I wrote for the Mirror about defending workers' rights against Reform UK, Bev Craig's spectacular win in Greater Manchester, Labour's plans to give families a bit of breathing space over the summer holidays and why I think Andy Burnham is off to a flyer as Prime Minister ✍️

Congrats to Bev, who will do a brilliant job delivering a Greater Manchester that works for all. Thank you to everyone who put their faith in Labour, and the brilliant staff, members and volunteers who have put in a real shift during the largest by-election in British history.

Reform UK are up to their neck in scandal. Serious new information has come to light, opening up yet more questions about donations made by George Cottrell and his associates. Frankly, it stinks. I've written to the Electoral Commission to draw it to their attention.

Frontline organisations like Rape Crisis make an immeasurable contribution to keeping women safe. I sat down with Norah Al-Ani, Director of Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, to discuss their life-saving work helping survivors of sexual abuse heal.

To build a stronger, fairer society, I’ve set out three key priorities as Minister for Women & Equalities: Halving violence against women and girls. Lifting record numbers of children out of poverty. Supporting women in work, by closing the gender pay gap.

The Tories never understood that the things helping young people to get on in life don't just exist within the school gates. If you dismantle Sure Start and push children into poverty, don't be surprised when schools reform doesn't translate to success down the line.

Last week, I delivered a speech on the future of childhood and education. Our childcare rollout has made life easier for parents. But in time to come we must go further. High quality early years education must be there for all our children.

People told me SEND reform couldn't be done, but I've never believed that. We've got a long way to go but by working with MPs and families with experience of the system, we're building a system where every child can achieve and thrive.

There'd be no Employment Rights Act without people seeing unfair practices at work. There'd be no Child Poverty Strategy without people having grown up around it. Don't underestimate how the Cabinet's background has affected the decisions we've made. It's why we're Labour.

How are our schools getting on after two years of change? 🏫📈

When you're living rent free in the Tories' heads, you're doing something right. You can listen to my full chat with The News Agents wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch in recent weeks, seems I'm not the only 'spiteful class warrior' out there – here's my new T-shirt haul. I spoke to The News Agents about why I wear the Tories' jibe with pride. You can listen to that wherever you get your podcasts.

A new report has shone a light on poor outcomes for white working class children. I've been banging the drum on this and will keep doing so. It shows we need to go even further on driving up attendance, on expanding early years education and on tackling child poverty.

The Equality Act is our quiet guardian. On the side of women, workers and those with disabilities when needed most. We will not let Reform UK turn back the clock on our rights.

Here's what my speech today is about. Opening school-based nurseries and rolling out 30 hours of government-funded childcare has halved costs for parents. But we need to open up access, so that children who have the most to gain from high-quality early years education get it.

Evidence shows Sure Start improved educational and health outcomes for children. That's why we're bringing it back for the modern day, through Best Start in Life.

Joseph, a local NHS worker, asked why a Reform councillor in Sunderland wanted to melt him down to fill in potholes. The Reform council leader repeatedly failed to apologise to Joseph. Joseph deserves better. Sunderland deserves better. Councillor Gibbins is not fit to represent our city.

Over 6 million young people can now access mental health support through their school or college, with 800,000 more to come this year. We're supporting every child to achieve and thrive.

Labour is lifting the largest number of children out of poverty in a single Parliament ever. We know the decisions the Tories and Reform would make.

Today, we're apologising to those affected by the injustice of forced adoption, as this government acknowledges the role of the state in the appalling practice. An apology cannot undo what happened, but it can be the start of real change.

Following our rises, teacher pay now averages over £50,000. We will double teachers’ maternity pay. We are working with leaders to improve wellbeing and workload. And, crucially, our approach is working. Teacher retention rates are amongst the strongest on record.

We're making teaching a better place to be and our approach is working, with some of the best teacher retention rates on record.

Tackling poverty and inequality has been my focus since day 1 as Education Secretary. That's why I've rolled out funded childcare, free breakfast clubs, Best Start Family Hubs, expanded free school meals and scrapped the two child limit. 500,000 children out of poverty.

Our country is one of the most unfair in the West. The class you’re born into too often dictates what you can go onto achieve. White working class children feel that. Labour is focused on improving their education, giving them better chances, better choices, and better lives.

Despite what you've heard this week, we're delivering on our manifesto with over 4,600 teachers recruited into where we need them most – secondaries, special schools and colleges. That's alongside more teachers in training, more rejoining and more staying in our schools.

I stand by my record – including putting us on course for a record reduction in child poverty – and if the Tories think that makes me a 'spiteful class warrior', it tells you everything you need to know about them.

The Tories left behind a mess that I've spent the last two years clearing up. In that time, they've come up with one policy: to cut state school budgets to reinstate private school tax breaks. Two years, one policy, no clue.

The constant chatter about private schools reminds me exactly why I do this job. We’re raising more money than expected, school offer days passed smoothly, and we’re injecting money into state schools. My focus remains on the schools attended by the majority of kids in this country.

I'm delivering the most radical and consequential agenda for education in living memory. To see it becoming a reality, to know the difference it is making to the lives of children, is a special privilege.

Keir Starmer has changed our party and our country for the better. He brought Labour back from electoral oblivion, has restored our reputation abroad, stabilised the economy and will lift half a million children out of poverty. We owe Keir a huge debt of gratitude.