On Friday 7 July 2023 I visited Delves Junior School and spoke to the school about my work as their Member of parliament. I explained how we have to bob when we want to catch Mr Speaker's eye during question time. At that point, everyone jumped up and bobbed. There are many ways we can raise issues through questions, and adjournment debates which MPs can apply for to raise a topic of importance. The Pupils are hoping to set up a pupil Parliament and also a select committee. 

I took the mini chamber into the school and showed them how parliament is set up with Mr Speaker in the Chair, the clerks' table and where the Mace sits when the House is in Session. Our day starts with the Mace being brought in by the Serjeant At Arms followed by Prayers and then the Business starts. The Mace is taken away at the end of each day and as Mr Speaker leaves the Chamber the next sitting is announced.  The Pupils had a session with Baroness Jill Pitkeathley and asked us both the same question about which House was more important, the House of Commons or the House of Lords. I said the Commons are elected so they are closer to the people and that only the House of Commons can deal with any aspects of finance in a Bill. 

I also presented a sticker album for the FIFA Women's World Cup and a book for the Summer Reading Challenge, which this year is about games and sports. I visited the "Hobbit House Library" . It is great place to get the children interested in reading and is a unique place.  

I then visited each class and answered their questions on Parliament. There were many great questions. It was an eventful day organised by Ms Bains. I wish Ms Bains well in her new post.  Well done Delves. 

I met the FAB Michael Rosen at the Great School Library drop in hosted by Margaret Greenwood, MP for Wirral West.  Michael is a well known author of books for children such as Chocolate Cake, We're Going on a Bear Hunt; Sad Book; Little Rabbit Foo Foo; No breathing in Class. Michael was there to promote Great School Libraries who campaign to bring Libraries and access to Librarians back to every school in the UK.To find out more : www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk Michael Rosen is the former Children's Laureate. I pledge my support for this campaign. 

The Institute of Physics held a  drop in at parliament on Wednesday 5 July 2023 to highlight their campaign for a manifesto  for change  the 'Limit Less' campaign and how it supports young people from underrepresented groups to enjoy physics. 

I spoke to teachers and students about their experiences of diversity and inclusion in their schools. The Limit Less campaign is aimed at unrepresented groups who might otherwise not pursue physics owing to misconceived ideas about physics and stereotypes about who can study it.

Too often girls are told that physics is better suited for boys, and young people hear physics is not for them owing to their ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or social background. The Institute for Physics' Limit Less campaign aims to change this and make physics a more diverse and inclusive subject. To find out more visit www.iop.org/strategy/limit-less

Those responsible for school governance play an active role in ensuring that equity and equality are promoted in their schools and that in equalities are addressed including appointing a member with specific responsibilities for equality.  IOP are calling for more underserved groups to benefit from learning outside the classroom such as in science or STEM clubs. visit : campaign.iop.org/manifesto

 

 

Celebrating 75 years of our NHS

I signed the 75 Birthday card for the NHS. This is a great reminder of how long the NHS has been in all our lives. We wish the NHS many Happy returns and look forward to many more. As Nye Bevan the founder of the NHS said "The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it". 

‘Parkrun for the NHS’ – celebrating the NHS’s 75th anniversaryParliamentarians met in New Palace Yard to take part in the Parkrun NHS 75 for a special run to celebrate the NHS’s 75th birthday.The event, spearheaded by Nick Smith MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Parkrun, saw 22 MPs, from a range of political parties, run or walk around St James’s Park. 



About parkrunParkrun started in 2004 with just 13 runners and 5 volunteers in London’s Bushy Park. Events now take place in more than 2,200 locations in over 20 countries around the world.Parkrun is a UK-based global health and wellbeing charity that encourages movement in the company of others, in the outdoors, whether walking, jogging, running, volunteering or coming along to cheer and socialise. There is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along. Find your local event or register at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/