For those who have been affected by the roll-out of Universal Credit, January brought some welcome news. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, announced that the roll-out of Universal Credit will be paused and some of its worst elements reviewed. Whilst this is a step in the right direction, it comes too late for areas like Barnsley where the roll-out is almost complete.

I will be voting to trigger Article 50 when the vote comes before Parliament. People in my constituency voted to leave the European Union and I will respect that verdict. Whilst I welcome the fact that Parliament will be properly scrutinising the Brexit negotiation process, I will not be attempting to overturn the result of the referendum.

The Trade Union Act is a transparent attempt by the Conservative Government to undermine the trade union movement and, by extension, hard-won workers’ rights. I voted against this Act at every stage of its progression through Parliament and believe it should be repealed when Labour is next in government.

Barnsley is a town built on coal and, because of that, trade unions have always had deep roots in our community.

Many of the people I know in Barnsley have vivid memories of the miners’ strike and still feel its impact today.