Blogs

The Tory government’s total disregard for young people is starkly symbolised by its neglect of the education system: since 2010 we’ve seen record teacher shortages, record levels of exclusions, and repeated inadequate funding settlements even as triple-locked pensions soar. It is time to put the future of the country back at the heart of government…

Last month’s Labour Party conference welcomed innovative ideas and progressive policies from a party that is ready for leadership. Yet this was since overshadowed by a calamitous new administration at No. 10 wreaking economic chaos. I revisit the Labour Party Conference to see what we can expect from a Labour government  Does September feel like…

Last week I chaired an event in Parliament with Ed Miliband MP, former leader of the Labour Party, and Cat Smith MP, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs. Our focus was on how we can make politics more representative. Diversity on the rise It was a timely discussion. The 2017 General Election…

As a Deputy Cabinet Member for Innovation I led on the creation of the Southwark Pioneers Fund, a £2m innovation fund for local and social businesses in Southwark. I worked with community organisations, businesses and support organisations from across the borough to understand the challenges that local and social businesses were facing when trying to…

I led a review into exclusions in Southwark, which had doubled in the four years leading up to my review. I worked with schools across the borough and the Council to come up with an approach to improving the quality of alternative provision and laying the groundwork for a 100% inclusion approach across the borough…

I led a review into procurement practices in Southwark and the Council’s approach to maximising social value. My review identified best practice nationally, from Preston and beyond, showing how the Council can work with key anchor institutions and changing its own procurement rules to keep more money local and directed towards local social businesses and…

The cost to society of child exclusions can be a hidden one. Rates of permanent exclusions from schools in the London Borough of Southwark have doubled in less than a decade, mirroring a worrying national trend. Why is society ultimately failing so many children and how do we turn the page? Should eating a biscuit…

Covid-19 is the latest threat to the continued life of our high streets. This is happening at a time when people are staying nearer to home due to the impact of Covid and need our high streets to better support healthy, meaningful, living. I led a review into the support our high streets need, developing…

Covid has been incredibly hard on young people. They are seemingly less vulnerable to the virus but totally exposed to the measures used to contain it. I led a review into the effects of Covid-19 and the national measures taken to contain the spread of the virus. I heard directly from children about their hopes…

I am proud to share that I chair the Blagrave Trust where we collaborate with partners to bring lasting change to the lives of young people investing in them as powerful forces for change and acting upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society. Given the space, young people…