A £30m government investment to tackle crime on our high streets is hugely welcome. Erdington’s Operation Fearless showed that when we invest and work together, we can tackle these challenges and make a difference. I’ll keep pushing to make our high streets safer for everyone.

At the Health and Social Care Committee, we heard from Institute for Government's Stuart Hoddinott on the reorganisation of ICBs as part of the NHS transition. The process appears chaotic, with serious uncertainty around future responsibilities, including SEND.

At @commonshealth.bsky.social, we heard from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Stuart Hoddinott on the reorganisation of ICBs as part of the NHS transition. The process appears chaotic, with serious uncertainty around future responsibilities, including SEND.

It was a pleasure to open the UK–Caribbean Trade & Investment Forum and present awards celebrating excellence. As Trade Envoy, I’ll keep pushing for stronger ties between the UK and Caribbean, because shared prosperity fuels growth and innovation. 🇬🇧

Joined Mondelēz International reception in Parliament celebrating innovation, heritage and impact. Proud that Cadbury, founded in Birmingham by John Cadbury in 1824, remains part of a proud manufacturing legacy that continues to produce chocolate and snacks enjoyed across the world.

The mystery of £5m from a crypto billionaire, £1.5m from reality TV and a £1.4m Surrey mansion. Just declare it, Nigel! Clacton deserves an MP who shows up. At least I’ve lived in my constituency for nearly 40 years, I don’t make millions, but I always make time.

BREAKING: £30 million to reclaim our high streets from criminal gangs. Erdington’s Operation Fearless proved it can be done, now we go further: 🚨 New specialist NCA cell to lead the fight 👮‍♂️ 75 dedicated new officers ⚖️ Funding for Trading Standards to shut down sham shops

Great to join @hsj.co.uk's panel this morning on making prevention & equity real in our neighbourhoods. The Govt’s neighbourhood NHS shift is care at the heart of every community. This means empowering local teams, integrating assets, and embedding prevention into everyday care.

We need more women putting themselves forward for leadership, which is why it’s great to see Cllr Nicky Brennan leading Birmingham Labour, the city’s only female political group leader. Too many women are put off by abuse & intimidation in public life. That must be alway challenged!

Women make up 51% of Birmingham’s population, yet it’s disappointing to see fewer women councillors representing our communities. Labour remains the most gender-balanced group on the council. Meanwhile, Reform’s is only 30% women, and the Conservatives trail with a shocking 14%.

Leadership isn’t easy. Sometimes it means making difficult decisions that won’t always be popular. In Birmingham, the electorate have spoken. Labour is neither the largest party nor in majority control. Meanwhile, Reform, now the largest party, chooses to hide in opposition.

APPG on Less Survivable Cancers met yesterday re. the Rare Cancers Act's National Lead for Rare Cancers and what they will need for success. We will write to ministers with our recommendations. Next meeting, re. orphan drugs, in July. Thank you to our chair @paulettehamiltonmp.bsky.social

14 years of Tory austerity crippled our community. Now, this Labour government is delivering: ✅ £20m Pride in Place for Kingstanding ✅ Nearly £1m for Operation Fearless in Erdington ✅ £640m+ boost for Birmingham Labour invests. Tories cut. The difference is clear.

We lost some brilliant, experienced councillors and candidates, but that’s democracy. The bin strikes have dragged on for far too long. Reform must step up and help sort this mess out, not hide behind slogans in opposition. Birmingham deserves leadership, not excuses.

Reform is the largest party in Birmingham, but instead of leading, they hide in opposition. That’s not leadership. That’s running scared. Councillors rushed from bed, acting like MPs, one thinking council funds DJs. No wonder they won't step up. Birmingham deserves better.

Absolute pleasure joining the grand opening of Ako Interior & Eco Brite on Kingsbury Road in Erdington. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, driving growth, and bringing life to our local high streets. Wishing them every success for the future!

It was wonderful to join and speak at the Birmingham Community Healthcare Nurses Day Conference 2026 yesterday. Thank you to all our nurses for your dedication, compassion, and the incredible work you do every single day. It was a privilege to be part of the conversation.

💙 Happy International Nurses Day. After 25 years as a nurse, I’ve learned that compassion isn’t a task, it’s a choice we make shift after shift. To every nurse, thank you for your courage, professionalism, and unwavering heart. You are truly appreciated. 🙏🏿

The public have made it clear that they do not wish to hear further talk of a “reset” from Sir Keir Starmer. Confidence is lost. Voters have stopped listening. Now, an orderly transition must follow, and change must come from the top. www.itv.com/news/central...

The local elections were devastating. We lost outstanding councillors and candidates. On the doorstep, voters repeatedly told us the same thing, national issues and the party leadership meant they could no longer vote Labour. We now need an orderly transition to new leadership.

Lovely to be out in Pype Hayes earlier today with our candidate Fayaz Khuhro, speaking to residents about the progress we’ve made - and what’s now at risk. Tomorrow, choose unity over division. Vote Labour 🌹

Great speaking with residents in Oscott yesterday evening with our fantastic local candidates. There is a clear choice tomorrow, unity with Labour, or division and chaos from Reform. Vote Eleanor Douglas and Frances Barnett. 🌹

📢 Kingstanding Partnership Meeting Our second meeting brings local organisations together to shape priorities and strengthen partnership. We will also be join us with the new Pride in Place Chair! 📅 Friday 8 May at 11am ✉️ [email protected] for more info.

A few snaps from last week’s Q&A with Birmingham’s elderly residents and church leaders alongside @richardparkerwm.bsky.social. Valuable conversations about how we strengthen and support our communities. Always good to listen, learn, and act.

It was great to attend the unveiling of Blue Plaques marking Birmingham’s role in ITV’s 70-year legacy. Our city has been central to British broadcasting, shaping programmes and talent across the UK. Proud to celebrate Birmingham’s media heritage!

