North London Hospice Compassionate Neighbours Event

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I had the privilege of attending the Compassionate Neighbours six-year celebration at North London Hospice Enfield on the 12th of December.

The Compassionate Neighbours model is a volunteer led support programme that assists people in the community with life-limiting illnesses to overcome the physical and mental barriers that stop them actively participating within their community. 

Having an illness can often feel very lonely for individuals, and the Compassionate Neighbours model offers thoughtful support for those who are socially isolated, so it was an honour to join people from North London Hospice and commemorate the model’s success. 

Barnet and Southgate College’s New T-Level Centre

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As part of T-Levels Week, on the 6th of December, I had the pleasure of opening the new T-Level Centre at Barnet and Southgate College’s Southgate campus. The newly refurbished centre will act as a hub for developing the workforce of tomorrow with facilities for teaching Engineering, Computing and IT, and Healthcare Science.

Studies here will be supported by state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and T-Level tutor experts to aid students in their courses. 

Well done to Neil Coker, their CEO and principal, and all of his colleagues at Barnet and Southgate College! Good luck to all of the students who go on to study their T-Levels here!

Remembrance Day 2024

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On the 11th November, I attended the Act of Remembrance at Broomfield Park. It was an honour to speak and lay a wreath at this event to pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought for our freedom.

Lest we forget.

United Nations International Day of Education

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To mark the UN International Day of Education, I secured a Westminster Hall debate to discuss the importance of education in our societies and how disruption impacts the next generation. Listen to the highlights of my speech here:

Hospices and Palliative Care Debate

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On the 13th January 2025, I spoke in a general debate on Hospices and Palliative Care to discuss the extraordinary work carried out by North London Hospice and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice. Financial challenges faced by hospices outline the importance of long-term reform to the hospice funding model.

Read my speech here: Hospice and Palliative Care – Hansard – UK Parliament 

Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls

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On 9th January 2025, I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on the impact that conflict has on women and girls, in particular the impact war and conflict has on education. Listen to my intervention below:

Question to the Leader of the House

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On 9th January 2025, I asked the Leader of the House for a debate in Government time to discuss the 3.3 billion people living in debt distressed countries where more is spent on debt servicing than on health and education combined. Listen to my question here:

Question to the Minister for Development on Syria

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On 19 December 2024, I asked the Minister for Development to offer reassurance that the Government will use all its powers to ensure that minority groups in Syria will be protected from attack from HTS and other hostile actors.

Listen to her response below.

Creative Arts Education Debate

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As the Chair of the APPG for Music Education, it was a privilege to speak in the Westminster Hall debate on creative arts education. Listen to the highlights of my speech below.

Question to the Secretary of State for Education

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On Monday the 9th of December 2024, I asked the Secretary of State for Education what steps her Department were taking to ensure that the pay, heavy workloads, and poor working environments left behind by the previous Government no longer push valued teachers out of the profession.

You can listen to her response below: