Great to speak at the launch of UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy's Three-year impact report, showing great progress in research, innovation and science-led growth in the UK, and technical professionals.

Wonderful to meet staff and students at Hawthorn Primary, who showed me their garden, The Forgotten Forest, which was previously at the Chelsea Flower Show. Huge thanks to the staff at the school and the Woodland Trust who brought these remarkable ecosystems to Newcastle!

Great to join in with healthy cooking activities and explore the range of play opportunities for children aged 0 to 5 at Cook, Play and Learn at Nunsmoor Centre. Working to give every child in #Newcastle the best possible start in life. shorturl.at/5icyl

Great to visit British Airways’ newly refurbished Newcastle office. BA is a major North East employer supporting customers across the globe with 700 staff at this site. Continued investment in local jobs, skills and careers highlights #Newcastle’s talent and potential.

It was wonderful to visit St John's Primary School to see the summer holidays clubs that local kids are enjoying. I'm sure I met the future Dan Burn and Lucy Bronze! It is brilliant to see the Government's Holiday Activity Fund supporting so many young people in Newcastle.

I spoke to the British Red Cross about their fantastic work in the UK and overseas. I saw their impact first-hand during the Beast from the East, when they supported our communities through a difficult time. It was great to hear more about the vital work they continue to do.

Back in February I discussed peoples' attitudes to AI at King's College London's Summit. In the intervening months AI has risen up the agenda and their report, AI: the growing UK pushback, is definitely worth a read. kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/pu...

AI: the growing UK pushback. Research briefing and initial findings.

Research output: Book/Report › Report

kclpure.kcl.ac.uk

Huge pleasure to meet the team at Stannah who manufacture stair lifts at their Newburn plant, and discuss the challenges the steel tariffs represent. Stannah provide great, skilled jobs for my constituents and I want to see them grow and thrive.

Pubs and venues across #NewcastleCentralWest too often tell me they struggle to keep their doors open due to rising costs. We've seen so many disappear from our high streets. That is why we're is stepping in, and cutting their business rates from April 2027.

In the days since I left flowers the tributes to King Kev have grown into a sea of love, with so many stories of how he touched our lives. As a city, he was in our heart, as we were in his. We shared his pride and his northern working class values which drove his success.

Great to to join the local NCL Central West team taking our summer survey to The Rise in Benwell to hear from residents about the issues that matter to them - some concerns about the quality and cost of managing agent services, which Labour's housing reforms should help address!

For far, far, far too long we have paid higher bus fares in Newcastle than in London despite having lower average salaries. I've campaigned to close the gap so I really welcome Andy Burnham bringing in the £2 cap. It will make a real difference to working people in Newcastle!

Nominations now open for the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards Music Hubs & Schools Music Services Award! Celebrate outstanding work supporting young people in jazz education. Apply by 31 July 2026 by sending your application to appjag1@gmail.com. Apply here: view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx...

Like so many Geordies I went by St James' Park to pay my respects to Kevin Keegan. He is forever in our hearts, woven into our city's history and culture and an icon of NUFC. We owe him so much 🖤🤍

The NCLCentralWest team took our Summer Survey to Abbey Heights in Throckley to hear from local residents what the key local and national issues are - and a lot of local pride shone through - check out the survey here 👇🏽 newcastlelabour.org.uk/survey/

A privilege to join members of our local Roma community, the Romanian Honorary Consul and representatives of so many Newcastle communities at the Roma and Sinti Holocaust Commemoration Event, standing in solidarity with victims and raising awareness of their suffering.

Fantastic tour of @LewyLady 'Flying Alang the Wall' exhibition of scenes along the route of Hadrian’s Wall through #Newcastle. You can see it on on 6th floor of City Library until 31 July!

At SITC I asked whether Innovate UK, like other research bodies would pay a 1% levy as a result of STFC cuts.

Businesses and individuals are increasingly seeing the benefits of living and working in the North East, but train journeys are too often dead time. I asked when the Government will ensure that reliable Wi-Fi will be secured across LNER services to improve productivity.

As an electrical engineer, I’ve always been in awe of our electricity grid, and the challenges it faces from climate change to AI. NESO has confirmed the grid is stable and an investigation is underway so I asked the Minister what the Government was doing to strengthen resilience

At the NHS Blood and Transplant drop-in, I met Bea’s dad from Burnopfield, who shared how organ donation at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital saved her life. An important reminder of the life-changing impact donors have on patients and families across our region and beyond.

Great to speak at the ICAEW AI Assurance Conference on the huge opportunities AI can bring to accountancy, auditing and business. But unlocking those benefits means mitigating risks, building trust and ensuring AI is safe, reliable and accountable through robust AI assurance

The UK's excellence in research and innovation is a distinct strategic advantage. In my SITC report, Science diplomacy, debate I called on the Government to outline a science diplomacy strategy to drive progress and act as a pillar of soft power.

Fantastic news Exhibition Park and Leazes Park have the received Keep Britain Tidy #GreenFlagAward! Scotswood Garden also won the #CommunityAward! We have fantastic green spaces on our doorstep in #NewcastleCentralWest thanks to the staff and volunteers who look after them

I've spoken to UKRI and received further clarity about STFC cuts, including assurances that PPAN research careers shouldn't be impacted. The SITC remains concerned about the cuts and their impact on the UK's world-class science and international reputation.

I'm bringing a Ten Minute Rule Bill to Parliament in September Personal Data (Digital Twins) to protect people's data, personality and preferences in the age of AI. Technology should work for people, not the other way around.

Buses are a lifeline for many people across Newcastle Central and West, connecting residents to jobs, education and essential services. Share your views with The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority on the proposed Bus Franchising Scheme by 9am on 28 September 2026: northeast-ca.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Today we remember the more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys murdered in the Srebrenica genocide. We honour their memory, stand with the survivors and their families, and recommit ourselves to confronting hatred, defending human rights and preventing genocide.

At the SIT Committee, I highlighted concerns about the 2G switch-off and its impact on people who rely on 2G life-critical devices. We must not repeat the mistakes of PSTN swich-off when vulnerable users suffered real harm as alarms and other critical devices failed to work.

I asked the Minister how his disability benefits review will tackle the misinformation, disinformation and confusion that too often shape public debate. Lived experience must drive reform, not myths that stigmatise disabled people and create false expectations.