Last week, I tabled an amendment to the Courts and Tribunals Bill calling for 12 and 36 month reviews of changes to jury trials. These reviews would assess impacts on ethnic minorities and white individuals from low-income households. Watch in full 👇🏿 youtu.be/V0plgsxdgvc

🚨 Stop another licensed premises on Erdington High Street. We already have too many betting shops & alcohol licences. I’m saying NO MORE and launching a campaign to stop another premises. Back my campaign and sign the petition 👇🏿 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

At last week's General Debate on Allied Health Professionals, I raised concerns about declining numbers and the urgent need to grow the workforce. AHPs are vital to the NHS, the third-largest clinical workforce - delivering essential diagnostic, therapeutic and support services.

Great catch-up with Thomas Brayford at @britishcouncil.bsky.social in Parliament yesterday. We discussed the Council’s vital work & the importance of UK soft power in a volatile world. From culture to diplomacy, maintaining a strong international footprint has never been more important. 🇬🇧

Hate has no place in our country or our communities. Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live. Those responsible will be found and face the full force of the law. We will stand together and we will not tolerate hate. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

This is a hateful, cowardly act with no place in our community. No one should feel fear because of who they are or their belief. Following racist vandalism at Jami Community & Education Centre, I called a meeting and am working with the council and police to ensure swift action.

Absolutely honoured to receive my Honorary Alderman and the Lord Mayor Shield, marking 18 years of service as a Birmingham City Council. I’ve devoted much of my life to public service, first as an NHS nurse, then as a councillor, and now as a voice for my community in Parliament.

🚨 BREAKING: 5-bed HMO planning application on Morar Close has been REFUSED by Birmingham City Council. Great news for Castle Vale, a huge thanks to everyone who backed my local campaign!

Honoured to present tributes at the annual UK Legends of Legends - 20th Anniversary of UK Legends of Lovers Rock. 🎶 20 years of the UK’s longest-running Lovers Rock celebration, and a brilliant legacy exhibition to match. Birmingham at its very best. ❤️

What an incredible afternoon at @wittonlodge.bsky.social’s Social Enterprise & Wow event. It was an honour to speak at and attend this celebration of our young people and social entrepreneurs. Our community is bursting with potential. Huge congratulations to all the achievers!

A busy day on Erdington High Street with Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, WM Police & Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster. Hearing firsthand from businesses about Operation Fearless and the challenges that remain. Good to see Erdington remain a key focus in the fight against crime and ASB.

Said my final goodbyes to Reverend Emma Sykes at St Barnabas Church today. She was someone who truly listened and cared deeply about our community. I’ll miss her guidance and our conversations. Wishing you every blessing in your next chapter, Emma. ♥️

The data is in - crime is down around Erdington High Street. 📉 Operation Fearless is delivering and the best part, it's being sustained. After securing nearly a million pounds, concentrated policing and intervention is making a real difference. 👮 We'll continue to build!

Great to attend the Pride in Place Reception with Martin, exploring how we can partner with the Impact Economy to shape Kingstanding South East’s plans. With £20 million for the area and working alongside local groups and the community, we will transform our neighbourhood.

I’ve written to @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social asking them to set out how they plan to use the record £17.m+ Labour government funding for children with SEND to benefit families here in Birmingham Erdington. Brick by brick, Labour is building a system where every child can achieve and thrive.

Proud to sponsor & attend @dementiauk.bsky.social's landmark report, A Better Death: Fixing Palliative and End of Life Care for Dementia. A once-in-a-generation opportunity to recognise dementia as a life-limiting condition and guarantee access to specialist support like Admiral Nurses.

You can’t bomb your way to victory in the Middle East, this ends with a negotiated agreement, full stop!!! But if Farage and Badenoch had their way, Britain would be stuck in the middle of it, with British taxpayers footing the bill. We need diplomacy, not an endless war.

Good to sit down with Paul Bytheway, CEO of Birmingham Hospice, in Parliament. We’re keeping up the campaign for sustainable funding for hospices, so they can continue providing vital end-of-life care and support for families. Long overdue that this sector gets the focus it needs.

For years, areas like ours were overlooked, we saw it when Rishi Sunak admitted funnelling funding to leafier constituencies while neglecting communities like ours. Now, under Labour, we’re seeing real investment. That’s the difference a Labour government makes!

🚨 BREAKING: Two new Best Start School-Based Nurseries are coming to Castle Vale! I’m proud to share that Chivenor Primary and Pegasus Primary will receive investment for NEW Best Start School-Based Nurseries. I’ll continue fighting for the investment our communities deserve.

Fantastic morning in Kingstanding launching Paul Lilly and Anita Ward’s campaign! They’re dedicated to local issues & will be working with me to make sure the £20m Pride in Place fund delivers the priorities of Kingstanding residents. Big thanks to everyone who helped out!

The priority is always for more visible police officers and PCSOs on Erdington High Street to tackle crime and provide a reassuring presence. Local officers are also dedicating time at the Pod - pop by if you’d like a chat with the team. See the schedule below 👇🏿

It was a privilege to join many of you for Iftar during Ramadan. 🌙✨ As Eid begins, I am wishing everyone celebrating across Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott a joyful and peaceful few days. Eid Mubarak to you and your family.

Good discussion with the Prime Minister and BAME PLP colleagues about the real issues affecting our community and our work to tackle racism. While the Tories and Reform continue to fuel division, Labour is focused on standing up for all our communities.

📰 My April column for @ErdingtonLocal is online! ✅ Why putting country first means not being dragged into another Middle East war ✅ Met residents at my Gravelly Hill Coffee Morning ✅ Latest update on repairs to Erdington Library Read in full: www.erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-a-me...