Last year’s fire at Northfield’s Manor House was devastating news for everyone concerned about the heritage of our area. Since then I have continued to press Birmingham University for updates. You can find the latest news about the building and the recent further demolition in this letter– which has also been sent out to local residents. As you will see, the University outline why further …
Over the next week I will be moving my constituency office to new premises. The relocation will mean that, unfortunately, there will be some disruption in contacting me and there may be an impact on the length of time it takes me to respond to cases. However I want to assure you that my team and I will be working through any backlog as quickly as possible. My phone number, 0121 477 7746, will …
Last year’s independence referendum, and the massive increase in support for the Scottish Nationalists at the General Election, have inevitably focused attention about how and where decisions should be made across the different nations of the UK. It’s also clear that big questions must be answered about how power is devolved – not only to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but within …
This week I listened to David Cameron set out his ‘One Nation’ Queen’s Speech for ‘working people’. After having heard him deliver it, I’m not convinced that the Prime Minister quite understands what either of those phrases mean.
It is difficult to know quite what to say after what has been the longest general election campaign in recent memory.
Earlier this year it was revealed that the Northfield constituency has the worst record in the country for low pay. Over 50% of people in this area are paid less than the living wage of £7.85 an hour – reaching up to 63.1% for women. As I said at the time, it is an absolute scandal that over half of local working people are not being paid enough to provide properly for themselves and their …
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.