iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jen Craft

Disabled Children's Partnership @dcpcampaign.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Yesterday afternoon we joined @thurrockjen.bsky.social in parliament for a drop-in information session for MPs where they met with families, carers, disabled children and representatives from @contactfamilies.bsky.social @sensecharity.bsky.social @mencap.org.uk and @speechandlanguk.bsky.social

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House of Commons Committees @hoccommittees.parliament.uk · 03/09/2026

Education Committee Chair, Helen Hayes, and Health and Social Care Committee Chair, Layla Moran, are calling for support for the Education, Health and Care Plan amendment to the Health Bill.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Fantastic to sponsor an event marking the 80th anniversary of @mencap.org.uk! Recent decades have seen improved rights and opportunities for people with learning disabilities, but there is much, much more to do. Looking forward to another year of working alongside this excellent organisation.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

My statement on the EHRC Code of Practice

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

A statement on the Labour leadership.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It's good to have the Prime Minister's support on my campaign to improve the safety of women and girls in hotels, after this horrendous incident at Travelodge.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Great to chair a joint meeting of the APPGs on Learning Disability, Autism, and ADHD. Thanks so much to @mencap.org.uk for setting it up, and @georgiagould.bsky.social for joining us.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Following an appalling sexual assault at a Travelodge, I’ve brought together a group of MPs to demand a meeting with the company's CEO. We need to see an urgent review of their security policies, so horrific incidents like this can never happen again.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

I’ve written to Travelodge demanding an urgent meeting about this disturbing case. This horrific incident was an appalling failure in the hotel’s duty of care. It raises deeply concerning questions about security procedures and guest safety - which Travelodge must now meet with MPs to answer.

theguardian.com

Politicians seek meeting with Travelodge CEO after Maidenhead sexual assault case

Call for urgent meeting comes after woman was assaulted by man who had been given her key card by hotel staff

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Absolutely horrified to read this in the news today. It's appalling and should never have been allowed to take place. Travelodge need to review their security policies urgently. Women deserve to feel safe in hotels. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

How Travelodge in Maidenhead gave sex attacker key to woman's room

The woman, who woke to find Kyran Smith sexually assaulting her, branded a £30 reward offer

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

It was good to speak to the Mirror about my priorities for reforming the SEND system, ahead of the publication of the Schools White Paper today. As a SEND parent myself, I came to Parliament determined to secure real change for families like mine 👇 www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

mirror.co.uk

'I'm an MP and SEND parent - I'm hopeful of no longer fighting for basic rights'

Labour MP and special educational needs and disability (SEND) parent Jen Craft writes for The Mirror as the government prepares to announce major overhaul of broken system

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

"We must stop treating speech and language support as optional." An incredibly powerful article from @thurrockjen.bsky.social 👏👏 It's time the Government saw speech and language support "not as an expense but as an upfront investment"!

schoolsweek.co.uk

Why government must invest in speech and language therapy

We can't close the gap if we allow communication skills to go unmet at this alarming scale

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Parents voices must be at the heart of upcoming reforms to the SEND system. Thank you to everyone who’s completed my survey – I’ve had over 100 responses! www.surveymonkey.com/r/JenCraftMPSendSurvey If you need an easy read version, email jen.craft.mp@parliament.uk (Thurrock residents only)

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

I want to hear from you about fixing our broken SEND system. If you're the parent or carer of a child in Thurrock with special educational needs or a disability, please fill in my survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MG8ST6Q I'm determined that parents' voices are at the heart of the upcoming changes.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Latest report on govt use of BSL is testament to the progress made since 2022, with new departmental plans to continue growing awareness. Clearly much more to do to embed needs of deaf signers at the heart of govt, which I will keep pushing for as chair of the BSL APPG. www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

British Sign Language (BSL) third report, May 2024 to April 2025

A report which details what the government is doing to promote and facilitate the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in its communications with the public.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Great to speak at the East of England APPG meeting on Health Innovation yesterday. A big thank you to @healthinnoveast.bsky.social for the work you're doing to improve prevention efforts across the East.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

SEND parents are furious that we have to spend time and energy we do not have, fighting against a system designed by successive Conservative governments to deny our children the support they need. Change is coming under Labour, but after a decade of failure, parents are understandably anxious. /1

