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

Winners Blondes in Cottingham and Level in Hull North with runners-up Abigail Bakes and Sophistikate. Small Business Saturday took place on 6 December and this year my Small Business Saturday competition was back.   I asked constituents to vote online for their favourite small businesses in Hull North and Cottingham.   Level on Newland Avenue was voted as the favourite small business in Hull North. Open since 2010, Level has clearly made its mark in the local community.   I w

It’s almost that time of year again!   For my Christmas card this year, I held a design competition amongst primary school pupils across Hull North and Cottingham. Pupils submitted wonderfully imaginative designs, but Sajidah from Thoresby Primary School created one that really stood out.   I visited Thoresby to announce the news of Sajidah’s win and presented her with a goodie bag of local treats from Hull City Tigers, Hull Truck and Caffe Gelato. Despite her shock, I’m sure

It’s brilliant news that Appleton Primary School and Sirius Academy North in Hull North and Cottingham will save money on their energy bills thanks to Great British Energy’s solar programme. This will cut energy bills for our local schools, meaning that more money can be put into crucial frontline services. That's the difference this Labour Government is making.

With 1 in 8 young people not in education, employment or training – an issue particularly affecting many neurodivergent individuals – the importance of tailored training cannot be overstated. Excellent work is already taking place in our special schools - such as Northcott in my constituency. This approach should be replicated across the country.

Ahead of Remembrance Day, I placed a cross for Hull North and Cottingham constituents in the House of Commons Memorial Garden. Today, we remember all the men and women who served and fought for our freedoms, those who never came home, and those who continue to defend our country to this day.

Honoured to be part of the 40% project, celebrating the record 264 women now in the Commons — 40% of all MPs! Grateful to local photographer, Abbie Jennings, for capturing my portrait and to all the talented women behind this inspiring project.

The period going into the Autumn after party Conference season is always a busy one in the constituency, at Westminster, and on the political calendar generally. Below is a brief account of my work over the past month. To stay in regular touch in ‘real time’ with my Ministerial, Parliamentary and Constituency work, please follow me on social media and see Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK and Spoken contributions of Dame Diana Johnson - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament

🎉October's Cottingham Community Champion is Ian Start! Ian is a long-standing trustee and community leader with the Cottingham Village trust, playing a central role in securing and running the Civic Hall. Ian's dedication has been vital in turning the Hall into a thriving local hub for event, services and community use. Thanks to Ian's unwavering commitment and dedication, Cottingham Civil Hall is now a cultural hub in the village, fostering social connections and supporting

Last week, I hosted a cost of living support event At my Orchard Centre drop-in event this morning, I discussed cost-of-living issues with constituents and many of those who do great work giving local people help and advice on the daily challenges that so many face. Many thanks to all who came along.

While Reform UK's war on clean energy would put around 1.4 million jobs at risk from 2030, this Labour Government is creating over 400,000 extra jobs in clean energy industries. What does this mean for our area? 20,000 opportunities in clean energy industries across Yorkshire and the Humber Energy Estuary Huge opportunities in 31 occupations, including plumbing, welding, engineering and electrifications Higher wages, with entry level roles in clean energy paying 23% more than

I attended last week’s Breast Cancer Campaign’s Pink Ribbon Tea in Parliament to highlight the importance of self-checking. One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 9 minutes and a man is diagnosed every day in the UK. Self-checking is recommended at least once a month to look for any potential signs of the disease. Dr Zoe Williams has developed has developed a step-by-step tutorial & co-created a Self-Check Leaflet with Breast Cancer Now. Find it here: https://www.elc

Today sees the launch of Best Start in Life! I'm proud of the action taken by the Government so far to make this a reality - including the new £154,994 of funding to open a new Best Start Family Hub in the East Riding by next April. Find out more👉http:// www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/

This is the difference Labour makes, communities in Hull North and Cottingham finally getting the funding we need and deserve. I'm proud...

In early September, I was appointed to a new position within Government, as the Minister of State for Employment at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It has been an honour to serve as Policing Minister since July 2024, working with dedicated police officers across the country to start to restore neighbourhood policing, introduce new powers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and prepare major reforms to policing in England and Wales. In my new role in the DWP,

Last week , I met with members from the Hull Parent Carers Forum. The Forum brings together parents of children with special educational...

After COVID too many young people were left not in employment, education or training. That's why the Government is doubling of the number...