This morning at Labour Party Conference, our panel is looking at the attainment gap and asking why disadvantaged pupils are behind their peers. Chaired by @nickharrison73.bsky.social, we are joined by @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social, @childrenscomm.bsky.social, and @danielkebedeneu.bsky.social

From our panel with @impetus.org.uk, Opportunity Mission Champion @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social MP suggests that children's phone use is one of the greatest challenges facing children, and a worsening factor in the school attendance crisis. labourlist.org/2025/09/labo...

7/13 📚School absences are on the rise since Covid. Join LabourList & @impetus.org.uk for a panel on the scale, stories, and reforms needed to turn the crisis around. Featuring @tommiddlehurst.bsky.social, @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social, @avneem.bsky.social, and @helenhayes.bsky.social.

Lucy Connolly, a woman who admitted inciting racial hatred after using social media to post about setting fire to hotels housing asylum seekers is to speak at the Reform UK Conference today. That spells out all you need to know about Reform UK and their dangerous, hateful agenda.

Democrat @raskin.house.gov excoriates Nigel Farage for banning journalists from Reform UK events: "I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"

"This tragedy must end now – immediately and decisively. Every political hesitation, every attempt at justification of the horrors being committed under international watch will forever be judged as a collective failure to preserve humanity in war." Rare to see an @icrc.org statement like this.

Bizarre things from Reform this morning on Politics Nw: 1) SEND is caused by immigrants and mental health 2) James McMurdock who has submitted himself for investigation for £70k of alleged covid fraud is ‘honourable’ 3) Jake Berry (who was Liz Truss’s right hand man) is a principled man

Children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life. Building on the legacy of Sure Start, we’re opening Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority. That’s the difference Labour makes. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Today was Accrington Carnival and I was chatting to people about the future of the Accy Vic hospital with Elmore. If you’ve not had your say, you’ve got until tomorrow to do so!

Great to be out chatting to residents and picking up case work in Rishton today 🌹

I did not get called to speak in today’s debate on Assisted Dying. Below outlines why I decided to vote against it.

Nigel Farage needs to Suspend him now and withdraw the whip - this stuff isn’t complicated www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2524461...

"I'm disappointed by it, to put it mildly." "I felt the opposition could have just [said]: 'yes, we will all come together behind you'." Baroness Louise Casey, author of the Government's audit on grooming gangs, condemns the "politicisation" of the conversation. #Newsnight

Today in Parliament I spoke against the #AssistedDyingBill. This is a deeply flawed Bill, and the truth is that in seeking to give choice to some, it risks causing new harm to a much larger, vulnerable group of our citizens.

Looking forward to a big day of exciting announcements with the spending review. Investing to make sure everyone is better off and fixing our public services. Starting off with a whooping £39bn investment into affordable housing 🙏 www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...

This is really disappointing - and totally wrong. As a working mum I know that sometimes the best or only option is to take my child with me - and we need to be providing inclusive spaces not least in the male dominated tech world.

We have published a report, Equality at work: paternity and shared parental leave. We found that the current system is broken, and have a number of recommendations to help fix it ⬇️

This Labour Government is delivering a huge uplift in education funding. This is just one step to ensuring we break down the barriers to opportunity for every child and young person. observer.co.uk/news/politic...

🚨 NEW: Labour is lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding access to free school meals. Alongside free breakfast clubs, cheaper uniform costs and government-funded childcare, Labour is putting money in parents’ pockets and giving children the best start in life.

We know good practice that properly supports children with SEND exists, but for far too many families that’s not their experience. We must spread the best practice and build excellence for every child, everywhere. A better system is possible. Great to speak with @dcpcampaign.bsky.social

👶One day to go - free tickets available here 👇

Today at #PMQs I asked Keir Starmer about the governments reforms for the SEND system which is failing far too many children, parents and teachers in Hyndburn.

After 14 years of failure, the SEND system is in crisis and it’s critical for the Government to fix it. There is no magic wand we can wave but it was great to hear people’s experiences and to discuss ideas for how we can improve it at Progressive Britain’s conference @darrenpaffey.bsky.social

Proud to speak today at the Progressive Britain Conference, setting out the ambition we have and the challenge we face. Only Labour has the ideas today to shape tomorrow together. #PBC25

The Post Office Horizon scandal caused immense harm. We’re committed to justice for the victims: - Quadrupled total compensation since the election - Over 4,000 victims paid for the first time - More to do — but real progress made. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Started at 530am, and we’re still going - it’s a hot day in #Hyndburn #labourdoorstep

The best news of the year so far!! Well done lads 👏👏👏 www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2025/ap...

A strong response on the doors for Karen Shore in #Runcorn. People are worried about the chaos of reform and know that they don’t have a plan.

Thank you to @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social for attending and speaking with the young people!

This week, we’ll make free breakfast clubs available for hundreds of thousands of children and begin to put up to £450 a year back into their parents’ pockets. That’s the difference a Labour government makes. That’s our Plan for Change in action. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Two years ago, Farage said we shouldn’t help British steelworkers. From backing Putin to pushing chlorinated chicken and privatising the NHS — Reform UK get it wrong every time. Labour will save our steel and stand up for Britain. #LabourSavesSteel

We made our journey yesterday evening for this critical day in Parliament today as we take decisive action to safeguard the future of British Steel. Despite his late night the wee man was up bright and early to make sure I wasn’t late 🙂 #LabourSavesSteel

A fantastic luck of Labour's Lancashire County Council elections campaign this morning with Lucy Powell MP, @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social and @cllrmtomlinson.bsky.social 🌹

As a pharmacist I am so pleased to comment on a #pharmacy funding settlement that begins to heal the wounds the last Government inflicted over so many years. I am incredibly proud of the faith Stephen Kinnock has shown in #communitypharmacy More details 👇 shorturl.at/u2QWh

Absolutely vital news to help every child succeed regardless of their abilities. We will break down the barriers to opportunity so every child can thrive.

🗣️ "I wish I had taken paternity leave sooner" These moments with my third child are more precious than any promotion or courtroom victory, says barrister Max Hardy

Over £600m to train up to 60,000 more engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies. Homegrown skills to deliver our Plan for Change and build 1.5 million homes for families across the country. That’s the difference Labour in power makes. www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...

Tonight on ITV's #GranadaDebate, what should we make of Government plans to slash the welfare bill? And how do politicians fancy their chances in the first by-election of this parliament? ITV1, 22:45 and on ITVX. With: 🔴 @sarahsmithlab.bsky.social 🔵 Laura Evans 🟡 @carlcashman.bsky.social

British parents to gain right to bereavement leave after miscarriage

Faultless work by @Keir_Starmer today in his diplomacy with President Trump. This special relationship is set to go from strength to strength under this Labour Government. This is real leadership - with suggestion of ‘a trade deal where tariffs might not be necessary.’ 🌹

I am looking forward to our NHS consultation tomorrow to make sure local voices from Hyndburn are heard on the future of NHS services

Meeting our manifesto promise SEVEN months early. Labour is delivering 🌹

Immigration gave my family the chance to thrive, but we must have an honest conversation about illegal immigration. The Conservatives wasted £700M on their failed Rwanda scheme. Labour is doing the hard graft to build a fair and functioning system that deters smugglers.

Employment is 1,000 per cent a progressive cause. Work is not just the best prevention against poverty. It’s also about everybody’s dignity. Your contribution in your job is also a core part of your dignity. www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...

It’s been an epic by-election campaign with brilliant candidate Richard who would make *the best* councillor for Baxenden. Not long till the polls close… 🌹🤞