major changes will apply:
• 10,000 mile annual limit
• Restrictions on tyre replacements
• New fee for taking vehicles abroad
💷 These changes follow new Government taxes increasing the cost of the scheme.
✔️ No change for current customers
✔️ Insurance, servicing & breakdown cover remain
👉 The Motability Scheme is vital for many across East Antrim — I will continue to press for support for those who rely on it.
Government mismanagement is hitting Northern Ireland hardest — with falling growth, lower wages, rising inflation, and the added costs of the Windsor Framework.
Today in Westminster, I strongly condemned the appalling attacks on the Jewish community in Golders Green.
Let’s be clear: this did not happen in a vacuum. Antisemitism has been allowed to fester across the United Kingdom—tolerated, excused, and at times even amplified. What we are now seeing is the consequence of that failure.
This is unacceptable. ❌
We must call out antisemitism wherever it appears—and confront it without hesitation, without excuses, and without fear. ⚖️
Stand with the Jewish community. ✡️
Speak out. 📢
Refuse to stay silent
I attended a lobby organised by the Horticultural Trades Association, which represents hundreds of garden centres and plant nurseries across the UK.
This is a vital industry—largely made up of SMEs—supporting over 722,000 jobs, generating £38 billion in trade, and contributing £8.4 billion in tax revenues.
It is a sector I have long supported in East Antrim and across Northern Ireland. However, it is now facing significant challenges—particularly in sourcing plants due to the impact of the Windsor Framework.
On top of this, rising National Insurance contributions, increases in the minimum wage, environmental regulations, higher energy costs, and the move towards peat-free compost are all placing additional pressure on the industry.
As a member of the Environmental Audit Committee at Westminster, I have been pleased to raise many of these issues, particularly those affecting this important import sector of our local economy.