Welcome to my September Community Update

Parliament has been in recess over the past month, which has allowed me to spend more time in the constituency.

As Parliament returns this month, the country gets a new Prime Minister. I will be focused on holding them and the Government to account.

Cost of Living Crisis

Many people across Brightside and Hillsborough will be very worried about the cost of living crisis and the rising energy price cap in October. I am deeply concerned about the impact this will have on thousands of households in our area.

I have set up a new webpage to signpost people to help, support and advice. This can be accessed at gillfurniss.com/costofliving and will be updated regularly as new information and help becomes available.

The zombie government buried their head in the sand the whole Summer. Boris Johnson and his ministers went missing on the day the price cap rise was announced, unable to make TV appearances to answer questions for concerned viewers.

The Tory Leadership contenders, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, have been no better. They are both wrapped up in the failures of this Government and neither of them has a credible plan to tackle the cost of living crisis or to grow the economy.

One thing is clear, only Labour can provide the fresh start this country needs.

Labour’s Plan for Energy Bills

Labour has a fully-funded plan that would stop the energy price cap rise this Winter. No ifs, no buts. That means customers wouldn’t pay a penny more this Winter.

The plan would make sure oil and gas companies would pay their fair share. The plan would also make sure people on pre-payment meters were not being unfairly charged more.

We would also solve the energy crisis for good, by insulating every home that needs it to get bills down and investing in home-grown renewable energy for cheaper bills and energy independence.

To read more about the plan, visit labour.org.uk/issues/labours-plan-to-cut-bills

Stop Tory Bus Cuts

I was out with councillors in Firth Park talking to people about our bus cuts campaign. The Government has listened to our campaign and implemented a further six months of bus funding. This is welcome but pushes the problem down the road.

Supporting CWU Posties

I joined CWU members at the picket line at Sheffield North East Delivery Office this week.

Royal Mail workers worked throughout the pandemic to keep the country connected, delivering parcels and covid tests. They deserve a fair pay settlement during the cost of living crisis.

Royal Mail needs to get back around the negotiating table and work with CWU to deliver a fair pay settlement.

Opening Yorkshire Natural History Museum

It was great to attend the opening of the Yorkshire Natural History Museum. The museum has been opened by James Hogg. James is 23 and has donated his vast personal collection of fossils and minerals.

This is a great addition to Hillsborough and a great family attraction. It is well worth a visit.

James is very ambitious about the museum and the role it has in research. It is great to have a museum like this in the North of England and even better to have it in Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough.

For more information, visit ynhm.org

Kenyans in Sheffield Launch

I was very grateful for an invitation to the Kenyans in Sheffield and Surrounding Areas Association’s (KISA-UK) Launch event in our constituency. The event was organised by a group of formidable women and centred around tackling loneliness and social isolation in the Kenyan community.

It was a pleasure to launch the organisation at the event, which featured a fashion show and live music. I’m looking forward to working with KISA-UK in the future.