Last month I visited Connaught School for an assembly and Q&A with the whole school. We talked through my own career and the path into politics️, and the pupils' questions ranged from work and careers to a debate on social media - always good to see young people engaging so sharply with these issues!

I visited the East London Boxing Academy recently to get an update on their fundraising campaign. The academy is committed to making boxing accessible to everyone and is currently raising funds to build a new girls' toilet and improve facilities for all users.

I have long been a big advocate for youth hubs in our area because every young person deserves a welcoming place to spend their time. I’m delighted to see this Labour Government investing in a Young Futures Hub in Waltham Forest, in addition to the Youth Hub scheme from the Mayor of London - giving local young people somewhere to

LASC is giving young people the skills they need to succeed through apprenticeships and training in scaffolding and roofing. These careers offer great opportunities to build secure futures and even start their own businesses. As we work to deliver 1.5 million new homes, we need a skilled workforce to make it happen. That's why organisations like LASC, started with the support of the GLA, are so important.

I’m campaigning to get a Youth Hub in Waltham Forest and Redbridge, and I’ll be working with local stakeholders to find the best possible location so that young people across Leyton and Wanstead can benefit.

I visited the Wanstead High School site again this month, as I'd promised residents an update. I met with Cllr Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, to express my deep concern about the ongoing situation, particularly the safeguarding issues and the pressures this has placed on the school's leadership. I received some reassurances from him, and negotiations with a new contractor are now at a critical stage. Once that process concludes, I have a meeting arranged directly with coun

Great to be at Wanstead High School to congratulate staff and students on their excellent results.I spoke with the headteacher about how I can provide further support, including the latest situation with the pool. I also met with Cllr Emma Shepherd Mallinson, and we have arranged to meet council leaders to understand how a new contractor will be appointed.

Proud to back Waltham Forest's bid for DCMS Local Youth Transformation and Young Futures Hubs funding. 📝 Having seen the real difference programmes like Space4All make for young people first-hand, this investment would help expand that support across the borough, right when it's needed most.

Great to join Cllr Aisha Abubakar for a community coffee morning in Cathall. We heard directly from local parents about the impact of rising summer temperatures on our schools, including George Tomlinson School, and the brilliant efforts already underway locally to adapt to this. We also talked about opportunities for young people in the area, and what more can be done to support them.

Very happy to have joined local Labour councillors at the Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School summer fete last month to meet staff, parents and pupils in Wanstead.

Last month, I was pleased to host a roundtable with the local branch of Maximus, bringing together government, educators and employers to tackle youth unemployment. Last month, I was pleased to host a roundtable with the local branch of Maximus, bringing together government, educators and employers to tackle youth unemployment.

Yesterday in Leyton, we held a tournament for our young people to come together, play football, learn about the diverse stories in our national team, and raise our voices for England’s success.

Last week I visited Whipps Cross Hospital with Skills Minister Jacqui Smith to meet the brilliant young people taking part in Project SEARCH - a employment programme for students with SEND, supported by the Department for Education.

Too many young people want to work - but the system is failing them. We’ve just seen the Milburn review on youth unemployment, and it confirms what I hear from our young people locally. Entry-level jobs are disappearing, apprenticeships for under‑25s are down, and 3,000 young people in Leyton & Wanstead are NEET but keen to work or train.

I took them on a tour, and they spent the day learning about the role of MPs, the work my team does, and took part in some lively debates - including on whether social media does more harm than good.

I've submitted my response to the Government's SEND consultation, drawing on months of engagement with families and professionals across Leyton and Wanstead - including roundtables, a parents' coffee morning and a constituency-wide survey.

Thank you to everyone who came along to my SEND coffee morning last weekend! It was a valuable conversation with parents and carers about the Government’s new SEND proposals, what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change for families locally.

A really valuable discussion at Nightingale Primary this week on the impact of smartphones and social media on children.