July Community Update

July 2023 Community Update

Opening of Sheffield’s new Royal Mail delivery office

I was delighted to attend the opening of the new Royal Mail Sheffield North East Delivery Office.

Last year I was invited to put the first spade in the ground as construction began on the site, and it was a pleasure to return to cut the ribbon on the new state-of-the-art building.

Tackling LGBTQ+ youth homelessness

I recently met with the Charity AKT to learn more about their work to tackle LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.

AKT works with 16-25 year olds in the UK who identify as LGBTQ+ and are experiencing homelessness or struggling with their housing situation.

Coming out, or being outed as LGBTQ+, can lead to young people being made homeless. 24% of homeless young people identify as LGBTQ+.

Once homeless, LGBTQ+ young people are also more likely to face violence and discrimination.

77% of the LGBTQ+ young people AKT work with believe coming out at home was the main factor in causing their homelessness and so it’s vital that they are supported in an environment that is inclusive and celebrates their identities in order to improve their life outcomes.

Details of how to refer a young person to AKT can be found at akt.org.uk/refer

Summer Reading Challenge 2023

I am delighted to support The Reading Agency’s mission to encourage all primary school children to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The Challenge launches across England on Saturday 8th July.

This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit their library to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, and games.

For more information on how to get involved, visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Casework Corner

Over the past month, my team and I have opened 412 new cases, helping people with their issues and concerns.

The most common issues raised with me were:

Animal welfare
Health services
Education

Improving support for veterans

To mark Armed Forces Week, I was pleased to secure a Westminster Hall Debate on support and services for veterans.

I am proud to have been a Councillor in Sheffield when we signed up the Armed Forces Covenant, which states that soldiers must be treated with respect and recognition for their service. Sadly, across the country that is a far cry from the reality faced by many veterans. According to a survey, three-quarters of veterans had a ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ experience with Veterans UK, the Government body tasked with supporting veterans to adapt to civilian life.

The next Labour Government will sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, and taking tangible steps to improve the lives of all our veterans who deserve our full admiration.

Labour’s Shadow Roads Minister – Transport Questions: Active Travel

In June’s Transport Questions, I held Ministers to account on their failures on active travel. Two years ago, the Government set themselves four targets to improve active travel uptake. But a new report has uncovered that their own analysis shows they are not confident of meeting a single one of them. And on top of this, they are slashing active travel funding by 60% next year. Safe to say their commitments on air quality, the environment and people’s health are lying in tatters.

Labour policy: world-class teaching in every classroom

The next Labour Government will bring back respect for teaching and tackle the recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher vacancies have doubled in the last two years, and more than 40,000 teachers left their jobs in the last year. Labour will give £2,400 to teachers in the very early stages of their career to encourage them to carry on in the profession. This will be paid for by ending the tax breaks private schools enjoy.

Autumn members’ coffee morning

This Autumn, I will be hosting a coffee morning to catch up with local Labour Party members in a friendly and relaxed environment. Further details will be circulated in the summer, so keep an eye out for your invitation. I hope to see you there!