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

97 years ago this week, women finally won the right to vote on equal terms with men. Now, we have a record 264 female MPs in parliament. We owe this success to the women who came before us. I think our grandmothers would be proud to see how far we’ve come since they first went to the ballot box.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

I have chosen to sign a reasoned amendment which aims to halt the progress of the government’s welfare bill. While I recognise the need for reform, I have serious concerns around the impacts of the proposed legislation - particularly for disabled people.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

If an unmarried women looses her partner during pregnancy, she must undergo a traumatic legal process to register their name on the child's birth certificate. I've proposed a bill that seeks to provide a simple process for bereaved mothers, dragging outdated legislation into the 21st century.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

This week, I asked Education Minister @cmckinnellmp.bsky.social about the progress in delivering the British Sign Language GCSE. As Chair of the BSL APPG, I've been working hard with fellow MPs and @bda.org.uk to get this lifechanging qualification introduced at the earliest opportunity.

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Reposted by Jen Craft

Centre for Mental Health @centreformh.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

🗯️ 'Changing culture, one voice at a time' Reflecting on MP Jen Craft's recent speech sharing her lived experience, @andybell-centremh.bsky.social explores the power of MPs speaking out about mental health to fight stigma and foster culture change: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/changing-cul...

Black woman with shoulder-length hair is speaking to a person. Text: Changing culture, one voice at a time: MPs speaking out on mental health

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Brilliant to see the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee taking effect in Thurrock, with eight new neighbourhood officers now on the beat thanks to this funding. Constituents want visible, local policing. This is an excellent first step, and an important investment in our police force.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

The aims of the government’s Mental Health Bill can only be achieved when learning disabled and autistic people have access to proper community support. We need a system of integrated care that encompasses health, housing and occupational needs👇

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

For people with learning disabilities or autism, a locked mental health ward can be a living hell. Under the 1983 Mental Health Act, these conditions alone can be used to justify detention. I strongly welcome the government’s new Mental Health Bill, which will help end this shameful practise.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

In a debate on the Mental Health Bill, I spoke about my personal experience of serious mental illness. While I have received good care, this is sadly the exception, and not the rule. Too often, treatment is patronising, reductive, and inconsistent. /1

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

A real honour to attend so many community events in Thurrock marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. An opportunity to celebrate that famous victory, while reflecting on those who sacrificed so much to defend our country and our freedoms.

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Reposted by Jen Craft

Health and Social Care Committee @commonshealth.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Gambling can cause serious harm. Financial, physical, and mental harm. In England, there are 117 to 496 gambling-related suicides every year. We're calling on Government to act now. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/committee/81...

A letter from the Health and Social Care Committee to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention.

Read the letter by following this link: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/81/health-and-social-care-committee/news/206727/gamblingrelated-harms-mps-call-on-government-to-act/

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Ahead of #VEDay80, I reflected in Parliament on the remarkable social change brought about by the end of the war. As 300,000 disabled servicemen and women returned home, attitudes toward disability changed – leading to groundbreaking legislation considering the needs of disabled people.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we pay tribute to those who defended our nation and our freedom. It's an opportunity for us to reflect on the extraordinary bravery of the wartime generation, in Thurrock and across the country, and celebrate the British values they fought to defend.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

In recent years there’s been a systematic failure to identify and address child sexual abuse in the family – with victims' voices ignored. I asked @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social how Labour’s strategy on violence against women and girls will tackle this complex form of abuse.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Earlier this month, as Chair of the BSL APPG, I wrote to ministers asking for the next consultation on the new BSL GCSE to be brought forward📝 Pleased to see this launched today - bringing us one step closer to making this life-changing qualification a reality for young people. @bda.org.uk

gov.uk

Ofqual launches next phase in British Sign Language GCSE development

New British Sign Language (BSL) consultation marks significant progress towards a fresh qualification that has the potential to connect communities.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

School support staff, teaching assistants, and learning support assistants play a key role in enabling the inclusion of children with SEND in our schools. I asked @cmckinnellmp.bsky.social what steps the department is taking to upskill the school support workforce to meet the needs of every child.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

I recently spoke to @sophiealichurch.bsky.social from @thehousemag.bsky.social about my journey into politics. We discussed my experiences as a SEND parent and how these shape my priorities in Parliament - including raising the profile of sign language 👇 www.politicshome.com/news/article...

politicshome.com

“It’s A Language, A Culture': Labour MP Jen Craft On Using Sign Language In Parliament

Jen Craft, the Labour MP for Thurrock, tells Sophie Church about campaigning alongside Morgan McSweeney and her fight to improve the lives of disab...

