I’m amazed anyone needs reminding of this, but local government spending power per person fell by 18% from 2010 to 2024 (would have been 26% but for increases in council tax). At the same time, social care pressures on local govt have grown a lot. The decay of the public realm is NOT a mystery

Great to join Chris Mann and the four other party representatives for a hustings yesterday. I reiterated Labour's strong record running the City Council. Listen at the link below, from just over 1 hour into the programme www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Our UK Labour Government is fixing the energy market to deliver lower bills and long-term security for families across #Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Today, we are breaking the link between gas and electricity prices, ensuring global gas spikes will no longer dictate the bills you pay.

🚨 Applications are now open! Apply for Community Grants (£5,000 and under) for projects that bring people together, fight poverty, or boost arts & culture. 👉 https://orlo.uk/LAt0J #CommunityGrants #ApplyNow

"Low-income households will get [free] plug-in solar panels to cut their energy bills, the Government has announced." This is how you do a just transition. inews.co.uk/news/politic...

We already knew Richard Tice aggressively avoided tax. Now we’re told his company just plain failed to pay tax that was legally due. For someone supposedly in public service he goes to extreme lengths to avoid paying his fair share towards public services www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Today is a good day for children! 450,000 will be lifted out of poverty thanks to the end of the two-child limit. We're celebrating this along with 17 other orgs with an advert in The Times. The advert has been funded by hundreds of small donations from people supporting @38degrees.bsky.social.

So as Reform UK announce their plans for the "biggest benefit cuts ever", whilst cutting taxes for the wealthiest, their Treasurer has just sold his Chelsea Mansion for a record £275million www.ft.com/content/8daf...

My latest blog post on elections, trust in politics, and planning powers www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/03...

Reform UK said I was 'bullying' when I pointed out their colleague was jailed for beating up his former partner. Now, they're trying to sneak him back into their party. So I'll say it again: James McMurdock was jailed for beating up his former partner. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Great to join Dotty McLeod yesterday to discuss the Government's plans for a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The interview starts at about 3:20:27. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

To tackle inequality in Cambridge, we need more affordable housing and better access to opportunity We've built 700 council homes, with plans for 1300 more in the next 10 yrs. And our construction programme is providing real opportunities for local young people www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/03...

Had a lovely time on Monday celebrating the refurbishment of King's Hedges Learner Pool and installation of new lighting and audio equipment. It was fantastic to see how much the children from Martin Bacon Academy enjoyed using the new equipment.

A Greater Cambridge development corporation should focus on physical and social infrastructure, leave planning powers to local councils, and ensure that local voices are heard in decisions on Cambridge's future: my latest leader's blog www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/02...

Want to learn more about the government’s consultation on reorganising Cambridgeshire’s councils❓ ⏰ Join our free webinar on Friday 6 March, 5–6pm. 👉 Leaders will explain Local Government Reorganisation and their preferred Option B. 🔗Register here: https://orlo.uk/lkZY0

We're making it easier to vote in Cambridge local elections. We said 'no' to the offer to postpone local elections this year - now, we're one of just five councils trialling a new way to make it easier for people with busy lives to vote early, in-person. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

My thoughts on government proposals for a Greater Cambridge development corporation: www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2026/02...

Last week, we finished our 'Trees for Peace' project, planting one tree in each ward to symbolise the ongoing work to foster peaceful, inclusive, empowered and connected communities here. We have over 240,000 trees in Cambridge and are always trying to plant more!

Had a great time at last week's Form the Future conference, including chairing the Youth Voices debate on the impacts of AI in education and the workforce. Thank you to the four inspiring panellists: Christina Dumitriu Jackson, Ayeisha Kone-Massouma, Aishah Shabir and Isabelle Coates

Georgia Fort's is chilling, and it's being overshadowed by the equally chilling arrest of Don Lemon. A GoFundMe is being set up for Fort. In the meantime, you can support her work directly – without paying massive fundraising platform fees – through her website: www.georgiafort.com/support

'I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling' PM Keir Starmer calls on the US president to apologise after he suggested that British troops didn't fight on the frontlines in Afghanistan

NEW: NEW: Standards commissioner finds Nigel Farage committed seventeen breaches of MPs code of conduct. He failed to declare £333,000 in outside interests (more than 3x MPs annual salary)…

Cambridge City Council has prepared an update to its biodiversity strategy, and a new "Urban Forest strategy". Both are available for review and comment now engage.cambridge.gov.uk/en-GB/projec...

