JimfromOldham

Raise the Rate. Back our Sixth Form Colleges

I have joined with 92 MPs in backing our Sixth Form Colleges. We all know the value of a good quality education and there has been lots of activity on School Funding, but often further education doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that education funding for 16 to 18Continue reading “Raise the Rate. Back our Sixth Form Colleges”

Constitutional outrage

The decision by Boris Johnson to suspend parliament has rightly been met with wide ranging criticism. As the clock ticks to the 31st October deadline to leave the EU, and no alternative withdrawal agreement in place it is clear we are being driven to a No Deal Brexit. It is not usual, despite claims byContinue reading “Constitutional outrage”

Kashmir Crisis

I have written to the Foreign Secretary regarding the revocation of Article 370 by the Indian Government and the rising tensions between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir region. In addition to my correspondence with the Foreign Secretary, I have tabled an Oral Question to be asked at the first Foreign Office Questions after Recess.Continue reading “Kashmir Crisis”

GM MPs come together over Fire Service cuts

All 27 Greater Manchester MPs have written to both Andy Burnham in his capacity as Mayor and additionally to the newly appointed Minister for Policing and the Fire Service regarding the cuts we have seen to the Fire Service as a result of austerity. We have asked the Minister to halt the agenda of austerityContinue reading “GM MPs come together over Fire Service cuts”

#FreeNazanin

A large group of MPs, Peers and I have signed a cross party letter to the Prime Minister regarding the treatment and release of British citizen, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, from the Iranian prison and psychiatric ward she has been kept in following her arrest in 2016. We recognise the Prime Ministers ‘to-do’ list is monumental, howeverContinue reading “#FreeNazanin”

The Churchill Fellowship

An opportunity has opened up for Oldhamers who are interested in travelling and problem solving in the modern world. The Churchill Fellowship is looking for 150 people to join their programme this year. The Fellowship was founded in 1965 by Winston Churchill’s grandson as a tribute to the former Prime Minister and aims to inviteContinue reading “The Churchill Fellowship”

HS2 & Northern Investment

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”

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”