This is my response to the two men who were photographed on Town Street in Armley on Tuesday (Sept 5) by David Mullan, lying on the pavement in a drunken stupor. 

I said: “There are lots of positives about Armley Town Street but they are let down and we are let down in the community by a few individuals who think this behaviour – drinking in the street and drinking so much they pass out – is acceptable and it’s not. I’m determined we take back Armley Town Street for people so they can enjoy their local community.”

I stressed that there are many good things about Town Street, including its recent festival. Sergeant Chris Craven, of the Inner West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said that police had spotted the pictured men on CCTV. He said: “One was arrested and subsequently charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He was given bail conditions that include an exclusion zone of Armley preventing him entering the area. “The other man needed medical treatment but was later reported for summons to attend court.”

Sgt Craven said that there had been an increase in anti-social behavior on Town Street in the last two months and officers would be “stepping up” their work. But he said enforcement cannot be used alone, and work with other agencies would continue to find “longer-term solutions”.

Read below my comment in The Times on the Citizen's Advice findings of growing household debt due to reckless lending by banks and credit card companies: 

Read my reaction to Chris Grayling comments on transportation in the North below:

The ill-judged comments of Transport Secretary Chris Grayling about transport in the North are dangerous, damaging and hypocritical.

He talked about how political leaders in the North should “take control” of our transport system when he knows full well that continued Government support, as well as any initial investment from central Government, is critical to a successful transport system.

When it comes to his vague talk of investment, all we have seen from the Transport Secretary recently are announcements about scrapping the planned electrification of railway lines in the North, as well as in Wales and the Midlands.

Despite all the old promises from ex-Chancellor George Osborne this week about keeping his Northern Powerhouse dream alive, the current Government are starving the region of the investment we need to create jobs and growth.

Yet, Grayling is still pressing ahead with plans to boost transport infrastructure and help commuters in London and his South East constituency by renewing his backing for Crossrail 2 – a new link across London – before Crossrail 1 is even up and running.

When it came to his own backyard in the South East, Grayling blocked the capital’s Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, taking over some poorly-run suburban rail services.  

But, with breath-taking hypocrisy, he is talking about giving Labour politicians control over services in the North – the same services he refuses to support with central Government investment.

Grayling is only concerned with one thing and that’s cutting investment, especially investment in the North where Government help is needed far more than in the capital.

His transport strategy is nothing of the sort. He is betraying the legacy of his own predecessors, like George Osborne, who recognised the need to support more investment in key rail projects and other transport schemes in the region. 

Worse still, Grayling’s comments are damaging to the prospects of future private and public sector investment in Leeds and across the North.

His remarks will also be a bitter blow to political and business leaders who are working with investors in the private sector to help grow the economy in Leeds.

The Transport Secretary’s decision to abdicate responsibility for transport in the North and starve the region of the funds needed to create a successful transport network is damaging and potentially dangerous.

His refusal to seek consensus and work with local political leaders threatens to damage our local economy and deter future investors. Just because he and his Government have run out of steam and ideas, I won’t give up fighting to help improve public transport in Leeds and across the North. 

The popular Bramley Carnival has returned for its first event since 2014 and has also renamed itself as the Bramley Festival! 

It will take place in Bramley Park on Sunday 20th August from midday to 5pm and will include many stalls, attractions, donkey rides, a fun fair and a talent contest. 

The organiser of the Bramley Festival has been telling residents to "expect the unexpected." 

Local residents are encouraged to volunteer and local community groups are able to host stalls. Any ideas for the event are very welcome. Anyone interested in helping can contact the organiser Mr McBarron on 07411 299389 or email him at stevemcbarron90@gmail.com. 

It will be a great day and I strongly encourage you to attend! 

See below the summary of the transport survey I conducted. The results will be used to question transport chiefs in how they can improve transport here in west Leeds.

You may have seen me carrying out a survey across Leeds West to get your views on local transport issues and any concerns you have getting around the city. I received a huge response from over 500 frequent train and bus travellers and after sitting down and analysing the results, I have drawn up 20 questions that I believe transport firms needs to answer in order o make the much-needed improvements to bus and train services demanded by local people.

I am pleased that, after a substantial amount of pressure from residents and myself, Yorkshire Water is committing to a serious effort in cleaning up their reservoir on the Ring Road in Farnley on 1st and 30th August. 

It was great to visit thebigword in Wortley and catch up with Larry Gould, the Chief executive.

Thebigword is a really dynamic translations company, it does work across the world and has contracts with the NHS, the Justice Department and many local councils in the UK.

I met with a number of staff members and spoke to them about the challenges they face, the company employs over 450 staff, many from the local area. thebigword takes on a lot of apprentices and a high number go on to become permanent staff members, both on the translation side and in administration roles. We spoke about making contact with local high schools and Larry was very keen to do this. 

Our Armley Councillors were there for another successful Armley Festival. This year's festival was bigger and better than ever with over 70 stalls representing a vast array of local businesses, organisations and charities on Town Street. 

The performance stage was a huge draw showcasing Armley's local DJ, dancing and musical talent. 

I would like to express a huge thank you and appreciation for the volunteers who made this another great success, from the organising committee to everyone on the stalls and every member of the Armley community who turned up to make it such a fantastic day!

I was delighted to be elected Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee. This is a really exciting role and one which will provide the opportunity to put a lot of important issues on the agenda.

I am hugely grateful to all of the colleagues who gave me their support.

The Committee is made up of backbench MPs from different parties, who will be meeting twice a week to ask questions of government ministers, conduct inquiries into key issues and explore the big challenges facing the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy going forward.