How I've been delivering for you in October

This month marked the 11th anniversary since the tragic deaths of Jack and Paul Sykes, who died at the hands of their known domestically abusive father in a house fire he set alight.

11 years ago, their mother, Claire Throssell MBE, made a promise to her boys that she would change the law, and repeal the presumption of contact. When I was elected I said I would help her fulfil that promise.

Just before PMQs on 22nd October, the Prime Minister made a promise to repeal the presumption of contact, to protect future generations of children.

It was an honour to have Claire Throssell in the Commons to hear the Prime Minister’s promise and tribute to her formidable campaigning.

The Government will now change the law to repeal the presumption of parental involvement, which currently allows known domestically abusive parents contact with their children, enabling Claire to fulfil her promise to her boys.

This monumental change will protect the lives of generations of children, giving them brighter, safer futures.

This change has only been possible because of Claire. She has been campaigning relentlessly with Women’s Aid, through five previous governments, to put children first in our family courts.

Our communities have stood behind Claire every step of the way, and I am honoured to have campaigned alongside Claire in Parliament in my first year as your MP. Thanks to her, no more towns like ours will be left to grieve, like we have grieved for Jack and Paul.

I’ve listened to lots of you who want to see the empty homes across Sheffield City Council come back into residential use, especially with 26,400 people currently stuck on the social housing waiting list.

Earlier this month in Parliament, I asked the Local Government Minister to make sure we reverse the changes made by the Conservatives in Coalition government which made this more difficult for local councils.

It’s absolutely fantastic news that the Government is bringing menopause advice into free routine health checks for the first time! Free assessments are also going to be offered to women over 40.

Menopause is one of society’s most overlooked health challenges - too often, women’s experiences of menopause have been minimised or misunderstood. I know the Government are committed to fixing women’s health as a key part of building an NHS fit for the future, and ensuring women’s health is never ignored again.

In additional good news, I welcomed the announcement that the emergency contraceptive pill is now freee in pharmacies across England. This is an incredible step forwards for women’s reproductive health.

I’m so proud our Government is taking action to fix the inequalities we face in women’s healthcare.

I nominated Kevin Neill and Richard Galliford for this year’s Proud of Barnsley Awards.

They’ve both made outstanding contributions to celebrating the history of Penistone, and particularly their recent work to honour Penistone as the birthplace of modern association football.

Kevin was Head of Sixth Form when I was at Penistone Grammar School, and Richard’s work and fundraising efforts are woven throughout our communities in preserving our local heritage across so many projects.

If you are a constituent and you would like my help, please get in touch with me at marie.tidball.casework@parliament.uk with an outline of how you would like me to help, and I’ll do my very best.

With best wishes,