It was a real pleasure to visit Go the Distance CIC and meet Paul and the team. Boxing might be one of the things that brings people through the door but there is so much more to what they do. More 👇🏼

A privilege to attend yesterday’s prostate cancer screening at Merryoaks Community Hall with the Durham District Prostate Cancer Group. Proud to present Les & the team with a framed Parliamentary Early Day Motion commending their tireless work saving lives across County Durham.

Great to meet reps from Durham Uni Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) to discuss changes to STFC funding & the impact on the uni. Durham Uni’s IPPP is a world-leading institute & I’ll always advocate for our region to ensure Durham and the wider NE receive the funding they deserve.

The Gvt consultation on paid leave & support for parents of seriously ill children closes in 7 days Hugh's Law calls for real change, including guaranteed paid leave & increased job protection for parents & immediate financial support to help with the extra costs families face Link: www.hughslaw.uk

Hugh's Law | Support Families Today – Act Now

Advocating for paid leave and support for parents of Seriously Ill Children, driven by Hugh's Law campaign. Join us to create change and support families in crisis.

hughslaw.uk

If you can be anything today be a little more Dolly. My granddaughter gets a free 📖 in the post each month from Dolly’s Imagination Library charity along with 1000’s of other kids around the 🌎. As well as being a hugely talented woman she was a truly generous, empathetic humanitarian. Rest well.

Each week I hear from people across the City of Durham constituency who are either stuck on housing waiting lists or renting at unaffordable cost to keep a roof over their families head. It is a devastating and familiar reality for many people here in our community. More 👇🏼

Despite what you sometimes hear about us not making things in the UK, we do, right here in the City of Durham constituency. More 👇🏼

The people helping should never become targets. On World Humanitarian Day my thoughts are with every dedicated individual potentially putting themselves at risk to protect the communities they serve. 🫶🏼🕊️ #worldhumanitarianday

Another welcome announcement today launching a nationwide push to offer rough sleepers a route off the streets by Xmas. Seeing people sleeping in doorways, freezing cold should never just be accepted as part of society. Nobody should have to face the winter months without a secure place to stay.

Its always a loss when a beloved pub gets bought by developers & turned into flats/offices. Our pubs are such a vital part of our communities across Durham. So I’m pleased the govt is stepping in & announced new planning rules to give all pubs proper protection. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Expressions of interest are being invited by Believe Housing to its community development fund. There are 2 streams: 1️⃣ Ushaw Moor Antisocial Behaviour Projects 2️⃣ Befriending and Social Isolation Projects in Brandon, Browney, Langley Moor & Meadowfield More: www.believehousing.co.uk/community-fu...

Community development fund

The believe housing community development fund offers grants between £5,000 and £10,000 for community groups and projects in County Durham.

believehousing.co.uk

🚨 I’m sure that noisy alert interrupted many of your Friday evenings but PLEASE heed the advice & let’s do our bit to protect woodland, farmland, properties, animals & each other. The smallest flame at the moment could cause enormous damage. It simply isn’t worth the risk. Please be vigilant.

Results time is upon us and I’m sure there’ll be many young people across the City of Durham constituency anxiously waiting for the outcome of their exams. Here’s a little message from me, to them. Good luck to you all. 🤞🏻🫶🏼

I’ve long heard concerns re vape shops, betting shops & dodgy businesses on our streets. As MP I’ve worked hard as Co-Chair of the APPG on Smoking & Health & on the Public Bill Committee to ensure more would be done to tackle the scourge of illicit vape shops unashamedly targetting children.

Andy Burnham has said palliative care and social care must be properly funded before assisted dying is considered again.

Assisted dying debate should only come after hospice and care changes, says PM

mirror.co.uk

What a great visit to Adventure Valley today! Business is going great for them and the Government’s summer savings scheme has played a part in that. How fab! Make sure to visit, there’s loads for all ages. 🫶🏼🚜🎟️

🚘 Like having a sparkling clean car? ❤️ Love supporting local charities? 🧽 Why not head along to the Durham Area Youth charity car wash this Saturday! Details 👇🏼.

It was great to meet with Ian and Ronnie from @unison.org.uk to discuss the issues affecting health workers across Durham. We covered a wide range of topics, including breast cancer services, proposed redundancies and NHS staff parking. More 👇🏼.

Delighted to be asked to join the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) team as PPS to the Minister of State, Matthew Pennycook MP - of course I accepted 🤝. More 👇🏼

Always a pleasure to catch up with James and Sarah at The Weigh To Shop in Framwellgate Moor - the current holders of my Small Business of the Year award 🏆. More 👇🏼.

Fab time at St John’s Hall in Meadowfield earlier where local families spent time enjoying some great activities, lunch and met some Crazy Creatures. Lesley the lizard was quite fond of my head and Fudge the baby bunny was a little cutie, although they put her away before the snakes came out! 🐍

A couple of positive announcements already this week. 💡 Abolishing VAT on electricity bills this winter should help ease pressure on household budgets and marks an important shift in the right direction. More 👇🏼

It was my pleasure to address a regional Labour Women’s event on Saturday alongside Emma Foody MP which was organised with the key aim of encouraging more women to get involved in seeking election. 🗳️ More 👇🏼

What a start to the week, Andy Burnham MP is now our PM. I was watching from my constituency office while planning summer recess activities & I feel so hopeful. As the prime minister said, he will put the care of people at the heart of everything he does - & I believe him. 🫶🏼

Good catch up with Jason & Kevin from CWU to discuss changes being implemented from Sept which are expected to improve services. I’m pleased Royal Mail listened to the CWU & MPs like me over the last few months & that there seems to be a positive way forward for my constituents coming very soon.

❗️Have you had issues with your postal services around the City of Durham? If so, I want to hear from you. Complete my survey & let me know what problems you've had. I know this has been rife across the constituency, so please have your say. 👇🏼👇🏼 forms.office.com/e/pUvxaGfGy8

I spoke to ITV this morning about an issue plaguing many families across Durham - home to school transport. Tune in this evening, don't worry it is on before the football (!), to hear what I had to say as well as the voices of local parents.

Am I surprised Redhills has had its listed status upgraded to Grade II*? Nope! The refurb work has been phenomenal & Redhills proudly remains a powerful focal point for the living culture & shared values of our Coalfield communities. Video too long to share - take a peek: fb.watch/Igm9pFhpX6/?

I’ve no idea if an 8 minute video will upload to this platform, so here’s links to my other socials if you wish to watch a condensed version of my speech around the closure of Durham High School. www.facebook.com/share/v/195c... www.instagram.com/reel/DaipQQ4...

Later today, I’ll speak in the chamber during my adjournment debate on regulation of proprietors of independent schools. I have much to say and limited time, but I’ll try to do it justice on behalf of the Durham High School community. Tune in at the link below: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...