As Chair of the @AfricaAPPG I know #WagnerGroup is v active on the continent defending Putin's ambitions in wars, mining, disinformation etc I asked the Minister how someone could be sanctioned for this illegal activity & then licenced by Govt…
More likely to be hit by lightning twice than be the victim of voter fraud!
You're more likely to be hit by lightning *twice* than be the victim of voter fraud. Yet the Tories want to spend £180m on forcing #VoterID. 🗳️✅Protect your vote ahead of the local elections by applying for a postal vote:…
We need regular, accessible, affordable & sustainable bus services
Bus companies are leaving people in #Newcastle stranded, anxious & late to work. We need regular, accessible, affordable & sustainable bus services that are held accountable when they don’t show up. I asked the Minister – how long do we…
Student cost of living crisis
41% of @UniofNewcastle students have considered dropping out over financial pressures. The @NewcastleSU foodbank is restocked daily but can empty in just 7 minutes. Govt changes to maintenance loans will leave students £1500 worse off. I asked why they are…
Special Education provision is inadequate
Special educational needs matters. Many parents contact me because either they can't access it or the provision is inadequate. One school's SEND policy did not even mention #Autism or #neurodiversity I asked the Minister if the standards in the govt's…
Only a Labour Government, supporting the partnership between management, workers and trade unions, can achieve lasting success for our postal services
I asked the Minister what was his vision for the future of postal services, given the reduction in letters and stagnation of parcel delivery. Labour will work with @RoyalMail and postal services to deliver the vital goods and services and…
The No. 1 threat to small business is spiralling energy costs
Many businesses & charities in #NewcastleCentral tell me the biggest threat to their survival is rising energy costs. Govt wants to leave it to the market but when I told the minister it was his job to make the energy…
Tories have left Nature swimming in sewage but say its Labour’s fault!
Addressing #biodiversity loss is an essential part of addressing climate change. But the Govt's failure to set targets on water quality & habitat protections undermined talks at #COP15. The Secretary of State has left Nature swimming in sewage but says…
Minister fails to give assurances on Pharmacies and Drug supplies
I visited Whitworth Pharmacy, #Elswick & saw fantastic work they do for the community. I also saw empty shelves where antibiotics to treat #StrepA would normally be. The minister couldn't give me assurances that pharmacies wouldn't be priced out of…
Asylum – safe & legal routes aren’t working
Govt legislation makes it illegal for asylum seekers to enter this country by any means apart from safe & legal routes. But as the example of British Council workers in Afghanistan shows, the few routes there are aren't working. I…