*Beacon Lough & Wrekenton* You have so many ideas of how to spend the £20 million Pride in Place funding. The good news is it's up to you - not politicians or civil servants in London - to make your own decisions! I loved spending the morning at Larkspur House listening to your ideas.

👀 Yesterday Nigel Farage teamed up with the Tories and Lib Dems to vote against key measures in Labour's employment rights package.

Who doesn't love a pie? Great Northern Provisions - launched by renowned North East chef Chris Eagle during the pandemic - is another small business success story for Gateshead.

🔥BIG NEWS! We've changed the law to make life better for renters. youtube.com/shorts/id6bB...

On my way down to Westminster for a few days after a great weekend. Our community has so much happening and so much going for it

Three generations of Ferguson at the GIS today to watch Gateshead fight back from 2 down to draw 2-2 (one of us might have watched a bit of Peppa Pig as well)

At Big Local Gateshead in Dunston today for the opening of the “Pitt Stop” along with local councillor Brenda Clelland and Gateshead Mayor Freda Geddes. It’s brilliant to see how the space has been transformed in just a few months. With new homes next door on the way - it’s an exciting time locally

Yesterday was my first outing at the despatch box, which is a rare occasion for a Government Whip. I relished the opportunity to talk about our brilliant cooperative sector which brings over 1.3 million jobs to our economy and puts the power to the people, not the shareholders.

*This is a message to Ampco Pittsburgh Corporation* Your treatment of the workers at Union Electric Steel UK is an absolute disgrace. youtube.com/shorts/Igv_v...

✈ Last night Labour voted for more investment in sustainable aviation fuel. We're changing the law to: 💺cut carbon emissions from air travel 👷create more clean energy jobs in communities like ours 💷put more pounds in people’s pockets Labour voted down Tory/Lib Dem red tape. Reform didn't show up!

When I stood for election I promised that under Labour you would have more neighbourhood police to tackle crime and keep our streets safe. This is one of my five priorities for Gateshead Central and Whickham.

🌍 World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity for us to come together to talk about mental health. But starting a conversation isn’t always easy. Whether you’d like to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, or check-in with someone you care about, there is always support:

Thanks to everyone who came to my latest constituency surgery. The issues raised ranged from anti social behaviour to SEND and immigration issues. If you have a problem and think I might be able to help, get in touch on [email protected]

The sun is shining in Dunston today - and I’m out with local councillors and volunteers to deliver my Parliamentary report. If you live in Gateshead Central & Whickham and haven’t had the report through your door yet, you can read more about my work for and with our community at mark-ferguson.co.uk

Today my friend Bridget Phillipson the Education Secretary joined me and Council Leader Martin Gannon in Gateshead to meet with representatives of the local Jewish community. I am proud to be a friend to this special community - together we will stand with them, locally and nationally

Antisemitism is a scourge that must be tackled head on.

Last week Labour secured £20 million for Beacon Lough and Wrekenton. The 'Pride in Place' funding can be spent on a whole range of improvements, from local park improvements to fixing up empty buildings and shop fronts. Most importantly - it's up to you - the residents - to decide how its spent.

⛪ This afternoon I visited St Nicholas Church in Dunston. This weekend they mark their 60th anniversary. You can pop in for the church open day tomorrow from 10am-4pm, with refreshments and an exhibition on display.

💥 YES! A brand new Lidl is coming to Gateshead! 👷 Construction is well underway, so shoppers will soon be able to enjoy a wider range of food options in Bensham. 🍩A new store means more local jobs and cheaper shopping right here in Gateshead. 😍 And yes, the bakery section! youtu.be/VyhWUcKyIGQ

It's amazing how many people haven't visited this local hidden treasure 🤯 Do you know where it is? Comment below.

🍋 This looks amazing and its FREE! 🥦

Last night Labour voted down every attempt by Reform and the Tories to water down our Employment Rights Bill.

