I spoke to the BBC yesterday about the plans for the Durham venue being scrapped by STACK. The interview started with the question "...isn't this news a shame" - quite honestly I answered "no". Silver Street was never an appropriate place for such a development. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... More 👇🏼

STACK scraps plans for Whitley Bay and Durham venues

The proposals for the Whitley Bay and Durham sites are shelved after delays.

bbc.co.uk

On World Mental Health Day let’s share an important reminder that mental health matters, every single day. 🌿 Behind every smile, there may be a struggle we cannot see. Let’s all be a little kinder, listen without judgement, check in on the people we love and… More 👇🏼

Awaab’s Law is already helping to drive up standards in the social housing sector. We’re now moving to extend it to private landlords so that England’s 11 million private renters can enjoy the same protections. www.gov.uk/government/c...

Extending Awaab's Law to private rented tenancies and to licences

We are seeking views on proposals to apply Awaab's Law to private rented tenancies and to accommodation occupied under licence.

gov.uk

APPG on Smoking and Health co-chairs @marykfoymp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman MP told the BMJ that “the latest spike in industry activity tells us what we all know: the tobacco industry’s days are numbered in the UK” Read more here: www.bmj.com/content/395/...

Cigar and vape industry is stoking a culture war over plain packaging

Lobbyists are focusing on cigars and cigarillos as they step up efforts to water down new rules, as Emma Wilkinson reports Campaigners and academics have raised the alarm about the scale of industry ...

bmj.com

If you didn’t already know, I ❤️ our Durham Markets! I had the best Saturday on my market stall with friends from Durham District Prostate Cancer Group and Pink Justice Network. To everyone who stopped to chat to us, it was a pleasure to see you all 🫶🏼. More 👇🏼

Great to meet with Shelter at Conference & discuss their proposals to boost council housebuilding & tackle homelessness. As PPS to the Minister for Housing & Planning, I'm acutely aware of the challenges facing families struggling with housing insecurity & growing pressures on local authorities.

We have so many brilliant support & charity groups in the City of Durham & I try to acknowledge them in Parliament. Durham District Prostate Cancer Group are one of the latest groups to get such recognition & I was so pleased to lay an EDM in their honour. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2659270...

House of Commons commendation for ground breaking Durham Prostate Cancer group

A volunteer group offering a groundbreaking prostate cancer screening service has won House of Commons praise for its “life-saving work.”

thenorthernecho.co.uk

Many positive announcements at conference. Some of the stand out ones for me: ❤️‍🩹 National Care Service 💩 Tackling Water Companies & repealing Thatcher's ideological ban on public ownership ⚡ No VAT on electricity bills as of tomorrow 🚌 £2 cap on bus fares 💚 Great British Grid to deliver green energy

I don’t think there was a dry eye in the conference hall during Andy’s speech this afternoon. I’ll reflect on what has been one of the most positive conferences in years, properly in the next day or two. For now, I’m off to reapply my mascara - again! 🌹

Fantastic news for the City of Durham with changes announced today, strengthening protections for more than 5 million leaseholders and giving homeowners greater control over their homes 🏡 More 👇🏼

Leaseholders across the country are being routinely gouged by freeholders and managing agents acting on their behalf. Today, we’ve announced we will cap exorbitant administration and permission fees and legislate for the independent regulation of managing agents.

Really excited to be holding my next Market Stall this Saturday, 3rd October, 10:00 to 15:00 in Durham Market Place. This time I'm so pleased that I'll be joined by good friends from the Durham District Prostate Cancer Group and The Pink Justice Network. More 👇🏼

The Union Learning Fund helped around 200,000 workers a year access learning and training opportunities before the Tories scrapped it. 🚮 Labour is bringing it back so more people can build skills, confidence and better careers. 🌹

Fantastic news for first-time buyers! The Labour Government is taking action to make getting on the housing ladder more affordable, following the announcement of the ‘Your First Home’ scheme. 🏡 More 👇🏼

It’s not a silver bullet but bringing more empty homes back into use can help solve the housing crisis. Today, we’re announcing strengthened powers for councils to take control of long-term empty homes and use them to house families in need.

