Welcome to all students, whether returning or starting a new course! Sheffield Central is home to two fantastic universities, which I work very closely with, not only in my role as Member of Parliament, but as Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students, Vice Chair for the APPG for Students and for the APPG for Universities.

You may not be registered to vote in Sheffield Central, but please don't let that stop you from contacting me with any issues you might be experiencing. I may be able to help you with anything from your visa application to ensuring your landlord treats you fairly. 

I run regular student surgeries for students at both universities, so I'm really looking forward to meeting you all at my first Student Surgery with SHU on 17 October and with University of Sheffield on 24 October. See you there! 

I held my first Big Conversation event in Walkley last Thursday, where constituents and I discussed what is important to them.

These valuable conversations will inform my work directly and I'm holding several events across Sheffield Central so we can discuss what matters most. From the climate crisis to your child's education, let's talk about what you think should be part of the national conversation.

Share your views by filling in the form and, if you'd like to join a Big Conversation event, I'll be in touch with the details.

As Vice Chair, and an MP serving a constituency with two universities, it was great to launch the APPG for Students Commission on Students in Higher Education.

Working with several students' unions and the NUS, the national student voice is central to this Commission, which recommends:

—Reintroducing maintenance grants

—Creating a minimum student income in line with the living wage

—Introducing a stepped loan repayment model, outlined by the LSE and NUS

Read it here.

The Open Kitchen at St Andrew's, which runs on a Monday, provides a safe space for people in need of a social lunch. The Open Kitchen also works with the City of Sanctuary Sheffield by providing free community meals on Tuesdays. 

It was heartening to see the amazing work they do and it's another great example of Sheffield's welcoming spirit in action.

It was lovely to be invited to the opening of Press 'n' Sip, a new juice and smoothie bar in my constituency.

Run by two women who used to attend a youth group in Broomhall, it's wonderful to see them succeeding in the community.

First Support Care was recently awarded an "Outstanding" rating from the Care Quality Commission, reflecting the dedication and professionalism of Sheffield Central's care and support services.

I'm incredibly impressed by the report on their work and it was a good opportunity to meet the staff who are behind this achievement.

I was extremely sad to hear of the passing of Pious Nyandoro, who was a board member on ASSIST Sheffield and a strong campaigner for social justice movements.

He was passionate in supporting vulnerable communities and making sure they had the help they needed. A fierce advocate with a big heart. He will be so dearly missed.

I joined the thousands of protestors in Sheffield on the Yorkshire March for Palestine.

Every step marching towards justice across the world discredits the indefensible actions of the Israeli government.

Palestinians deserve dignity, safety, freedom, and justice, just like Israelis.

House staff keep the entire system of Parliament running, and without them, we wouldn't be able to do our jobs or support our constituents.

We joined the picket line in support of PCS members on strike over pay and conditions.

Brilliant to meet the team behind the Old Queen's Head, a Sheffield institution. The Old Queen's Head has been serving the public since the 15th century and is the oldest domestic building in Sheffield…also (according to landlord, Stuart) one of the most haunted!

There's lots for me to follow up on and it was great to talk about how we can work in partnership with other small businesses to put Sheffield's heritage on the national map

Alongside Friends of the Earth, I delivered a petition calling on the Government to take the climate crisis seriously and deliver a bold new climate plan.

We need drastic action, not just for lower emissions but a comprehensive plan for a greener, brighter future.

It was my pleasure to meet with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, as part of my work on the Foreign Affairs Committee. President Abbas works towards a peaceful, two-state solution and we spoke of the importance of recognition and justice for Palestinians.

We also spoke of my work towards evacuating Gazan students to the UK universities at which they have places to study.

The Hillsborough Law

After decades of campaigning, tears, frustration and obstruction faced by the families and friends of the 97 fans who died at Hillsborough, the Government is finally introducing the Hillsborough Law.

The Hillsborough Law means no more hiding behind authority, the right to legal aid for those who need it, and a duty of transparency.

This legislation stands for all those whom the law has failed. It marks a step forward in ensuring accountability cannot be evaded. It is the result of a community banding together until justice and truth prevailed and I wholeheartedly congratulate the campaigners for their unceasing determination in securing this change in law.

I look forward to supporting the Bill as it passes through Parliament.

I welcomed Minister Thomas, Under-Secretary of State for Services, Small Business and Exports, to Sheffield Central to visit the British Business Bank, the hub for cooperatives Aizlewood's Mill, and host a roundtable with local small business owners.

