Author Archives: JimfromOldham

Today is also a huge day for devolution in our area, as it is the first day of the Greater Manchester Integrated Settlement. The start of record funding of £630 million for Greater Manchester to improve our transport network, invest in education and skills development, and boost housing across the region. We have already seenContinue reading “Record Funding for Greater Manchester”

Work should pay fairly and offer a good standard of living, but for too many people that isn’t the case. No matter how hard they work covering the cost of living is hard. That’s why Labour introduced the Minimum Wage in 1999. I left school at 16 years old and went straight into the worldContinue reading “Making Work Pay”

John Robert Clynes, born on 27 March 1869, was a remarkable figure who transitioned from mill worker to trade unionist and senior Labour Party politician. Serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 35 years, he led the Labour Party during its pivotal breakthrough in the 1922 general election, increasing the party’s representation from 85Continue reading “Celebrating an Oldhamer who went from Dowry Mill to Downing Street”

Wishing Muslim constituents across Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton a peaceful and prosperous Eid-al-Fitr as Ramadan draws to a close.

Aside from the usual internal meetings, it was good to talk again in the Chamber during the final stages of the government’s Business Rates Bill, where we considered the amendments put forward by the House of Lords. Once past these final stages and given Royal Assent, this law will provide certainty by introducing a permanentContinue reading “Weekly Ministerial Round-up”

We need a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment and is fit for the present day. High streets are places that bring people together, foster community pride and boost economic activity in our area. That is why, I have been working in Government to ensure we have a long termContinue reading “Tax cut to support high street businesses”

Born on this day, a remarkable Oldhamer—a historical figure who walked the terraced streets of our town, grew up under the smoke-filled skies and the relentless beat of the cotton mills, and rose to become one of the most senior figures in British politics. His journey from 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 is one ofContinue reading “What do these three properties have in common?”

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺. Afsheen died peacefully at home on March 27, 2024, at the age of 45, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Councillor Zahid Chauhan, the Mayor of Oldham, andContinue reading “First Anniversary of the passing of Afsheen Chauhan, Mayoress of Oldham”