Author Archives: JimfromOldham

Last week, I met with Oldham Council, MUSE, and Homes England to discuss the ambitious plans for regenerating Oldham Town Centre. The focus is clear: breathing new life into our high streets, revitalising key landmarks like Spindles and the Old Town Hall, and delivering quality, affordable homes that will bring people back into the heartContinue reading “Oldham Town Centre: Looking to the Future”

I responded to an excellent debate on Coalfield communities in Parliament this week. Many industrial communities have links to coal including Oldham where over 150 colliery’s are reported to have been in operation to power the mills and factories which made the town an industrial giant through the 19th and 20th century. Without the workContinue reading “Coalfield Communities Debate”

Today the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero have committed to cut energy bills in private rented homes, tackle fuel poverty and keep money in working people’s pockets. The Government has pushed for landlords to meet energy efficiency standards rather than make renters fit the bill. This initiative will save renters £240 a yearContinue reading “Tackling Fuel Poverty”

All eyes were on the announcement of the Devolution Priority Programme in light of our Department’s announcement of six more devolution agreements being reached. Taking into account the existing agreement to work towards a mayoral authority in Lancashire, it represents the single biggest package of devolution for England. In this way we’re delivering our pledgeContinue reading “Weekly Ministerial Round-up”

It was great to open the debate on the Local Government Finance Settlement in the Chamber yesterday. This represents the start of recovery, not the end. From my time as Oldham Council Leader during austerity, I know the huge impact local government cuts have on vital public services which many vulnerable people rely on. However,Continue reading “Financial stability for Local Government”

“𝙄𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.” We are well on with deepening and widening devolution in England, and this week we presented the largest single package of mayoral devolution to date. 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 I’m delighted that the work alreadyContinue reading “Devolution revolution!”