Health and social care services in Birmingham are failing to provide the care that many children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) need and deserve, with parents and carers reporting waits of a year or more for assessment and diagnosis, problems getting referrals and a lack of support to help them care for their child. Read …
This is a statement I made in my capacity as Healthwatch Birmingham Chair, which was published on the Healthwatch Birmingham website: Healthwatch Birmingham shares the widespread concerns about Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) decision to close four day centres. Our research underlines how valuable day centres are to the often vulnerable people who use them and their carers. They provide important …
The appalling violence seen in several British towns and cities over the past week has taken my thoughts back to an event attended by hundreds of people in Birmingham last month. We were all there to both remember the past and to make a commitment for the future …
A video featuring highlights of the Remembering Srebrenica memorial event, held at the Council House, Birmingham, on 11th July 2024.
While my own and many other people’s eyes are focussed on the UK General Election this Thursday, please take a moment the following Thursday (11th) to remember the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, which took place in July 1995. Better still, if you can be in the centre of Birmingham at lunchtime on 11th, please join us at Remembering Srebrenica’s memorial event at Birmingham City …
Two years ago, I posted the statement below on social media, announcing that I did not intend to stand again for election as MP for Birmingham Northfield. At the same time I voiced my support for Alex Aitken to become the next Labour candidate for the constituency. With the General Election having finally been called, on 4th July I will have the opportunity to vote for Alex to become my home MP …
I was Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019 and a former Shadow Transport Minister. I now chair Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, and the West Midlands Board of Remembering Srebrenica. I also work as a public affairs consultant. I am an effective community advocate and stakeholder alliance builder with a passion for human rights. I am a trustee of the Balfour Project charity and of Citizens Advice Birmingham, and a former Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.