Check out the latest podcast - we enter the forest with Helen Fairest, founder of the Bramblewood Project! Explore Forest School, reconnect with nature, & discover how we can put children's voices at the heart of their learning. Find it on your platform at linktr.ee/worcester_so...

If you love independent literature then get down to the Guildhall!

It’s been a very busy Labour conference for me, speaking at a range events about the environment and family hubs. But the best bit was celebrating 10 years of funding, totalling £20m, coming for the people of Warndon - with a firm promise - it’s for YOU to spend, not anyone else!

Yesterday I sat on a Delegated Legislation Committee introducing a tariff on developers to fund cladding remediation. I took the opportunity to highlight how important it is to know who pays when people have been left under a cloud of uncertainty.

Follow the link to get involved with the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation here: worcestershire.gov.uk/lnrs

🏝️ Enjoying the cool of the Guildhall for my summer surgery, I met Alison and Paul from Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group. To learn more or meet other men (and women!) living with prostate cancer, visit worcspcsg.com

I met with IJM to talk about human trafficking and how AI can help disrupt international child exploitation. This is a huge issue in the UK and we need regulation. Fortunately, technology is now catching up, so we have emerging solutions to enforce. www.ijmuk.org/our-work

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting University of Birmingham to see how we can recover plastics for a truly circular economy. The UK could be a major producer of fresh materials if we lean into our strengths in research, clean energy and automation!

It was a privilege to visit Our Space and hear from families about the impact of their play therapy support—especially for children with SEND. As Chair of the APPG on Family Hubs, I’m committed to making joined-up, local help the norm—not the exception.

It was great to sit down with @thekiln and @gbgplc to talk talent retention, mentoring & creating space for enterprising business. Worcester is the place to start something, and we want to make that our city’s superpower!

Big news for Worcester! Warndon is one of 25 Trailblazer Neighbourhoods set to get up to £20M in long-term Govt investment. This is the change we need—real investment in long-overlooked communities, shaped by local people. #Worcester #Warndon #Trailblazer

It was fantastic to see the community come together at the Arboretum Residents Association's annual fete in Worcester's Pocket Park recently! I’m keen that we build the same sense of community, and fantastic nature-filled spaces like the locket park, in every part of our city! #ArboFete2025

It was great to host another productive conversation about the future of cricket at New Road. From grassroots to professional levels, discussions focused on building a sustainable future that honours New Road’s history while embracing new opportunities.

I was very pleased to make the first keynote speech at the Midlands Economic Summit. I spoke about recognising people and innovation as the heart of our economy, designing the future we want, and working together. The key message? This is the time for us to be ambitious, and to lead! #MES2025

Recently I chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Family Hubs, bringing together partners like Spurgeons to work towards ambitious policy & real cross-sector collaboration. Family Hubs have the power to transform lives by delivering integrated support to whole families early in a child’s life

It was great to get around the whiteboard in Westminster this week with key industry experts in UK energy. We got beyond talk and workshopped practical ideas to achieve the government’s big mission to cut carbon, reduce bills & grow the UK economy. This is how we lead the transition—together!

It was a highlight of my week to visit Nunnery Wood High School and speak with students fresh from their trip to Westminster. We took to the whiteboard to unpack the recent local elections. I also had the chance to drop into a fantastic debate club session & explore the school’s amazing eco-garden!

I recently met Osai at an event being run by @christianaiduk.bsky.social - marking their 80th birthday. It is vitally important that we urgently tackle climate change, and take real action to end the cycles of debt trapping countries in the global South.

I was blown away by the students & facilities at Worcester Sixth Form College! Hearing learners speak passionately about their #TLevel journeys was inspiring. A highlight? The onsite hospital – an incredible, work-ready training space. So impressive! 👏 #FutureReady #SkillsForLife

Today, the House of Commons is debating amendments to the Assisted Dying Bill. I'll be in the chamber, following closely. To understand my position, here's a video I shared after the Second Reading: 🎥 youtu.be/yNoazQET8-M

Great to get around the table last week with @worcswt.bsky.social We had a productive discussion on sustainable development, community engagement & initiatives to help nature thrive. Looking forward to collaborating on both policy and projects that benefit our community and environment.

As many people know, I’m an engineer by background and I was working around “machine learning” long before we were all aware of “AI”. Earlier this week I joined an evidence session run by an All Party Parliamentary Group on AI regulation.

Excited to be at the launch of Play England’s 10 year strategy today #ItAllStartsWithPlay! Play is not a privilege - it’s at the heart of childhood & learning. How might we create the space, time, acceptance and practical rights to play for every child? Proud of @playworcester.bsky.social