This week in government

Another good week as Parliament had its final days before closing for the Party Conference recess, here’s what I’ve been up to

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝘆

I was back at the Despatch Box in the Commons to respond to an Urgent Question on the Government’s plans for an overnight visitor levy. The levy will give local leaders a new option to raise funding that can be invested in their local visitor economy and wider local priorities. This is an important issue and we need to make sure any approach works for local economies, small businesses, hospitality and visitors.

𝗟𝗚𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

Great to join Labour leaders from across the country at the LGA Labour Leaders’ Summit to discuss the challenges facing councils and how we can make sure local government is at the heart of delivering better services and stronger communities. There’s a huge amount being asked of councils, so making sure local leaders have the powers, resources and support they need remains a big priority.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹

It was good to meet with the Leaders’ Council this week, bringing together local government leaders to discuss the priorities for the months ahead and how we continue putting devolution into practice. The principle is simple: decisions should be made as close as possible to the people they affect, with local leaders trusted to get on with the job.

𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆

I also attended a meeting of the Co-operative Party NEC meeting this week as Party Chair. It was a particularly significant meeting following Joe Fortune’s decision to step down as General Secretary of the Co-operative Party after being elected as the new General Secretary of our sister party the Labour Party.

Joe has given many years of service and I want to wish him every success in his new role. It’s a great recognition of the contribution he has made to the wider Labour & Co-operative movement.

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵

Before heading back to Oldham, it was great to be at No. 10 North in Manchester, bringing together work around government and the North and making sure the voices and priorities of our communities are right at the centre of those conversations.

Now back home for meetings and engagements on the issues that matter to local people, from tackling the problems caused by poorly managed HMOs, to the future of local NHS services, there is no shortage of things to get on with.