Gills in Dunston serves up some of the tastiest fish and chips in Gateshead. The perfect Friday pitstop in the heart of my constituency. WHICH CHIPPY DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST IN GATESHEAD?

After a busy week in Westminster I’m heading back to Gateshead with Annie. As well as keeping me company on the train, she took part in the Westminster dog of the year show. Well done to all the winners and everyone else who took part

Great North Run complete. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me, doubling my initial target. You can still give to this worthy cause at: ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/mark-ferg...

It’s Great North Run Day

This Labour government is investing to give our children the best start in life. This week we've rolled out 30 hours of government-funded childcare, saving up to £7,500 and supporting more parents back into work.

Flag update - I thought it needed a better home than in my drawer though so I’ve brought it into Parliament with me on my first day back in Westminster. What do you think?

Beautiful building, even better good - breakfast for lunch at the Cafe Under The Spire in Bensham

You have 2 days left to save £7,500 on childcare. Labour's 30 hours of government-funded childcare kicks in on 1st September. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to see what you are entitled to. Our Plan for Change is putting more money into parents' pockets & giving children the best start in life

This is my flag.

📍Gateshead is open for Business 📈 Yesterday I welcomed my friend the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to Gateshead to discuss how we drive more investment into our area and build on the successes we already have.

Labour is cutting waiting lists and the 8am scramble for a GP appointment. The Pharmacy First scheme allows trained pharmacists to dispense prescription-only medication, without the need to see a GP, for the following conditions:

Labour is breaking down the barriers to opportunity for young people. This government is delivering: - ✅More youth services - ✅More after-school activities - ✅Building essential skills for life and work 👉 Read more: www.itv.com/news/2025-08...

BIN THE WIPE! I'm supporting the Bin the Wipe campaign to raise awareness of the damage to life in our rivers when wet wipes are flushed down the toilet. Wipes don't break down like toilet paper. They cause blockages, flooding and pollution in our rivers.

A new Gateshead themed beer - Goat’s Head - has been launched today in collaboration with some of Gateshead’s fantastic pubs and bars. Get yourself along for a pint this sunny Friday evening like I am at Axis. Cheers!

Thank you to everyone who came to my latest surgery this morning - we covered issues from SMEs to renters rights and everything in between. I hold surgeries all year round and my office in Dunston deals with thousands of queries - and you can always contact me on [email protected]

*Gateshead business sights water leaks from space*

“The Big Angel”

A few years ago there was a sign outside the Baltic that said “The North - Almost heaven” Anyway - here’s Saltwell Park this afternoon in the sunshine. Almost heaven indeed

Thanks to everyone at Craigielea Care Home in Low Fell for inviting me to visit ahead of their summer fun day. I’ve spent most of my working life campaigning for the rights of those in care and fighting for better pay and conditions for care workers - there’s more to do, but we are making progress

Beautiful day for a (slow) lunchtime run in Saltwell Park. I’m running the Great North Run in 6 weeks(!) for Cure Usher. Please consider donating to find a cure for this rare inherited disease which causes deaf blindness ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/mark-ferg...

It’s Coming Home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Congratulations to the two time European champions, the Lionesses!

Tonight Gateshead hosted the first televised Prom from outside of London *ever* and JADE absolutely smashed it. We are so lucky to have the Glasshouse, and tonight it was the venue for a concert full of pride in our region. Amazing things are happening in Gateshead

Fantastic hire by @labourlist.bsky.social - when I was Editor, Emma was one of best contributors to the site in every sense. She understands what LabourList is and what it has the power to be. Good luck @emmaburnell.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/07/new-...

A beautiful sunny summer evening - and the Nine Pins has reopened

Can’t beat the Staiths cafe. Or Vera

Every month I make time to listen to young people in Gateshead Central & Whickham, visiting schools and colleges, breakfast clubs and holiday activities. Last week I held a surgery for local young people to raise the issues that matter to them. We discussed a number of topics, including: