As Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, we answered questions from MPs about our agenda for change to give power back to communities and drive up living standards far & wide; whether about reforms to planning to get national infrastructure built, plans to build more to solve the housing crisis, reforms to provide more security for renters, or local government reorganisation to allow for better delivery of frontline public services.
Took part in a “Statutory Instrument” debate on the Non-Domestic Rating Regulations 2025. It is great that so much goes on the legislative process outside of what is seen in the Commons chamber to make sure Bills put forward are properly analysed and improved before they become law. The Business Rates Bill will provide security for small businesses and put our high street shops on a level playing field with large online retailers.
Had a great time getting out of Westminster on Tuesday to meet with local council leaders and chief executives from Thurrock, Southend-on-Sea & Essex to discuss devolution in Greater Essex, along with taking a walking tour of Harlow to understand their vision for the area under the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.
We held our third Leader’s Council in Essex with senior councillors from around the country where we focused on issues in early years, skills & employment. The Leaders’ Council brings together frontline expertise & experience to help ensure we can provide solutions & deliver on the issues that matter most to communities.
I took the opportunity on Wednesday to get staff who work in our finance, local government and devolution teams and thank them for their hard work since we came to government. We’ve hit the ground running on a programme of reform and modernisation to rebuild the foundations and I’m incredibly proud of them.
Again lots of internal meetings including those to plan the upcoming introduction of the English Devolution Bill into law, which we are obviously very excited by.
Gave the keynote speech as the Local Government Association Member Peer Conference in Manchester about the importance of localism and the need for local champions, before heading back home to Oldham on Thursday. It was great to be there now we have the opportunity to bring real and meaningful change to the sector. With Labour’s Plan for Change, we have already set out the next generation of devolution, financial stability for local government, and £1.5 billion investment into local neighbourhoods across the UK to create growth and opportunity.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 