Today I was speaking in a debate on coronavirus regulations. I used the debate to call on the Government to turbo charge our vaccination programme and to improve support for people who have to self isolate. Our NHS has done a fantastic job on the vaccination programme so far. But […]
Today I voted to stop fire and rehire. Issuing hardworking people with redundancy notices, then offering them new contracts on worse conditions, is totally wrong. Yet, since the first lockdown in March, almost 3 million workers have experienced this completely unfair practice. The Government could have voted to put a […]
Yesterday I spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate on vaccination of children against Covid-19. I welcome the fact that children are now being offered a Covid vaccine following advice from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer. This will be vital to keeping them in the classroom which is so beneficial […]
Today I spoke at an event organised by the National Care Association. Care providers told me that they are desperately struggling to find staff and are deeply worried about what this will mean for people who need care. Urgent action is needed to tackle the workforce crisis in social care. […]
Yesterday I spoke on behalf of the Opposition in a Westminster Hall Debate on research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The debate was held after a petition calling for more funding for MND research got over 110,000 signatures. I argued that there was a big opportunity for the Government to […]
Yesterday, I spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate in Parliament on ‘Winterbourne View Hospital and the Transforming Care Programme’ On the 31st May 2011 a BBC Panorama documentary revealed appalling abuse of people with a learning disability and/or autism at the Winterbourne View Assessment and Treatment Unit (ATU). Footage of […]
Earlier today, I met with unpaid carers in a meeting organised by Carers UK. I was struck by the incredible resilience of the carers I spoke to and their dedication to the loved ones they care for, but it was clear that they need more support. Covid-19 has meant that carers have […]
The Government looks set to announce new guidance this week allowing care home residents in England to have two regular visitors from the 12th April. Families are absolutely crucial for the physical and mental health of care home residents, and as infection rates in care homes continue to fall it […]
I recently spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate to mark ‘World Social Work Day 2021’. I thanked the 100,000 social workers in the UK, including the 320 in Leicester, for their hard work, passion and commitment to supporting people in our communities. Social workers have faced huge additional pressures […]
Yesterday I spoke in a Westminster Hall Debate on Social Care and the Social Care Workforce. I argued that reforming social care is one the biggest challenges facing our generation. The pandemic has brutally exposed the flaws in our social care system which is undervalued and underfunded. Reform is […]
Today is Young Carers Action Day, an annual campaign, ran by Carers Trust to raise awareness about the UK’s 800,000+ young carers. This year’s focus is on the amazing skills young carers gain through caring – like resilience, time management and empathy – which are so valuable in higher education […]
During a debate in Parliament today, I once again called on the Government to take urgent action to ensure that all families can start safely visiting their relatives in care homes. Labour has been calling for a single family member to be treated like a key worker and have access […]