I was very pleased to make my first visit as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in Leeds West, to the housing development at Kirkstall Forge. It was brilliant to go onto the building site and see for myself the progress being made. The development will host a range of affordable eco-homes, with a focus on sustainability, as well as offices, retail and leisure space.

Whilst at the site, I also had the opportunity to meet learners from the Forging Futures scheme, who are helping to make this development a reality, as well as young people working on site through the Skill Mill, a social enterprise which provides opportunities and employment for young former offenders. It’s a fantastic partnerships to improve the skills and life chances of these young people, and that the oldest industrial site in England is once again providing good, lasting jobs for the local community.