I today held a Chamber of Commerce area meeting in Washington and Gateshead South alongside the North East Chamber of Commerce. This meeting was attended by businesses and employers across the local area to discuss the issues that matter most for the north east.

This government is on the side of families. Whether that is tackling the cost of living, or helping navigate the rapidly changing online world. Today, we publish non-judgemental, practical tips, developed with parents, experts and led by evidence to manage under-5s’ screen time.

Today I was very happy to visit Lighthouse Therapy Group in my constituency of Washington and Gateshead South. Lighthouse Therapy Group is a private counselling practice that are committed to supporting the mental health of our local Washington residents.

Jarrow & Gateshead East & our neighbouring constituency Sunderland rank in the top 3 for illicit & illegal trade, that's why I've organised an event today & invited @northumbriaopcc.bsky.social ,local councils, shopkeepers and stakeholders to look at how we work together to crack down on this issue.

Illicit and Illegal Trade in the North East As I said to BBC Newcastle this is not just about illegal cigarettes and vapes, we are seeing organised crime profit at the expense of local communities

It fuels anti social behaviour and is a blight on our high streets, the Tobacco and vape bill passed this week thanks to the great work by @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social on her first legislation as Minister will help us tackle this issue and give more power and resources to Trading Standards.

The UK Gov's consultation on applying the 2018 Nutrient Profile Model to junk food marketing restrictions + promotions is live! We fully support Prevention Minister @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social and her team in pursuing this vital update to food policy that will help tackle obesity & prevent cancer.

I confirmed that as a government we remain firmly committed to honouring each and every one of the commitments we made in our manifesto 👇🏻

On Tuesday, I gave evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee as part of their pre-legislative scrutiny of our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill 🧵

An emotive but powerful morning yesterday responding to the Westminster Hall debate on Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. It was heartbreaking to hear personal and constituent stories from members across the house. 🧵 (1/3)

A key theme throughout my parliamentary career has always been to push for a healthier and happier society. It is an honour to now be at the forefront of this work as Public Health and Prevention Minister.

I was proud to make my first appearance as Minister responding to a Westminster Hall debate on Monday for such a crucial cause. The debate “Funding so all infants are offered Type 1 diabetes testing in routine care” was granted after the petition reached over 120,000 signatures.

📉 Wait lists have fallen again by 43k in January - 374k in 18 months. 🚑 Fastest ambulance response in 5 years, down to less than 29 mins for heart attacks and stroke 🏥 A&E waits the shortest for four years despite a hugely demanding winter Lots done, lots more to do.

It was an honour to speak yesterday at The Eve Appeal’s Parliamentary Event, as Minister for Public Health and Prevention, to mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 🧵(1/4)

Celebrating the strength and diversity of our Commonwealth family. This year’s theme - Unlocking opportunities together - captures our shared drive to boost growth, empower young people, and tackle global challenges side by side. Happy #CommonwealthDay!

It may be 11pm, but it is very much worth it. The things we have to fight for, though, are astonishing.

Labour MPs just voted to expand free school meals to half a million more children, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty. The Tories and Reform UK voted against. Only Labour will give children growing up in our country the best start in life.

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I was proud to drop into Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal Parliament Event this week to support their vital work in providing crucial nursing care and support for people living with terminal illnesses. (1/2)

Many congratulations. It’s a great role and a fine department. All the very best- you’ll do a great job. Good luck! AB

So proud of you Sharon. You’ll be brilliant xxx

I am honoured to have been appointed as the Minister for Public Health and Prevention in the Department of Health and Social Care. 🌹🩺

The Government has today launched a landmark consultation on UK children's digital wellbeing, covering social media age bans, curfews, AI chatbots and gaming. Labour is taking action to protect our children online and allow them the safe space they need to grow.🌹

Yesterday the Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner published its report on Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking through Adult Service Websites (ASWs). Its findings confirm what we already thought was the case: these websites are active enablers of exploitation and must be outlawed. (1/3)

Violence against women and girls is an abhorrent stain on our society. The action we take against it, therefore, is nothing short of a moral mission. 🧵: (1/3) www.sunderlandecho.com/news/opinion...

Don’t look back in anger… on Friday. Only Labour can beat Reform. 👇🏻 www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

60 years ago, the ‘University of the Air’ White Paper set out a radical vision that still drives us today: your background or location should never be a barrier to education. That became the @openuniversity.bsky.social, proving that great education truly can reach anyone, anywhere.

