Smoke from the moorland fire near Dovestones Reservoir is affecting parts of south Manchester. If smoke is affecting your area, stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed. Keep cool and stay hydrated. Latest official updates from manchesterfire.gov.uk

Last week, I spoke in Parliament in support of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/07/15/s...

The Greater Manchester Mayoral election is on 30 July, and today is the last day to register to vote. Bev Craig has been doing brilliant work alongside Andy Burnham. Let's keep that progress going. www.gov.uk/register-to-...

Good to catch up with the LTA - the governing body for tennis and padel - in Parliament and hear about their Local Delivery Plans for Manchester and their work to grow participation in tennis and padel.

The Labour government has given over £4.5m to Manchester City Council so we can adapt our schools to better meet the needs of children with SEND. With training for teachers, new special places and Experts at Hand, we're building a better system for our children.

To vote in the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election you've got until 14th July to register. To vote by post, apply by 5pm on 15th July ⏱️ It takes 2 minutes to register, so make sure you register before the 14th July and have your voice heard on Thursday 30th July www.gov.uk/register-to-...

2026 is National Year of Reading 📚 Great to attend National Literacy Trust’s parliamentary drop-in and encouraging to hear that reading enjoyment and reading daily has increased among 8 -18-year-olds during the campaign.

The Government wants to hear from people about how National Lottery funding should be distributed. Whether you're part of a local charity, sports club or community group, or simply care about your local area, your views matter: www.gov.uk/government/c...

Labour’s brilliant GM Mayoral candidate Bev Craig has a strong record of delivery as Leader of Manchester City Council. Her experience means she’s the only candidate that will build on Labour’s work so far across Greater Manchester. Vote Bev on 30th July 🌹

The Government is backing the Community Right to Buy with a new £61million fund to help communities purchase valued local assets at risk of being lost. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Great to meet with the Red Cross in parliament to hear about their activity in the UK and overseas. They need volunteers to support great work like their response to the recent synagogue attack. You can find out more about the work here: www.redcross.org.uk/about-us

To vote in the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election you've got until 14th July 🗳️ If you want to vote by post, you need to apply by 5pm on 15th July⏱️ It takes 2 minutes to register, so make sure you register before the 14th July and have your voice heard www.gov.uk/register-to-...

Coeliac disease affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK, yet 64% remain undiagnosed. I attended a parliamentary drop-in to hear about the cost-of-living pressures facing those with the disease. Learn more about the symptoms: www.coeliac.org.uk/about-coelia...

Teachers are getting a 6.5% pay rise over the next two years. That's a 17% rise secured in my time as Education Secretary, alongside action on wellbeing. Under Labour, we have more teachers staying in their jobs, more rejoining & more training to teach. www.gov.uk/government/n...

As part of WaterAid Parliamentary Action Day, I met with my constituent Alexander in the House of Commons to discuss the important work WaterAid do on water security, sanitation and hygiene.

I’ve been so proud to work with @andyburnham.bsky.social to help transform Greater Manchester. I’m standing to continue that work. To ensure that the benefits of growth and regeneration are felt in every corner of our city region. To build a Greater Manchester for us.

Labour is rolling out mental health support in our schools. What will that look like?: 🔍Identifying children's needs earlier 👩‍🏫Peer sessions 🤝1:1 support 🏫Tackling poor absence Available to another 800,000 this year. Our Plan for Change in action. 🌹

At the end of each academic year, large numbers of students leave their accommodation for the summer break. If the end of your tenancy is approaching, why not donate unwanted, good quality items to charity? Find your nearest donation point here: www.giveitdontbinit.co.uk/pop-up-donat...

I attended a fascinating accessible voting event in Parliament, hosted by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), where I met representatives demonstrating the options available to make private voting in polling stations accessible for voters with sight loss. @rnib.bsky.social

The next pop-up market in Withington is happening next Saturday, 10am-4pm on Copson Street. Pop by and support local.

Brexit continues to create barriers for musicians touring in the EU. As a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, I’m pleased with our new report proposing measures to remove them - and I was able to highlight it in Parliament. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cm...

In memory of Jo Cox, I attended both the Great Parliamentary Get Together and the Great Football Get Together. You can find out more about The Jo Cox Foundation and their fantastic work here: www.jocoxfoundation.org/10years/

I joined Councillor Andrew Simcock for the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating the life of the late Sylvia Hillier, a local resident who played a leading part in the campaign to save houses in Didsbury village from demolition in a slum clearance programme in the early 70s.

