Welcome to my regular newsletter, keeping you updated on my work as your Member of Parliament.

Last month was Eating Disorder Awareness Month. I have been working with specialists and campaigners in our city and across the country to call for action to end the crisis in eating disorder services. I have also been calling for a change in law so that the use of restraint on mental health patients is recorded in  all health settings and I am really pleased to have secured a commitment from the Minister during the debate last week on this. You can read more about the campaign below.

I am also honored to have won two awards this month, one for my work as a Hen Harrier Species Champion and another from the Climate Coalition as an MP constituency champion. I am proud to represent a constituency of people fighting for action on the climate and nature emergency and I will continue to champion these issues in Parliament. 

In Sheffield…

• I joined people across our city to mark a year since the renewed invasion of Ukraine. We heard from those who have been forced to flee and about loved ones who have tragically lost their lives. It is humbling to work with the Ukrainian community in Sheffield. I also observed a one-minute silence – to stand with Ukrainians and remember all those who have lost their lives during this brutal war

• I sent a message of solidarity to University staff, who are taking strike action to defend their pay and conditions. Since 2009 university staff have seen their pay fall 25% behind inflation, 1/3 of all academic staff are on precarious contracts, and pensions are being cut by 35%. All while UK universities are generating record levels of income.
• In support of Unison Environment Agency workers on strike in Sheffield, I tabled an Early Day Motion – signed by cross-party MPs – calling on the Government to urgently come to the table and offer a fair pay deal for these vital workers. I also shared my full support and solidarity to all of the physiotherapists on strike.
• Thank you to everyone who joined our pie and pub quiz night at Crookes Social Club. It was a great evening, and congratulations to the winners from Sheffield Labour Students!

In Parliament…

• During Eating Disorder Awareness Week  I spoke during the debate  in Parliament about the crisis facing our services. Eating Disorder services are at breaking point. Demand is still going up, cases are becoming more critical and resources aren’t being provided. To truly address this crisis we need a root and branch reform of eating disorder provision. I was also proud to join Hope Virgo and other campaigners in Parliament. 

• As a result of over-stretched services, I have been hearing harrowing reports of children with Eating Disorders being restrained in general medical wards by untrained staff. After  raising this with  the Minister, she has agreed to look at the loopholes in current legislation. I will continue to press on this until the use of restraint on all mental health patients is properly monitored and recorded – whether they are in mental health wards or not. You can read more information about our campaign in my letter  here  and you can read the Minister’s response  here.
• After a much-delayed process, the Government has finally published its SEND improvement plan. There is much to digest in the plan, and I’ll be paying close attention to the details, but there are some areas that are an initial cause for concern. For example, I am concerned that it will lead to a levelling down of standards.  I asked the Minister  what was being done to ensure mental health support is accessible to every child with SEND, and those with complex needs can access personalised support.
• A parent in our constituency  has suffered a serious head injury  after a large piece of cladding flew off the school building, striking her on the head.  I asked the Minister  if he will meet with me to discuss what urgent support can be given to my constituent and the school. Thirteen years of reckless Tory cuts to school’s capital spend budgets have left school buildings in dangerous disrepair – and my constituent is now paying the price.  Ministers need to take urgent action  to address this crisis before anyone else is harmed. I’ve  written  to Gillian Keegan to demand urgent action to reverse cuts and ensure schools are safe, before anyone else is harmed.
• I held a debate in Parliament on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The generosity of people providing a safe home to those fleeing war has been heartening to witness. But a year on it is vital that we learn the lessons from the scheme, for Ukrainians and all those fleeing war. You can read more about the debate in the Independent  here.
• I co-chaired an event with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Migration on a report launch into the impact of the EU Settlement Scheme on EU Citizens in the UK. 
• I was shocked by the scenes in Knowsley. Those who come to the UK to seek asylum are fleeing war and persecution, and attacks on them will only increase the trauma they’ve been through. We have a responsibility to stand against violence and hatred. The Home Secretary must ensure that adequate safeguarding is in place to protect asylum seekers. But we must also move on from the practice of using hotels as long-term accommodation. People need secure homes so they are able to rebuild their lives in the community. I signed this  open letter .
• Any treaty that allows companies to sue governments  tackling the climate crisis is in my opinion unreformable. The Government has admitted that they’ve tried to reform the European Charter Treaty and failed. It’s time we join EU countries in a coordinated withdrawal from this destructive treaty. You can watch my question to the Minister  here.
• I’m so proud to have been awarded The Climate Coalition’s award for MP Constituency Champion. From campaigns to stop peatland burning, to our Hallam Climate Manifesto, my constituents are leading efforts to tackle the climate emergency. It is an honour to champion their work in Parliament.

• I am also pleased to have been awarded the Muddy Welly Award for my work as Hen Harrier Species Champion, for getting out into the Peaks with RSPB and National Trust to tag a beautiful hen harrier chick. If you want to learn more about the beautiful hen harrier, one of the most persecuted birds of pray (and watch a fun video of me in a hat), you can  here . More importantly, if you want to find out what you can do to protect endangered birds, please check out the RSPB’s website  here .
• I spoke during the Woodcock debate in support of a petition from Wild Justice to shorten the shooting season to help protect native populations of the Woodcock.

• During LGBTQ+ History Month debate I spoke about the huge progress our movement has made, and the battles we still face today. You can watch my full speech  here. I also was pleased to speak at a panel event organised by LGBTQ+ Co-operative Party for LGBT History Month.
• I joined RCN nurses on their picket line outside of Guys and St Thomas’ hospital. The Tories have driven our public health service into the ground. NHS workers are fighting to save it!
• I also met with GMB Union ambulance workers from Yorkshire to talk to them about their ongoing dispute over patient safety and fair pay. 
• I shared my solidarity to the NEU teachers on strike last week. Teachers have had their real-terms pay cut by 23% since 2010. The Government needs to cough up and pay teachers properly for the vital work they do.
• On the Public Accounts Committee I questioned officials on the adequacy of alcohol treatment services. We also published reports on COVID employment support schemes and managing NHS backlogs and waiting times in England. 
• My thoughts are with Brianna Ghey’s friends and family. She was obviously a very loved young woman who touched so many lives and will be missed by many. 
• My thoughts have also been with all those in Turkey and Syria who have been affected by the devastating earthquake. If you are able,  please consider donating  to Direct Relief who are helping coordinate the emergency response on the ground.

Dates for your diary:

11 March, 9:30am  | International Women’s Day event 

11 March, 10:45am  | NUM Memorial Event

11 March, 11am  | Fundraiser for Earthquake Victims in Syria and Turkey

15 March  | Lee Schofield, a site manager at RSPB, tells the story of a landmark project to restore over 3000 hectares of the Lake District.

16 March  | Historic Walks , organised by the Canal and River Trust.

19 March, 6pm  | Sharrow Lantern Carnival.  

21 March, 8pm  | Spoken Word Fundraiser.  

25 March, 11am | Green New Deal Rising’s Sheffield Big Canvass, meeting at Sheffield Quaker Meeting House at 11am

25 March, 6pm |  Film Screening of Finite: The Climate of Change

26 March, 10am |  Edible Year Foraging Course.