A fantastic result for healthcare workers in Durham and Darlington, and for @unisonnorthern.bsky.social . I was proud to support staff and their union in their fight to get the pay they deserved, and a huge congratulations to everyone who has fought for this result ✊ www.facebook.com/share/1EAQBs...

A big thank you to all our sisters for their contribution to a very successful VAWG conference #together #community #itsnotok @marykfoymp.bsky.social @neunion.bsky.social @rapecrisis.bsky.social @vonniha.bsky.social @wearsidewin.bsky.social We're here for you: rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/

Hooray for Mayor of Durham catching the lucky lettuce during the Chinese New Year celebrations in our wonderful city today.

Today, thanks to the Employment Rights Act, the majority of the 2016 Trade Union Act is repealed 🙌🏻. This means unions can focus on what they do best - organising to win better pay and conditions. Now let’s finish the job and deliver the New Deal for Working People in full.

There's never a quiet week in my office so here's a taster of some recent wins we've had on behalf of constituents. Sometimes the small things can make a huge difference to someone, their family or a group of residents. If you ever need support please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Have you had issues at UHND? If so; please get in touch with me. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

The way in which a piece of our city’s industrial heritage was demolished last summer caused deep hurt & upset. If Durham County Council grant planning permission retrospectively, that could risk completely undermining confidence in the planning system. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2584904...

I was delighted to attend Kinship charity’s reception this week to celebrate kinship carers and the vital role they play in raising the children of relatives and friends. I will continue to advocate for kinship families in Parliament and in the City of Durham. #ValueOurLove

Having met Maya’s wonderful family in Westminster, it was no surprise that their petition hit 100k+. They’ve turned a tragedy into positive action & it is only right that as MPs, we do everything in our power to make sure Maya’s Law and stronger child protection measures become a reality. More 👇🏻

As ❤️ Unions Week draws to a close I met with Durham UCU Vice President, Peter, to hear about the issues members are facing including increasing workload. I urge the employer to engage with UCU in good faith & work towards a resolution that avoids the need for further industrial action. @ucu.org.uk

🚧 DURHAM ROADWORKS ⛔️ I’ve made a number of representations to Durham County Council regarding the detrimental impact that the numerous temporary lights around the constituency are having on journey times and footfall for businesses.

Grateful to @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social for holding yesterday’s Parli event on the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy. There were really encouraging discussions on how we can continue to protect & improve animal welfare standards - something I know many of my constituents care deeply about. 🫶🏼🐾

Heart Unions Week is a chance to take stock of the tremendous contributions TUs make to improving the working lives of millions of people across the nation & beyond.

During the debate on policing budgets today, I sat and listened to a number of contributions from the benches opposite and had to edit my opening remarks to reflect my thoughts!

Fab announcement from Govt today & I’m sure DCC is too. The cash has already allowed the DCC Admin to slightly reduce the planned Council Tax increase which is imminent. I'm hopeful that further funding from the Labour Govt promised in the coming years will allow us to see more positive changes.

My team have been out in the wild old weather dropping letters off to a number of residents in Willington. ☔️ If you live on Kensington Terrace, Coronation Terrace or Garden Houses you’ll have an update from me regarding the site of the explosion which happened back in June 2024.

After contact from many constituents suffering regular power outages, I asked the Govt today what they're doing to improve the resilience of the electricity distribution network in Durham. I'll be following it up in writing as I wasn't happy with the answer. I'll report back when I know more.

Smoking is still the biggest cause of cancer – nearly 1 in 3 cancer deaths in the NE. People in the NE support plans for a #SmokeFreeFuture, free from tobacco’s harm. It’s needed, wanted and workable.

Last night Redhills hosted fantastic musicians from Liverpool to Co Durham celebrating community & working class heritage! Check out music from Paul Nowak, Stephen Smith & The Welfare Collective, they’re brill! Take a peek at the Redhills future events calendar. 👇🏻 redhillsdurham.org/events/

Today is Time To Talk Day which offers us all a reminder that every conversation about mental health matters. Opening up about our mental health can be the first step towards getting help. If you or someone you care about needs support, visit mind.org.uk/TimeToTalkDay

Great to meet reps from Body & Soul, a suicide prevention charity specialising in trauma-informed, long-term interventions supporting vulnerable young people. I’ll look forward to learning more about the methods they use so individuals feel a restored sense of hope that their future is worth living.

NEW: We recommend that call lists are not adopted by the House of Commons, as they are not an appropriate tool to improve certainty of timings over the parliamentary day. 📝 Read our report: publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm... Our chair @catsmithmp.bsky.social comments on our findings ⬇️

Mayor’s Opportunity Fund Round 3 A great opportunity for groups in Co Durham to support older people by reducing isolation & disadvantage. I’ve attended classes for older residents & they’re a fab way to keep people active while promoting health & well-being. pointnorth.org.uk/grants/mayor...

Free breakfast clubs will roll out to a further 500 primary schools from April - saving parents up to £450 a year.

I’ve seen some incredibly decent people suffer through the Labour Party's disciplinary processes over the last few years - the fact that Mandelson has simply been allowed to resign, deeply concerns me. More 👇🏻

“If we’re truly going to break down the barriers to opportunity, every family deserves to be supported. And every child, regardless of their needs, deserves to be in a setting that can meet them.” Me, in The Northern Echo, on SEND. Link👇🏻(screenshots with alt text too) share.google/xHpsPFBXSANb...

