It was a privilege to give my first speech in the chamber for over five years yesterday and to do it from the Government dispatch box!

As Government Whip, I have swapped voice in the chamber for influence within this Government on your behalf. And it was great to be able to pay tribute to so many in our great communities in Redcar and Cleveland.

I was also proud to wear my Teesside Hospice broach in memory of my friend Jeremy and to pay tribute to the amazing work done by our hospices on the very day we announced the biggest increase in funding for hospices in a generation.

So please listen to my speech below in full.