I want to start my column this week by thanking some of the emergency service workers who have not received enough recognition over the past few months: the police.

Building work has now begun on the first phase of a brand-new NHS facility in the centre of Longton, which will provide a range of GP, pharmacy and walk-in services when it is completed next year.

Jack has written to Chris Philp MP, the Minister for Immigration Compliance, to raise his constituents' concerns about the amount of people being illegally smuggled across the English Channel.  The full text of the letter can be found here:

Dear Chris,

Since my last column, the country has begun to come out of the Coronavirus lockdown.  Last Saturday saw pubs, cafes and restaurants reopen; a symbolic step forwards, but not the end.  Indeed, there was never going to be a single dramatic moment in which our lives go back to normal.  The reopening

I am aware of a number of campaigns calling for gyms and leisure clubs to reopen.

The government’s furlough scheme has protected 11,000 jobs in Stoke-on-Trent South, and a total of 33,500 across Stoke-on-Trent, according to new figures. 

The House of Commons debated education standards in Stoke-on-Trent this afternoon.

Jack is thanking National Lottery players for their role in raising much-needed funding for local charities and community groups.

As I write this column, it strikes me that for the first time in months, the main recurring story in the news is not only related to the Coronavirus outbreak.  Whatever your view, it is undeniable that the death of George Floyd, and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests around the world have

Local charities and politicians have welcomed the Government’s announcement this weekend of £130,000 to help support charities working with homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent.

Three charities working in the city will receive the following amounts: