June update

Community Action Group for Upperthorpe, Netherthorpe and Langsett

Zest has been doing a great deal of valuable work in response to incidents of serious violence across the area. Their Community Action Group includes members of the community, the police, the council, schools and community groups across the area who all feed in to the meeting with views and feedback to ensure that everyone is represented. It is a wonderful, community-led example of how we can address problems together.

Last week, the group met to agree the Community Action Plan, which is a plan to ensure safety across the neighbourhood as well as holistic measures to improve community cohesion. The group agreed on a draft Action Plan, a working document that is intended to evolve as the work continues.

They have agreed on a structure for the meetings, going forward, using the Community Tree model, where residents form the foundations, a central group forms the core and smaller working groups deliver actions on specific priorities. The working groups are expected to meet monthly and have responsibilities ranging from children and families to jobs and skills.

I welcome this response and I'm really looking forward to seeing the group's work.

My work in Sheffield and Parliament

Lightwell at the train station

For the first time in over a century, passengers coming through Sheffield train station will be able to hear and see the River Sheaf, which runs underneath the busy platforms.

The Lightwell on Platform 5, right in the centre, now opens up to nature, to the river that gives Sheffield its name and its industrial history. Visits like these are a joy.

Friends of the Earth

Thanks to Friends of the Earth for coming to raise awareness of the Planet Over Profit campaign, a 68,000 strong petition supporting new legislation to enforce good corporate practice and avoid harm to people and planet.

I was happy to receive some of the signatures which I will deliver directly to Parliament.

Medical Aid for Palestinians

I attended a Medical Aid for Palestinians reception in Parliament and heard powerful testimony from Mahmoud Shalabi on sustaining healthcare in Northern Gaza, alongside a moving event hosted by Kim Johnson MP with families of medical evacuees.

Both highlighted the life-saving impact of these efforts and the ongoing pain still being suffered, as many remain apart from loved ones who still live in fear.

Andy Burnham wins Makerfield!

After braving four seasons in one day campaigning in Makerfield for Andy Burnham and having lots of great conversations with people on their doorsteps, it was a welcome treat to have a chip barm (or chip butty, if you're from Sheffield!).

Well done to Andy for a great campaign and I'm looking forward to working with him in Parliament.

Walkley Festival

Another fantastic Walkley Festival at Ruskin Park with the Labour team. Great to see old friends there, meet lots of groups campaigning for great community initiatives, like BASE Boxing Academy, who give children and adults a positive outlet in Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe.

Thanks to all the volunteers who organised this, I know it takes a lot of work behind the scenes. I will speak to SCC about the importance of such events in bringing communities together and the need for them to be properly funded.

"Israeli Great Real Estate" event

Two weeks ago in London, the “Israeli Great Real Estate Event” is advertising illegally occupied Palestinian land.

It’s astounding this has been allowed to go ahead. It should be banned.

I’ve told Ministers, along with over a hundred MPs, that they have to act.

Read our letter here.

Social media ban for under-16s

Hundreds of constituents have contacted me expressing their concerns about under-16s’ social media use and its impact on their development and mental health. After Australia and France advanced legislation to ban social media use for minors, I’m pleased that the Government have taken this seriously.

This is about ensuring technology works for children, not against them, and that parents and schools are supported rather than left to face this challenge alone.

Water burst in Walkley

Thanks to residents in Walkley for drawing my attention to another burst pipe in Walkley. The burst has been reported and dealt with, but it seems to be one burst after another across Sheffield.

These repeated disruptions are unacceptable. Indeed, as customers face increasing bills while water companies’ debt grows out of control, the only people that benefit are the shareholders.

If anyone has any comments on the state of Yorkshire Water, please get in touch with my office at abtisam.mohamed.mp@parliament.uk.

Bubble release for Shanice Brookes

The bubble release in memory of Shanice Brookes was a touching tribute to a young woman whose life was taken far too soon.

My thoughts remain with all those who loved her and continue to keep her memory alive.

If you are able to support the family's efforts to honour Shanice's memory and support her son's future, please consider donating via the GoFundMe page.

APPG for International Students

I was pleased to host a roundtable for the APPG for International Students, bringing together parliamentarians and the education sector to discuss how the UK can align visa rules with its ambition to grow international education and global opportunity.

Escalating tensions in Kashmir

Many constituents have contacted me about the situation in Kashmir and its impact on family members and loved ones.

I've signed the letter, led by Imran Hussain MP, urging the UK Government to engage urgently on this issue. British Kashmiris have reported being unable to contact relatives because of communications blackouts, alongside reports of arrests, movement restrictions and violence.

I will continue to support calls for de-escalation, the protection of civilians and the restoration of communications so families can stay in contact.

Read our letter here.

Jury trials and victim support

It was great to organise an event with the Bar Council bringing together victims’ groups, the Victims’ Commissioner and legal experts from across the country to challenge the proposals to remove jury trials, highlighting that jury trials are not the reason for a substantial backlog.

YAFA Community Language School end-of-year ceremony

Thank you to the Future School for inviting me to their Community Language School end-of-year ceremony, where more than 100 students celebrated their graduation.

It was wonderful to meet the dedicated volunteers and teachers whose hard work and commitment help young people develop their Arabic language skills.

Learning a second language is an invaluable skill that broadens horizons and opens doors to new opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.

My questions and debates in Parliament

Banning settlement goods

I welcome the sanctions that the Foreign Secretary has announced, but strong advice to businesses will not work. The mechanisms exist for an outright ban and it is essential that we pursue that.

I’ve secured a Parliamentary debate on banning settlement goods and I’m looking forward to hearing the opinions from across the divide. I’m not the only politician calling for this.

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135 Edmund Road
Sheffield
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United Kingdom