We're fixing the front door of the NHS. More GPs. Same-day urgent appointments. Backed by an extra £485 million for GP practices. Through investment and modernisation, we are rebuilding our NHS.

For too long too many children haven’t had the support they need to succeed. That must change. Labour will transform our schools system so every child can achieve and thrive. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

At the OSCE PA conference in Vienna, I was proud to reiterate the UK’s support for Ukraine. I also highlighted the OSCE’s efforts to return the stolen Ukrainian children and free the three OSCE officials wrongly imprisoned in Russia.

Here's a roundup of some of my recent work in Parliament and across the constituency 🌹

📱 Closing a loophole in the Online Safety Act to crack down on vile content created by AI chatbots 💻 New powers so that Governments can act within months rather than years as technology evolves. 👧 A consultation on children’s digital wellbeing - launching next month - to guide our next steps

Read my opinion piece below urging ministers to include primary legislation to stop ticket touting in the next King's speech! 🌹🎟️

Saturday marks two years since the publication of the Hughes report which called for compensation for those harmed by the mesh and valproate scandals. Two long years have passed with no official government response. 🧵(1/2)

This week I visited Central Park Primary School in East Ham, showcasing some of our country’s very best school food, supported by Juniper Ventures and Newham Borough Council’s trailblazing ‘Eat for Free’ initiative, which has been providing universal free school meals since 2009.

Yesterday I voted to scrap the two-child benefit cap and invest in our country’s future. The previous Government left us with a record number of children in poverty. The actions of this Labour Government will take 450,000 children out of poverty and radically improve their health and education.🌹

I was touched to drop into the ‘Owain’s Law’ event in Parliament yesterday. Owain’s Law would mean that every brain tumour patient would have the right to decide how their tumour tissue is stored and used, whether it be for treatment or for research. 🧵: (1/3)

It was a pleasure to show my support for cancer research, in parliament on Monday for the World Cancer day drop in. It was inspiring to hear about their goals to remove red tape and speed up patient access to clinical trials and make the NHS the UK’s leading research launchpad for innovators. 🧵: 1/2

Tonight, Labour MPs voted to scrap the two child limit – a move that puts us on course to drive the biggest reduction of child poverty in a single Parliament. The Tories and Reform UK voted against it. Don’t let anyone tell you voting Labour doesn’t make a difference 🌹

From this April, almost 1000 children in my constituency now have access to a free Breakfast Club. That means better starts to the school day, improved concentration in class, and real support for families facing cost-of-living pressures.

📰 'Police chiefs present prostitution as legitimate work amid guidance to dub workers as 'sexual entrepreneurs'' "The use of this highly contested language by the NPCC is wholly inappropriate." @tonia-antoniazzi.bsky.social www.gbnews.com/news/police-...

Only Labour can defeat Reform in Gorton and Denton. A vote for the Greens or any other party risks them getting in. We are a tolerant, proud, progressive city and we don’t want their divisive brand of politics here.

Our music industry is renowned worldwide, therefore music venues and studios should be protected as important cultural assets. I am therefore proud to add my name to this letter and support the next generation of artists.

🕯️Today is #HolocaustMemorialDay. I joined the March of the Living in 2023 with my friend @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social and some incredible British survivors of Auschwitz. The size of the operation, the dehumanisation and mass murder is horrifying. 1.5m Jews were exterminated at Auschwitz I & II ✡️

Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day and now it is more important than ever to remember all victims of genocide and vow that it can never happen again. We must learn from the tragic events of the Holocaust and stand up to hate, division and intolerance wherever we find it.

Please note I am unable to take casework over Bluesky. If you need help or support from my office, I encourage constituents to contact my office via email. Alternatively you can also telephone or email.

Brave Iranian protestors are being butchered - we now need action not words. This means targeted military strikes that degrade the Iranian regime's ability to kill its own citizens. My article for @labourlist.bsky.social sets out the case 🔽

I thoroughly enjoyed popping into the British Beauty Council’s ‘Value of Beauty’ drop in in Parliament today. As a proud officer of the Beauty APPG I am always glad to celebrate the socioeconomic contribution the beauty industry makes to this country as well as making people feel their best! (1/2)

Here's a round-up of my recent weeks in Parliament 🌹

I spoke to @bethrigby.bsky.social in Manchester recently about how the cost of living is the most important issue for my residents. Tackling it is what we need to all focus on. Full interview here 👇🏻 youtu.be/tmKE6HX4C-w?...