My initial thoughts on the WASPI announcement. 🐝💜

When I visited Elemore Hall School and promised the team I would try my best to support them with their asks for additional and expanded provision, so they could offer more of Co Durham's most vulnerable young people the opportunity to attend appropriate education settings, closer to home. More 👇🏻

On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. More 👇🏻

Kicking off the afternoon with an address from @marykfoymp.bsky.social on the true face of Reform UK.

Fantastic event with Labour Unions in the North today. The movement is united for a New Deal for Working People. Time to work together and get organised to make it happen in full!

Ahead of my recent DCMS Q I’d been linking up with great guys at Durham County FA, Dan & John, so it was fab to have them at Redhills today for a full catch up. With more people than ever playing footy we must ensure there are enough facilities for local teams & people to access. 🫶🏼⚽️🫶🏼

So good to have one of my fave NE @cwunews.bsky.social branch secretaries call in at Redhills for a chat today & update me on the latest workplace goings on for many of Durham’s posties. Seems I have a bit of work to do to support this brilliant workforce. I’ll get on with it 1st thing next week! 📮🫶🏼

A fantastic event yesterday evening as educators, parents, social workers, local authority representatives, trade union officials, nhs staff and young people came together to contribute to the Government’s national conversation on SEND reform. More 👇🏻

No you aren’t seeing things - this isnt me! I’ve got loads to share from my Westminster Hall Debate this afternoon but I’m quickly starting with these wonderdul words from the Government in response to my comments. I’ve left Westminster Hall feeling upbeat!

🙌🏻 DEBATE TODAY ‼️ Thrilled to secure a Westminster Hall Debate to focus on Cultural Opportunities in Co Durham. Tune in at 4, find the link below - parliamentlive.tv/Guide We’re so lucky that Co Durham is steeped in culture and heritage, but we must ensure it thrives, rather than decline.

There was an urgent question granted in the House today around support for the hospitality sector. Of course I took another punt at getting my points across to Ministers, just like I did last Thursday with the Leader of the House. We keep pushing 💪🏼, this campaign is really gathering momentum.

It’s Monday again; but today is Brew Monday. I’ll be calling at the Samaritans drop in later to chat about how we can work together to ensure fewer people die by suicide. If you haven’t seen a friend or family member for a while why not invite them round for a cuppa. It is always good to catch up. ☕️

CITY OF DURHAM SEND ROUNDTABLE. More info👇🏻 Calling teachers, services and families of SEND children and young people in the City of Durham constituency. Next Thurs 22 January at 18:15, I’m holding a roundtable meeting to hear direct from families and teachers who have to navigate the SEND system.

My parli Q this week on Stack & Milburngate caused a bit of a stir - just looky here. It’s got Stack bosses talking & also Milburngate back on the tips of tongues at DCC. Never underestimate the power of a mention in the House of Commons! www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2577342...

Today at Business Qs 👇🏻 I've listened carefully to pubs, restaurants & cafes in my constituency, as well as orgs like @ukhospitality.bsky.social & @camraofficial.bsky.social I'll continue to lobby the Govt to ensure we go further &make sure these businesses feel more valued & supported.

Absolutely amazing news! The Government has today confirmed that a business case will be taken forward to reopen the Leamside Line all the way from Tursdale to meet up with the Metro loop being delivered into Washington. More 👇🏻

Glad to support @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social’s amendment to the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2026 (Hillsborough Law). Getting this Bill right means so much to Ian, campaigners & many of our constituents. A Hillsborough Law must include a full duty of candour, including for intelligence services!

I had 2 cracks of the whip yday in HCLG Qs so I brought up the topic of the stalled Milburngate & Stack sites in the city centre. The 2 sites are a real bone of contention with residents, businesses & visitors to our beautiful city. I welcomed his offer of a discussion & will be taking him up on it.

At HCLG Qs today I raised the issue of "fleecehold" which impacts many of my constituents. I welcomed the Minister's info re a consultation his Dept launched just before Xmas and I'd encourage anyone impacted by this issue to share their views: www.gov.uk/government/c...

Real wins for workers are a step closer as the Gov confirms new rights start in April: 🚼 Right to paternity leave from Day One 1️⃣ Right to unpaid parental leave from the first day in a new job But this is just the start, add your name to back the New Deal in full labourunions.org.uk/deliverinfull/

🗣️SCHOOLS IN MY CONSTITUENCY 🏫 Thinking of visiting Parliament? I know securing these visits is harder than getting your hands on Taylor Swift tickets 💃 so I wanted to help you to get ahead of the next release date! Find out more👇🏼: learning.parliament.uk/en/session-w...

Fab time at St Michael’s Catholic School in Esh. The new School Council invited me late last year so I made them my first school stop of 2026. Had a super chat about initiatives they’re working on & answered their Qs about my work, I’m sure they’re politicians of the future. Thanks for having me. 🫶🏼

It’s the first constituency day of 2026 and it’s jam packed, so exciting! I’m off to a primary school 🏫 to meet the School Council first thing, then whizzing to my office for phone calls ☎️ with constituents about breast cancer care and fleecehold, followed by a catch up with local POA reps .

This chilly snap has caused temps to dip enough for cold weather payments to be triggered in some areas. 🥶 Cold Weather Payments are made to recipients of selected benefits. £25 will be paid to eligible residents within City of Durham constituency living in the postcode district(s) listed.