A busy but rewarding week down in Westminster, hereโs what I got up to 
๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น
There were votes over several days on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, with important questions for Parliament to consider around how we address the legacy of the Troubles. These are complex and deeply sensitive issues, affecting victims, survivors and families across Northern Ireland and beyond. Parliamentary scrutiny is vital to ensuring these issues receive the attention and consideration they deserve.
๐๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐
๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ข๐น๐ฑ๐ต๐ฎ๐บ
I met with the Children & Families Minister to discuss proposals for Eton Star Sixth Form in Oldham. I have requested the admissions policy be brought forward as soon as possible. It is important that we can contribute to ensure it is a genuinely mixed intake from across the borough and as it is intended to be a Greater Manchester facility, to what extent places will be offered across the region, and from that what it means for other providers in Oldham.
๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ฒ
I joined colleagues for leaving drinks for Joe Fortune as he moves on from his role as General Secretary of the Co-operative Party to become General Secretary of the Labour Party. It was a chance to recognise his contribution to the Co-operative movement and wish him all the best in his new role.
We are now on with recruiting a new General Secretary and hope to announce more on this once the process has concluded.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ: ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐
I attended a ministerial cross-government roundtable on rewiring the state for Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Devolution is about making sure decisions are taken closer to the communities they affect, with mayors and local leaders equipped with the powers and resources to deliver for their areas. Bringing government departments together is an important part of making that work in practice.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
I also met with council leaders to discuss devolution in the areas of England without mayoral representation in place or to follow.
Local government has a vital role to play in shaping the future of devolution, and itโs important that we work with councils to understand local priorities, explore opportunities and ensure any new arrangements work for the communities they serve.
A lot of work continues behind the scenes on local government reorganisation, working through proposals and engaging with councils and local leaders to make sure the right arrangements are in place for the future. Itโs important that we get this right, with a focus on strong local leadership, effective services and delivering the best outcomes for residents.
There is a lot of work ahead of the budget, and launch of important policies including Rewiring the State Delivery Plan and the High Streets Strategy.
Back to Oldham now for the rest of the week for important constituency and local party meetings.
