Welfare reform, BIS Select Committee, Assisted Dying, Park Hill Flats and recess -; all part of my week

21st July, 2015

Tuesday 21st July 2015 – Today is the last day Parliament is sitting before the summer recess, but there’s still plenty in my diary before I head back to Sheffield later in the week. Yesterday, we debated the Welfare Reform and Work Bill to which Labour tabled an amendment opposing the Bill because of the impact on child poverty. You can read about how I voted yesterday and why here. I’ve got two meetings of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee this week, to which I’m pleased to have been re-elected by fellow MPs. I’ll also be going to the Backbench Business Committee to argue for a Commons debate on immigration detention following the report of the cross-party inquiry of which I was Vice-Chair in the last Parliament.

In Westminster this week I’ll also be at a meeting of the GMB Parliamentary Group, of which I’m a member, and talking with the free debt management advisers PayPlan. I’m also talking to Radio 4 about the Assisted Dying Bill and, with other South Yorkshire MPs, meeting the Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, Councillor Steve Houghton, to discuss the budget and devolution. Back in Sheffield on Thursday and Friday, I’m visiting Park Hill for an update from the developers and I’ve meetings with the Clinical Director of the Clinical Commissioning Group, Hallam Students’ Union Officers, the Chief Executive of the Council, and the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

With Parliament if recess, I’ll be spending more time in Sheffield – meeting constituents, visiting groups and planning for my 2015 Big Conversation -; as well as taking a couple of weeks holiday! My next ‘Start the Week’ will be published on 7 September when Parliament meets again.