Great to support a constituent for a second time with their student loan application - they had repeated issues with the online system which resulted in their application being rejected - which caused months of stress and anxiety. Great outcome now they can go off to University in September :)

"I would urge Wes not to resign or start a leadership contest. I think he needs to be part of the cabinet team still, and my big concern is that he might start a contest that a candidate from the left of the party would win". www.channel4.com/news/kings-s...

My take on the calls for a leadership contest: labourlist.org/2026/05/the-...

I am very proud to be the first Member of Parliament to raise this issue in the House of Commons - the risk of exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products is detrimental to the lives of those who care for us. I spoke about this on Channel 4 yesterday. www.channel4.com/news/nhs-sta...

Wonderful visit to Annfield Plain Junior School last week. It was fantastic to see pupils accessing the new Government-funded breakfast club. I visited on French Friday when there were just a few students in – pastries & toast/fruit/cereal helping to set children up for a great day in school.

Labour promised to recruit 8,500 more mental health workers and we have kept our promise, three years early.

This morning I was on BBC Radio Newcastle warning voters about backing Reform — Durham’s experience shows they’ve under-delivered and even made things tougher for many low‑income households. Listen here: tinyurl.com/bbclukeakehu...

This Labour government has delivered the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation #internationalworkersday

As I’ve posted before, I am on a mission to visit all North Durham schools. Last week, it was the turn of All Saints Catholic Primary in Lanchester. I really enjoyed the assembly and Q&A session – thanks for having me!

I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the APPG on the Leamside Line. The group campaigns for the full reopening of the Leamside Line, which is a disused 21-mile stretch of track between Gateshead and County Durham. Reopening the line in full would unlock jobs and growth across our region

The National Literacy Trust works with schools across the UK to provide training, books, and furniture, enabling schools to establish or improve their library. If you have links with a school that might benefit, please encourage them to apply at www.librariesforprimaries.org.uk/schools

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pledge tougher action on shoplifting this morning as new figures showed a small drop in the number of offences - while a key decision is due over Peter Mandelson

Fantastic to see New College Durham awarded Technical Excellence status by the Department for Education - one of only four in the country to receive this recognition!

Without the Access to Work scheme, up to 50,000 disabled people across the country could find themselves out of work. I recently shared my story of accessing the scheme in 2009 following a serious neurological illness. I urge the Government to give Access to Work significantly more funding.

This weekend was action packed on the Labour doorstep! I spoke to residents in Bloemfontein, Bournmoor, Chester-le-Street and popped over to help our friends in Blaydon & Consett ahead of the Gateshead Council elections. We had some nice spring weather, and it was great chatting with residents!

Last week I went along to meet Val and Coleen, the directors of Aspire. Aspire provides a welcome space for women offering support, activities, courses and a creche. Aspire now employ thirteen staff, many of whom have moved from volunteers to employees.

It was such a joy to be invited to open the brand-new Premier Shop in Annfield Plain on Good Friday ❤ I wish the whole team all the best with their new venture!

Popped along to Just for Women Centre in Stanley last week for a catch up with the incredible director and founder of the centre, Linda. Just for Women provide vital services including counselling, mental health support, and workshops amongst many other things. It’s always a pleasure to visit.

Happy Easter to everyone in North Durham – I hope you all manage to get some time off to enjoy the long weekend 😊

"a pro-PR campaign is building within the Parliamentary Labour Party. Each MP involved is convinced that it won’t be long until something has to give." ✍️ @meganekenyon.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social #Labour4PR #ElectoralReform #Democracy #Westminster www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

We are now looking for members of the new Pride in Place board for South Stanley - anyone living or working in the area shown on the map can apply (deadline 12th April). letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projec...

The more you see of Polanski the less there is. A lightweight opportunist with the luxury of knowing he'll never have to face the hard graft and tough decisions of governing.

Earlier this month I formally raised the issue of unintentional occupational exposure to hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) for healthcare workers in the House of Commons. It was an honour to be the first Member of Parliament to raise this issue.

I know how hard it can be to manage household costs. It's always a good idea to check what support you might be eligible for. @age_uk’s benefits calculator could help you find out what support you may be entitled to: www.ageuk.org.uk/information-...

