Without the Access to Work scheme, up to 50,000 disabled people across the country could find themselves out of work. I recently shared my story of accessing the scheme in 2009 following a serious neurological illness.

I urge the Government to give Access to Work significantly more funding.

No.

This weekend was action packed on the Labour doorstep!

I spoke to residents in Bloemfontein, Bournmoor, Chester-le-Street and popped over to help our friends in Blaydon & Consett ahead of the Gateshead Council elections.

We had some nice spring weather, and it was great chatting with residents!

Last week I went along to meet Val and Coleen, the directors of Aspire.

Aspire provides a welcome space for women offering support, activities, courses and a creche. Aspire now employ thirteen staff, many of whom have moved from volunteers to employees.

It was such a joy to be invited to open the brand-new Premier Shop in Annfield Plain on Good Friday ❤

I wish the whole team all the best with their new venture!

Popped along to Just for Women Centre in Stanley last week for a catch up with the incredible director and founder of the centre, Linda. Just for Women provide vital services including counselling, mental health support, and workshops amongst many other things. It’s always a pleasure to visit.

Happy Easter to everyone in North Durham – I hope you all manage to get some time off to enjoy the long weekend 😊

Will Labour embrace electoral reform? The party has had a fraught relationship with it

"a pro-PR campaign is building within the Parliamentary Labour Party. Each MP involved is convinced that it won’t be long until something has to give."
✍️ @meganekenyon.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social

#Labour4PR #ElectoralReform #Democracy #Westminster
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

Citizen engagement platform

We are now looking for members of the new Pride in Place board for South Stanley - anyone living or working in the area shown on the map can apply (deadline 12th April).

letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/projec...

The more you see of Polanski the less there is. A lightweight opportunist with the luxury of knowing he'll never have to face the hard graft and tough decisions of governing.

Earlier this month I formally raised the issue of unintentional occupational exposure to hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) for healthcare workers in the House of Commons. It was an honour to be the first Member of Parliament to raise this issue.

Benefits calculator – what am I entitled to? | Age UK Our Benefits Calculator can help you to find out what you could be claiming, quickly and easily.

I know how hard it can be to manage household costs. It's always a good idea to check what support you might be eligible for. @age_uk’s benefits calculator could help you find out what support you may be entitled to: www.ageuk.org.uk/information-...

Today is Purple Day, and I am delighted to be supporting @EpilepsySociety by sharing their simple seizure first aid: Calm, Cushion, Call. If I can learn about epilepsy, you can. #IfICanYouCan

Public satisfaction with the NHS rises for first time since 2019 Wes Streeting set to hail result as proof of progress, but Britons remain frustrated with long waits for GP hospital care Public satisfaction with the NHS has risen for the first time since 2019, but people remain deeply frustrated with stubbornly long waits to receive GP, A&E or hospital care. The proportion of voters in Britain satisfied with the way the NHS runs has increased from the record low of 21% seen last year to 26%. At the same time dissatisfaction with the health service fell 8% – the biggest drop since 1998 – although it remains high at 51%. Only 22% are satisfied with A&E and dentistry. GP services and hospital care score better, but only 36% and 37% are satisfied with them. Just 50% are satisfied with the quality of care the NHS provides and just 16% think it will improve over the next five years. Satisfaction with social care is just 14%. Continue reading...

Public satisfaction with the NHS rises for first time since 2019

Over 300 new school-based nurseries announced - see full list of schools

Ministers have announced more than 300 new or revamped school-based nurseries - making thousands of more places available from September.

Lovely message for North Durham from Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey 😀

I was elected as a Hackney councillor 3 times by landslide margins and retired when we moved out of London.

Yesterday I secured a debate in Parliament to shed light on the injustice of the lack of statutory increases for pre-1997 defined-benefit pension schemes, particularly at Nissan, and to ask the Minister what the Government are going to do about it.

Did you know that today is County Durham Day? County days are growing in popularity and celebrate everything we love about a county – its history and heritage, towns and villages, landscapes and architecture, arts and culture and, most of all, its people!

So happy County Durham Day to one and all

Ed Miliband campaigned for AV in the 2011 referendum. I saw him give speeches in favour of it.

I recently joined 115 fellow parliamentarians in backing transport industry calls for better roadside facilities for lorry drivers – to improve welfare and help tackle freight crime.

Truck drivers keep our shops stocked, our hospitals supplied and our businesses running.

I've been calling for electoral reform since 1990.

Great article from @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social MP on why Labour must not become defenders of a failing FPTP system.

#Labour4PR 🌹 #Democracy

To truly enhance our democracy, we must reform the electoral system I am pleased the government has recognised the need for electoral reform by removing first-past-the-post in mayoral elections. We should expect the...

🗳️"Electoral reform must be carried out not because it may benefit any particular party or ideology, but because it puts power back into the hands of the British people."

✍️ @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social in @politicshome.bsky.social

This week is English Tourism Week, and I wanted to take a moment to appreciate some of the incredible tourism businesses we have right here in North Durham – from Beamish Museum to Tanfield Railway and Hall Hill Farm – there really is something for everyone! 😊 #englishtourismweek

On Saturday morning I was invited along with Councillor Tracie Smith to welcome the South Pelaw Banner back to its permanent home.

It was extremely moving hearing The Riverside Band play “The Miners” hymn and hear from family of those that worked in the mines.

Huge thanks to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School for taking me on a tour of the shutter artwork (inspired by St Joseph’s children) along Stanley Front Street – the artworks bring light and colour, and it was great to see them in person.

The Labour Party has asked all MPs if we want to stand in the next General Election. I have confirmed that I wish to seek reselection as candidate for North Durham in the next General Election. I look forward to seeking endorsement as candidate from local CLP members and affiliates.

Growing up in the online world: a national consultation We are consulting on further measures to prepare children for the future in an age of rapid technological change. This includes potential age restrictions on social media and other services such as…

The government has launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world.

Every child should grow up in a digital environment that is safe, supportive, and enriching.

Have your say: gov.uk/growing-up-online