Sheffield is home to thousands of small businesses, and the discussions we had exploring how businesses can thrive were invaluable

Steve welcomed me to Nomad last month, who are working to break the cycle of homelessness, not just by providing housing but the tools vulnerable people need to achieve independence and stability.

I joined them earlier this month to celebrate their 25th birthday. Congratulations to them and thank you for their work supporting people across Sheffield.

From the world's first transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to being granted £1.5 million to commercialise its new SAF production technology, the University of Sheffield's EIC is truly leading the world in making air travel more sustainable.

The UoS continues to prove that it is ahead of the curve and is well on course for making the UK a green energy pioneer.

Broomhall Family Fun Day, supported by the Central Local Area Committee, was brilliant.

With games, art, great food and, of course, ice cream, it's always great to see communities coming out in strength for events like these.

It also gave me the chance to tackle some casework, first-hand. A member of the community took me to see an area rife with fly-tipping. I have contacted the council and local housing associations and we'll work together to get this sorted.

Last month, the Guardian published an article revealing enormous payments for Nicola Shaw, CEO of Yorkshire Water.

I led on a letter to the board demanding an explanation, after Shaw had promised she would decline bonuses out of respect for public anger.

My question to Yorkshire Water: when will you stop taking us for fools?

Thanks to LBC for inviting me on for an interview too.

As the fan boycott in protest at Dejphon Chansiri’s handling of the club continues, I, like all Sheffield MPs, stand with them in demanding that he sell the club now.

Chansiri does not have the luxury of holding out for his asking price, as he has already driven the club into the ground. The fans deserve better.

I will work with my colleagues in Sheffield, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, and the Sports Minister, Steph Peacock, to ensure that the Independent Football Regulator is launched as soon as possible. Thanks to Clive Lewis MP for leading on this. With proper regulation, appalling owners like Chansiri will be forced to sell the clubs they are failing.

Wednesday continues to show that, even without proper ownership, they have pride and passion. We will continue to work to ensure that they can realise their full potential.

I met with Minister Smith with colleagues to raise the financial sustainability of our universities.

Sheffield is home to two world-class universities that contribute hugely to our city's economy, culture and skills. I pressed the Minister on the international student levy and the graduate visa proposals in the Government's White Paper, both of which risk undermining our universities' future.

I'll keep standing up for Sheffield's institutions, staff and students to ensure they remain strong, sustainable and open to the world

Alex started HYGGE with a simple plan: he wanted "a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and cosy."

Now, three locations later, he is bringing cosiness to Sheffield. Great to catch up about Hygge's mission and my work for small businesses in Sheffield

Free speech is protected in the UK thanks to the Human Rights Act.

But it isn't absolute, it doesn't give anyone the right to fuel racist attacks on minority groups. It doesn't justify people being shouted at in the street, told to "go home," or abused simply for the colour of their skin or the language they speak. 

We must loudly oppose the politics of hate, and use our voices to unite and protect communities, not to give cover to those who intimidate, harass, and drive a wedge of hate between people. 

It's troubling to hear powerful figures like Elon Musk use phrases such as “fight back or die.” Free speech should never be twisted into a licence for hate or incitement of violence. It exists to protect everyone's right to live with dignity and without fear.

The regional impact and future of international students

As Co-Chair of the APPG for International Students, I launched our report into the regional impact and future of international students, which sets out key recommendations to bolster the UK's global competitiveness and benefit local communities.

Sheffield Central is home to two world-class universities and international students are a cultural and financial asset to our thriving academic community.

Thanks to the organisers for inviting me to open Nether Edge Festival. Fun, music, creativity, family and community. There have been about 70 events in nearly 30 venues around Nether Edge, from Common Ground to Chelsea Park.

It's a real coming together of all parts of the community to celebrate our strengths, talents and diversity. An outstanding example of the Sheffield spirit!

Over 80,000 people in Sheffield voted for a modern committee system, not the cabinet-led system the Devolution Bill imposes.

I have asked the Deputy Leader to meet with me and Olivia Blake MP to discuss the impact on democracy in Sheffield.

You can watch the rest of my speech here.

The world's foremost genocide scholars confirmed what the world already knows: that Israel's actions amount to genocide in Gaza.

If this doesn't trigger our responsibility to prevent genocide, what will?