One thing I love about this time of year is running my Christmas Card Competition! This year, Sacriston Academy took part with some great designs. I had the pleasure of meeting winner Aarav and runner-up Casey to present their certificates and gifts – great to see local landmarks featured

Enough repeat medication to last you over the festive bank holiday? Don’t get caught short this Christmas and New Year! REMEMBER to order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time. Use the NHS App or visit your local pharmacy or GP surgery online ordering system. #HereToHelp

Glad to see new EV chargers installed in the constituency as part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness transition to greener transport

It was a pleasure to attend author Catherine Hepburn’s recent book launch. Catherine, from Stanley, has written a children’s book on dog safety. Her book, Is It Okay For Us To Play?, is an illustrated guide that helps children understand dog behaviour.

I went along to Stanley Christmas Food Market last week where I met with Darren and Chris from PACT House. PACT were there selling festive items, sharing information on their social group PACT Owlsand taking part in Karbon Homes’ Presents for Parents initiative, giving out presents to local children

Bank of England expects budget will cut inflation by up to half a percentage point

On Friday 5th December we were honoured to host Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, Kim McGuinness, the Mayor of the North East and our local MP Luke Akehurst.

I’ve heard from countless residents about the dire state of bus services in North Durham and the North East. Last week, the Government announced £74,729,277 of funding for buses in the North East. After years of decline better buses are on the way!

Yesterday I met Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing to discuss the building repairs needed at Sacriston Academy.

My latest article for the Northern Echo is online – this month I have shared my thoughts on the recent Budget – read here www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2567540...

It's Small Business Saturday! Today I am celebrating the many wonderful small businesses we have here in North Durham - here are 7 things Labour is doing to back small businesses - lets show our support today! #smallbusinesssaturdayuk

The number of suicides or attempted suicides attended by fire services have tripled in the past decade. I’m joining @Samaritans #UnitedWithTheFrontline campaign in calling for suicide prevention training for emergency services. Find out more at: bit.ly/4nw5wJI

I’m pleased that Nationwide has committed to keeping its Chester-le-Street branch open until at least early 2030. With high streets across the country facing challenges – and North Durham being no exception - banking services remain vital to the strength and sustainability of our local communities.

At this year’s Remembrance Service at Ouston Community Centre, pupils from Ouston and St Benet’s Primary Schools delivered deeply moving readings. It is so important that we keep the memory of these tragic events alive for future generations. Thank you to the Community Centre for hosting.

This week's budget will directly benefit 2,200 children living in North Durham.

The numbers speak for themselves - minimum wage increase ✅

Really enjoyed visiting South Stanley Partnership to learn more about what they do and the support they provide to residents across South Stanley. Paula provided some helpful feedback about potential projects in the area which I will include in the public consultation on Pride in Place Funding.

Everyone who worked in the coal industry deserves to see this long-standing injustice finally put right. I’m proud that Labour has made this a priority, and that 222 BCSSS pensioners in North Durham will now receive a 41% annual uplift to their pensions - which is an average of £100 more per week.

Budget Day may be hectic, but I used PMQs to call out how Council Tax Reduction Scheme changes pushed through by Reform at County Hall will hurt the least well off residents in North Durham. The Prime Minister agreed, we are now seeing Reform's true colours.

I’m really pleased to share some positive news for commuters using Chester-le-Street and Durham stations in North Durham. For the first time since the ‘90s, Labour is freezing national rail fares. That will mean savings for people across the country.

YouGov tend to record lower Reform scores than other pollsters, but this represents Reform's lowest polling in any poll since 25th April.

Labour is stepping up support for our veterans and their families. Veterans' support centres will be rolled out across the country, to make it easier for veterans to get help with healthcare, housing, or finding a new job.

Councils in north of England and Midlands to get more funding in shake-up

I am delighted that Newker Primary School and St Bede’s Catholic School have been selected to receive funding for solar power from Great British Energy. It will mean these schools spend less of their money on energy bills, and more on the resources that our children rely on

There are only three days left to get your tickets! Venue is in Stanley - sign up for a ticket and the venue will be sent to you before the event. Hope to see you there!

