I recently visited the Job Centre Plus in Stanley where I met with staff to discuss the new Youth Guarantee – which is a government initiative to make sure people aged 18-24 are either earning or learning through youth hubs, work experience/training and jobs guarantees for long term unemployed
The establishment of the new Defence Housing Service is long overdue, military families deserve modern family homes. I am proud to be serving on the Select Committee scrutinising the Armed Forces Bill, which delivers this crucial service. I raised a question on military housing on the committee.
During National Apprenticeship Week I visited Asda Stanley. Visits like these are an incredibly valuable opportunity to highlight and celebrate local apprentices. Good to get the chance to discuss working together to offer more opportunities to Asda colleagues in the region too!
You might have spotted me on the panel on BBC Politics North yesterday – great to join Richard Moss to chat about by-elections, education reform, long covid, and recycling. If you didn’t catch the show, it is available on iPlayer at the link in the comments.
One of the best things about being an MP is visiting local workplaces. McDonalds in Stanley employs over 140 local people. On my recent visit there it was great to meet staff, and learn how to make a (double!) sausage and egg McMuffin 😊- I may have eaten a few before but never made my own until now!
Whilst we are all very excited about the £20 million Pride in Place funding for Stanley, there are many smaller communities that are also in need of funding but are too small to qualify - today I asked the Prime Minister whether further funding could be given to such communities - watch along!
Four years on, Ukraine stands defiant. And the UK stands with you.
#StandWithUkraine
I'm involved in Labour First and Labour to Win, I have never had any involvement in Labour Together.
Keir Starmer says Britain needs to ‘go faster’ on defence spending ft.trib.al/LwYdISM
Happy #HeartUnions Week!
The Employment Rights Act was the greatest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation - but those rights must work in practive.
Everyone should have the right to a contract that reflects the hours they actually work: labourunions.org.uk/guaranteedho...
I would report to the ICO too. There may be GDPR and copyright issues about using someone's image without their consent.
Last week in Parliament I spoke on ESG, I share the government’s ambition for defence spending to act as a key engine for economic growth – especially in the North East.
Yesterday I met up with Wes Streeting and Ashley Dalton to discuss Labour's national cancer plan, which will:
💰Invest £2.3 billion in 9.5 million more tests & scans
🧑⚕️Send cancer specialists to rural & coastal areas
🤖500,000 robotic surgeries
👫Help 3 in 4 patients survive 5 years after diagnosis
This World Cancer Day, I’m pledging my support for better cancer care for all, alongside the APPG on Cancer. Everyone deserves the right care, the right treatment and the right support for their needs.
I recently visited North Durham Academy for a chat and a tour. It was great catching up with Headteacher Mark Gray to talk school life, transport challenges, visits to Parliament, attendance, and the exciting Pride in Place plans.
I'm proud to have voted for removing the two-child limit so that families can receive the child element of Universal Credit for all children, taking 450,000 children out of poverty.
NEW headline voting intention from Ipsos
📊Reform UK +8-point lead over Labour – down from +15 in Nov 2025
📊The Green’s vote share of 12% is down from 15% in Nov 2025
📊Both Labour and Conservatives up from Nov 2025 – Labour +4, Conservatives +3
Nathaniel Dye and Bridget Phillipson at an event at the Department for Education.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Nathaniel Dye – a very kind, inspirational man who truly knew and valued the power of education.
May he rest in peace.
Last week I went along to New College Durham to meet with Principal Andy Broadbent and Deputy Principal Alison Maynard for a tour of the facilities and a chat about the ways I may be able to help as an MP with many constituents attending courses.
Today presents an important opportunity for people from North Durham to reflect on the darkest times of European history. I pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
Reform UK absent from yesterday's session on the Armed Forces Bill! 👀
Exactly, my 100k+ feed was too much for Tweet Delete to digest.
Labour Together is a think tank. I find it fantastically annoying that it gets credit for organisational work we did at Labour First and Labour to Win. My Twitter feed is very much unpurged - it was too much for Tweet Delete to digest.
I have never been involved in "Labour Together". My organisations are Labour First and Labour to Win.
Thank you to @luke-akehurstmp.bsky.social for backing #OneParliamentOneEmployer.
Clear standards, consistent terms and a single employer are essential to a professional and credible Parliament. (Signature No. 3)
The North East Autism Society are doing incredible work across education, training, residential care and at their very own farm, which I visited last week. From making their own apple juice, to woodwork and horticulture, trainees on the farm are simply thriving.
Did you know that “Blue Monday” is a myth created to sell holidays? I joined the @samaritans #BrewMonday takeover in Parliament earlier this week to discuss how we can work together to reduce the number of people who die by suicide.
I had a fantastic Friday in the constituency last week. First stop Croft School to meet with head teacher and discuss challenges around SEND. Next up was a visit to the North East Autism Society at their farm. Then it was back to the office for team and constituent meetings with the office dogs :)
