We are saddened and angered to report our offices were attacked overnight on Thursday. Please share any information concerning this vile act with Kent Police Please see our full statement below and on Facebook facebook.com/share/p/1BXNPe…

Fantastic evening with Medway Victory Sea Cadets at Chatham Maritime. Great to see young people learning water safety, building confidence, and having fun. Thanks to CO Trevor Eaton and team! If you’d like to get involved, please visit: buff.ly/13ATG9Y

💧 It’s time to fix our broken water system. For 30 years, companies like Southern Water have prioritised profit over people. Now, Ofwat is being scrapped. A new, stronger regulator will hold polluters to account - protecting our environment, our bills, and our local rivers like the Medway.

Proud to back the Crime & Policing Bill - a big win for safer streets and justice for victims. The Bill cracks down on knife crime, drink spiking, and more. New powers to tackle nuisance bikes and anti-social behaviour – Respect Orders will help stop reoffending and create safer communities.

Great to host Visit Kent’s annual Parliament reception last week. Spoke about Kent & Medway’s vibrant visitor economy & the need to keep working together - especially on restoring international rail in Kent! Huge thanks to Deidre & team. Excited for what’s ahead under incoming CEO Jo Richardson.

Many in Rochester & Strood have raised concerns about proposed PIP/benefit changes. I’m asking the Govt to rethink some of the proposed changes. Reforms must protect people's dignity &independence. You can read my full statement here:

Delighted to chair a cross-party discussion on building a workforce to power the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Thanks to the Industry & Parliament Trust, and to Erica Chamberlain (Careers & Enterprise Co) & Verity Davidge (Make UK) for their great insights.

Today I visited Medway Foodbank to discuss my strong opposition to the Government's PIP reforms and how we can tackle the worrying rates of poverty amongst carers. Thanks to Mike, Ruth and their team, including many volunteers, who help so many people in my constituency.

Thanks to Harry for giving me a tour of the fantastic new Lake View Lodge care home in Halling. It was lovely to meet some of the residents and see what fantastic facilities (and views!) they have right next to St Andrew's Lake.

Lovely visit to Bishopscourt in Rochester today for the National Garden Scheme. Many thanks to the Bishop of Rochester for his informative talk about the history of the house. And excellent tea and cake and inspiration for my garden. I'm off to order a Queen of Sweden rose ...

Earlier this week, I met the fantastic new MHS Homes CEO Marie-Claire Delbrouque. Marie-Claire grew up in social housing and helped start a homeless charity. Her commitment to making sure everyone has a warm and safe home was evident throughout our chat and I look forward to working with her.

Rochester & Strood is full of history – now you can help celebrate it! Nominate a local person for a National Blue Plaque by 10 July. If you have a personal hero or a passion for a story or event, don’t miss the chance to bring a new iconic plaque to your area. Submit here: buff.ly/eDY2VTX

Another great APPG meeting on Digital Money and Markets. Fascinating presentations on tokenisation helping small businesses with faster payments and better processes. Key for boosting UK economic growth. Extra thanks to Dr Vahid Mirzabeiki (University of Surrey) and Muhammad Tanoli (Portdex).

Great to attend the launch of a new Unison report setting out their vision for the future of Further Education. Colleges are key to creating economic growth in all parts of the UK, and staff in the sector, including support staff, need fair pay and terms and conditions.

Yesterday, we had a productive meeting of the APPG on Fair Growth in the Thames Estuary, where I raised the importance of the Gridlink interconnector project between France and my constituency in ensuring we meet our climate change and economic growth goals. (1/2)

I’m pleased to see the return of Visa’s Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards—an excellent opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening across Rochester and Strood. Towns can win £20,000 for a local initiative. Submit your nomination by June 8th: buff.ly/62zUeH3

A busy and productive week representing Rochester and Strood - both at home and in Westminster. From strengthening border security and exploring digital money, to backing green energy and celebrating local charities. Thank you to everyone I met and worked with this week. Read more below:

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia. Love is love, and everyone deserves respect and safety. I stand with the LGBTQ+ community against hatred and discrimination - let’s continue to build communities centred on tolerance, diversity and inclusion.

