After a long campaign, I’m delighted the government is now taking forward the action I’ve long called for.

While Parliament has been in recess, this week I’ve been spending time out and about across the constituency – meeting residents, visiting local organisations, hearing concerns directly from communities and seeing first-hand the incredible work taking place across Blackpool every single day.

Two years ago today the people of Blackpool South voted for change. We were done with corrupt and dirty politics – you wanted honesty, transparency and a person who truly believed in and cared about our town representing you in Parliament. You put your trust in me and I’m still so grateful you did. Since that day I’ve been working to prove you right.

I have now brought together the first meeting of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board and we beginning the work of deciding how £20 million will be invested in Layton and Grange Park.

No one should feel unsafe for participating in democracy. Attempts to intimidate or silence those in public service are an attack on the rights and freedoms that underpin our political system.

After promising the people of Blackpool I would secure the closure of our asylum hotel, I am proud to say that after two years of relentless campaigning the government has listened. The Metropole Hotel will cease operating as asylum accommodation before the end of July.

The first wave of closures of asylum hotels is coming next week. I’ve once again written to the the Home Office to tell them why Blackpool’s must be prioritised.

B&FC will be the only DTEC in the North West, placing our area at the heart of the region’s defence skills pipeline and helping ensure that young people here are directly connected to some of the best opportunities in a high-skilled sector.

Last year I met with the Grundy’s team to discuss the funding needed to secure its future. I was proud to take that case directly to government and it’s fantastic to see that work deliver real results for our town.

Creative Fusion is a the first youth-let Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) in the country, bringing together a core group of young creatives to design and deliver projects for their peers, providing a platform that builds skills, amplifies their voices and empowers them to become community leaders.

Blackpool and the Fylde College is to receive over £2.6 million to provide major upgrades as part of Labour’s commitment to repair and maintain colleges across England.

As chair of the APPG for Tourism and Hospitality and as an MP for a town built on tourism, I have been following closely the debate around proposed visitor levies, or tourist taxes.

Today marks an important moment for families across Blackpool South and the country, as a raft of new measures introduced by the Labour government comes into force, delivering real, tangible support.

As a proud son of a Blackpool postie, I could not miss the opportunity to speak in a Westminster Hall debate about the current performance of Royal Mail last week.

The Jobs Fair was praised by the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who joined me to open the Jobs Fair last month, in the House of Commons as part of a wider discussion about the nearly one million young people across the country who are not in education, employment or training.

For years under the Tories we’ve seen playgrounds sadly neglected. Labour understands that to play is part of a healthy childhood.

PCC Clive Grunshaw kindly gave me £50,000 from proceeds of crime to distribute to our communities. Find out how I donated it.

Blackpool’s beaches will be protected for future generations thanks to a £17,690,000 Government investment in the Blackpool Beach Management scheme for 2026/27.

This week I took Blackpool’s case to the Prime Minister in a push for investment in our most deprived communities.

Yesterday I met with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to discuss the exciting news that Blackpool has been long listed for City of Culture 2029 and made the case to her for why Blackpool is undoubtedly the best choice.