Next steps on national renewal set out May saw the King’s Speech announce 37 Government Bills for a new session of Parliament. This builds on the 50 pieces of new legislation so far passed by the Labour Government - including on employment rights, renters' rights and fighting crime and anti-social behaviour. The new bills announced include: An Energy Independence Bill boosting renewables, improving our energy security and self-sufficiency, to free UK consumers from global

Today Diana Johnson MP was at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Infected Blood Service of Recognition, Remembrance and Reflection for those infected and affected in the scandal. 19 May marked the second anniversary of the 2024 publication of the main Public Inquiry report. Alongside 1,300 people from the infected blood community, who came from all over the UK, those at the Service included Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former Prime Minister Theresa May and several serving Governmen

Today the King announced 37 new Government Bill to open the next session of the current five-year Parliament. This builds on the 50 pieces of new legislation so far passed by the Labour Government - including on employment rights, renters' rights and fighting crime and anti-social behaviour. The new bills announced in the KIng's Speech include: • An Energy Independence Bill boosting renewables, improving our energy security and self-sufficiency, to free UK consumers from glob

Following the results of yesterday's local elections, I want to thank all those who voted Labour and all our excellent candidates and campaigners who fought our corner in challenging circumstances. While these local election results are disappointing for the Labour Party in Hull, particularly with the loss of hardworking Labour councillors, I will continue to work constructively with Hull City Council and the Government in the months ahead to bring in investment, tackle the c

Modern rights at work April saw the implementation of a number of measures from the Labour Government's landmark Employment Rights Act, a manifesto pledge at the 2024 General Election These changes are being introduced gradually across 2026 and 2027, allowing employers time to prepare and ensuring that workers have clear information about their new rights. This Bill represents the biggest reset to workers’ rights in a generation and, as previously happened with the National M

Diana Johnson MP attended the official launch of Labour's Local Election campaign in Hull. Labour candidates have already been working hard in communities across Hull and they will do even more if elected on 7 May to work with the Labour Government to ease the cost of living crisis, safeguard vital local services and promote Hull's economic regeneration.

An eventful month at home and abroad March saw the Chancellor's Spring Statement. This contained much positive news about Britain's economy - especially on inflation, growth and public finances. However, this soon overtaken by the outbreak of hostilities in Iran and around the Middle East that has caused another unwelcome energy price shock. Challenging failure in local NHS Trust Late March saw the announcement by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting that Hull University Teachi

Hull’s Labour MPs have welcomed the decision by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting to include Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the Government’s NHS Intensive Recovery programme. In a joint statement, Diana Johnson MP, Emma Hardy MP and Karl Turner MP said: “Following Hull MPs’ discussions with Health Ministers, it’s welcome that decisive action is being taken by the Secretary of State for Health to make Hull part of the NHS Intensive Recovery programme from Apr

Writing in the Yorkshire Post today (Saturday 14 March), Hull’s three Labour MPs have issued a joint plea for the opportunity to be taken to secure Hull rail electrification. The full text of the article reads: Commenting further, Hull North and Cottingham Labour MP Diana Johnson said: “There is a great opportunity to use the latest train battery technology to have faster, greener and more economic-to-run rail services, saving the Government money, not just for Hull

John and Emma Story, Diana Johnson and Health Secretary Wes Streeting Diana Johnson MP supported constituents John and Emma Story who came to Westminster promoting Lyla's Law on mandatory testing for all children presenting with potential Type 1 Diabetes symptoms. Lyla Story died in May 2025, fewer than 24 hours after her mother took her to a doctor, who diagnosed acute tonsillitis. An inquest into Lyla's death in September heard that she had undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes. The

Diana Johnson MP addresses the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce Diana Johnson MP spoke today to the Annual General Meeting of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce at the MKM Stadium about the economic importance of the Humber. The Hull North and Cottingham MP told the meeting: "We will not achieve stronger UK economic growth, upon which so much else relies, without the Humber. "With our regional profile of carbon emitting industries, we will not achieve Net Zero without the

Preparing for the jobs of the Future While much of the media attention during February concerned various scandals and conflicts, going almost under the radar there were signs in improvement in everyday economic issues. The UK's economic growth continued to lead the G7, retail sales grew 4.5% over the year, Government finances recorded the biggest-ever surplus and inflation fell further - hopefully enabling further interest rate cuts to boost housing and businesses. Despi

Despite the recent encouraging news, there is clearly still much to do on combating the ongoing cost of living crisis and encouraging stronger economic growth. That's why it is so important to prepare people for the jobs of the future in a labour market that is expected to change with AI. This is important to me not just as a Hull constituency MP, but also in my role as Employment Minister. In February, the annual National Apprenticeships Week served as an important opportuni

This week, while the Labour Government invested in taking 450,000 children out of poverty, Reform UK said that they would rather use the money to cut the price of a pint of beer by 5p. My article today for The Hull Story is below and at https://www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/diana-johnson-opinion-child-poverty . The vast majority of parents want to support their children through working for a living, paying their way and standing on their own two feet. Doing this has been c

Getting rail electrification on track Over the past 20 years, I have supported the cross-party campaigning, alongside the Humber business community, to electrify rail around the Humber. In 2013 there was even a privately-financed initiative to achieve it that was blocked by the then Conservative government in November 2016. The incoming Labour Government in 2024 was clear that to achieve higher levels of economic growth, we need every region and nation of the UK to play a p

" In today’s meeting with the Rail Minister, Hull MPs welcomed the recent confirmation from the Department of Transport that electrification of the rail lines to Hull remains under consideration and discussed the options now available to make progress on it. “We noted that there is currently an opportunity to end the use of polluting and expensive-to-run diesel trains on TransPennine rail routes and boost capacity through a scheme of discontinuous electrification and new batt

In response to today's Government announcement for plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail, Hull's MPs have issued the following joint statement about the electrification of rail lines to Hull. "We agree with the Government that for the UK to boost productivity and achieve higher economic growth the Humber, like the rest if the North, needs sustained investment in skills, jobs and in improving our transport connectivity and capacity - for passengers and freight. "It is clear from t

An estimated 3,710 children across Hull North and Cottingham will be lifted out of poverty by Labour scrapping the two-child limit. New legislation introduced to Parliament today will see over half a million families across the country better off from April. Lifting the two-child limit on benefits such as Universal Credit comes alongside other action to cut the cost of living for families, including: Extending free school meals to half a million more children Cutting £150

A budget for working families The most important event during November was the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. The impact of national and world events in recent years mean that many people are still finding it hard to make ends meet. This is why one of the main themes of the Budget was helping working families with the cost of living, along with protecting our NHS. Rail fares will be frozen for the first time in 30 years and the bus fares cap, so important around Hull, sta

Please be aware that the Parliamentary Christmas recess runs from 5pm on Friday 19 December 202 5 until 9am on Monday 5 January 202 6 . My emails will be infrequently monitored during this time and enquiries will be responded to in the New Year. Sources of Help and Information Over Christmas Hull City Council Services If you have an issue with Hull City Council services, you can call them on 01482 300 300 or visit the website: http://www.hull.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/c