We’re acting to support those who can’t rely on help from the bank of Mum and Dad. Our Your First Home scheme will help more families get their first rung on the housing ladder with a deposit of just 2.5%. Less to save upfront and lower monthly costs. Help is on the way for first-time buyers.

What a pleasure to drop in and welcome NEU Durham area reps to Redhills this afternoon. It’s great to see our wonderful building being so well utilised by trade unions - the perfect place for them to come together to share best practice and organise. ✊🏼

Come volunteering with me 💚. I know how amazing the volunteers in and around Durham are. I also know how invaluable so many people find them. If you ever fancy taking a shift at St Cuthbert’s coffee shop, I’d highly recommend it. Loads of fun, brilliant people and really rewarding. Take a look. 🫶🏼

It is National Manufacturing Day & I dropped into Pragmatic, 1 our key manufacturing businesses in Durham to say hi to students who had been visiting. Pragmatic is a great example of how we can still build things in the UK. With the announcement of new vocational qualifications for younger pupils

☕️ SHERBURN COFFEE MORNING 🌅 🕰️ Thur 24 Sept, 10:00-12:00 Join me & my team at Sherburn Community Centre tomorrow, Constituents are welcome to come & chat about cases they have open with my office, bring issues to our attention or stop by for a natter. We’ll have the kettle on & biscuits to hand!

Fab Monday evening with Belmont Guides. I was v impressed by their questions about politics but also their concerns about the areas which they live in. From inadequate play areas, ASB, animal cruelty, poor home to school transport, climate & environmental concerns, not to mention road safety issues-

⚖️ Specialist Courts Announcement 👩🏻‍⚖️ Always great to receive a message like this from a government department, particularly acknowledging that my advocacy played a pivotal part in securing this vital support. More 👇🏼.

Fab time last night at St Paul's Church in Hunwick with the Voices in Bloom singers. We were taken on a musical journey featuring everything from Les Mis to the Lion King - props included. If you live in Hunwick & weren't there you missed a treat, keep your eyes open for future events at the church!

I think we knew as further investigations were carried out into the care women received under the breast surgery services department within CDDFT, some ugly truths would be revealed. The fact that, so far, 20 women have been found to have undergone unnecessary mastectomies is absolutely appalling.

Good luck to the DMA Brass Brand 🎺 ahead of tomorrow’s National Brass Band Championships of GB. I’m constantly bowled over by their talents. It’s always particularly special to hear them play at the Miner’s Gala & in Redhills! Here’s hoping they return to Durham with the title! They deserve it. 🏆

The Nature Restoration Fund established by our Planning and Infrastructure Act was designed to unlock a win-win for development and nature. Today’s publication of the first draft Environmental Delivery Plan shows how it will help build homes and drive nature recovery. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Government unveils plans to unlock over 15,000 new homes

First plan under new Nature Restoration Fund to help deliver up to 15,780 new homes in Norfolk

gov.uk

Always supported Breast Cancer Now's 'Enhertu Now' campaign at any point I could in Parliament, so I’m THRILLED the life-extending drug is finally being made available on the NHS in England. Women in England living with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer have been left in limbo for too long… More 👇🏼

💚 Macmillan Coffee Morning ☕ I'm inviting constituents to join my Macmillan Coffee Morning on Fri 25 Sept which I'm holding to raise funds for both Macmillan Cancer Care & St Cuthbert's Hospice. Come & enjoy baked goodies, cuppas & good chat in the beautiful surroundings of Redhills, Durham. More👇🏼

I opened my remarks today by mentioning my beloved daughter, Maria. This Bill stirred so many concerns in me when it comes to people like Maria, particularly those who may not be as lucky as she was to have the support of trusted loved ones to protect them. More 👇🏼.

I'm grateful to the 100s of constituents who contacted me about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. There’s no doubt this is a hugely emotionally charged debate with very valid arguments on both sides. More 👇🏼