September 2025 Monthly Newsletter

Diana Johnson
Oct 7
10 min read

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, I will be working on the Government's welfare and skills reform agenda. This is central to lifting people out of poverty and inactivity and boosting economic growth in all parts of the UK. Those who can work should work, supported to get off benefits and into the workplace. Too many have been stranded in the doom loop of joblessness and wasted potential. Opportunities should be available wherever people live with a welfare system that’s fair for all and a springboard to getting on in life — not one that holds them back.

As I know from my own constituency, too many people of working age are not in work - with many young people not in employment, education or training. This has worsened across the country since the COVID pandemic.

That's why the Government is doubling the number of Youth Hubs around the country, working with football clubs and others to help get young people back on track – see my article at https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/diana-johnson-pandemic-disrupted-kids-35951256.amp.

Summer in the Constituency

Safer Streets in Hull North and Cottingham

This summer I joined local councillors and Humberside Police for a walkabout in Orchard Park to hear directly from residents and see progress on tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and improving safety. We particularly focused on how police and local services are working together to respond to local residents.

Since the General Election, I have also been working with local councillors, police and retailers in Cottingham to tackle anti-social behaviour and shop theft. In August I paid another visit Cottingham to discuss ongoing concerns around shop theft. This is not just about enforcement, but also about investing in communities, improving local public spaces and creating better opportunities for residents – especially young people.

In September, as a follow-up to the meeting we had earlier in the year, I met with shop-workers and local police to hear an update on the current situation in the village centre. I was also able to provide more information on progress with the Crime and Policing Bill, with its new powers to tackle violence against shopworkers and anti social behaviour. This Bill will complete its passage through Parliament this Autumn. I hope that by working together we will make Cottingham a great village to work in and shop in for all the community.

Championing Support for Deaf Residents

In August I visited Hull and East Yorkshire Centre for the Deaf to learn more about the vital services they provide to the local deaf and hearing-impaired community. The Centre offers residential accommodation, social support and advocacy. They are vital to helping many residents maintain their independence and reduce isolation.

I met with Sarah Regan, the Residential Manager, who highlighted the challenges faced by the Centre, especially the national shortage of qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. There is limited local access to government-funded BSL training, forcing many to travel far and self-fund their qualifications.

I will do whatever I can to support efforts to improve interpreter training availability and raise awareness of the Centre’s needs in supporting residents in Hull.

Summer Fun

I attended the Family Fun Day at the Parks Family Hub, which offers a wide range of services for families with children and young people, including health support, parenting advice and help with housing and employment. I also spent time at Harrison Park in Orchard Park, an extra care housing scheme providing adaptable apartments and tailored support for adults with varying care needs. These hubs are vital for our community, to ensure everyone has access to the care and support they need

Celebrating Hull North Heroes and Cottingham Champions

Over the last two months, I’ve had the pleasure of recognising some inspiring people who are making a real difference in our community. First of all was Lisa Gray, who through her Little Cheese Pantry and her work organising Cottingham Market support local producers.

Secondly, Mike Gibbons and Robert Beautyman’s City of Hull Sport and Community Group plays a vital role in improving health and social wellbeing through sport and community projects around Orchard Park and the North Hull Estate.

Thirdly, I also visited the team at the Old Lamp Room in Cottingham. Thanks to Kasha Gravill-Vines’ careful restoration, the building has been transformed into a welcoming space. The food they serve attracts visitors and supports local tourism.

Finally, I also met Paul Richardson of Kingswood United, who coaches and mentors local football teams. His dedication is helping young people on and off the pitch and is another great asset to our local community.

Honouring Our Heroes

This summer, I visited two important sites that commemorate Hull’s wartime history. At the National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road, I saw the progress being made to restore this Grade II listed building — the last surviving civilian bomb-damaged site in the UK. Once restored, it will serve as a museum and community space to remember the thousands of Hull civilians affected by the Blitz.

I also had the privilege of visiting Cottingham Cemetery, a site of profound historical significance in the constituency. As a former member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), I continue to take an interest in the work of the CWGC in commemorating those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The cemetery is the final resting place for 18 identified casualties from the First and Second World Wars. Notably, the CWGC maintains a Screen Wall commemorating 56 casualties whose graves could not be marked individually. These individuals served in various capacities, from the Royal Navy to the Royal Garrison Artillery, reflecting the diverse contributions from our area to our nation's history.

What truly stands out is the dedication of the local volunteers who maintain the war graves. Their meticulous care ensures that each headstone is preserved. Their guided tours offer visitors a chance to learn about the stories behind the names. These volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the memory alive of those killed defending our way of life.

Training our own NHS doctors

I visited the Hull York Medical School (HYMS) at the University of Hull to meet the Dean and the Deputy Head of Nursing and Midwifery. I’m proud that HYMS has risen to 3rd place in the UK in the latest Guardian league tables, just behind Oxford and Imperial. During my visit, we discussed their work in achieving this ranking, the challenges they face and our need to train locally more NHS doctors and other medical professionals to serve our area.

Orchard Park blazes a trail

I recently joined local councillors, partners, and local residents for the inaugural Trailblazer meeting in Orchard Park to talk about the £20m of Government investment coming to the area. This funding will support local projects, chosen in consultation with local people, that make a real difference - helping families, boosting youth opportunities and building on the great work already happening locally

Cross-party working for the Humber

Following the recent Mayoral Election, Hull MPs contacted Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell seeking a meeting to discuss issues on which we could work cross-party – as Humber MPs have done for many years. This meeting happened in September and the MPs stressed to the Mayor the importance of Net Zero and the Humber Energy Estuary as the main hope for attracting investment and jobs into our sub-region. For more detail see https://x.com/DianaJohnsonMP/status/1971576786279621006

SEND pupils in Hull

In late September, I met with members from the Hull Parent Carers Forum. The Forum brings together parents of children with special educational needs (SEND) in Hull; works to support local families and campaigns for changes to the support available from the local council and NHS. It was very helpful to hear directly from these parents, especially as the Government will be producing a White Paper on Special Educational Needs by the end of the year setting out plans for reform.

