Nice to visit Edge Theatre in Chorlton and chat to Janine - a great theatre and arts centre for our local community. They’ve recently opened a new cinema - check out details: www.edgetheatre.co.uk

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the BBC, I campaign to support the BBC and protect public service broadcasting. Good to attend 38 Degrees event in Parliament for the launch of The People’s Charter: a BBC fit for the future.

Many thanks to @jeffsmithmp.bsky.social for visiting his local @thebhf.bsky.social red bench yesterday in Didsbury and taking the time to meet with his constituent Kyle, whose story the bench recognises.

Labour’s Simpler Recycling reforms will help cut the amount of waste sent to landfill ♻️ All waste collectors must now offer 4 straightforward collections: • Food and garden waste • Paper and card glass • Metal and plastic, including cartons • Non-recyclable waste

Great to meet my constituent Kyle, who campaigns for British Heart Foundation, and hear his experience. The red bench in the park opposite East Didsbury Tesco recognises his story. You can learn about the great work British Heart Foundation do here: www.bhf.org.uk

New measures in the Employment Rights Act came into effect yesterday. Workers will now benefit from: •Day 1 rights to parental and unpaid paternity leave •Strengthened statutory sick pay •Stronger protections for whistleblowers of sexual harassment www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Labour has just released the biggest single funding allocation to deliver more places for children with SEND on record. Manchester City Council is receiving over £10m to help create new places in inclusion bases in schools, make buildings accessible and create new special school places.

I attended Dementia UK’s report launch on “A better death, fixing palliative and end of life care for dementia”. I spoke with the team about the importance of ensuring those living with dementia receive coordinated and compassionate palliative care.

It was good to meet @epilepsysociety.bsky.social in Parliament and learn about seizure first aid. It’s simple: Calm, Cushion, Call. For more information, visit: epilepsysociety.org.uk

From today the government is increasing National Minimum Wages to: • £12.71/hr for workers aged 21+ • £10.85/hr for 18–20 year olds • £8/hr for 16–17 year olds and apprentices Ensuring that workers get a fair day’s pay.

Drivers in the North West will benefit from smoother, safer journeys, as the Government commits over £3.3bn to upgrading roads in the region— including improvements at the M60 J18, M62 and M66 intersection. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Are you registered to vote? Local elections are on 7th May, but you must be registered by 20th April. More info here: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/03/30/r...

Congratulations to The Victoria in Withington on being named as Stockport & South Manchester CAMRA’s pub of the year. A brilliant local pub and very well deserved.

Earth Hour is on Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm- an hour where millions of people across the world switch off non-essential lights to highlight the need for action on climate change. It’s a powerful global moment to come together and show support for our planet

The Bee Network has announced improvements to bus services in Manchester, with more buses on the 142 and 143, and 50 additional night buses across Manchester.

The Jo Cox Foundation’s Great Get Together returns 19–21 June 2026. A chance to bring people together and celebrate what we have in common. Find out more or organise your own event: www.jocoxfoundation.org/our-work/str...

I attended a Parliament drop-in on the risks of AI voice cloning and synthetic media. Interesting and informative to take part in an interactive vocal training experience, showing how quickly and easily voices can be manipulated.

Young people in the North West are more likely to be out of education, employment or training than other regions. The government are investing in youth unemployment with £1bn investment and support to create over 200,000 jobs for young people: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/03/25/y...

I attended Channel 4’s ‘Dirty Business’ event in Parliament to discuss the issues highlighted in their powerful documentary; sewage pollution, and the need for strong reform of the water sector. The documentary is an eye-opening watch, and highly recommended.

Withington Library recently reopened after refurbishment, including new windows, improved meeting room and the installation of an air source heat pump. Investment by Manchester City Council has transformed the library into a better space for the local community.

The Conservatives left our flood defences in a terrible condition, putting lives and livelihoods at risk. The Labour government has announced £1.4bn investment into flood defences, with Manchester Withington benefitting from over £2.4m: jeffsmithmp.com/2026/03/23/1...

St Margaret's Centre and Playing Fields is a fantastic community hub supporting local groups and community projects. Good to speak with Jenny about the centre’s plans for the future. See their current community group event timetable for more info.

Despite the busiest winter on record, NHS waiting lists have continued to fall with this Labour Government. At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, waiting lists have fallen by 13,725 since the general election.

Happy St Patrick’s Day to everyone celebrating today in Ireland, the UK and here in Manchester. As one of many Mancunians with Irish heritage, I’m proud of the close ties between Britain and Ireland ☘️

As part of my work as a member of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, I visited The National Gallery to hear about the gallery’s learning programmes, national activity, and management of the collection and archives. Thanks to the team for showing me round.

Baroness Amos, Chair of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, is calling for evidence from women and families about their experiences of maternity and neonatal care in England. Find out more here: www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evi...

