2017 has been a challenging year. Whilst the General Election, the Brexit negotiations and terrorism have dominated many of the domestic headlines, too many of the stories that affect ordinary people have gone unheard.

Every day as the MP for Barnsley Central I see and feel the challenges my constituents are facing, and I will continue to fight in parliament to make their lives better. I also see the best of people; those who care for others and those who volunteer to improve our communities – I cannot thank them enough for the work they undertake.

This has felt like the longest and most difficult of years. Whilst every year brings its challenges, 2016 has had an extraordinary ability to surprise, confound and disturb.