In September I attended the Labour Party Conference 2025 in Liverpool. It was a packed couple of days, speaking at panels, visiting the stalls, and listening to all of the incredible speeches from Ministers, the Chancellor, and of course our Prime Minister.
Lots of exciting announcements came out of conference which will benefit our area and the country. Here’s my top 5…
1. NHS Online
I’ve been campaigning for better health in Norwich North since my election and hear from many of you about long waiting lists, and the 8am scramble to get a GP appointment.
With this new NHS Online, you’ll be able to speak to specialists from your phone, at home, around your schedule. This a new chapter in the story of our NHS, and it’s going to slash waiting lists for millions of people.
2. Libraries in Primaries
We know reading is the bedrock of a child’s future. No child should be without the opportunity to read.
I’ve visited a number of schools around the constituency, where children take pride in their library and speak passionately about their favourite books. But 7% of primary schools in the East of England don’t have a school library – that’s 7% too many.
Labour is committing to putting libraries in all primary schools around the country – 1,700 of them currently without one – and supporting all of our children to get the best possible start in life.
3. Transforming Higher and Further education
University has never been the only option, but previous government targets have created the idea that apprenticeships and further education is a lesser option than going to university.
We want our young people to succeed and make choices that are right for them. That’s why the government is scrapping the old and setting a new ambition of two thirds of young people going to university OR taking on a gold standard apprenticeship. This will be transformative!
4. The Youth Guarantee
College places, apprenticeships, 1-1 support to find a job. But more than that, Labour will ensure that any young person out of work for 18 months will be given a paid work placement, or training.
Every young person should have the opportunity to grow, no matter their background.
5. Clean energy jobs plan
East Anglia is at the centre of the UK’s renewable energy sector. It’s a sector that provides work for people all through Norfolk, and in Norwich North.
Labour has announced its Clean Energy Jobs Plan, outlining how jobs in the sector will double by 2030, and how we will ensure they are good jobs – with fair pay and the very best rights at work.
This includes closing loopholes that give offshore renewable energy workers fewer rights at work and ensuring worker representation on the boards of publicly owned bodies.