On United Nations’ Human Rights Day we should not only celebrate our freedoms but also speak out against the injustices and abuses suffered by many around the world. In the House of Commons I raised Human Rights Day and we remembered our actions that freed Albert Woodfox, who was held in the USA for over

During Business Questions I called for an Urgent Debate on the state of poverty in the UK. Figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s “UK Poverty 2017” report state that nearly one in three disabled people are living in poverty, while 30% of children and 16% of pensioners live in relative poverty; that figure has risen

On Monday 4 December 2017 the fourth day of the Committee of the Whole House for the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill took place. A Committee of the Whole House takes place in the House of Commons Chamber and is presided over by the chairman of the Ways and Means committee.

On Tuesday 5 December 2017 I supported Unicef UK’s Baby Friendly Initiative on Breastfeeding. Unicef UK is calling on government to tackle the UK’s low breastfeeding rates and improve the health of children by leading action to remove the barriers – social, cultural, economic, physical and practical – that make it difficult for women to

Tuesday 6 December saw Parliament have an important debate on the Government's Universal Credit scheme as it has driven debt, arrears and evictions which has caused real suffering for people acorss the UK.

Valerie said:

During Business Questions I raised a constituent who has been penalised in her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment and called for parity of esteem in PIP assessments; and called for a statement to set how the Government are dealing with errors in the payment of employment and support allowance.

Stories from families and friends who have spent most of their lives living and working in Darlaston have been shared in Tony Highfield’s book titled ‘More Memories of Darlaston Over the Years’.