Author Archives: JimfromOldham

Pressing for clarity on Oldham Eton Star Sixth Form

Eton backed Star Sixth Form in Oldham was announced by the Tory government in August 2023. The Labour government announced a review of the national programme over a year ago to consider its value for money and added value in local areas of the overall programme (not Oldham specificity) and the priority of special needsContinue reading “Pressing for clarity on Oldham Eton Star Sixth Form”

Powering up Oldham with new solar project

Great to be down at Wrigley Head Solar Farm with Cllr Jabbar today, seeing first-hand the progress being made to bring more clean, home-grown power to Oldham. This is one of the first projects of its kind in Greater Manchester, and it’s happening right here in our borough. Under our Labour-led Council, we’re not justContinue reading “Powering up Oldham with new solar project”

HMRC mileage allowances haven’t been updated since 2010. They need to get their house in order!

Working people keep this country running, but many are now having to pay out of their own pocket just to do their jobs. That’s because HMRC’s mileage rate hasn’t been updated for 15 years. Unison and the RAC have both called for the 45p a mile rate to be raised, previously calling for the rateContinue reading “HMRC mileage allowances haven’t been updated since 2010. They need to get their house in order!”

Update: working with GMP to tackle youth knife crime, gangs & child criminal exploitation

Good to catch up with Oldham district’s Chief Superintendent Estelle Mathieson once again at Oldham Police Station. We had a really constructive conversation about the challenges Oldham, Chadderton & Royton are facing – such as youth knife crime, and organised crime – and the work already happening to keep people safe, by tackling both theContinue reading “Update: working with GMP to tackle youth knife crime, gangs & child criminal exploitation”

This week in Parliament

It has been a big week in Westminster. We started with the 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 returning to the Commons for Report Stage. Great to see my Co op Party colleague Miatta Fahnbulleh leading on this. It is a real step forward in shifting power from Westminster to our regions and local communities.Continue reading “This week in Parliament”

Keep on fighting to bring back our courts and custody cells

This is a once in a generation chance to secure a new Oldham police station and get the facilities our borough deserves. After 14 wasted years of Tory cuts which resulted in the closure of the Magistrates Court & County Court in Oldham as well as police posts at Limeside, Chadderton & Royton; we areContinue reading “Keep on fighting to bring back our courts and custody cells”