While millions enjoy our iconic promenade this summer, I’ll be heading Beyond the Prom – to meet you, listen to you and take action in every corner of Blackpool South.

I’m proud to share some long-overdue recognition for a remarkable but often overlooked group of World War II heroes – the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU). These were the unarmed airmen who flew alone, deep into enemy territory, to gather vital intelligence that helped win the war. Among them was one of Blackpool’s own.

More fantastic news for Blackpool – the government has now confirmed that our town will receive its full £15.3 million allocation from the Levelling Up Fund.

Growing up in Blackpool, poverty wasn’t a policy discussion – it was a daily reality. I know what it’s like to go without, to see stress etched into the faces of hardworking parents, and to wonder why the opportunities available elsewhere never seem to reach your street. That lived experience shaped who I am today. And it’s why, as the MP for my hometown, tackling child poverty is my most urgent priority.

Blackpool’s always been a place that welcomes people. We’ve done it for generations. Families from across the country have made memories here. But tourism isn’t just about holidays. It’s about jobs, pride and building a better future for our town.

I found out about the incredible work coming out of the pARTnership – a project bringing together artists with learning disabilities to develop their skills and showcase their creativity.

A new government-funded scheme will support disabled people, those living with health conditions, and residents facing complex barriers to employment to find work, stay in it and thrive.

Primary Steps is run by the Royal Ballet School – one of the best in the world – and it gives children from working-class towns like Blackpool the chance to experience top-class dance training.

As the school year ends, I’ve been thinking about everything I’ve seen in our schools this year. Some of the visits that stuck with me the most were to our three SEND schools – Highfurlong, Woodlands, and Park Academy.

Highfield Leadership Academy is one of the first 200 schools selected to take part in the Department for Education’s new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence initiative (RISE). This will drive up standards at the school and give 1,100 pupils in Blackpool South a better chance of academic success.

The government has announced a landmark fund to improve the outcomes of children in England – the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world.

At Gateway Academy, a local primary school in our community, I was invited to the launch of a pop-up science museum – the brainchild of 10-year-old Poppy Docherty, a young scientist with ambition well beyond her years.

Blackpool’s coastline is part of who we are. It’s where generations of families have walked, played and paddled. It’s the backdrop to our lives and a source of pride for our town. But under the Conservatives and on the watch of United Utilities, our coastal waters have been shamelessly polluted.

Lytham Road has been selected as a target area for the Safer Streets Summer Initiative – a national campaign led by Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, with support from the Home Office.

House of Wingz is a hub of creativity offering young people in Blackpool a place to learn, connect and express themselves through hip hop culture. The work happening here lifts ambition, builds confidence and creates opportunities and a new report tells us why that’s exactly what our young people need.

Labour has announced its 5 Step Plan for social housing – delivering real change for people right here in Blackpool.

On a recent visit I stood in the middle of what used to be Mereside library, but instead of bookshelves and quiet signs, the place was full of energy – college students mixing plaster, rolling paint and tinkering with electrics. They’re turning it into a two-bedroom council flat and doing a brilliant job of it.

From cutting NHS waiting lists to banning no-fault evictions and boosting wages, Labour’s first year in government is making a real difference for people in Blackpool. Here are the top 10 achievements of this government that are already improving lives in Blackpool.

After years of sticking plasters and short-term fixes, we’ve finally got a proper plan to sort out the mess and build a health service that works for everyone. And for towns like Blackpool, where health problems hit harder, this plan is a game-changer.