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Earlier this week, I backed an amendment calling for a pause and further consultation on the welfare bill.
There are lots of positives in the Bill. I agree with the 'back to work support' measures aimed at assisting people into employment. I agree with giving people the 'Right to Try' and ensuring that people with disabilities can enter employment without risking their benefits is something that we should be championing.
But I am not in agreement with changing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility requirements. It is not a means-tested benefit and it affords people the opportunity to work too, acting as financial support for those who require additional help to work.
Many people in Sheffield Central have written to me about the devastating impact the plan will have on them or their family members and I cannot ignore those voices. Everyone must have fair access in an equal society and this bill must be reviewed to ensure everyone's needs are met.
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My work in Sheffield and Parliament |
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Student drop-in
My first student drop-in surgery was brilliant!
Despite exam season, I had lots of people turn up to ask some really interesting questions.
We'll be doing more of these surgeries in both universities across the year!
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I commemorated the 77th Anniversary of the Nakba, when Palestinians were forcibly displaced, alongside Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador, and Yassin Saeed Noman Ahmed, the Yemeni ambassador.
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Somaliland Independence Day
It was an honour to celebrate Somaliland Independence Day, as a member of the APPG for Somaliland, with the Somaliland Mission!
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Joint session with Ukrainian Committee on Foreign Policy
The Foreign Affairs Committee ran a joint evidence session with the Ukrainian Committee on Foreign Policy, hearing from different witnesses about how Russia is waging a damaging disinformation and interference campaign.
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The ONE Campaign
Thanks to two members of my constituency for meeting with me to discuss the ONE Campaign as part of UK Aid Lobby Day.
They were raising awareness about the need for renewed investment in vaccination programmes in developing countries.
Overseas spending and reducing global poverty benefit us all. This is central to the work I discussed with David Miliband and the International Rescue Committee.
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Visiting Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS)
Thanks to IDAS for showing me around!
Independent Domestic Abuse Services is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire providing support to people who suffer domestic abuse and sexual violence.
It’s vital work and ensures that people get the justice and support they deserve.
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Meeting with Refugees at Home
I met representatives from the Sheffield branch of Refugees At Home to talk about promoting their scheme which connects refugees and asylum seekers with hosts in the UK.
If you have a spare room and are willing to give a safe space to a refugee or a person seeking asylum in Sheffield, visit the Refugees at Home website to see how you can help
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Joybank
I visited Joybank and heard about their excellent work in recycling donated toys and providing them for those who don't have them.
We're lucky to have them in Sheffield, and I'm sure many will benefit from this service.
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International Student Experience Roundtable
Thanks to everyone who spoke at the International Student Experience Roundtable, where we discussed the impact and sustainability of international students in the UK.
Sheffield Central benefits financially and culturally from international students attending both universities, so it was great to hear stories of similar positive impact across the UK.
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Climate All-Party Parliamentary Group
An informative roundtable at the Climate APPG with Minister Shanks, where we discussed the government’s plans for delivering a fair and sustainable energy transition in the North Sea. I raised the importance of renewable energy, solar energy and community energy projects
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Congratulations to Cllr Safiya Saeed
Councillor Safiya Saeed was inaugurated as the new Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Sheffield at Sheffield City Council’s Annual General Meeting late last month.
I'm very proud of her and know she'll make a wonderful Lord Mayor.
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Government secures a better deal with the EU
It’s time for a closer relationship with the EU and I’m thrilled to see the Government’s deal come through. Easier travel, better trade and a willingness to consider schemes such as youth mobility. As a member of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, I will continue to advocate for stronger ties.
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SHARE Sheffield Conference
It was an honour to speak at the SHARE conference at Weston Park Museum, where guests discussed celebrating British history that confronts colonialism and racism in our education system.
Thanks to SHARE for having me, and to the speakers for providing some fascinating insights
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Standing Together for Palestine
It was great to welcome Amin and Uri of Standing Together.
They came to speak to a packed audience in Sheffield about how Israelis and Palestinians in Israel are working together, campaigning for peace and social justice. Both argued that this must start with an end to the brutal occupation and recognition of a Palestinian state.
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Ending homelessness
Thanks to Rushanara Ali for holding an engagement session to develop a long-term strategy to end homelessness.
I know we have many vulnerable people in need of support in Sheffield. I raised concerns about the increasing numbers of rough sleepers, the need for the Local Housing Allowance to increase and the need for long term funding settlements so that organisations are secure enough to focus on their delivery and not their finances.
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Visit to Weston Park Museum
Wonderful to visit the Weston Park Museum, which celebrates our community from industry to sport to music. Pop down and see the exhibition from Pete McKee, an artist and a Sheffield institution.
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Funding boost for Sheffield NHS Foundation Trust
As part of the Plan for Change, our Government has announced that it will be rolling out new radiotherapy machines for 28 hospitals across the country, Sheffield NHS Foundation Trust being one. This investment will mean faster and safer treatment for cancer patients in Sheffield Central. It was also wonderful to see that the DHSC has awarded part of the £750m estates safety fund to Sheffield Children's Hospital, Michael Carlisle Centre, Royal Hallamshire, Jessop Wing, and the Charles Clifford Dental School.
The money will ensure safety and sustainability is at the heart of the excellent healthcare across Sheffield
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Visit to America and the UN
Last week, I went to Washington with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, where we met with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres and had critical discussions with him about the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Secretary General has been a loud principled voice on the importance of accountability and maintaining an international rules-based order which relies on states respecting international norms and principles
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Meeting Bernie Sanders
It was an honour to meet a stalwart of progressive politics, Bernie Sanders, during my visit to America. Bernie was courteous, welcoming and it was heartening to meet one of the many people continuing to fight for peace and justice in an increasingly fraught and fragile situation
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Harmony Works
I had the pleasure of being shown around the Grade II* listed Canada House, an absolute gem in the heart of Sheffield.
Harmony Works have plans to turn the grand space into the musical home for young people in Sheffield. It’s an incredible fusion of Sheffield’s musical and industrial heritage and I can’t wait to see it come to life.
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Visit to the Dove and Rainbow
Pubs like the Dove and Rainbow have been serving the community for years and I know that it would be devastating to lose them. As an MP, I’m their representative, elected to be their voice in Parliament.
I promised to take their concerns to Parliament.
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My questions and debates in Parliament |
Out of the thousands of emails my constituents send me every week, the highest proportion of these demand action on the atrocities being committed in Gaza.
I listen to your concerns and advocate on your behalf.
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Sanctioning Israeli ministers
I welcomed the Foreign Secretary's strong statement after the Government suspended free trade agreement talks with Israel.
I asked him to go further by sanctioning Smotrich and Ben Gvir who are proudly calling for ethnic cleansing. These sanctions have now been implemented.
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Recognising a Palestinian state
I called for recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN conference which did not go ahead after the Israeli/Iran war. This conference has been postponed and we will continue to press for recognition.
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The conflict in Iran
Many British Iranians contacted me, incredibly worried, about what the conflict with Israel and the US would do to their country.
They did not agree with the Regime but certainly didn't want a war which would affect their families abroad. I expressed much of their concerns regarding the Iraq war, which lasted from 2003-2011, where hundreds of thousands of innocent people were killed, where WMD were never found, violence raged for years and the aftermath of the conflict is still felt to this day.
Strikes and bombs on Iran will not make Israel safer, nor will it end any nuclear enrichment programmes. Instead it will destabilise the Middle East, again.
The UK was absolutely right to focus on de-escalation and diplomacy.
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