I was delighted to recently meet my constituent Emmanuel, who visited to thank me for assisting him. I often receive thanks, but rarely in person. So this was particularly special to meet him in person and to meet his partner 🌹.

Fantastic to hear from local parents and cares about their experiences with the SEND system. It is absolutely vital for the upcoming SEND reforms to reflect these experiences to give them and their children the support that they deserve. Sign up for next week’s session here: bit.ly/4tstffL

Our local markets are the heart of this community 🛍️ Huge thanks to Catford Market (Mon–Sat, 9–5), Beckenham Place Park Market (Sundays), and Catford Food Market (last Sunday of the month). Fresh food, local businesses, real community spirit. Please do pay them a visit! 🙌

Fly tipping is a blight on our communities, and this Labour Government is empowering councils to go further in tackling it. That’s why it’s vital to have a Labour council here in Lewisham working with the Government to deliver improvements for our local area.

Brilliant to visit Sedgehill School last Friday and meet students taking part in @talentfoundry's 'Skills for Life' workshops, helping young people build real-world financial skills like budgeting and career planning. More schools should be doing this! 🌟

Women's health has been neglected for too long. Today's Labour Women's Health Strategy will give women a real say in their care, streamline gynaecological services, and end outdated practices around pain relief. Long overdue. 💪

Youth clubs are coming back to London 🙌 @london.gov.uk is rebuilding what Tory austerity destroyed. These spaces are a lifeline for young people; this is Labour values in action.

The Two Child Benefit Cap has been lifted, helping thousands of children out of poverty here in Lewisham East and many more across the country. More needs to be done to address poverty, but this is a vital step in giving families the support they need.

Wishing everyone celebrating in Lewisham East and around the world a very happy and peaceful Easter weekend as we remember Jesus, the Son of God being taken up into heaven. Happy Easter

These comments will have been incredibly painful for all those affected by failures in building safety, and my thoughts are with all the victims of Grenfell and their families. While he was rightly sacked as a spokesman, it is disgraceful that he remains a Reform member. inews.co.uk/news/grenfel...

In response to Simon Dudley's (Reform UK) comments on Grenfell:

You can join here: join.labour.org.uk/join

Really pleased to be at the opening of Frothy Coffee at Bellingham Place Park today. Great to see Memet and his partner open this café. I was even able experience the fantastic cheeseburger and chips with a lovely cup of tea.

Lewisham Labour's local election campaign is officially launched! 🚀 Over 100 members joined us, with words from David Lammy on Labour government and councils working together for families. Read our manifesto 👇 www.lewishamlabour.com/manifesto2026/

Fly-tipping blights our communities so we’re doing something about it 💚 Joined our brilliant Hither Green Councillors & local residents for a litter pick near Mountfield Park today. Bags filled, streets cleaner. Thank you to all who came! 🌿 #HitherGreen #Flytipping

My statement on public prayer

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating across Lewisham and beyond. Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and blessed Eid. #EidMubarak #lewisham

Great news! Labour has officially removed the two child limit, helping over 3,850 children in Lewisham East. 🎉 Opposing this policy was one of the reasons I entered politics. I’ll keep fighting to ensure vulnerable children are properly supported. #TwoChildLimit

We know we need to go further and faster on the cost of living and give people hope, but we’re seeing real Labour help coming through. (Nice to persuade the audience member on that) #bbcqt

Huge congratulations to Dr Carol Homden of @wearecoram.bsky.social on being made a Dame Commander of the British Empire! A much deserved award for a tireless champion of children and families, in particular adopted families.

Fantastic to be able to join a Lewisham Council community Iftar to commemorate Ramadan and hear about the importance of unity and togetherness during this holy month. A special thanks to Little Punjab for their delicious catering. #Ramadan2026

Are you fed up of seeing FLY TIPPING? I am! It is wrong & is a crime! This morning at a local clean up I will be picking up someone else’s rubbish. Don’t dump what you do not want - bin it, recycle it or contact @lewisham.gov.uk it’s just £5 to get rid of a bulky item. Do the right thing ♥️

🇬🇧 British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar or the UAE, please register your presence with the FCDO. Registering means you’ll receive direct travel updates and advice, keeping you informed and safe. Sign up here ➔ www.gov.uk/government/n...

By-election day! Had a great time yesterday speaking to residents in Gorton and Denton. Only Labour can beat Reform! 🌹

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone observing across Lewisham East and beyond 🌙 This religious month is a time of reflection, compassion, and togetherness. Ramadan brings community spirit to our neighbourhoods. Wishing you peace and joy throughout.

Great news today, inflation is falling, and the Government's plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis is working. I was delighted to welcome the Chancellor to Sainsbury's in Sydenham, where we heard directly from staff and residents about what this means for them. @amandaderyk.bsky.social

Saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, aged 84. A protégé of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., he dedicated his life to fighting for racial and social justice and left behind a towering legacy. Rest in peace. 🕊️ www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3...

