Over the weeks until the referendum on the 23rd June, I’ll be doing all that I can to keep Britain in the European Union. I’m working with Alan Johnson as part of the team that’s running the Labour In for Britain campaign, and I’ll be supporting the cross-party Britain Stronger in Europe campaign. The referendum is not about Cameron’s deal. It’s a ‘once and for all’ decision not just facing us now, but with an impact on generations to come.

David Cameron’s announcement that there will be a referendum on our European Union membership has dominated the weekend news, and will be a big part of my week ahead. Today starts with a Labour In for Britain campaign meeting, and then I’ll be in the Commons chamber for David Cameron’s statement. The referendum will be a critical moment for the UK. The EU is vital for our economy – and has delivered important protections for workers, consumers and the environment. I’m deeply worried that we’re stumbling to exit, for all the wrong reasons, and will be campaigning to stay for the next 18 weeks. If you could lend a hand, drop me a note and I’ll get in touch.

Monday 15^th February 2016 – Parliament is in recess this week, which gives me more time for meetings, casework and events in Sheffield. Today I’m meeting with Sheffield Money, a not-for-profit initiative offering lower cost credit options to keep people away from loan sharks. I campaigned successfully in the last Parliament for tougher regulation of payday loan sharks so I’m pleased to support this initiative, which came out of works by Sheffield’s Council-led Fairness Commission. 

Jeremy Hunt’s announcement that he will impose a contract on junior doctors is another mistake in a dispute that has been mishandled from the start. Hunt had to be forced into talks at ACAS and now he’s pulled the plug on negotiations. The NHS is under serious pressure, with overworked staff, recruitment problems, an ageing population and a funding crisis. Scrapping negotiations and imposing a contract is deeply insulting to the junior doctors who do incredible work every day of the year.

Today I challenged Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, and the Business, Innovation and Skills Department’s most senior civil servant, Martin Donnelly, over plans to close the Department’s Sheffield office.

The death last Thursday of my friend and colleague Harry Harpham casts a shadow over my week in Parliament. I worked with Harry for many years - long before either of us were in Parliament. His strongly held values and personal integrity shone through in everything he did. Building on his huge experience serving Sheffield as a leading Councillor, in eight short months he had established himself as a great advocate for the city in Parliament. I’ll miss him enormously. 

I have challenged the Prime Minister to publish the Government’s reasons for moving 247 civil service jobs from Sheffield to London, closing the Business Innovation and Skills Department office in the city. The decision followed a report commissioned by the Government from US management consultants McKinsey at a reported cost of £200,000.

After two weeks with a relatively blank diary to accommodate jury service, things are back into full swing this week. I’m meeting with ActionAid to discuss their recommendations for reforms to the global tax system and proposals for a UK ‘Tax Dodging Bill’. Later on, I’m serving on a European Committee to consider a report of the High Representative on Foreign Affairs and Security. In the evening I’ll be at a GMB event for retiring General Secretary, Paul Kenny, and his successor, Tim Roache.

Today’s announcement that over 200 civil service jobs will move from Sheffield to London makes no sense and only exposes George Osborne’s empty rhetoric about the northern powerhouse once again. I've pressed Ministers to move public sector jobs out of London, as Labour did, and I'll be challenging this decision at every opportunity. 

I've been called for jury service for this week and next, which is obviously going to limit my Parliamentary work.