This week the House rose on Tuesday for the beginning of Easter Recess, but this hasn’t meant a break with still a lot going on!
On Monday, we had the last OPQs of this Parliamentary session. I responded to questions on improving the accountability of local government, and on improving resilience in councils so they can provide vital services such as specialist SEND provisions.
On Tuesday, it was a pleasure to visit Crawley as part of our ongoing visits to areas on the devolution priority programme. Alongside constructive conversations with council leaders, MPs and chief executives from across Sussex. I saw first-hand the benefit MHCLG’s £4.5m investment was having on skills development at Crawley College through their Green Construction Skills Hub and inspiring conversations with ambulance practitioner apprentices. A highlight was having the honour to officially open the Crawley Innovation Centre – made possible through MHCLG and HMT funding – supporting local enterprise and regional growth.
I have also been continually monitoring the situation in Birmingham with regular meetings, interviews and on Thursday, saw the impact on the ground by visiting areas directly affected by the bin strike. I am committed to working with the West Midlands Combined Authority to ensure they continue to deliver for local people, and find a sustainable outcome to the dispute that works for all.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 