Visited Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s exhibition at Canvas & Cream. A powerful tribute to her clean air campaign, born from the devastating loss of her daughter Ella, whose death was the first to officially cite air pollution as a cause. Her work to reduce health inequality is truly transformative.

My statement on the recent fire at Rushey Green Nursery @lewisham.gov.uk

Fantastic to celebrate Thai Pongal with the Downham Tamil Association and @amandaderyk.bsky.social, Labour's candidate for Lewisham Mayor. A wonderful evening with great food and incredible dancing. #ThaiPongal #Pongal2026

Fantastic to have been at the launch of the APPG for Adoption and Permanence’s report on the adoption system, giving voice to young people with direct experience of adoption. Children’s social care must be a priority for the Government and this report will be vital in informing needed reform.

For too long, leaseholders have been subject to arbitrary and unaffordable ground rents under an unfair leasehold system. As part of the plan to end this outdated system, the Government will be capping ground rents as it works to abolish them and strengthening the rights of leaseholders.

On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the six million Jewish people and millions of others murdered during the Holocaust. We honour the survivors, listen to their testimonies, and commit ourselves to standing against hatred, prejudice and persecution wherever we see it. #HolocaustMemorialDay

Fantastic celebrating Thai Pongal at The Catford Theatre over the weekend with Aliya Sheikh. I very much enjoyed the incredible performances by Lydian on the pianos and his sister flautist Amirtha Varshini, as well as the amazing rapping by Vaakeesan, Thison and Advik. #Lewisham #ThaiPongal

London is the greatest city on earth, yet Reform keeps talking it down. This week at PMQs I highlighted crime stats showing London had its safest year ever. www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

Glad to see that Labour has stopped a Tory plan to undermine the Freedom Pass, and protect older residents' ability to travel around London #FreedomPass #londonlabour www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...

This Government is delivering for clean air, energy security, and lower bills. A record-breaking offshore wind auction will install 8.4GW of new capacity, enough to power 12 million homes!⚡🏡

Grateful to have been invited to join two special Christmas services at St John the Baptist in Catford and Kings Catford A special thanks to Catford (Southend) and Downham Team Ministry and Joe McNamara for letting me join their festivities and celebrate this wonderful holiday

No one should be forced to sleep rough in our capital. If you see someone sleeping rough, you can help get them out of the cold. Contact StreetLink to connect them with local support: thestreetlink.org.uk

Every year FUSS in Hither Green host a fantastic Christmas fair, and this year was no exception! It was great to see all the stalls with their fantastic wares. 🎄🎅 Thank you to all those who attended and supported the event, including Hither Green Community Choir, Frank, Charlotte and Lily.

Some of our communities most vulnerable children are in desperate need of a home. Fostering is highly rewarding, so I was glad to see @lewisham.gov.uk fostering at Goldsmiths Community Centre this weekend! 🧒🏠 Find out more about fostering here: lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/c...

Brilliant news! Forster Park has won the Green Flag 'Best Women and Girls Initiative' 2025! 🌲👧 The scheme engaged girls aged 11-16 to share their views on redesigning the park to improve accessibility and safety for women and girls. Well done, girls! www.greenflagaward.org/news/2025-be...

Is that jingles in the air? Christmas is almost here! Thank you to everyone who came to Catford last night for the Christmas lights switch-on! Catford truly sparkles ✨🎄

I must mention this lovely local event that takes place yearly at Manor Park. The volunteers are excellent, both children and adults have great fun🥰. It’s a great way to learn about the River Quaggy & to raise funds for local clubs like @girlguide.bsky.social We have fab parks @lewisham.gov.uk 👏

I absolutely loved visiting Bellingham Best Start Family Hub in my constituency! The passion and zeal from the multi-disciplinary team was fabulous. It was great to meet everyone, and to hear about joint working and the universal support for parents. Keep up the good work ♥️

Huge thanks to the Royal Engineers for hosting me at Hudson House following the Lewisham Remembrance Parade It was fantastic to learn about their work supporting our community and their vital role in our British army. I will certainly be taking up the invitation to return! #Army

On Remembrance Day, we come together to commemorate the sacrifice of all those who have served our country. It was an honour to mark this occasion with our local community, including Lewisham's Young Mayor. Lest We Forget.

Great to hear about the fantastic work done by Sustainable Food Places from local volunteer Theresa Webb, who I have long admired for her commitment to healthy and sustainable food. You can learn more about their work here: www.sustainablefoodplaces.org

This morning the Mayor of Lewisham, police and Local Cllr’s and I were all out listening to local businesses and customers. Offering local support in light of the recent fatal stabbing in the area. #EndKnifeCrime

Hurricane Mellissa has caused havoc. Today I met Beverley and Joan from Jamaican heritage @St Laurence church - they found the info I am sharing below helpful. The @FCDOGovUK has a crisis centre offering consular support and is assisting Jamaica. You can help here 👉🏾 supportjamaica.gov.jm