This week in Parliament

It’s been a busy week back in Westminster after the February recess and the parliamentary delegation to Ukraine, so here’s what’s been happening:

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀

Big news for Greater Manchester, the 09:30 limit on concessionary bus passes has been scrapped by our Mayor Andy Burnham. Now disabled and elderly residents can travel free anytime on the Bee Network. It’s about making public transport truly accessible and giving people the freedom to get around when they need to.

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟲 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲

I contributed to the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill, pushing for young people to have a real voice in our democracy. This is thanks to the hard work of Oldham Youth Council to help draft my 2017 Private members Bill which went on to be a manifesto commitment and now to the floor of the house.

𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁

On Monday I made a statement on the situation in the Middle East, highlighting the urgent need for action, humanitarian support, and a focus on protecting civilians. It’s important Parliament stays engaged on international crises and holds governments accountable.

𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗠𝗥𝗖 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

After the Spring Statement, I asked the Chancellor about updating HMRC’s mileage rates so that people aren’t left out of pocket when travelling for work. Fair reimbursement matters for NHS staff, care workers & the self-employed across the country.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲

Great to be at the Association of Colleges Beacon Award ceremony in Parliament this week where Oldham College was a finalist for the Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL. As a former apprentice from Oldham College, it’s great to see the local institution recognised for it’s great work.

𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Good to join the University of Manchester for Arts in Youth Justice: Shaping the Research Agenda event. On youth violence, I’m backing tougher hotspot action, including Section 60s where needed and pushing to replicate Operation Vulcan beyond Derker, into areas like Limeside.

But enforcement alone isn’t enough. Prevention matters. That’s why institutions like Avro FC, Anthony Crolla Boxing Gym and SPARK Oldham are vital, early intervention, purpose and belonging.

𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

I asked the Leader of the House about creating a cross-government taskforce to improve neighbourhood services. Everyone deserves streets that are safe, potholes filled, pavements intact, parks cared for, and litter & fly-tipping cleared quickly. Communities thrive when the basics are done right.

𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

I sat in on the Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee, examining the draft Climate Change Levy (Fuel Use and Recycling Processes) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Scrutinising these regulations helps ensure businesses are encouraged to adopt greener practices without unfair penalties.

𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

During the Estimates Day debate, I highlighted the vital role the co-operative Movement plays in international development – creating good jobs, giving people a stake in their future, and promoting sustainable growth in communities abroad.

Now it’s back up north for meetings and engagements across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton, hearing directly from residents and seeing the issues that matter most at home.