Inflation reached a 30-year high in February. Wages, welfare and pensions are all tumbling in real terms while national insurance is about to rise, along with the cost of basics like food, fuel, rent and energy. Meanwhile, banks are doling out their biggest bonuses since they crashed the financial system in 2008. This squeeze on living standards is the consequence of a Conservative Government that prioritises the very rich at the expense of everyone else. By rejecting Labour’s proposals for a windfall tax on oil & gas companies to help bring down bills, they are choosing to put energy profits ahead of people who are struggling to make ends meet or heat their homes.

The ongoing situation in Ukraine also remains at the forefront of all our minds. The international community must do everything in our power to bring a peaceful end to Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, including providing sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Just this week, I’ve tabled an EDM and spoken in favour of this. If only the Tories were as eager to ensure Ukrainian refugees can come here as they were to make sure Russian oligarchs’ money did.

It was an honour to receive the Newcomer MP of the Year Award from the Patchwork Foundation this week. Having the chance to represent my home constituency in Parliament has been the privilege of a lifetime. It’s not been an easy time to come into the job, so above all, I’d like to thank everyone in my team for their hard work and support, along with the local Labour members, councillors and officers who give so much to our community. It’s been an honour working with all of you to stand up for Streatham.

I’m now working in partnership with baby bank Little Village, who are currently in urgent need of clothes and kit for the families they support. Next month, I’ll be running a donation session and me and my team are seeking around ten volunteers to help this run smoothly. I’ll be putting out a more comprehensive plan for this over the coming days and circulating more information about donations soon but if you’d like to be involved, do reach out to my office email in the usual way.