Parliament debates the next phase of HS2 which sees the route now move north from Birmingham to Crewe, getting closer to Manchester. There is little doubt that the project is vulnerable, some critics will point to overspend and others to the impact on areas along the route, but too often MPs in the north areContinue reading “HS2 & Northern Investment”
Author Archives: JimfromOldham
Martins Fund; A UK Child Funeral Fund
Over the weekend we heard that the Government had finally approved the creation of a Child Funeral Fund. This has been a 2 year-long cross party and movement fight to see help given to parents all across the country. My Labour Party colleague and friend, Carolyn Harris, has been a staunch campaigner and a crossContinue reading “Martins Fund; A UK Child Funeral Fund”
Oldhams New Health Check Service
Last week I had the pleasure of taking part in a panel put on by Oldham Council and Doctor and Councillor, Zahid Chauhan, regarding the new state of the art Health Check Service being launched in the Borough. I was joined by my brilliant fellow Oldham colleagues, Debbie Abrahams and Angela Rayner alongside our fantasticContinue reading “Oldhams New Health Check Service”
Social Mobility in the UK
Yesterday I spoke in the opposition day debate on Social Mobility in the UK. Under this Government, the UK is second only to the US in terms of inequality among major economies in North America and Europe, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. In its report, published this month, the IFS found that averageContinue reading “Social Mobility in the UK”
Free TV Licences cut; Austerity Continues
This is another ruthless welfare cut for the most vulnerable in our society. It’s appalling that this Tory Government is trying to offload responsibility for funding free TV licences onto the BBC. The Labour Party and I will fight to reverse these cuts. Older people in my constituency rely upon their TV’s to relay socialContinue reading “Free TV Licences cut; Austerity Continues”
Climate Emergency: Where is the action?
Our Parliament is the first in the entire world to have declared a climate and environment emergency, however there is no evidence that the government are indeed taking it seriously or at all acknowledging it. We have a duty to accept the emergency and then plan and act according to it and I’m pleased thisContinue reading “Climate Emergency: Where is the action?”
Child Poverty has become the ‘norm’. This must change.
According to new figures released by End Child Poverty, around one in three children in Greater Manchester live below the poverty line. In Manchester the figures have our region as one of the highest for Child Poverty, with around 40% of children living in poverty. This is further exemplified within my own constituency, as WernethContinue reading “Child Poverty has become the ‘norm’. This must change.”
Financial Exclusion and its impact on Oldham and Royton
Earlier this week, I participated in a debate surrounding financial responsibility and exclusion stemming from the closing of bank branches and charges being placed on ATMs in our regions. Access to appropriate and fair financial services is a key requisite for participation in today’s society due to its centrality to everyday life. Access to aContinue reading “Financial Exclusion and its impact on Oldham and Royton”
