Great news that @andyburnham has today announced new powers to crack down on the vape shops and dodgy businesses that have taken over our high streets and add no community value. This will put power back in the hands of local communities to have a real say over what opens on their high street.

Subscriptions that are easy to join but almost impossible to cancel, along with fake discounts, make life harder and cost people their hard-earned cash. I'm really pleased that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is bringing forwards a crackdown on these practices.

It's fantastic news that Barnsley and Sheffield are going to benefit from new NHS mental health facilities, as part of the Government’s new package of 100 new community mental health services and 59 dedicated mental health emergency departments in England. 🏥

“We weren’t born to hate our bodies.” Bridgerton’s Gracie McGonigal and Coronation Street’s Melissa Johns join me on Tidballzy to discuss limb difference, sex, relationships, maternity and the power of representation. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Andy Burnham is right. We need a different kind of politics on social care. Problem-solving, not point-scoring. I know how much this system needs to change. I welcome cross-party talks and the Big Conversation on Care, because fixing this can't be one party's job.

Good news for pensioners across our country. The government has confirmed that if the state pension is your only source of income, you will not pay income tax. On top of that, the triple lock means 12 million pensioners will see their income rise by up to £470 this year alone.

Another great doorknocking session for our Penistone East by-election candidate, John Roberts. John lives in Penistone and was an exceptional councillor. Here’s hoping he wins it back when the by-election is held on Thursday 20th August🤞

🍻Cheers to this!🍻 The Prime Minister @andyburnham has announced that business rates are being slashed for pubs, clubs, and live music venues – providing £1,100 on average of breathing space per pub next year. I couldn’t be more delighted!

No one should be priced out of transport. £2 cap on buses, the first freeze on rail fares in 30 years, will help ease the burden of the cost-of-living squeeze. This is how you serve all parts of the country.

I chatted to Radio 4 about the role of empathy in politics. I’m so proud to have heard Andy Burnham stand on Downing Street this week and say boldly that he will put the care of people at the heart of everything he does. Let’s bring back hope.

Our new PM Andy Burnham has cut VAT for electricity bills. Andy also stood outside No10 yesterday and said his first instruction will be to end rough sleeping in our country. It’s clear already that Andy is taking bold action for people and places that have been left behind for too long.

Yesterday I spoke on @channel4news.bsky.social about why I'm absolutely delighted that @andyburnham.bsky.social is going to be our next Prime Minister. For constituencies like mine that have been left behind for too long, growth in every postcode is exactly what we need.

It’s so important to see this new national approach being taken to court listings, which will prioritise rape and serious sexual offence cases in Crown Courts in England and Wales. These changes will mean faster justice for rape victims, ensuring that cases are heard sooner and delays are reduced.

Some days I have to pinch myself. It was an honour to receive a Stonewall Pride Changemaker Award, for Policy Change, with Rachel Taylor MP. I’m so proud to have worked to make hate crimes on the basis of someone's sexuality, gender or disability an aggrevated offence.🌈

Happy #CoopsDay 2026! This year’s theme is highlighting how co-operatives bring people together and contribute to a more peaceful future for everyone. Interested in getting involved with a local co-operative near you? Find out more here: www.uk.coop

Happy 78th Birthday to our NHS! The NHS healthcare I had at Barnsley and Sheffield Hospitals as a child enabled me to walk and to follow my ambitions. The NHS means so much to all of us, so I took some time with chat with our brilliant Penistone East Cllr Dr Alex Burnett, who is a local doctor 👇

Should be an exciting week ahead!

It's a late game but I know we'll all still be watching! Who’s been able to sleep in this heat anyway? Come on England, let's finish the group stage on a high. 🔥💫 Kick off is at 10pm on ITV

Donna Ockenden’s final report on the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Independent Maternity and Neonatal Review was published earlier this week. This was the largest maternity care scandal in the NHS. The findings of the final report are horrendous, heartbreaking and unforgivable.

This #ArmedForcesDay, I'm thinking of those who serve and have served, including my Grandpa Peter and my Grandma Maurine. Our armed forces and their families make extraordinary sacrifices: theirs is the ultimate public service. Thank you for all you do.

Raneem Oudeh and her mother called 999 four times the night they were murdered. No one came. This week we trebled the number of domestic abuse specialists now in 999 control rooms across 17 police forces, honouring her memory as part of Raneem's Law.

I’m so proud that today the Government has published draft legislation to introduce a trans-inclusive ban on conversation practices against our LGBTQ+ community. This is a major step forwards to ensure that every person in our communities is treated with dignity and respect.

Best of luck to our England team, the Three Lions, as they take on Ghana tonight! It's on BBC One tonight, kick off is at 9pm.

Today we write the Armed Forces Covenant into law. Those who serve our country should never get a worse deal for it. After years of forces and their families being left in homes not fit to live in, we are finally fulfilling our moral and legal obligations to them.

Thank you Keir Starmer.

Huge congratulations! This is a proud day for Makerfield, for Greater Manchester and for the whole of the North. Welcome back to Westminster, Andy. Now let's get to work.

Reform UK have now failed to elect a Leader for Kirklees Council. Twice. Their group leader admitted she "didn't need to know everything" about how the council works, and the council will sit leaderless for over a month, so the Chief Executive has to stand in to keep the lights on. Unacceptable.

Come on England! Best of luck to the Three Lions as they kick-off their World Cup campaign this evening against Croatia.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder. My thoughts today are with Jo’s family, especially my friend and Jo's sister, Kim. “We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.”

Great day on the doorstep in Makerfield with brilliant colleagues for Andy Burnham ahead of Thursday’s by-election. Vote Andy, Vote hope (we found it and not just on Hope Street… 😉)