This week in government

Another good week in Westminster with plenty happening across local government, devolution, health and community power

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

I was back at the Despatch Box for MHCLG oral questions, answering on local government, devolution and regional growth. Devolving power from Whitehall and giving local leaders the tools to grow their economies and deliver for their communities remains a key priority. Listening and involving local MPs is an important part of this journey.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

I was alongside the Secretary of State Angela Rayner when she made a statement on changes to the local government reorganisation programme, including pausing and reviewing the process. It’s important we get this right, listening to councils and communities and making sure any changes deliver the best possible outcomes.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵

It was great to be at the Mayoral Council, hosted at at No. 10 North, which brought mayors together to discuss the next steps in our devolution agenda. It was great to see local leaders at the heart of conversations about the future of their regions.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲

I attended the Chairs Board meeting for the Pride in Place programme, looking at how we turn this major investment into lasting change in communities. Putting residents at the heart of decisions about their neighbourhoods is central to the programme.

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴

There was another important vote on assisted dying this week. I remain concerned about whether the safeguards are strong enough to protect vulnerable people and believe everyone should have access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care, however was pleased to see it’s return given I didn’t support the Lords purposefully allowing it to run out of time in the previous parliamentary session.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Member also voted to complete the Health Bill’s passage through the Commons, with the Bill now moving to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. There has been important debate and discussion throughout its passage, and I’ll continue to follow its progress closely as we reform the NHS to make it serve local people better.

Now back to Oldham…