This week in Parliament

A good week down in Westminster, here’s some of what I got up to

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

This week I questioned the DWP Minister about apprenticeship vacancy periods and whether more could be done to ensure opportunities are there at the right time for school leavers.

I also pressed the case for greater skills devolution following the publication of the initial Milburn Review. Local areas understand their economies best and should have more power to shape training and skills provision around local jobs and growth opportunities.

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

I was pleased to attend a Parliamentary reception marking the first anniversary of the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council.

Co-operatives and mutuals make an important contribution to our economy, creating good jobs, keeping wealth rooted in communities and giving people a greater stake in the organisations they rely on. It was a welcome opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the last year and the opportunities ahead.

𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟭𝟬-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻

The House voted on the Health Bill this week as Parliament continues its work to reform and strengthen our health services.

Improving patient outcomes, reducing waiting times and ensuring the NHS is fit for the future remain key priorities, and scrutiny of this legislation is an important part of that process. Ultimately, we want to move from analogue to digital, from treatment to prevention, and from hospital care to community care.

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Members also voted on the Armed Forces Bill. Our Armed Forces personnel make extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. It is vital that legislation keeps pace with the needs of serving personnel, veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.

Alongside parliamentary business, I continued meeting with colleagues, organisations and stakeholders working to improve opportunities for communities across our borough and beyond. Now I’ve been over to Makerfield to campaign, it’s time to be back in Oldham.