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Privilege to lay a brick in @msenhshospitals.bsky.social’s new community diagnostic centre in Thurrock. Great example of shifting NHS care into the community, cutting waiting lists with better access to vital tests and scans - closer to home for patients.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Shocking report from @signhealth.bsky.social and the RNID. Demonstrates the ongoing challenges that deaf signers face in accessing healthcare, with communication needs not being met. Critical we address this to prevent serious consequences on health outcomes. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

theguardian.com

NHS ‘routinely failing’ deaf patients in England, report finds

RNID survey finds half of sign language users did not understand diagnoses – some terminal – or how their treatment worked

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

In recent years, there’s been an alarming increase in the prevalence of gambling addiction. With people now bombarded with betting ads and able to gamble from their phones, I asked experts in @commonshealth.bsky.social about how we can safeguard children 📺👇

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

After the previous Government said the British Sign Language GCSE would be ready by September 2025, it's now been pushed back. This delay has serious human impacts. As Chair of the BSL APPG, I’ve asked the Department for a new date for the first teaching of this potentially life changing course 📝

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Responsibility for children's SEND provision falls under several departments. Historically, policies have been disjointed, with parents forced to piece together support. I asked the Minister what steps he is talking to make sure this government’s SEND strategy is joined-up and holistic.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Delighted to be elected Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Learning Disability at the inaugural meeting this week. We'll be meeting regularly to explore and address the key issues that people with a learning disability face, putting their voices at the heart of these discussions.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

From today, thousands of workers in Thurrock will receive a proper pay rise. After a decade of decline and low wages, too many hardworking people don’t get the pay or recognition they deserve. This Government is changing that: putting more money in the pockets of the lowest paid workers.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Great to work with Google to bring their Digital Garage to Thurrock today, giving local students and businesses free training in digital skills. With huge potential for economic growth in Thurrock, sessions like these are vital for ensuring local people can meet the digital needs of new employers.

Jen Craft MP stood smiling alongside staff from Google Digital Garage, behind a Google sign. Text on the banner reads: "Free digital skills training to grow your career or business"

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Down Syndrome Regression Disorder is a horrific condition, yet is largely overlooked. If a child without Down syndrome became catatonic and unresponsive overnight, it would be treated as a medical emergency. We need to drive more awareness, with an NHS pathway to diagnose and treat this condition.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

As the parent of a child with Down syndrome, I became part of a wonderful community - full of fantastic people and organisations. If you receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome, come and talk to any of us. We can tell you that it is not just going to be ok, but that it is going to be brilliant.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Today is World Down Syndrome Day 💛💙 Seven years ago, a diagnosis of Down syndrome changed my life for the better. My daughter is kind, she is joyous, and she has made me a better person. It was a privilege to share our story in Parliament.

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Reposted by Jen Craft

Down's Syndrome Association @dsa-uk.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

After a very passionate speech in Westminster Hall yesterday, in which she talked about her daughter who has Down's syndrome, @thurrockjen.bsky.social joined us today in Portcullis House, where she met Safiya & heard about her job. #ImproveOurSupportSystems #WorldDownSyndromeDay #WorkFit #WorkFit

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SignHealth @signhealth.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Thank you MP @thurrockjen.bsky.social for highlighting the work of SignHealth and the barriers for deaf people accessing GP appointments in today's British Sign Language Week debate in Westminster. #StillSickOfIt #WhereIsOurAccess #SignLanguageWeek #SLW2025

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Today, I led a debate celebrating Sign Language Week. As a user of sign language at home with my daughter, I was proud to be the first MP to use sign language in this Parliament.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

I am one of only 6-8% of people with a serious mental illness in employment - despite 80% wanting to work. I asked @lizkendallmp.bsky.social to work with colleagues in the Department of Health to provide joined-up support - so more of us can access the benefits of a good, secure job.

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Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

The crisis in the NHS runs deep. Unless this Government delivers fundamental change, the future of the NHS is under threat. The abolition of NHSE represents the bold action we need, and I asked the Health Secretary how this transformation will ensure the right leaders are in place to drive reform.

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