November 2024 newsletter

Budget debate—supporting Further Education

I was pleased to speak in support of Labour’s first budget in 14 years, and the first budget to be delivered by a woman Chancellor.

I raised the importance of Further Education in generating growth and building the workforce of the future, and welcomed the extra £300 million of funding announced in the budget.

There is a huge amount of expertise in this Government, including our new Skills Minister, Baroness Jacqui Smith, who will be a strong voice for the value of further education in the skills agenda.

This is the difference a Labour Government makes.

Celebrating 200 years of the RSPCA

The RSPCA recently celebrated its 200th birthday, a milestone achievement for all the hardworking staff and volunteers who have kept it going for all this time.

To mark the occasion, I was delighted to visit our local Sheffield RSPCA branch. I met Mel, a lurcher who has been with them for a long while after she was sadly abandoned.

If you might be able to rehome Mel, or another rescue animal, then please do take a look by searching ‘RSPCA Sheffield’ or visiting: https://rspca.org.uk/local/findapet/-/rspca/sheffield-branch/

Visit to Sheffield Boxing Centre

It was a pleasure to visit the Sheffield Boxing Centre, run by Glyn Rhodes MBE. I congratulated Glyn on running a hugely successful Unity Day a few months ago, where he brought the community together in the midst of the nationwide riots.

This is a fantastic facility for the community, helping both adults and children stay active, socialise with others, and learn important life skills.

I want to thank Glyn and everybody at the centre for their warm welcome and for allowing me to see their work in action.

Casework Corner

Over the past month, my team and I have opened 724 new cases, helping constituents with their issues and concerns.

The most common topics raised with me were:

1. Social security and pensions
2. International Affairs
3. Business and consumers

Please get in touch if I can be of any assistance.

Orgreave truth and justice campaign

I recently met with representatives from the Orgreave Truth and Justice campaign to discuss their ongoing campaign for an inquiry. After 40 years of waiting, we must now ensure that the truth about the events at Orgreave comes to light and I commend campaigners for their tireless fight for justice.

South Yorkshire bus franchising consultation

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce bus franchising in South Yorkshire to take control of the depots, bus fleet, routes and fares to make sure buses work better for the public.

For more information and to have your say, search ‘SYMCA bus reform’ or follow this link:

https://southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/bus-reform/

National Audit Office report into SEND provision

I know that many people will share my deep concern about the state of SEND provision.  The National Audit Office has found that children with special education needs and disabilities have been let down by 14 years of underfunding under the previous Government.

Families know that the system is broken. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has made it her mission to build a system where every child is able to achieve and thrive.

This Government was elected to deliver change, and I will fight to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.

Woodhouse by-election

A by-election to elect a new Councillor in Woodhouse will take place on the 28th of November. I encourage all members to come out and support our fantastic Labour candidate, Saj Ghafur.

Find campaigning events near you by searching ‘Labour Events’ or visit: https://events.labour.org.uk/

Labour introduces Employment Rights Bill

The Labour Government has delivered on its manifesto commitment to bring forward its Employment Rights Bill within its first 100 days.

This Bill includes over 30 reforms to make work pay, including:

– Day 1 rights of employment, such as protection from unfair dismissal

– Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and the scourge of fire and rehire

– Strengthening statutory sick pay and establishing the Fair Work Agency