Today, we pause to remember all those who have died in service of our country, and express gratitude to the brave personnel who continue to serve. We will never forget the sacrifice and service of those who defended our country and fought for our freedom.

This Remembrance Sunday, we stand together in Halesowen to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who gave everything for our freedom. From the battlefields of the past to the peace we cherish today, we remember them — and all who continue to serve our country. We will remember them.

Labour's new defence housing strategy is having a local impact - 2,538 homes in the West Midlands are set to benefit from it🏠

I am relieved to hear that the mistakenly released prisoner was apprehended today. This is clearly a failure in our prison system. Watch my response to this news and my thoughts on the broken prison system that we inherited from the Conservatives.

It was good to join Sarah Coombes MP, the West Midlands Road Safety commissioner and Sarah Chaundler to hear about their campaign for road safety in the West Midlands. I’m fighting for improved measures in Halesowen to tackle speeding, dangerous driving and noise pollution.

Many of you will know David (Herbie) Herbert as the drill sergeant for Halesowen’s annual Remembrance Sunday. It was a real pleasure to invite him to No 10 Downing Street for a Veterans Reception on Monday evening. Great to meet so many other veterans who have served our country.

"We should be encouraging councils to ensure value for money and good service delivery for residents everywhere"👥 Watch me discuss the 4-Day Working Week in response to the Liberal Democrat Council in South Cambridgeshire who have introduced a 4-day work week for council staff.

Delighted to join 38 degrees to submit our petition to No 10 Downing Street today. Nearly 70,000 people are calling on the Government to increase taxes on online gambling companies to help fund a reduction in child poverty. Online gambling companies make huge profits from deprived communities.

The Defence Housing Strategy, the biggest change to Armed Forces housing for over 50 years🏠

How this Labour government is already transforming how you get healthcare: 📝 200,000 people off waiting lists ✅ 5 million new appointments 🥼 2,000 new GPs recruited 🦷 700,000 extra dental appointments 💊 Prescriptions under £10

Youth workers make a vital contribution to the outcomes of young people in Halesowen🌟 Find out how I am supporting Youth Work Week 2025: www.expressandstar.com/your-world/2...

It was great to meet some members of Brent Council to discuss their campaign to Stop the Spread of Gambling Dens on High Streets. The law means it's virtually impossible for local councils to say no to new gambling shops. We must take back control of our high streets.

To combat loneliness and help household budgets stretch further, our local Asda has brought back their popular ‘Winter Warmer’ for the over 60s. Soup, bread and unlimited tea or coffee for just £1, alongside what could be a vital opportunity to chat to others.

I enjoyed selling poppies alongside the Cradley Royal British Legion last Friday. If you're interested in volunteering with the Cradley Royal British Legion, get in touch with myself and one of the team will help you get involved.

The UK has sealed an £8 billion defence export agreement to supply 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, marking Britain’s biggest fighter jet sale in almost two decades✈️ Keir Starmer hailed it as “a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security.” 🛡️

🏡 Big changes are coming for renters in Halesowen! These new rules aim to make renting fairer and more secure — no more bidding wars, unfair evictions, or excessive upfront costs. #Halesowen #TenantsRights #FairRenting

📜 The Victims and Courts Bill📜 More support for victims, more efficient court procedures, increased accountability for offenders. These changes will make our justice system fairer⚖️

For far too long, residents who live in close proximity to the A456 have been distressed, unsettled and kept awake by late night speeding and anti-social driving. Here is a link to sign the petition: www.change.org/p/improve-ro...

"If the government cannot deliver hope for the next generation then we've failed in our most basic task" Watch me discussing the Clean Energy Revolution🍃 and the Youth Experience Scheme✈️ Young people will always be this Labour government's priority🌹

A statement regarding the racially aggravated rapes in Oldbury and Walsall.

After the appalling attack in Peacehaven it is important that all members of our community feel safe. The Government is providing an additional £10 million to help further protect Muslim communities from hate. Click the link to read more: www.labourhome.co.uk/_10_million_...

Britain is better than the harmful and racist comments made by Reform MP Sarah Pochin. Nigel Farage claims there's no room for racism in his party - now he has the opportunity to prove that's true. However, "the deafening silence from [him] says it all."

"That's real money, in the pockets of real people" 📈 Watch me speaking recently about how this Labour government is positively impacting your wages.

