I was privileged to attend the 15th Japan Matsuri 2025 in Trafalgar Square, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of Japanese food and culture, alongside the Japanese Ambassador and other Parliamentarians. The recent growth in UK-Japanese relations has had enormous impact on our economy and security.

Kemi Badenoch should throw Liz Truss out of the Tory party. See my letter below 👇

Despite reselling unauthorised football tickets being illegal under UK law, this practice is till taking place. 🎟️ The Government must crack down on these black market ticketing websites and make ticketing legislation supranational to stop touts based overseas.

Here's a roundup of my week in Parliament 🌹

Today marks World Patient Safety Day 2025: a day annually which aims to drive global action to enhance patient safety and raise awareness. 🧵 (1/8) #patientsafetyday2025

Here’s why Labour members are backing @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for Deputy Leader ⬇️

It is a privilege to have received a letter from the President and Secretary General of the OSCE. Having led several delegations on the UK’s behalf for the OSCE, I know first-hand the amazing work the organisation does to promote peace and democracy worldwide.

Fair play to @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social for pushing so hard against ticket touts So frustrating to spend hours trying my Radiohead code, doing everything AXS asked, only to be repeatedly told the system thinks I’m a bot and get closed down Meanwhile the touts & their bots have had a field day

Well said Sharon ! Stay strong!

Debate is a part of politics but violence is never appropriate. The attack on @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social office is part of the growing threats. So for the second time in 24 hours, I’ll again say that violence and intimidation must have no place in politics if we want to protect our democracy.

Good thoughts to @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social and her staff. She's shown profound dignity and resolve following the fire in her office. If this was a targeted attack, everyone needs to be clear that this can't be how politics works.

In light of Patient Safety Day this September, campaigners, patients, patient representatives and parliamentarians today joined together outside Parliament to call on the Government to implement all of the recommendations of the Cumberlege Review. 🧵: (1/4)

The hard right are telling young people where I come from that it doesn't matter if they work hard in life, they can't get on. Theirs is a politics of simple slogans, of scapegoats and traitors, of betrayal and division. The only way to beat them is to unite and deliver.

An honour to address @tuc.org.uk. I've learned so much from my community, it shaped me. The values that underpin our movement motivate me every day. It's time we unite, put them into practice and build a modern Britain that works for working people.

Labour’s NHS league tables will drive up standards and help to deliver better NHS services for you and your family.

In light of Patient Safety Month during September, I attended our Patient Safety Commissioner Henrietta Hughes' impact paper launch event. 🧵(1/4)

Here's a roundup of my week in Parliament, and some events from over the House of Commons summer recess 🌹

It was empowering to attend a debate this week on the impact of pornography and prostitution on violence against women and girls. (1/4)

I was proud to honour Paul Holborn in business questions this morning in Parliament. Paul’s achievements truly are remarkable and he has my full support and best wishes for his next challenges. (1/2)

30 government-funded hours wasn’t the end. Today Labour’s announcing another 300 school-based nurseries. Accessible, affordable, convenient early years education for working families – saving time on the drop-off & saving money on childcare. Labour’s Plan for Change in action.

Children across London return to school this week - and to another year of free school meals. I’m delighted that we’re continuing to fund free school meals for all state primary schools so that all children have to worry about is making the most of being back at school.

We must fight the far right and their false patriotism. An excerpt from my Battle of Britain commemoration speech - see the full speech here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

This #GynaecologicalCancerAwarenessMonth I’m joining colleagues and @targetovarian.bsky.social to urge the Government to consider using cervical screening information as an opportunity to signpost to other gynaecological cancers which do not have a screening programme.

This is thanks to all that campaigning you have brilliantly done over years. Well done you. Proud to call you a friend. X

Fantastic to speak at NOURISH: a school meals dialogue with @worldvisionuk.bsky.social today. I was able to hear from young people and they shared invaluable experiences, meaning we are one step closer to ensuring all children are receiving a nutritious school meal, no matter where they are from.

📣 Parents in Washington and Gateshead South - big childcare news! 👧🏻 From today, the Labour government is providing 30 hours of government-funded childcare. 💸 That's a saving of £7,500 for local families and a brilliant way to ensure your child's getting brilliant early years education.

(1/2) It was great to be able to congratulate the wonderful Greta Defeyter on all of her great work co-designing HAF programmes with young people across the North East today. Today's announcement for the 3 year funding of HAF clubs like this will provide stability for families and providers alike.

(1/2) It is brilliant to see that Best Start Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) clubs in my constituency such as those I visited last week at Harraton Community Centre and Everyone Active at Washington Leisure Centre are guaranteed long-term investment in their future with today's announcement.

Last week I visited the Great North Air Ambulance Service's base in Stockton-on-Tees ahead of Air Ambulance week in September. It was fascinating to learn about the vital role that the service plays in our constituencies across the North, as well as to learn about the challenges they are facing.

I want residents to be aware that I have received threats of death and violence directly posted in response to a misleading video recently shared by the MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore. See my full statement below:

Eye opening article on the asylum-hotel situation. Reform provide no solutions to this issue. This is precisely because they want to exploit the issue for their own gain. (1/3) 🧵

It was brilliant to visit two Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) projects in my constituency, including at Harraton Community Centre and Washington Leisure Centre. They provide great activities and healthy food for children during school holidays, helping families and supporting young people to thrive.

Lovely to meet with shopkeepers in Washington today, to discuss issues that our local stores are experiencing and concerns regarding anti-social behaviour

I had a great time visiting Komatsu in Birtley today, meeting their new Managing Director, learning a bit more about the history of the company, hearing about their plans for the future, and also seeing the work done in their factory each day.

Congratulations to students collecting results today! 🎉 You’ve worked so hard and should be proud, as should all your brilliant teachers, staff & parents. Whichever path you want to take, we’re creating more opportunities for you through our Plan for Change. #Results25

It was lovely to visit Pawz for Thought in Sunderland yesterday. I met some of their staff and learned more about their latest campaign, Project CatSnip. Many local cats and kittens are feral, with no homes or owners. Because cats reproduce quickly, numbers can grow fast.

It was great fun to visit Oxclose and District Young People's Project's Family Fun Day yesterday in Glebe Park. It was great to see all the amazing work and effort put in to creating a lovely experience for children and families with many activities to entertain all. The weather was perfect also ☀☀☀

As part of the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods, our local area has received £20 million to spend over 10 years, and you can have a say on how it should be spent. What matters most to you? Share your views before midnight on Tuesday 30 September 2025. Visit washington.commonplace.is

Skills will power this mission-driven government and our Plan for Change. That's why Labour is supporting homegrown domestic talent into rewarding jobs and growing our economy. With our new construction Technical Excellence College in Sunderland, I believe that the North East can lead the way!

Today I had the opportunity to visit Turntide, a growing global business based in my constituency. At such an exciting time in their expansion and development, I am so pleased that our area is home to such a fantastic firm delivering decarbonisation, electrification and sustainability.

Yesterday I had the pleasure to visit the Lumo Train Headquarters in Newcastle, to meet and speak with their team, see what it takes to drive a train, and to discuss the expansion of their services north from Newcastle to Glasgow.