I joined the Disabled Children’s Partnership and the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance to discuss their new report on the benefits of early speech and language support.

With two million children facing speech and language challenges, early intervention is essential. With my early years background, I’ve seen how much timely support matters.

I’ll be working with colleagues to push for early investment and more Speech and Language Therapists.

At the AGM on the All Party Parliamentary  Group for Students, I was pleased to be appointed Co-Chair alongside Alex Sobel MP.

We also heard powerful contributions from speakers on the impact of the Budget and the Post-16 Skills White Paper on students, highlighting both the challenges facing learners and the opportunities ahead.

I’m looking forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure students’ voices are at the heart of these discussions over the next year.

I'm proud to have played a part in delivering a fairer deal for Sheffielders through the Employment Rights Bill.

Stronger union rights, an end to exploitative zero-hours contracts, sick pay from day one, day-one parental leave, a ban on fire-and-rehire, and better protections at work.

A big step forward for fairness and security at work.

Great news, once again. I’ve opposed the drive-thru twice now due to concerns about public health, traffic congestion and the impact on local businesses, and I’m pleased that the planning officials share this view.

Thank you to all constituents who contacted me about it and to Councillors Ibby Ullah and Nighat Basharat for their efforts in opposing it as well.

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

I’m really pleased to see Sheffield included in the Northern Powerhouse Rail investment plans, with improvements planned for Sheffield Station here in our constituency.

So many people rely on the station every day; getting to work or college, visiting family, or keeping local businesses going. Better rail connections will mean shorter journeys, more reliable services, and a station that works better for the people who use it.

This investment can open up new opportunities, support local jobs, and help our city centre thrive. 

I’ll keep listening to residents and working with local partners to make sure these plans deliver real benefits for our community.

I was horrified by the news of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on the first night of Chanukah. My heart is with the victims, their families, and Jewish communities around the world shaken by this attack.

In the midst of this horror, one man’s courage stood between life and death. Ahmed El Ahmad, an unarmed civilian, a father of two, and a local fruit shop owner who ran toward danger, stopped the attacker, and seized his rifle, saving countless lives. He was shot and is undergoing surgery tonight.

When courage runs toward danger and hate pulls the trigger, we are reminded of who we must choose to be.

Hatred must never win.

Great news for students — the UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, restoring opportunities to study and gain experience across Europe after Brexit.

After several years out of the programme, this marks a big step forward for education, mobility and cultural exchange. For many young people, Erasmus was life-changing and it’s exciting to see those doors opening again.

Participation is expected to resume in the coming years, with more details to follow.

A positive move for students, universities and our links with Europe.

There was significant progress for me and everybody working in Parliament to end the shady practices of estate management companies! Last month, Matthew Pennycook announced two consultations on

*Improving protections for homeowners on freehold estates

*Reducing private estate management arrangements

The consultations will explore a regulatory framework for management companies and potential rights of control, like Right to Manage.

Brilliant news and I urge everyone affected to engage with the consultation.

Had a wonderful visit to Broomhill Infants School to present Anaaya with a certificate for winning my Christmas card competition. Her design is a beautiful colourful snowscape, which I sent to my fellow MPs, schools and organisations across Sheffield and even the King! 

Congratulations Anaaya!

I was proud to welcome Gazan students to Parliament who have shown extraordinary resilience to secure places at UK universities despite unimaginable challenges. Education in Gaza has been devastated and for these young people it is a lifeline.

I’m glad we were able to help remove barriers so they can travel safely and begin their studies and I wish them every success.

It was great to revisit Harmony Works, this time with Minister Peacock, to see how developments are coming along.

Harmony Works is shaping up to be a national example of how youth music education and community work together.

Ahead of the forthcoming Schools White Paper, it was great to sit down with Minister Gould to discuss the proposed SEND reforms, particularly concerns raised by parents in my constituency. Delays in providing children with the support they need can have long term consequences, where better prevention and more support for teachers could benefit both staff and pupils.

I’m pleased to see the government announce a new training package to help ensure a higher standard of SEND provision.

PMQ – Yorkshire Water

After attending the People's Commission on the Water Sector, I asked my first ever PMQ on this issue.  We are the only country in the world with a fully privatised, monopolised water system. 

The only thing rising faster than constituents' bills is the secret offshore bonuses that Yorkshire Water's CEO has taken. 

I urged the Prime Minister on release of the imminent Water White Paper, for stronger accountability, putting the public interest first before bosses bonuses and to consider bringing this essential service back in public control.

As the situation in Yemen worsens, I asked the Secretary of State whether he welcomes the forthcoming the Southern Dialogue Conference and how we will support this process, as UN penholder for Yemen. It is our duty to ensure a fair and peaceful transition where everyone's views are heard.

I recently visited Broomhall Food Bank and saw first-hand the incredible work they do, providing food, support and dignity to people who simply shouldn’t be struggling to get by.

It’s a travesty of our times that food banks have gone from being a rare emergency response to a permanent feature of everyday life. Under the previous government, the number of food banks grew from just a few dozen in 2010 to thousands today, with millions of emergency food parcels now handed out every year.

Food banks should not have to exist on this scale, but while they do, supporting places like Broomhall through S6 Foodbank, which delivers support across 11 different locations, is absolutely vital.

If you’re able to donate or volunteer please do.