Leeds South is a new constituency that was created by the Boundary Commission following boundary changes that came into effect after the General Election in July 2024. It is a really diverse and exciting community covering the Riverside, Hunslet, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill, East End Park, Osmondthorpe, Halton Moor and Halton, Belle Isle, Middleton, Holbeck, Beeston and Cottingley.

Over the years, Leeds’ growth has been built on hard work and a capacity to change with the times. Leeds has a great industrial heritage and manufacturing remains very important to the local economy.

The city today is home to a big financial services industry, three universities (Leeds University, Leeds Beckett and Leeds Trinity), two hospitals (Jimmy’s and the LGI), the Leeds City Museum and the Royal Armouries, the Leeds Playhouse, the City Varieties, the Grand Theatre, the Northern Ballet and the Leeds Arena. Many people living in Leeds South work in the city centre.

The Leeds South constituency runs from south of Boar Lane, taking in Leeds Minster, across the River Aire to Holbeck, Hunslet, and Beeston, including Leeds Utd FC at Elland Road and the Hunslet Hawks at South Leeds Stadium, as well as a large area of manufacturing, and then on to the housing estates of Belle Isle and Middleton (with the wonderful Middleton Park and its new Visitors’ Centre). From Cottingley in the west to Halton and Halton Moor, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe and Burmantofts (where Olympic boxing gold medal winner Nicola Adams grew up) in the east, each is a unique community with its own character and traditions like the Beeston Festival and the Holbeck, Hunslet and Burmantofts Galas. It is also home to the Middleton Railway – the oldest working commercial railway in the world.

The area has seen investment in recent years in new housing in Holbeck and Middleton, new high schools and improved health facilities.

The city also has a long and proud tradition of welcoming newcomers to the city, with significant Irish, West Indian, Sikh, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and African communities, and the more recent arrival of asylum seekers from all over the world.

It is a constituency of many contrasts, and includes wards that are among the most deprived in the country. Far too many children grow up in poverty, the use of food banks has risen sharply in recent years and there are very many people waiting on the Council’s housing list. But there is a terrific community spirit, and I support many local people who are working hard in running residents associations, sports clubs, community groups, looking after the elderly, caring for the environment, and campaigning on issues we care about. We achieve most when we work together!

Leeds South is a great place to live and work. Do come and find out more….

Hilary Benn

Member of Parliament for Leeds South