As we reach the final stages of the Brexit talks ahead of the European Council meeting at the end of this week, I’ll be watching to see if any deal fulfils Boris Johnson’s commitments for barrier-free trade, a close security partnership, and maintaining environmental and employment standards. I’ll also be preparing for the legislation which will follow a deal and have meetings on the impact for ports and transport in general.

Today I’ll be voting against Government attempts to break international law with the Internal Market Bill, on which I spoke for Labour when it was first considered in the Commons, and joining a briefing on COP26 from the Business Secretary. I’ll also be discussing how we can boost the switch to renewable energy locally with the Sheffield Council.

After challenging the Chancellor last week on those excluded from the financial support for those affected by Covid-19 measures last week, tomorrow I’m joining a meeting of the Gaps in Support All-Party Parliamentary Group – with around 3 million taxpayers still excluded – and on Thursday I’ll be questioning the Culture Secretary on protecting the arts from the impact of the pandemic.

Later in the week I have the second of two meetings with headteachers following the recent announcement on examinations next summer and to discuss the ‘Worth Less?’ campaign on school funding. Along with the city’s other MPs I’ll also be meeting the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and the Teaching Hospitals Trust before Covid-19 measures are reviewed again on the 16^th December.