I’m working to help your family by pressing for faster progress in local schools, more improvements in our NHS, and continued investment in children’s early years.
Family life is changing and more and more of us are looking after elderly or disabled relatives. There are already 5.4 million unpaid family carers in England – and around 31,000 here in Leicester – and this number is set to increase in future. 3 in 5 of us will […]
The Maya Wellbeing Project, based at the Newfoundpool Community Centre, brings older people together to eat well, keep fit and enjoy each other’s company. I recently popped in on their Christmas Party to join in with the festive fun and dancing. I have to say, it was difficult to keep […]
I recently popped in on a fabulous Christmas Party at the Oak Centre on Benbow Rise. Around 70 children aged 8-11 attended the event, which was organised by volunteers and supported by B-Connected and Resnet. Festive games, a disco and lots of treats were on offer. It was great fun […]
David Cameron’s single biggest promise when he became Prime Minister was to balance the books by 2015. But we now know he has failed, as the Chancellor confirmed when delivered his final autumn statement of this Parliament. The Government is borrowing £219 billion more than they originally planned, and borrowing […]
On Monday 1st December, I appeared on BBC’s Newsnight to discuss some of the challenges faced by our NHS. You can watch the programme here. People are really struggling to get an appointment with their GP and too many older people are ending up in hospital when they could have […]
Friday 28th November was Carers Rights Day. To mark the occasion, I visited a carer’s event at the Curve Theatre, which was a great opportunity to highlight the huge contribution carers make and to raise awareness of the help and support that is available to them. Many people don’t […]
I recently joined thousands of my constituents at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara to celebrate the First Guru’s birthday, which is a hugely important time in the Sikh calendar. After a large procession through the city, we reflected on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings and philosophy. The principals of equality, contributing […]
I’m completely fed up with the terrible smells from the Biffa Plant in Mowmacre. Alongside local residents and the Abbey Ward Councillors, I have been demanding action from Biffa over a number of years, including that they build new chimney stacks. We have also pressed for proper enforcement from the […]
On the 14th October I hosted an event in Parliament to celebrate Shared Lives Plus and to promote the amazing work they do. Shared Lives carers welcome disabled and older people into their homes and their lives, during the day, for short periods of time or permanently. Carers are recruited […]
On Monday 8 September I spoke at a meeting at TUC Congress on a new deal for older workers organised by Unions21. One of the biggest challenges facing many older employees is juggling work with caring for elderly or disabled relatives. There are more than 6 million unpaid family carers […]
On Friday 5 September, I voted in the House of Commons to support the Affordable Homes Bill – a proposed change in the law which would exempt some people from having to pay the bedroom tax. The Bill passed its Second Reading, despite the opposition of Conservative MPs. Whilst this […]
“Style your Space” is a free, nine week course run by Soft touch with the support of Big Lottery, Leicester Skills Council and the Arts Council. The course helps people who are out of work to gain new skills, by doing improvements to their homes. I was really impressed with […]