Last Thursday, on VE Day, we remembered the courage and sacrifice of those who secured peace in Europe 80 years ago and took a moment to reflect on the importance of peace in an increasingly uncertain world. (1/4)

Great to meet Kieran from Rubbish Snooker during the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations at the Royal Engineers Museum last week. He takes litter from Medway's streets and turns it into art - including this brilliant bottlecap Spitfire! Check out his website: buff.ly/ZTbJJKB

Many households in Medway are feeling the pressure of the cost of living. Medway Council’s Household Support Fund offers government-backed help with essentials like school uniforms, energy or water bills, and other vital needs. You don’t need to be on benefits to apply. Apply here: buff.ly/xqjW0ZP

Last Tuesday, I asked Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, about Gridlink, a proposed energy connection from Kingsnorth in my constituency across to France. This connection, which could be ready by 2030, will help us meet our clean energy goals. (1/2)

Excellent roundtable last Friday with a range of businesses from across the construction sector at Waterfront UTC. University Technical Colleges like Waterfront provide hugely valuable technical education opportunities, as well as giving students great career advice and work-readiness skills. (1/2)

It was great to join the New Statesman's Energy and Climate Change Conference to speak on the green skills panel. Green skills can play a big part in regenerating areas like Rochester & Strood, especially through big infrastructure projects like the Lower Thames Crossing.

Great to speak alongside Skills Minister Jacqui Smith at the Lifelong Education Institute’s 2025 conference. I spoke on how the Growth & Skills Levy and Skills England can simplify the system and expand opportunities. Thanks to Dame Ann Limn for chairing a great panel!

Thanks to Judy and Richard for inviting me to hear more about Everycare Medway and Swale, based on Medway City Estate. Care providers like Everycare offer a crucial service in an increasingly complex environment. Joined-up thinking between the care sector & the NHS is vital to improve care locally.

Thank you to the Innovate Finance Global Summit for having me on their panel last week. It was great to discuss the future of global digital money and to be on the same stage where earlier that day the Chancellor announced the Gov will be bringing in laws to regulate cryptoassets - a welcome change.

Popped along to the Sun Pier House open day for their fantastic new accessible creative space. It was great to catch up with Hannah and see what a fantastic community hub the team are building!

Wishing the Buddhist community in Rochester, Strood and around the world a reflective and meaningful Vesak. May today inspire compassion, wisdom and inner peace for us all.

From voting to give fans more control over their football team, to discussing the future of digital money, to meeting with local NHS leaders and businesses, last week was filled with lots of opportunities to speak and listen to experts in so many different fields. Read some of my highlights below!

A real privilege to give the opening remarks as we today start on our collective journey to deliver a Medway Marmot Place tackling health inequalities. Thanks to Michael Marmot for his support and outstanding keynote speech this morning #ProudToBeMedway

Happy Saint George’s Day everyone!

I hope everyone in Rochester & Strood, & across the UK, is enjoying a restful Easter Sunday with friends and family. Whether you're on an egg hunt, having a Sunday roast, or just relaxing at home, take this time to unwind and cherish moments with loved ones. Wishing you all a joyful Easter!

However, I wanted to share the link below, which will help businesses understand what the US decision means for them: Great .Gov outlines the current rules tailored to the type of product/service you are selling and is updated in response to any changes. You can find out more here: buff.ly/xgvtLE8

I know the 10% tariffs announced by the US last night may worry some business owners in Rochester and Strood. The Government is working to get a trade deal with the US to reduce red tape and help trade across the Atlantic. (1/2)

On Monday, the Government announced funding for the Medway Estuary and Swale Strategy as part of their significant investment in flood defences. These steps will protect our homes, businesses, and natural landscape from extreme weather. Safeguarding our community for future generations.

Great to see that the UK is to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup (if more than a bit depressing that we were the only bid):https://buff.ly/PU1q3XN

I was pleased to support my Labour colleagues Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed today who were unacceptably detained and refused entry to Israel. It is disappointing that the Opposition was once again unable to put aside party politics on this issue.

On Thursday, it was great to be back at Ascend Co-working in the Pentagon to meet with the Crime Partnership for Chatham. Thanks to Chatham Town Centre Forum for organizing, and to the police leaders, councillors, and businesses who took part in the efforts to make Chatham town centre safer.

Almost 1m young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training. I’m happy to see the Skills Commission I co-chair referenced in the article. We have crucial work ahead to make education accessible & equip people with skills for our evolving economy. Well worth a read:

On the 191 heading over to Hundred of Hoo Academy who are kindly hosting tonight’s Medway Matters Live. Thanks to all those who have booked to attend and hard working Medway Council officers who are both staffing stalls and have organised tonight #ProudToBeMedway

Congrats to @localauthority.news on the launch of their new publication #ProudToBeTheOther84%

Happy International Children's Book Day! To mark the event, why not visit your local library/bookshop and pick out a new book to enjoy with your family? Let's make reading a joyful and cherished part of our lives.

Wishing a blessed Eid to everyone celebrating in Rochester & Strood

Great to be out with Rochester and Strood Labour members supporting colleagues in Chatham and Aylesford ahead of the KCC elections in May.