I visited Grove House care home in Penley’s Grove Street in York today to join the residents, their families and members of staff for afternoon tea to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  We had sandwiches, cream cakes and an alcoholic … More…

  I met representatives from the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union today, whose members could lose their jobs if the decision to transfer the 65 members of staff from Athena House in York to Leeds, goes ahead.   As … More…

I met Helen Graham and members of the York Welfare Campaign group this morning to receive a petition with over 500 signatures on it.  The petition was organised by the group in response to the Government’s changes to the Housing … More…

  I attended a reception in the House of Lords today to celebrate 26 special issue stamps released by Royal Mail.  The stamps feature memorable destinations from around the UK, one of which is York Minster.   The series, featuring … More…

In the House of Commons today, the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service currently employs 65 people at Athena House and a further 125 at United House in York.   The Attorney General gave me an assurance … More…

I have written to George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to urge him to offer more support to pubs and clubs.   In March I sent out questionnaires to pubs and clubs in my constituency to find out how … More…

      I joined the 1st Holgate Scout Group on a litter pick on the York Walls today as part of Scout Community Week.   Scout Community Week is taking place from 14-20 May and aims to encourage scouts … More…

This morning I visited Amarna House, the local care home now under the management of HC-One, the country’s newest and third largest provider of residential care for older people, to get to know the new management team and meet two … More…

Today in the House of Commons, I reminded the Prime Minister of a pledge he made on Newsnight (23 April 2010) reported in the York Press on 24 April 2010: “We won’t bring in VAT increase”; and called on him … More…

  In Government Labour did a lot to legislate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans equality.  When we came to power it was illegal for public bodies – teachers or local government officers – to promote homosexuality. That mind set … More…