I am delighted to announce that I have joined Tom Watson’s Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport team as the new Shadow Minister for Civil Society.

I am sad to be leaving the Labour whips office after almost four years, but am very much looking forward to getting stuck into a new challenge.

My new role will involve working closely with charities, volunteers and social enterprise organisations. I have met with many of those working with young people in my capacity as chair of the Youth Violence Commission and it’s great to be able to broaden my work with the sector. I’m looking forward to holding the Government to account, to amplifying the voice of our civil society, and to working to tackle loneliness across all our communities.

I’m grateful to my predecessor, Steve Reed, for all his work in the role and I wish him every success in his new position as a shadow education minister.