Fantastic to be at Bridget’s campaign launch in Sunderland today. Powerful speech about uniting to fight for the best future for kids across our country. And being a campaigning deputy leader to take on Reform with a positive agenda of change.

This is why I’m running to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Today I held my 40th Advice Surgery since the election. It’s always a privilege to listen, help and support residents with a wide range of issues.

Proud to be supporting Bridget Phillipson for Labour Deputy Leader. I’ve known Bridget for more than 20 years - she’s always been a powerful champion of working people, tackling child poverty and standing up for our communities.

On the beat with Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and Inspector Jassat in Newton Aycliffe today 🚨 Great to see first-hand the impact of increased police numbers in our town. This Labour government is making our streets safer.

Alongside expanding free childcare, Labour is investing £600m in school holiday clubs. By extending the Holiday Activities and Food Programme for three more years, we’re supporting low-income families with free meals and exciting activities. Last year alone, over half a million children benefited.

Always happy to support constituents who reach out with concerns and issues 🤝

A real pleasure to visit 3M in Newton Aycliffe to see their world class manufacturing facility 🦺 They employ 300 people and have a strong record on apprenticeships - exactly the sort of business I'm working hard to support. Proud of the innovative work 3M is doing in Aycliffe

Interest rates are coming down under Labour, meaning the average mortgage is now £1,000 cheaper per year. That’s more money in people’s pockets, helping families with the cost-of-living.

Great to visit Tesco in Newton Aycliffe to meet staff to learn more about their work supporting our area 👏 From donating to food banks to helping charities and community groups, Tesco is making a real difference beyond the checkout. A big thank you to the team.

Congratulations to all students receiving their GCSE results today! 📝

🚨 Labour government invests in Sedgefield business 🚨 I’ve been campaigning for more government contracts to be available to our fantastic small and medium sized businesses. Great news that Kromek at NETPark has been awarded an important Home Office contract.

Really inspired to meet the amazing team at the Great North Air Ambulance 🚁 The life saving work they do everyday makes a huge difference to our region. Proud to meet the pilots, doctors and paramedics who keep this vital service running.

Today we remember all those from our communities, our nation and the Commonwealth who fought with such courage in the Far East to bring the Second World War to an end. Lest we forget.

Congratulations to all A-Level, T-Level and VTQ students receiving their results today! 📚

A pleasure to join Chair of Bishop Middleham Parish Council, Councillor Harvey Neve, for a walkabout this week. Great to discuss local issues, share ideas and hear more about residents’ priorities.

Out bright and early this morning joining Royal Mail on their delivery round, starting at the Newton Aycliffe sorting office. A big thank you to our local posties for the incredible job they do in all weathers to keep our community connected 📮

I’m proud that four towns in our constituency will see more police officers on the streets thanks to this Labour government 🚨🚓 This is a real step forward in making our neighbourhoods safer, restoring trust and delivering our promise of visible and effective policing.

Appointments are available for my next two advice surgeries, which I’m holding in West Cornforth and Trimdon Station. To book your appointment, please email me on [email protected]

It was great to visit Ferryhill’s Art and Photography Exhibition with the Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Angus Ferguson📸🌅 There were some fantastic pieces on display from talented local artists - well done to everyone involved and best of luck to all the participants!

Brilliant visit to Sedgefield Community Hospital with Sue Jacques, Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. It was fantastic to see firsthand the incredible work being done to support local residents through physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

It was great to speak with residents in Spennymoor at my latest MP advice surgery. Thank you to everyone who came along to share their concerns, ideas and priorities. Listening to constituents is at the heart of my work and I’ll continue working hard to represent us.

Good to join local residents on ITV Tyne Tees News last night, highlighting community and business concerns about the proposed hazardous waste incinerator in Aycliffe.