Our schools are transforming under Labour: 🧠Mental Health Support Teams 🥣Free breakfast clubs 👔Cheaper uniforms 🚼School based nurseries 📈RISE driving up standards 🌱Attendance and behaviour hubs We’re giving children the best start through our Plan for Change 🌹

Pleased to support #NSSW2026 from 6 -12 July, @youthsporttrust.bsky.social are inviting schools, families & organisations to come together so every child moves for at least 60 mins a day (20 mins for young people with SEND) through sport & play. Register here: www.youthsporttrust.org/school-suppo...

Manchester City Council is doing great work bringing empty homes back into use, including in south Manchester. Last week in Parliament, I welcomed this important work and the part it plays in tackling the housing crisis.

Thank you to Friends of the Earth Manchester who recently visited my office to deliver their Planet Over Profit postcard campaign and highlight the stronger action to protect forests and tackle deforestation the world.

Wishing my constituents a Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 We had a great night at Chorlton Pride's fundraiser Gaymeshow at The Beagle. Well done to all of the organisers for running a fun event for a great cause. Looking forward to Chorlton Pride in September.

Tomorrow marks ten years since we lost my wonderful colleague Jo Cox. Let’s honour Jo's belief that we have more in common than that which divides us. This principle is more important now than ever. Jo is missed and remembered fondly every day.

I attended the local Withington screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing last weekend alongside local Labour councillors. A powerful and eye opening film from ten of the UK’s leading experts on climate and nature breakdown.

This week is #CarersWeek, when we show appreciation for the 5.8 million carers in the UK. Carers perform skilled and invaluable work but rarely get the recognition they deserve. I want to thank carers here in Manchester Withington for the huge contribution they make to society.

One Hour. Three lives saved. Are you the NHS’s missing type? Book your donation this National Blood Week at: www.blood.co.uk

Good to take part in the Big Paddle Clean Up 2026 with a paddle litter pick along the River Mersey. Our rivers and waterways are important spaces for recreation, wellbeing and nature, and it was good to see how the paddling community is helping to keep them clean.

Funding available for local charities and community groups! A free online workshop with Postcode Lottery on 10 June will offer advice on funding opportunities and making a successful application: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/06/09/f...

National Fish and Chip Day is back for its 11th consecutive year today, Friday 5th June 🐟🍟 To celebrate I popped into our local, The Cod Cafe on Wilmslow Road. Support your local chippy this National Fish & Chip Day, many of them are still family run and are at the centre of our communities.

The government is investing over £450 million in school buildings, including 4 schools in Manchester Withington: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/06/04/s...

The Government is helping more young people into work, but we need partnership with business. Grants of up to £5k are available for businesses for hiring young people - as well as a fully-paid 6-month placement for young people who have been out of work for 18m. Info here: business.gov.uk/recruit

People Planet Didsbury have produced this great short film featuring local residents and campaigners discussing the action needed to tackle the climate crisis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRlB...

The Ladybarn Litterpick is happening Saturday 30th May, meeting at Ladybarn Community Hub on Royle Street. A chance to meet new friends in the community and improve your area.

A community screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing film is happening in Withington on Saturday 6th June at 3 pm. More info here: www.pppdidsbury.org/nebfilm

Great British Summer Savings means cheaper days out for families this summer. Labour is slashing VAT on activities - from cinemas, museums, soft play centres & kids’ meals in restaurants. Plus, children 5-15 will travel for free on busses this August. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Great work from Manchester City Council, which has helped deliver a record year for affordable housing. Nearly 1,000 affordable homes were completed in 2025/26, including 439 for social rent, and many more in the pipeline: ilovemanchester.com/manchester-a...

Today we remember the 22 lives lost nine years ago in the Manchester Arena attack on 22 May 2017. Manchester will always stand with those who died and were injured, and their loved ones, in remembrance and solidarity. 🐝

I'm pleased to support the Foster Care Fortnight campaign, raising awareness of the every day realities of fostering. We urgently need 6,000 more foster carers across the UK to support children and young people to thrive. Find out more: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/for-carers/b...

Chorlton Pride is back with a fundraising event next Friday 29th May at The Beagle. Join chorlton pride for a game night with great prizes up for grabs, a raffle and a pride themed menu. See more details and book your tickets here: www.designmynight.com/manchester/r...

Building on the foundations this Labour government has already made, we will build a stronger and fairer country that spreads opportunity for all. That is what last week's King’s Speech, and this Labour government’s second Parliamentary session, will deliver: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/05/21/t...

MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee are inviting ideas for the next phase of our State of Play inquiry 🔍 Submit your ideas soon - the application window closes at 5pm on the 1st June 🔗 forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Here are some of the new laws that have been passed in Labour's first parliamentary session in a nutshell. Labour is on your side 🌹

An interesting time to visit to Withington Girls School on Friday for a Q and A. Always great to see young people so engaged with the big issues facing their future and what's going on in Parliament. Thanks for having me.