Ministerial work

Summer of Action

During August, as Policing Minister, as well as work in the constituency I was out and about across the country from Plymouth to Southend, Bishop’s Stortford to Woking.

I spent an afternoon in Grimsby town centre looking at how this year’s additional funding for more police officers and PCSOs across England and Wales was being delivered on the ground. It was good to meet the new Humberside Chris Constable, Chris Todd and Grimsby’s local MP Melanie Onn and see for myself local policing on the front line.

I spoke to local shop owners about shop theft, attacks on retail workers and the new powers this Government is bringing in to keep our communities, shopworkers and streets safe.

This was one of the final visits I made as the Policing Minister and I was pleased it was to our local force.

While still Policing Minister, I also represented the Government at a service in Norwich Cathedral to mark VJ Day.

On two mornings during August, I also was in the TV studios as Policing Minister for what is known as the ‘early morning round’ – where a minister tours national TV and radio studios, chiefly to discuss a Government announcement being made on the day. However, alongside talking about issues such as knife crime and live facial recognition technology, I was also asked about many other issues that were topical on those two mornings.

During September, once I became Minister of State for Employment at the DWP in the Government reshuffle, I began making visits in my new capacity. This started with a Job Centre in Tower Hamlets - although I had already visited, as the constituency MP, Hull’s Job Centre at Britannia House to discuss the work that they do.

Government announcements

Change moves forward

During September a number of promised Government reforms either moved forward in Parliament or were announced by Ministers.

Hillsborough Law

After tireless campaigning by the families of the 97 who died as a result of the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster, I was pleased that the Hillsborough Law was introduced in Parliament on 16th September — fulfilling a Labour manifesto commitment to bring justice and a new Duty of Candour to those affected by disasters such as Hillsborough.

The scars from scandals such as Hillsborough, Infected Blood, Post Office Horizon, Grenfell, Windrush, nuclear test veterans and others are etched into the history of our country.

This landmark legislation — The Public Office (Accountability) Bill — will be for the families and campaigners who fought over many years to correct injustices that became scandals because the state let them down and then covered it up. This defensiveness and lack of candour was certainly a major characteristic of the Infected Blood scandal on which I campaigned for years to get a Public Inquiry into.

Childcare boost

The start of September not only marked a new school year but also the rollout of the largest expansion of childcare in our country’s history. Families can now access 30 hours of government-funded childcare, saving up to £7,500 per child, per year. This is a huge relief for working parents facing cost-of-living pressures, while also helping more people balance family life with work. Employers too will benefit from parents having the flexibility to increase their working hours.

Here in Hull North and Cottingham, school-based nurseries have been expanded in three schools: Bricknell Primary, St Anthony’s VC Academy, and St Mary Queen of Martyrs VC Academy. These settings will help children settle into school life earlier while giving parents more choice and flexibility.

This is just the beginning. The Labour Government’s Best Start campaign will mean that families can now access expert advice and support all in one place — from pregnancy to introducing solid foods, childcare, early years education and beyond. See www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/.

Devolving power

In September, Parliament debated the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which marks the biggest transfer of power from Westminster to England’s regions and communities in a century. The Bill aims to spark growth across our regions, improve services and raise living standards. This is all part of our wider Plan for Change.

Key measures in the Bill include:

Community ownership: Making it easier for communities to take ownership of pubs, shops and social hubs through a new Community Right to Buy.
Protecting local sports grounds: Introducing a new ‘Sporting’ category to safeguard local sports facilities.
Fairer commercial rents: Banning upward-only rent review clauses in commercial leases, which can make rents unaffordable and force local shops to close.
Stronger local voices: Giving residents more say in shaping their neighbourhoods.

This Bill is a significant step in our devolution revolution, empowering communities to have more control over the places in which they live and work.

Defence Industrial Strategy

The Government is investing in the future of the UK’s defence industry, with a focus on skills, innovation, and long-term economic growth. Key measures include:

£250m Defence Growth Deals and a £182m skills package, alongside long-term investment to strengthen defence’s role in the UK economy.
£183m to establish five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (opening 2026), specialising in high-demand areas such as submarine engineering, cyber and aerospace.
Additional support: £80m for defence-focused university research, a new Defence Skills Passport, expanded apprenticeships and a graduate clearing scheme.

These initiatives aim to equip the next generation with the skills needed for cutting-edge defence work, while supporting growth and innovation across the sector. Locally, I am hoping that this will benefit the longstanding BAE Systems site in Brough.

NHS Achievements

The Summer also brought a major milestone in putting the NHS back on track. In the last year alone, over 5 million extra NHS appointments have been delivered across England, including more than 34,000 here at Hull University Teaching Hospitals. The Labour Government originally promised 2 million extra appointments, but we have achieved more than double that target. This is a huge step forward in reducing waiting times and making sure patients in our community get the care they need.

Armed Forces Commissioner Act

September saw the Armed Forces Commissioner Act become law. For too long, brave servicemen and women and their families have lacked an advocate for their welfare and wellbeing - despite a crisis in recruitment and retention. This Act has established a commissioner who will be a new, direct and independent contact point for serving personnel and their families.