📺 ITV Tyne Tees 6pm tonight 📺 Good to share residents’ concerns about the proposed incinerator in Newton Aycliffe. Over 2,000 people submitted objections to the environment agency’s consultation. As our Member of Parliament I’m working hard to make sure local concerns are taken seriously

In the first week of Parliament’s summer break, it was an honour to meet British troops contributing to United Nations Peacekeeping operations in Cyprus. An honour to be briefed by senior army commanders and to meet our personnel to hear about the work they’re doing to maintain peace on the island.

It’s been a huge privilege to spend the first week of Parliament’s summer recess with British Forces Cyprus, as part of the RAF Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. An honour to meet personnel from our army, navy, airforce and the joint signals unit.

Fantastic win by the Lionesses! You’ve done us proud 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Vote for Mark Solan as your Local Hero at The Pride of Britain Awards 2025 Mark runs the Spennymoor based Team Solan cancer charity which helps many local families 🗳 To nominate mark please follow this link and select “This Morning Local Hero Award” data.reachplc.com/242643338335...

Great to visit #AycliffeBusMuseum for the 45th anniversary of Aycliffe and District Bus Presevation Society. Really good to see so many local residents at their Aycliffe Bus Open Day, enjoying the live music, stalls, food and the fascinating collection.

On the day we saved the historic Heighington station, it was great to welcome the House of Commons Transport Committee to the area. Thanks to Lola McEvoy, MP for Darlington for showing us the Stockton & Darlington Railway exhibition at Hopetown museum, to show off our incredible railway history.

Really proud to play my part in helping the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway save Heighington station- the world’s first railway station.

🚉 Heighington Station Saved! Heighington Station, the world’s first railway station, has been saved from decay. I’ve been proud to support the campaign led by the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway to raise the funding to save these buildings.

Thanks to all of the residents who came to my advice surgery in Chilton, to ask for my help with a range of issues. I hold regular surgeries in community venues across our towns and villages- look out for the next set of dates.

🚨 A really busy first year as our local Member of Parliament 🚨 From saving jobs at Hitachi and the Aycliffe semi-conductor plant, to helping residents with over 4,300 individual issues - I'm proud to have served our local community 👇

The volunteers at Man Health run regular sessions in Aycliffe and Spennymoor where men can talk about mental health challenges, as well as organising walks, football groups and other activities to build physical health. Check out www.manhealth.org.uk for more information.

Happy 70th anniversary to Spennymoor Gala! Great to see so many families enjoying the weather in Jubilee Park yesterday and good to meet lots of our brilliant community organisations. Well done to all of the organisers, stallholders and performers who made the Gala and the parade such a good day.

Really interesting visit to Chilton Power Station, which produces electricity for 23,000 homes. The plants diverts waste wood from landfill and uses it to power a steam turbine, which creates energy. Good to see how it works and learn more about the industry.

Proud to speak at the closing ceremony for the Knife Angel today in Aycliffe town centre. Over 2,000 young people have attended knife crime education classes since this statue, made of 100,000 surrendered blades, arrived at the start of June. Huge thanks to everyone involved.

Busy surgery in Ferryhill this evening helping residents with NHS, planning, immigration and benefits issues, as well as hearing some creative ideas for our town centres. I hold regular surgeries across our constituency - look out for future dates.

To mark Armed Forces Week I was proud to lead a debate in Parliament on military recruitment in the North East. Powerful speeches from Members of Parliament from across our region, celebrating the contribution of our service personnel and discussing how to recruit the next generation.

I’ve welcomed the Labour government’s ambitious plans to support British industry. Here’s my question about how high-tech small businesses in Sedgefield will be supported.

The anti-social behaviour we’ve seen in Spennymoor is completely unacceptable. Today I raised this issue in Parliament 👇

£6,500 ✅ That’s how much the average family will save every year due to this government’s rollout of 30 hours of free childcare.

The Labour government is putting major investment into our transport system🚉 This includes extending the £3 cap on bus fares until 2027 and improvements to our roads and railways.

Delighted to be at St. Edmund’s Church in Sedgefield today to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Parish. Well done to Revd David Lucas and thanks to the volunteers who organised a wonderful lunch at Ceddesfield Hall. Really good to see so many residents taking part.