Applications are now open for my Summer School for 16–18 year olds, taking place from 13–17 July, where I’ll be hosting a small group for an in-depth look at how the political world really works.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the role of an MP and local government, while developing valuable, transferable skills that will support you in the next chapter of your life.

To apply, you must be a constituent of Sheffield Central (if you're not sure, you can check with your postcode on TheyWorkForYou.com), be aged 16–18 and be in a Sheffield school.

If that’s you, apply now using the application form at my website.

Though they have begun to moderate, student loan interest rates have been at record highs. Some plans are repaid at 9% of earnings above £28,470 a year, with interest often growing faster than repayments.

Many UK student loan plans have interest tied to inflation through the Retail Prices Index, so when the cost of living rises, so does your debt. For many borrowers, interest is growing faster than repayments.

When education depends on a loan you can’t pay back, how do you ever get ahead?

If you have a student loan, I want to hear from you. Share your experience to join the national conversation.

As my work on leasehold reform continues, it was great to chair this briefing, which brought together experts and MPs to discuss how we can better regulate managing agents and influence the Leasehold Reform Bill to secure the best possible deal for leaseholders.

Attended a briefing with leading nature organisations on proposals to weaken the Habitats Regulations following the Nuclear Regulatory Review. Important discussions on why protecting nature must remain central while we deliver new energy infrastructure.

Illegal settlements in the West Bank

Thank you to ActionAid UK for their roundtable held with Palestinian experts on the impact of illegal settlements in the West Bank. We heard from voices in business, economics and human rights about the realities and impact of illegal settlement trade and what more the UK can do to support peace, stability and justice.

APPG on Semiconductors

Great to attend the APPG on Semiconductors reception and hear about Sheffield’s contribution on the national stage. The University of Sheffield is a UK leader in semiconductor research, ranked second nationally for research income. Pleased to see Sheffield at the forefront of innovation.

Addressing the leasehold crisis is one of my main priorities for Sheffield, so I was glad to attend the Labour for Leaseholders briefing and roundtable on rising buildings insurance costs. Across our city, leaseholders are facing rising service charges driven by unfair practices. I'll continue to push for stronger protections for Sheffield's leaseholders.

It was brilliant to meet with Rosie, who’s campaigning to get free sports bras and fittings for secondary school girls everywhere. She’s already got the attention of six secondary schools in Sheffield and I’m looking forward to joining her on her journey!

There was such a wonderful buzz at the ArtWorks Together International Festival 2026! ArtWorks is a not-for-profit inspiring adults with learning disabilities to create their own art, and the festival, celebrating their artists, included work from over 70 artists across the world. A truly international celebration.

Great to meet the University of Sheffield’s student officers. We had a really constructive conversation about their upcoming events, student finance concerns, support for international students and their sustainability work.

Holocaust Memorial Day

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which honours the day Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment. We must never again let the politics of division win.

Uriah Rennie, Sheffield Legend

Sheffield honoured my friend of twenty years, Uriah Rennie, with a star on the walk of fame.

Uri was not only a champion of the community he represented, he was a great friend to me. When I mentioned to him that I was going to run for Parliament, he not only settled my fears with kind words, he supported me from start to finish. He actively and tirelessly endorsed me and spoke on my behalf. I’ll never forget this.

He wanted the best for everyone. As a passionate speaker, he called for and inspired action on inequality. He wasn’t just a pioneering referee, he was an integral part of the heart of our community.

Since privatisation in 1989, Yorkshire Water has paid out roughly £600,000 a day in dividends to shareholders. Now they want to increase your bills to fund their investment programme.

Privatisation is not working. Despite repeated assurances that performance will improve, Yorkshire Water continues to fail customers. That is why I have demanded action and full transparency.

Sheffield deserves a far better deal than this.

Read my letter to Yorkshire Water.

We also had a huge win.

The government has announced plans to close the loopholes that have allowed Nicola Shaw of Yorkshire Water to take massive bonuses, like the bonus I outlined in my question to the Prime Minister last year.

This is great news. I and other MPs have been standing up in Parliament, pointing at the astronomical sums changing hands at these companies for flagrant failure and disregard of their customers and I'm pleased the Minister is listening.

An inspiring day attending the Health Tech Challenge. It was fantastic to see Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS and Charity there alongside children from across the country, all sharing ideas that could shape the future of children’s healthcare.

Being invited to speak at the Women’s Festival gave me the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with old friends, while celebrating the incredible women of Sheffield. There was wonderful food, clothes swap stalls and representation from our women’s charities. Money raised went to Medical Aid for Palestine and VIDA Sheffield, two truly worthwhile causes.

SHINE Project

It was great to meet with Kath Sharman, Project Coordinator from the SHINE project, and hear more about their vital work supporting children and young people living with severe obesity and complex health needs. I’m looking forward to taking our conversations forward and exploring how the Government can help ensure these young voices are heard.

Lots of interesting discussions and things to take forward from my first student surgery at Sheffield Hallam University particularly the chats I had about student finance.

SMEs and the Warm Homes Plan

The 5000+ small businesses in Sheffield face rising energy costs. The Minister agreed with me that they must benefit from the new Warm Homes Plan. Through eligibility for boiler upgrades, access to solar loans and support through local authority procurement, if SMEs will drive the Plan, we cannot leave them behind.

The CEO of Yorkshire Water said that a £1.5 million bonus may feel like a lot of money. That’s because it is a lot of money.

The government’s A New Vision for Water white paper promises stronger regulation. That must mean no more rewards for failure and no more rising bills and deteriorating infrastructure that customers are left to fund.

Sheffield institutions like the Dove and Rainbow and The Gamers Guide Cafe continue to struggle with reduced footfall and rising running costs.

Under a new package of support, pubs will get a 15% cut to business rates from April, and a High Street Strategy, aimed at bringing communities back to the high street, will be announced later this year.

This is just the beginning and I will continue to speak up for Sheffield Central’s small businesses in Parliament.

Securing the Right to Manage can be difficult. When it depends on gaining agreement from overseas landlords, it can be impossible.

Reducing the threshold from 50% to a more reasonable percentage of tenants is one of the key asks of the Sheffield Leaseholder Steering Group, of which Riverside representatives are members.

I’m looking forward to meeting Matthew Pennycook to discuss this further.

Westminster Hall debate: Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rules

I attended the Westminster Hall debate on the proposed changes to settlement. We must not apply new rules retrospectively to people who have already built their lives here and have become part of the community. Retain the five-year route and do not apply changes retrospectively.

Last year, I urged the government to rethink the ban on Palestine Action on behalf of my constituents.

Free speech and protest are the foundation of our democratic rights.