Former Foreign Office Chief answers questions about the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
Mandelson was given STRAP clearance, and access to the highest tier of classified information, but intelligence agencies raised no concerns.
Brilliant news as NHS waiting lists continue to fall - down 405,000 since the election. 750,000 patients are being seen on time in A&E. Ambulances are reaching heart attack and stroke patients 5 minutes faster.
This Labour government is getting our NHS back on track.
Last week, I asked Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook what this government is doing to tackle property management firms.
Nobody should experience being ripped off like my constituent Yvonne.
It was great to chair the APPG on Gambling Reform this week in Parliament.
We discussed new and emerging forms of gambling and how more young people are being dragged into gambling addiction and harm.
A very insightful and important discussion.
On May 7th, you have a clear choice — a Labour council focused on delivery and unity, or chaos and decline under Reform.
Here are some of the failures we’ve already seen where Reform are in charge.
Don’t take that risk here in Dudley and Sandwell.
De-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital, not just for global stability, but to help bring down oil prices and ease pressure on the cost of living here at home.
It’s encouraging to see steps being taken to ensure we’re properly equipped while supporting efforts to reduce tensions.
Happy Vaisakhi to all Sikhs celebrating across Halesowen and the UK. Vaisakhi diyan Iakh vidaiyan.
Vaisakhi is a time when Sikh communities come together to mark faith, history and community. Warm wishes to anyone celebrating today.
Watch me speak on GB News about the UK’s response to Russian spy submarines in the North Atlantic.
Our best equipment was used to track their operation and Defence Secretary John Healey has made it clear that there will be consequences if they tamper with our cables.
A beautiful morning today in Halesowen — perfect for running off one too many chocolate eggs after Easter! 🏃♂️🍫
Hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend spent with family and friends.
Wishing everyone in Halesowen, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Cradley, Wollescote, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood a peaceful and joyful Easter.
Happy Easter to everyone in Halesowen, Cradley, Wollescote, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood celebrating today 🐣
Easter is a time of hope, renewal, and spending time with family and friends.
Wishing you all a peaceful and joyful day!
It was a pleasure to join the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, in Oldbury for the launch of Sandwell’s local election campaign.
Wishing everyone in Halesowen, Cradley, Wollescote, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood a peaceful and happy Good Friday.
For many, today is a time to pause, reflect, and spend time with loved ones. Wishing you all a great start to the Easter weekend.🐣
An excellent street surgery on Saturday in Saltwells. Glad to be supporting our Labour candidate for Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood Jules Singh!
As always, we're happy to speak to residents about any issues you may have!
Brilliant to join McDonalds in Cradley for the Great British Spring Clean!🌸
It was wonderful to see the group come together and get stuck in to help clean up our area! Lots of bottles, cans and wrappers were collected. Well done to everyone who helped out 👏
I've been in Greenland this week with the Foreign Affairs Committee, discussing Trump's threats against the country earlier this year.
I'm looking forward to taking what we've learned back to Parliament.
The Government's landmark Defence Housing Strategy will finally give our servicemen and women the standard of accommodation they deserve.
Watch me ask Veterans Minister Al Carns MP about the difference that this bill will make to families.
Our Steel Strategy backs British-made steel. Here’s how👇️
💷 £2.5bn of investment
🌍️ Protecting British-made steel from imports
🇬🇧 50% target for use of British-made steel
👷 Supporting 40,000 jobs
I was pleased to chair the APPG on Conflict Resolution this week, hosting Philip Spoerri from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
We had an insightful and important discussion on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East, and the vital role of conflict prevention and resolution.
The Black Country is home to some of the UK’s most important steel manufacturers — supporting jobs, skills, and our industrial future.
With around 70% of UK steel exports going to the European Union, strong cooperation is essential for protecting local businesses and livelihoods.
I had a really important meeting this week with Emily Tofield and Daniel Bliss from YGam to discuss the impact of gambling and gaming harms on children and young people.
Gambling addiction can have serious, long-term consequences, and it’s vital we’re doing more to raise awareness.
This week I joined British MPs on a delegation to European Parliament to discuss the Government’s EU Reset.
As a former Royal Marine who worked with European partners, I spoke about the importance of UK and European security cooperation as we face shared challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating in Halesowen, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Cradley, Wollescote, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood!
Wishing everyone wherever they are a joyous and peaceful Eid 🌙
I was delighted to join the Yemeni community for Iftar on Saturday at the Halesowen Yemeni Community Association. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together, share food, and celebrate the spirit of community during Ramadan.
Thank you for your hospitality!
Excellent news that NHS waiting lists are continuing to fall! In Halesowen, they have fallen by 25.7%!
Of course, there is more to do, but I am really pleased to see this progress. I’ll continue to support efforts that help cut waiting lists further.
Reform UK promised voters they would cut council tax. Yet in the councils they now run, council tax has gone up.
It’s a familiar story. Reform is made up of many of the same failed Tories who spent 14 years overpromising and underdelivering for communities like ours.
Wishing everyone across Halesowen, Cradley, Wollescote, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood a very happy Saint Patrick's Day!🍀
It was a pleasure to join the community at Baitul Ghafoor Mosque in Halesowen for Iftar last week.
Thank you to everyone at the mosque for such a warm welcome and for bringing people from across our community together.
I was pleased to meet the GamCare team in Parliament and take a moment to celebrate the essential work of their National Gambling Helpline. The service provides vital support to individuals and families affected by gambling harms, offering confidential advice.
The Crown Court's backlog has doubled since 2019.
That's why this Labour government is modernising our justice system with the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
This will help victims access justice sooner.