Proud to unveil the Child Poverty Strategy. Child poverty is a scourge I grew up with, it is a scourge I want to end. This government will drive the biggest reduction of child poverty in a single Parliament. This is how we get there. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Great to join Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, MP Daniel Zeichner, City Council staff and Cambridge United representatives at the football on Saturday to talk with men and boys about changing our behaviour to prevent violence against women and girls as part of the White Ribbon campaign. www.whiteribbon.org.uk

Lots of positive things in the budget: - Removing two-child benefit limit removed - forecast to raise 450,000 children out of poverty - Removing green levies on energy bills, saving households an average £150/yr - Raising tax on homes worth over £2m

The two-child limit led to shocking numbers of children going hungry. That's why we're abolishing it. It was introduced in 2017. The number of food bank parcels *tripled* after its introduction. No ifs. No buts. No child should be going hungry in Britain.

At a dark time for Ukrainians, it was moving as ever to come together, despite the rain, for a rally to show support for Ukraine and to call for Russia to end its brutal invasion. At the end of every rally, we sing the Ukrainian national anthem - this Saturday with accompaniment!

Great to see so many people at our drop-in session at the Meadows yesterday and to hear residents' views on our proposals for investment in council homes and community facilities in North Cambridge. Read more about the proposals and fill out our survey here: www.cambridge.gov.uk/shaping-nort...

Lovely to visit Beth Shalom Synagogue for their 20th Mitzvah Day, celebrating community and encouraging interfaith cooperation - with Bollywood dancing, saxophone, electronic music, cakes and more! A heartening example of diversity and tolerance at a time when many are looking to stoke division

A moving ceremony this morning at the war memorial to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of people in our armed forces and emergency services, and all those who have died in war, up to and including the present day.

Great to speak to Matthew Masters for The Truth About Local Government today about the challenges facing our city and how the next phase of Cambridge's growth can and must be equitable and environmentally sustainably www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/post/cambrid...

Fantastic news that the Government will be creating a new national forest in our area www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Millionaire argues for millionaires to pay less tax in the UK. 💰 Who does he work for? Farage is not the voice of ordinary working people.

We are saddened and disturbed by the horrific attack that took place in Cambridgeshire last night. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected during this incredibly difficult time. If you have been impacted, we are here to support you now via our 24/7 Supportline and live chat.

I was appalled to hear of the horrific incident on a train near Huntingdon last night. All of my thoughts are with those affected, especially the victims and their loved ones. I'm very grateful to the emergency services for their response. www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...

Reform say they stand up for the working class - but they never have. They’ve voted to block the Employment Rights Bill again and again. It’s Labour on the side of workers: creating jobs, ending zero-hours contracts, and protecting workers from unfair dismissal from day one.

Corn Exchange marks 150 years of history #Cambridgeshire #BBCNews 🔗: https://www.bbc.com/news/arti...

It was brilliant to be at Abbey Leisure Complex yesterday to celebrate the official opening of the new 3G pitch. We know just how important sports and exercise can be in helping people to lead a happy, healthy life. We're very grateful to the Football Foundation for their generous support.

As Yom Kippur draws to a close, many of our Jewish friends and neighbours will be turning their phones on to the news of the antisemitic attack in Manchester. We condemn this terrible act, and send our solidarity and love to all members of our Jewish community in Cambridge and across the UK.

Lovely to attend the Cambridge Street Pastors AGM at St Andrew's Church last night and hear about the fantastic work that they do to keep people safe at night in the city centre.

It was lovely to attend the official opening of the Cherry Hinton Hub this morning - it's taken a fantastic effort by so many in the local community over so many years to get this off the ground, and I'm proud that the City Council has put £1.6m behind this great community project.

Local government is being reorganised, giving us a chance to simplify governance structures in our area. We think a unitary council covering Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire is the best option for local residents - here's why: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2kk...

Cambridge is joining up habitats across 9,200 hectares – from meadows to fens – to help nature bounce back. Justin Tilley reports. From #NaturalEngland -- thanks!

Visit to Parliament today representing @camcitco.bsky.social on a panel discussing 'A Case for Cities in Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution'.

Navigating the Cambridge rental market is hard, and far more so if you're newly arrived in the UK or English isn't your first language. This book reports on a project by @pomocorguk.bsky.social to understand the experiences of migrants trying to find a home in Cambridge.

Farage said today he would said women refugees back to the Taliban.

Lovely morning out talking to residents in Newnham, supporting them with a wide range of issues, including broken fences, Council Tax and pest control.

Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him