Over the weekend I was working with residents at Wicker Riverside, after thirty-five were evacuated on Friday night and others face impossible charges due to building safety issues, and I’ve secured a meeting with the Minister for Building Safety and Communities to press for emergency support. I’ll also be liaising with the Council, the Fire Service and the building management to ensure everything is done to remedy the failures at no cost to those who live there.

As Shadow Brexit Minister, I’ll be continuing to follow talks and prepare for the legislation we’ll need as we reach the end of the transition on 31 December as we pass another deadline for conclusion of Boris Johnson’s “oven-ready deal” for our future relationship with the EU – and I’ll be seeking to hold the Government to account for their promise of barrier-free trade, a close security partnership, and maintaining standards.

On Tuesday, as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Students I am hosting a meeting between Universities Minister Michelle Donelan and students from all over the country – providing them with a chance to put questions directly to the Minister around blended/online learning, the staggered return in January, assessment and all the other issues related to the pandemic.

As we await the decision on the review of tiers on Wednesday, I’ll be meeting with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and with the Director of Public Health later in the week. It doesn’t appear that conditions are right to reduce Sheffield’s status, and I’m worried that the Christmas easing will lead to a third spike in January, so I’ll continue to support strong measures to protect people and prevent the NHS being overwhelmed – while pressing for better financial support for those affected.

Currently, Parliament is due to rise for recess next week so my next bulletin would be when Parliament returns from the recess on 4^th January, but the continued Brexit negotiations may mean that we meet next week or over the Christmas period.