I’m working with local Labour councillors to help maintain banking services in Didsbury. I raised the issue of bank closures - and the rules around new banking hubs - in Parliament.

The Government has announced a £1m investment to protect rare nesting birds along a 13 mile stretch of the River Mersey — running from Fletcher Moss Gardens to Mersey Bank Fields. I’m pleased South Manchester has been chosen as one of 9 routes across the country for this important conservation work.

A minimum age for social media? Mandatory overnight curfews? An end to autoplay and infinite scrolling? More help for parents and children online? Labour wants your views on giving children the best start online. Join the conversation: www.gov.uk/government/c...

National Air Traffic Services do exceptional work keeping our skies safe. I recently visited them at Manchester Airport to discuss their work and how local young people can join them. ✈️

The Government have frozen rail fares, which means: ✔️No increase on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities ✔️ Savings worth hundreds of pounds for commuters on the busiest routes ✔️ Over a billion journeys a year benefitting

The Labour Government’s economic plan for Britain is delivering results ✅ Cutting the cost of living — £150 off energy bills, rail fares frozen, inflation falling ✅ Cutting borrowing — six rate cuts, debt costs down £3bn ✅ Growing the economy — fastest in the G7, families set to be £1,000 better off

Support for UK citizens in the Middle East If you are in a country affected: 🔹 Register for Travel Advice email alerts (www.gov.uk/foreign-trav...) 🔹 Register your presence with the Government (www.gov.uk/government/n...) 🔹 For support, call the FCDO helpline on +442070085000

Out supporting Angeliki Stogia in the Gorton & Denton by-election today. Angeliki will be a strong local voice rooted in the community, hardworking and committed to delivering for residents. If you live locally, make sure you get out and vote. 🌹

Energy bills are set to fall by £117 from April this year, because of action taken by this Labour government. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Thanks to Southway Housing for the invitation to help open the new Emerald Way development in Chorlton. Shared ownership schemes like this can help more people onto the housing ladder, alongside creating energy efficient homes and local job opportunities.

I visited the Head Forward Centre in Withington to meet staff, volunteers and members supporting people living with acquired brain injury. I heard directly about the day-to-day challenges and the importance of community support services like theirs. www.headforward.org

Withington Library will now reopen on Monday 16 March following refurbishment and decarbonisation works. Library services will be available nearby, including extended hours at Didsbury Library. Find out more info here: www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_re...

Solar panels have now been installed at Ladybarn Primary School thanks to Great British Energy’s national Government programme — helping cut energy bills and reinvesting savings back into classrooms. Read more ⬇️ jeffsmithmp.com/gbe-funding-...

The Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter is helping raise standards in the private rented sector and offering free advice and support to landlords. If you’re a landlord locally and want to find out more, you can sign up here: www.gmgoodlandlord.org.uk/landlords

Following proposals to change the jury trial system, I visited Manchester Crown Court to meet barristers and court staff, to better understand the pressures facing our justice system. Thanks to Rebecca for hosting me, and for the first-hand picture of the challenges they face.

Good to see continued support for Withington Walls - and for the new educational resource inspired by their Marcus Rashford mural. A brilliant tool for schools and families, celebrating community, hope and Manchester’s creativity: www.marcusrashfordmural.co.uk

🚨 Labour has announced the BIGGEST investment in community energy in British history. Every community should have the opportunity to benefit from locally-owned energy. ✔️ This announcement means up to £1bn of funding will go directly towards community-owned projects across the UK.

Alongside local councillors I met with NatWest, to press for support for residents in light of the planned closure of the Chorlton branch. We share concerns about losing local banking services, and we’ve also met with LINK, to lobby for continued access to cash machines.

I have today been informed that, despite personal assurances to the contrary, the Green party have once again used my image and misrepresented my words on a second leaflet circulated in Gorton and Denton ahead of the by-election. I have now lodged an official complaint with the returning officer.

I attended Cancer Research UK’s drop-in to discuss how to make this decade a turning point for cancer. The Government has announced the national cancer action plan, focusing on earlier diagnosis and faster treatment, & aiming for 75% of patients to be cancer-free or living well after 5 years.

📣 The Christie and Buccleuch Lodge, alongside 190 other NHS sites, will save money on their energy bills thanks to Great British Energy. 🌹 That’s the difference this Labour government is making. jeffsmithmp.com/2026/02/05/j...

The Government is scrapping the two-child limit. It will help lift 450,000 children out of poverty nationwide, including here in Manchester Withington. jeffsmithmp.com/2026/02/04/j...

Free plant-based community meals at Ladybarn Community Hub on 06, 20 & 23 February and 02 March. Find out more: www.gwafuvegan.com/events-2-1/p...