Today is Purple Day, and I am delighted to be supporting @EpilepsySociety by sharing their simple seizure first aid: Calm, Cushion, Call. If I can learn about epilepsy, you can. #IfICanYouCan

Public satisfaction with the NHS rises for first time since 2019

Ministers have announced more than 300 new or revamped school-based nurseries - making thousands of more places available from September.

Lovely message for North Durham from Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey 😀

Yesterday I secured a debate in Parliament to shed light on the injustice of the lack of statutory increases for pre-1997 defined-benefit pension schemes, particularly at Nissan, and to ask the Minister what the Government are going to do about it.

Did you know that today is County Durham Day? County days are growing in popularity and celebrate everything we love about a county – its history and heritage, towns and villages, landscapes and architecture, arts and culture and, most of all, its people! So happy County Durham Day to one and all

I recently joined 115 fellow parliamentarians in backing transport industry calls for better roadside facilities for lorry drivers – to improve welfare and help tackle freight crime. Truck drivers keep our shops stocked, our hospitals supplied and our businesses running.

Great article from @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social MP on why Labour must not become defenders of a failing FPTP system. #Labour4PR 🌹 #Democracy

🗳️"Electoral reform must be carried out not because it may benefit any particular party or ideology, but because it puts power back into the hands of the British people." ✍️ @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social

This week is English Tourism Week, and I wanted to take a moment to appreciate some of the incredible tourism businesses we have right here in North Durham – from Beamish Museum to Tanfield Railway and Hall Hill Farm – there really is something for everyone! 😊 #englishtourismweek

On Saturday morning I was invited along with Councillor Tracie Smith to welcome the South Pelaw Banner back to its permanent home. It was extremely moving hearing The Riverside Band play “The Miners” hymn and hear from family of those that worked in the mines.

Huge thanks to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School for taking me on a tour of the shutter artwork (inspired by St Joseph’s children) along Stanley Front Street – the artworks bring light and colour, and it was great to see them in person.

The Labour Party has asked all MPs if we want to stand in the next General Election. I have confirmed that I wish to seek reselection as candidate for North Durham in the next General Election. I look forward to seeking endorsement as candidate from local CLP members and affiliates.

The government has launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world. Every child should grow up in a digital environment that is safe, supportive, and enriching. Have your say: gov.uk/growing-up-online

It was my honour to be the first Member of Parliament to formally raise the issue of unintentional occupational exposure to hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) for healthcare workers in the House of Commons. Yesterday I asked the Minister for greater protections for healthcare workers.

Labour MPs just voted to expand free school meals to half a million more children, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty. The Tories and Reform UK voted against. Only Labour will give children growing up in our country the best start in life.

Huge thank you to everyone who attended Pride in Place events on Friday it was great to hear directly from residents and local stakeholders on priorities and opportunities for the area. Your feedback will help to shape how this funding is used to strengthen pride in our communities.

Happening today!

Westminster Voting Intention: RFM: 29% (-1) LAB: 21% (+3) CON: 16% (-2) GRN: 14% (+2) LDM: 10% (-2) SNP: 3% (=) Via @opiniumresearch.bsky.social, 4-6 Mar. Changes w/ 25-27 Feb.

Have been a bit frustrated by some of the conversation about Labour's voter coalition. I've written about who the "Hero Voters" actually were, how we won them, and what we need to do to earn their support next time. chriscurtismk.substack.com/p/who-actual...

I recently visited the Job Centre Plus in Stanley where I met with staff to discuss the new Youth Guarantee – which is a government initiative to make sure people aged 18-24 are either earning or learning through youth hubs, work experience/training and jobs guarantees for long term unemployed

The establishment of the new Defence Housing Service is long overdue, military families deserve modern family homes. I am proud to be serving on the Select Committee scrutinising the Armed Forces Bill, which delivers this crucial service. I raised a question on military housing on the committee.

During National Apprenticeship Week I visited Asda Stanley. Visits like these are an incredibly valuable opportunity to highlight and celebrate local apprentices. Good to get the chance to discuss working together to offer more opportunities to Asda colleagues in the region too!

You might have spotted me on the panel on BBC Politics North yesterday – great to join Richard Moss to chat about by-elections, education reform, long covid, and recycling. If you didn’t catch the show, it is available on iPlayer at the link in the comments.