This week in Parliament

Another busy week in Westminster and now back home with even more to get stuck into across Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton

This week in the House of Commons we had a whole series of important votes on key pieces of legislation that matter to people here at home. That includes progress on the 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹, which once passed will strengthen protections at work and give people more security.

We voted on the 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 too, which, along with the new law on public ownership of rail already passed, will take forward long overdue reforms to create a railway that is more reliable, accountable and focused on passengers.

On Tuesday, I stood in the Chamber to speak about this week’s announcements about what 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗦𝗘 & 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆 will look like, making sure the Government is clear and accountable on how we protect children and support survivors. It was an important moment to put on record the concerns so many of you raise with me, including taking into account the impact off class on survivors & victims.

And on the subject of justice, it was great to 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 to discuss the work we are doing to secure a new police station and custody cells, and to enlist political support for exploring the inclusion of courts. It was a very positive meeting and I hope further meetings will follow to make progress on this important local issue.

I have also been working on support for credit unions, after holding a meeting with 𝗔𝗕𝗖𝗨𝗟 (𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀) in preparation for a new year round table, and later I used my question to the Leader of the House to press the Government on supporting credit unions and the wider co-operative movement. As Chair of the Co-operative Party, I made the case that these local, member owned organisations play a vital role in providing fair finance, strengthening communities and keeping wealth rooted locally, and they deserve proper backing.

I was grateful to the union 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗔𝗖 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 for meeting me this week as we discussed taking forward the issue of HMRC mileage rates for workers and the self employed. Some exciting activity planned in the coming months on this front.

On the round up of other parliamentary business; it was also good to see both the Mental Health Bill and the Planning & Infrastructure Bill complete their passage through Parliament. These are major milestones that will help deliver meaningful change.

The 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 will improve access to support and services, modernise outdated processes and strengthen patient rights. Support for those with mental health conditions has unfortunately been an area of significant concern for constituents who have contacted me.

The 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 will introduce a clearer, faster system to get good quality homes built, improve transport links and make sure local infrastructure is planned in a way that actually serves the communities it is meant to support.

And now for the best bit, back up North for engagements and events around Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton. Looking forward to catching up with more of you, hearing your concerns and making sure what we’re doing in Parliament is rooted in our local communities.