Yesterday the Home Secretary announced a major overhaul of our asylum system to secure our borders. The reforms will introduce temporary refugee status, end automatic housing support, and set limits on new legal routes. I asked the Home Secretary what impact these changes might have on HMOs.

I am holding a public drop in consultation event this coming Friday 21st November between 4-7pm on the £20 million funding for Stanley. I want to hear from residents on how we should spend this money. This is a ticketed event, so please book in advance: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luke-akehu...

Back in July when I raised my concerns around Durham County Council's proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme I was called an "alarmist" and a "plonker" - now, DCC have announced that the poorest working households face a Council Tax increase of at least £162 from April.

I have joined forces with fellow County Durham MPs to ask for fairer funding for County Durham. Read our letter to the Minister below.

Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges. I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.

Access to Work has transformed the lives of many disabled people and enabled thousands of people to contribute to the workforce, the scheme is currently facing serious challenges. I benefited from ATW support when I returned to work after a serious neurological illness as a wheelchair user in 2009.

Thank you to Nigel Humes of the Chester-le-Street Cultural Association for presenting me with this lovely picture of Lumley Castle for my office in Westminster.

In North Durham, more than 7,550 people are living with diabetes - it's vital they all receive the care they need to live well. So, for #WorldDiabetesDay, I joined the APPG for Diabetes to hear about the challenges and innovations shaping diabetes care and prevention.

I’m very alarmed to see that Lanchester Medical Centre has been rated “inadequate” by the CQC. Sadly, this fits with feedback I had received from residents and the patient participation group, whose active role in calling for better services I welcome.

Labour’s Veterans Strategy means: 🏠 £27m released for a new veteran-wide support service offering guidance and support for those who served, including 22,615 veterans in County Durham. 📈 New funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service. 👪 Investing In world-class veterans NHS support.

This week I met Industry Minister Chris McDonald to urge him to address the injustice to mining Industry pensioners in my constituency and across the country of the reserves being held back and not paid out to Scheme members by the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).

From the Chamber of the House of Commons to the BBC and beyond – I am working hard for North Durham.

Families and victims of the Hillsborough disaster were failed to an "almost inhuman level", Keir Starmer has told MPs.

From the right to request a pet to ending ‘no-fault’ evictions, Labour is giving renters the security and stability they deserve.

Save the date! On Friday 21st November I will be hosting a public meeting on the £20 million funding for Stanley South. I want to hear directly from local residents on how this money should be spent. Tickets are limited so please book soon: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luke-akehu...

21st November - Stanley South public consultation. If you have been following my page for a while, you will know that I have secured £20 million in funding for Stanley South. If you are a resident please come along to my public consultation on the afternoon of 21st November.

Great to be part of the Commemorative photo marking 75 years since the rebuilding of the House of Commons Chamber following its destruction during the Second World War.

What a Friday I had last week! Chester-le-Street Front Street has some incredible small businesses like Café Neena’s where I had an amazing all-day breakfast. I had a walk around Front Street with Councillor Tracie Smith, met with Nikki from Pretty Busy Blooms before stopping at Willow’s Bakery.

Just now in Westminster Hall, Luke Akehurst MP - the constituent MP for one of our claimants, Mick Wilson - raised the vital point about the crucial role of litigation funding in enabling access to justice for our group of 62 franchisees pursuing our claim against Vodafone.

I’m regularly contacted by residents concerned about road safety across the constituency. Last week I met with one resident after they came to see me at my advice surgery about the road they live on - it was a chilly morning but good to get a stroll in some of North Durham’s countryside.

My latest article for LabourList - let's make sure we don't learn the wrong lessons from defeat in Caerphilly: labourlist.org/2025/10/labo...

Around 99,000 children across the UK are living with life-limiting conditions – such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, brain or spinal injuries – a number that has tripled in the last 20 years. The Labour Government will support children’s hospices with £80 million over the next three years.

Last week @northdurhamlabour held their annual dinner – and what a night it was! Great to see so many friends and colleagues coming together. Thanks to the CLP for organising such a wonderful event and to guest speaker Joanathan Reynolds MP for joining us.

We have some wonderful community centres in North Durham and on Friday I went along to Burnside Family Centre in Stanley to chat to staff and have a look around the facilities. The team at Burnside are very welcoming and are working hard to reduce social isolation and provide a welcoming space.