I hope everyone is looking forward to a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Once again, I'll be raising money for Homeless and Rootless at Christmas (HARC), a Sheffield-based project that supports people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, temporary accommodation, or social isolation, as well as anyone in need of warmth and company during the festive period.

If you can give anything this year, please do.

I really enjoyed the conversations at the Students’ Assembly, which covered night-time safety, international student rights, transport and more. There's plenty for me to take forward and it's always good to be part of something that feeds straight into the work I do.

The Government has announced a historic Child Poverty Strategy that will lift over 500,000 children out of poverty by 2030.

The plan expands free school meals, improves access to childcare, cuts essential costs for families, and boosts support for those in temporary accommodation.

A big step toward giving every child a fair start.

Read more here.

I was pleased to see the new branding for Great British Rail unveiled, but I'm looking forward to better accessibility support and frozen fares. Positive moves for transport going into the new year! 

Read more here.

Did you know England and Wales are the only countries in the world with a fully privatised monopolised water system? Around 70% of our water companies are owned by foreign investors, including private equity and firms based in tax havens.

The results are clear: polluted waterways, underinvestment in infrastructure, billions paid out in dividends, rising debts, while families struggle with bills and directors earn millions.

I attended the People’s Commission on the Water Sector with Fergal Sharkey and so many powerful voices calling for change. 

The message is clear: public ownership, tougher action on polluters, democratic oversight, and urgent reform. This is about protecting a vital natural resource for future generations.

I’ll be scrutinising the upcoming White Paper and pushing for the change our communities deserve.

For years, we’ve watched youth services shrink. Safe spaces closed. Brilliant youth workers stretched thin and too many young people left without someone to turn to or somewhere to go.

And it hits home for me because I’ve seen what happens when those services disappear.

That’s why the new Youth Matters strategy, shaped by young people, isn’t just a policy document,  it’s a commitment to rebuilding what has been lost.

Over £500 million will go into:

This investment won’t undo decades of decline overnight,  but it’s a real, meaningful start.

Thank you to everyone who came to my surgery at Madina Masjid. If you have any issues relating to housing, immigration, benefits, healthcare and beyond, I might be able to help, so please contact my office.

Thanks to Minister Katie White for inviting me to the roundtable at the fantastic Green Estate Community Interest Company in Sheffield. We discussed the success of climate and nature action in the area and how the example can inspire progress locally and nationally. Sheffield and South Yorkshire stand at the forefront of climate innovation and it was a pleasure to discuss how we can drive change in the heart of our communities.

I’m honoured to have been awarded Labour Muslim Network’s MP of the Year. To be nominated alongside strong friends and colleagues in the Party was a privilege and, though I couldn’t be there, I’m delighted to have won.

Congratulations too to the Sheffield Labour Group who won Group of the Year. It’s wonderful to see so many dedicated people and the hard work they do being recognised. Looking forward with optimism to all we’ll achieve together in the year ahead.

I was proud to stand alongside the Speaker of the House and colleagues from across Parliament to honour the rights that unite us and the voices that continue to demand justice.

Every person, everywhere, deserves dignity, freedom, and equality.

As a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, I use my position to raise awareness, hold those in power to account, and take meaningful action because human rights are not optional; they are universal.

Cross-border licensing

I welcome the Government’s plans to put national minimum standards in place for taxi licensing. 

Today, I supported calls urging them to go further and explicitly ban the problem of cross-border licensing.

Holding major polluters accountable

We need to transition away from oil and gas much quicker if we’re serious about meeting the 1.5°C climate target. And yet the UK’s four largest banks continue to finance major polluters and the drilling licence for Rosebank still hasn’t been rejected.

I asked the Secretary of State whether he agrees that major polluters must be held accountable for the climate damage they cause.

Alleged Chinese state interference in our universities' research

Sheffield Hallam is home to internationally renowned researchers. Professor Laura Murphy’s work on forced labour in China has faced intimidation, coercion and attempts at interference allegedly linked to the Chinese state.

I asked the Minister whether they will consider protections for academics facing such pressures at the closed meeting with Vice Chancellors

Securing Sheffield's democratic choice

Preserving Sheffield’s democratically chosen committee system was a real team effort. From grassroots campaigners at It’s Our City to colleagues in Parliament, we worked together to secure our community’s choice in the Bill.

Thank you to Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh for her openness and constructive engagement in making this happen.

Paws for a Cause

Paws for a Cause is raising money for Support Dogs UK, who provide support dogs to people with life-changing and challenging medical conditions.

They are raising money, but also looking for volunteers to become puppy socialisers. Find out more at their fundraising page.

Shelter's Carol Concert

Shelter is hosting a carol concert on 16 December to raise money to support their vital work. Listen to and join in with the wonderful choral performances in aid of supporting those experiencing homelessness. Tickets at Eventbrite.