On arriving in Westminster today I’ll be joining an Eye Health Day event calling for a national plan to improve eye care across the UK.  After that I’m meeting with Housing Minister, Jacob Young, to discuss the implications of the Renters’ Reform Bill for students on which I spoke in Parliament. In the evening, with the appalling situation in Gaza and the war in Ukraine in mind, I’ll be joining colleagues at a ‘Parliamentarians for Peace’ candlelit vigil to mark the 75^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Tomorrow the Health and Social Care Select Committee will be meeting to finalise our report on assisted dying following our recent inquiry. After that I’ll be heading back to Sheffield for a hospital appointment following recent eye surgery, which means I’ll miss the vote on the Government’s Rwanda Bill. I’ve opposed the proposals at every stage and am disappointed not to be there tomorrow, but I’m ‘paired’ which means my absence will make no difference to the outcome.

I’m back in Westminster on Wednesday morning where I’ll be joining a UK Trade and Business Commission meeting on the creation of a new independent Board of Trade. I’ll then be calling into a Carers UK drop-in before heading to the Fairtrade Christmas promotion. After that I’m attending a roundtable event on Healthier Eating in Sport with a group of young people from Sheffield who want to utilise the potential of sport to create a fairer and more affordable food system.

On Wednesday afternoon I’ll be questioning new Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, as part of a special meeting of the Health and Social Care Select Committee. On Thursday I’ll be meeting online with the Director of Harmony Works, in my role as Chair of the Castlegate Area Board and then attending the funeral of Glenys Kinnock.

Back in Sheffield on Friday I’ll be meeting with City Council leaders, as well as catching up with the Vice Chancellors of both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.