I had the pleasure of speaking at the Bristol Hub for Gambling Research 2025. 20% of the UK population is being harmed, directly or indirectly, by gambling, and up to 496 suicides are linked to gambling every year in England. Thank you to everyone involved in organising such an important event.

"Defending our democracy is not just about soldiers on the battlefield. It's about all of us refusing to let the truth be taken hostage". Watch to find out more about Russia's war on democracy.

Net zero = job growth 🔧 🍃 In Sandwell, clean industries boosted employment by over 10% last year - powering a greener, stronger local economy. Labour's Clean Energy Plan aims to nearly double the number of jobs in the clean energy sector by 2030. Proof that going green means growing jobs!

"There are 50% less people waiting over a year for operations" 💬 I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Cambridge Union. Watch to find out how this Labour government is prioritising your healthcare🩺

It was a pleasure to meet the brilliant team at Citizens Advice Cradley Heath and see their mobile advice van, Cassie, in action. Huge thanks to the team for the warm welcome and for the vital work they do every day to support our communities.

We don’t just go out door knocking at election time - we’re out and about all year round, talking to our neighbours, and discussing the issues that affect our area.

I am proud to support RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims. Too many people are killed and injured in preventable traffic collisions. I will continue to champion safer roads and stronger support for victims.

Congratulations to Halesowen In Bloom for this wonderful achievement. Thank you for brightening up our community! 🌷 🌼

Last winter, the flu vaccination prevented around 100,000 people from being admitted to hospital in England - but many more could have been protected if more eligible people had taken up the offer. Last week I received my vaccine in Parliament - if you’re eligible, you should get the jab too.

Wishing Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and everyone celebrating across Halesowen a joyful Diwali. We can all take inspiration from the message of hope and light in the darkness.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, promoting early detection, supporting research, and fundraising. Read my latest article in the Express & Star to learn about the work that the team at Asda Halesowen are doing.

Great to hear that the Dudley Borough has been chosen as one of six new #HeritagePlaces by @HeritageFundUK. This support will help unlock the potential of our heritage and make us all proud to call this place home. #HeritageFund #NationalLottery www.heritagefund.org.uk/six-new-heri...

After 14 years of Conservative government, levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010. This Labour Government will never stand idly by in the face of rising homelessness and rough sleeping.

Good chat with the Veterans Minister to talk about protecting service people and veterans from gambling harm.

Labour’s plan is working - and so is Halesowen! Labour is making work pay and helping people find decent jobs. In Halesowen, the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits has fallen over the past year. That means more people in work and a stronger local economy.

As part of my SaferRoadsSaferStreets campaign, I’ve written to the Transport Minister urging action on uninsured driving as part of the upcoming Road Safety Strategy. We need stronger enforcement to protect law-abiding drivers and bring down insurance costs for everyone.

This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week. A time to honour and remember the babies lost too soon, and to stand in solidarity with every family affected by pregnancy and infant loss. #YouAreNotAlone. I am pleased to support @AchingArms.bsky.social who provide comfort bears to support families in need.

It was good to catch up with the team from the Premier League - to see the trophy - and to talk about how best we can support grassroots football teams, for young and old, across our communities.

Another example of a complete lack of responsibility by gambling operators, and a reminder of the urgent need for greater regulation…

It was fun to meet the team from Sainsbury’s and hear more about their plans to make food joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone every day.

Great to speak to the MCS Foundation about Labour's plan to cut energy bills in Halesowen. Labour will drive clean energy deployment to create jobs, boost energy independence, and make sure that taxpayers reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy.

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay – a reminder that mental health is as important as physical health. Next week, Parliament debates the final stages of the Mental Health Bill to modernise the law and strengthen patient rights. #MentalHealthMatters

I’m pleased that support is being rolled out to students studying technical qualifications - as well as students on traditional degree courses. This is a great way to make sure that we have a workforce fit for the future. Read my column

The announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza offers hope for peace in the region. Please see my statement on this important development.

Beyond revenue? I met with fellow campaigners to talk about how we can make things fairer for both consumers and the small businesses that are the driving force of our economy.

Dementia affects one in two of us during our lifetimes. It was good to meet the team from Dementia UK to talk about how we can transform care in hospitals and in the community.

Matt, Gaye and the team at Halesowen Asda are raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month as part of their Tickled Pink campaign! Pop in to visit them and see what it’s all about.