Line drawn. After 17 years on Twitter, it's time to say goodbye. There will be no further posts. Hello Blue-sky

I’d like to congratulate Joanne Thomas on her election as my successor. She is a first rate official and I couldn’t think of anyone better to lead our union and be a strong voice for our members

Good to meet the PM at @10DowningStreet today with @The_TUC unions to discuss the government’s landmark Employment Rights bill, industrial strategy and growth, spending review & need to deliver the higher wages, good jobs and renewed public services people voted for last July.

Good morning to everyone arriving in Manchester for the 2024 #UsdawAwards. The national winners will be announced from around 9.15pm and we’ll be posting them LIVE on X and Bluesky. If you’re attending the ceremony, remember to check in at the Usdaw desk when you arrive.

What a day. The creative industries are at the heart of our plans for growth in the North East. At today’s @DCMS Creative industries Growth Summit, alongside @lisanandy we announced: 📖£5m for @NewWritingNorth for a National Writing Centre in the heart of Newcastle. ✨£5m

Exciting to join leaders from across the North East creative sector at the @glasshouseicm for the Creative Industries Growth Summit. Brilliant to hear from @lisanandy & @KiMcGuinness how the £60m investment will turbocharge growth and, creating opportunities in the North East

Looking forward to the 2024 #UsdawAwards tomorrow. It's a pleasure to recognise the brilliant work done by our regional and national award winners.

https://t.co/cIqoYV7LdC

.@The_TUC welcomes reports of a ceasefire deal including the release of hostages. After 15 devastating months we need the international community to provide urgent aid to the people of Gaza and to help secure a lasting peace. This starts with recognising the state of Palestine

👏👏👏👏

I was doing a surgery this morning in Chatton and this is the view on the way back. Glorious! #NorthNorthumberland

Great to spend the evening listening to @KiMcGuinness taking about how we can make transport safer for Women & girls! I look forward to the implementation of all the brilliant ideas those across the North East have shared. Great to see @NorthumbriaOPCC at the event too.

A message from the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). @FCDOGovUk @FCDOHumanRights

A1 UPDATE I recently exchanged letters with the Minister for the Future of Roads and am glad to see that we agree on the potential to make improvements on the A1. I look forward to my upcoming meeting with the Minister where I will make the case for necessary investment.

To those who ask if our reform plan to cut NHS waiting times can work, here’s proof from the people showing us how it can be done… We’re taking the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS 👇🏻

I’m pleased to have added my name to this letter to the ECB organised by @ToniaAntoniazzi - albeit very sad that it’s even necessary in this day and age.

We will end NHS waiting list backlogs. Our elective reform plan is a key part of our Plan for Change to cut waiting times, so patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment. Here’s everything you need to know 👇

Never forget what they did.

We inherited a broken NHS, with millions of people languishing on waiting lists. Their lives on hold. My government is delivering our Plan for Change. Our reforms to elective recovery will end backlogs and provide millions more appointments, making our NHS fit for the future.

Good news to start the new year 👇 This Govt is giving £740m to mainstream schools to create more specialist places for students with complex needs. Much more needs to be done but this is an excellent start. https://t.co/MFte9UvcB4... #NorthNorthumberland #DavidSmithMP #SEND