It was great to meet you and to hear about your important work supporting children’s health and wellbeing through education.

I’m proud to stand with Ukraine’s fight for democracy and sovereignty today and every day of this conflict. This Ukrainian Independence Day, we must celebrate the values Ukraine is fighting to defend against evil. #MakeNoiseForUkraine

I hope everyone in #Newcastle North has a restful bank holiday weekend If you're in Newcastle this weekend, check out Tyneside Cinema's Summer Party - it promises to be an awesome few days for all the family tynesidecinema.co.uk/tyneside-summe…

Today is #NationalDogDay - my former police best pal pup 🐕❤️

Opportunity to secure funding from London North Eastern Railway's Customer and Community Investment Fund - deadline 2 September! To learn more about the fund including how you can apply for this, please visit: spkl.io/6019f61RJ

The awesome team at the Beamish Museum have been putting on a range of great summer events, including Suffragette Sundays for kids to learn about the campaign for women's right to vote. Beamish Museum is one of my favourite places in the world ♥️👇 beamish.org.uk/events/summer-…

I want to make sure that pensioners in #Newcastle North get the support they are entitled to. There are an estimated 880,000 people eligible for Pension Credit who have not claimed it. gov.uk/government/new….

This Labour government will drive high and rising standards and break down barriers to opportunity. But to feel the benefits, children need to be in school. Let’s make this new term the beginning of a new era for attendance. My piece for The Times and The Sunday Times ✍️ thetimes.com/article/0f802e…

If we take the tough decisions now to fix the foundations, we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time. Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

It's been fantastic to be out on the #LabourDoorstep over the last few weeks in North Jesmond, supporting our by-election candidate, Callum Buchanan. If elected on 12th September, Callum will be a tireless advocate for the ward and a strong voice for residents. #VoteLabour 🌹

🚨 NEW: We’re scrapping single headline Ofsted judgements with immediate effect. Ofsted judgements have been high stakes for schools, low information for parents. We’ll: ✅ Give parents more transparency ✅ Drive high & rising standards ✅ Pave the way for school report cards

Busy first day back in Parliament & at Department for Education, speaking to BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE about this government's changes to inspection & drive for school attendance. We are committed to driving up school standards but in order for children to benefit, they need to be in school.

This afternoon, I asked the Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell to put SEND families at the heart of reforms to Ofsted

Ofsted single-headline grades are low information for parents & high-stakes for schools. Instead, School Report Cards will provide better information leading to better outcomes. This govt is acting fast to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.

At the start of the new term, it was great to be with Keir Starmer, outlining how this Labour government will deliver on our mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We’ll make sure background is no barrier to success. (…and belated happy birthday, Prime Minister 🎂)

Labour has inherited a societal black hole: a generation missing from England's schools. We're going to drive high & rising standards, but children have to be in school to benefit. That's why this week has to be back-to-school week, not for some children, but for all children.

The last govt left the SEND education system in chaos, and too many children without the support they deserve & too many families let down. This Labour govt is determined to tackle the issue, to restore parents' trust in the system & ensure every child can flourish.

If government, parents & schools work together, children thrive. I'll hold up my end of the deal: to roll out breakfast clubs, mental health support, curriculum reform, careers advice, better SEND provision. My ask is simple: help children into school. mumsnet.com/talk/guest_pos…

Thank you to every parent in Derby who shared their SEND experience with me ahead of today’s SEND Provision debate. I’ve read every story, and they’ve only strengthened my resolve to advocate for SEND children. I’m pleased that this Labour Govt shares that same commitment⤵️