Great news the Real Living Wage is rising substantially this year from £13.45 to £14.10 per hour. In 2012, we proudly became the first local authority outside London to achieve Living Wage accreditation, and we remain central to promoting it across our city. Once again, we will lead by example and implement this increase early for our own staff and within our contractual arrangements. This long-term commitment has already delivered pay rises to over 4,200 Preston workers - lifting a quarter of the city's lowest paid employees out of working poverty. While other political parties in #Preston previously opposed and even ridiculed this commitment, we rightly stayed the course. For us in @prestonlabour tackling poverty and reducing inequality is central to everything we do.

20 years ago 'Community Wealth Building' was coined by @DemocracyCollab to describe how we can build a new and fair economic model challenging decades of systemic failure. Twenty years on from Cleveland, Ohio to Preston, Scotland to Amsterdam, Canada to St Louis, South Korea to Ireland and New Zealand to East Poland, Community Wealth Building has become a fast growing and exciting movement to build the democratic economy. This new compendium of essays on the achievements of Community Wealth Building across the globe highlights progress with many brilliant contributions. I have been privileged to be involved for many years and have contributed a chapter on the #PrestonModel from Page 164. Read or download the full anthology: democracycollaborative.org/w…

Out and about in #Plungington this weekend with several sessions to talk to residents and campaign for @prestonlabour across the city🌹.

Another great @PrestonPrideUK event this year which gets bigger every year. Well done to the organisers and everyone who supported the events. Whilst we are here our @UKLabour Council will always value everyone equally which strengthens our community here in Preston. 🏳️‍🌈

Joined Mayor Nweeda Khan and Deputy Leader Valerie Wise for the opening of new premises for the cooperative enterprise 'Preston Pedals'. Located at the Railway Station this encourages cycling to help tackle climate change whilst growing our social economy. #PrestonModel

Preston just had a fantastically enjoyable weekend with the brilliant @LancsEncounter and @PrestonPubFest taking place. It was a great opportunity to enjoy the city including a visit to one of my favourite independent locals @themoorbrook. Well done to everyone involved.

Was great to join the events put on by Emmanual Church in Plungington this weekend alongside Deputy Mayor @SirazNatha1. Reverend Matthew and team are doing a great job supporting the local community and it was a pleasure to meet members of the congregation and local families.

Out with Madam Mayor @navvy_1982 in Plungington today with @prestoncouncil staff and residents dealing with several reports of flytipping. These will all be taken forward alongside another action day planned for October as we continue to improve the local environment.

So much going on in #Preston this weekend. Joined our South Asian communities to celebrate India and Pakistan's Independence Days, witnessed the return of Preston City Wrestling and another visit to the brilliant Harris Museum and Art Gallery. Our city is buzzing!

Absolutely delighted government has agreed the 'four unitary' proposal supported by @prestoncouncil as we move rapidly toward Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This is the best decision for both Preston and wider Lancashire. Within our new local authority area we will have oustanding areas of natural beauty, three universities, two hospitals, advanced manufacturing, significant council led regeneration, a first class cultural offer and a commitment to grow our democratic economy and reduce poverty. Looking forward to working with partners to deliver this positive change.