It was a pleasure to visit Hathershaw College this week and hear more about its ambitions for the future.

The school has a proud history and has served generations of local families, but it’s clear that today’s pupils deserve a learning environment that matches the high aspirations staff have for them.

That’s why I’ve been pleased to support the school’s bid for a new building. If successful, it will be a real investment in the future of our young people, while retaining the historic features that reflect the school’s important place in our community.

A quick overview of my week in Westminster

𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀) 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

We voted on the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill this week, delivering changes to strengthen the UK’s tax system while supporting the transition to cleaner energy and transport.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱

Much of my week has been focused on the deeply concerning situation surrounding the release of Shabir Ahmed. Alongside interviews with BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, LBC, ITV Granada and BBC North West Tonight, I met with a Justice Minister and probation officials to press for answers, and raised the case during a Commons statement on prisoner releases. My priority remains the victims and survivors, public safety, and ensuring every available option is pursued.

𝗔𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

During a ministerial statement, I questioned ministers about the future of the Victoria Hotel in Chadderton and the wider need to reform our asylum system. Oldham has carried more than its fair share for many years, and I’ll continue pressing for the hotel’s use to end as soon as possible while ensuring the burden is shared more fairly across the country and problems in Oldham’s housing market are not worsened.

𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

It was a pleasure to host a delegation of the co-operative movement from Canada and Ukraine in Parliament this week. We discussed the important role co-operatives play in building resilient local economies and communities, and shared ideas on how the movement continues to grow and innovate internationally, especially out of the rubble of the war in Ukraine.

𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

I attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sixth Form Education at the request of Oldham Sixth Form College, bringing together parliamentarians and education leaders to discuss how devolution and changes to T levels impact on our Sixth Form Colleges.

𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

I also joined colleagues from the APPG for Mutuals for a discussion hosted by the Chief Executive of the Building Societies Association. Mutual organisations have an important role to play in doubling the size of the Co-operative and mutual economy.

Now back home for meetings, visits and events across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton over the weekend.

We need to see action.

Following the decision that Shabir Ahmed cannot currently be deported because of provisions in the Immigration Act 1971, I’ve written to the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary calling for the law to be urgently reviewed.

Here’s a quick summary of where we find ourselves and a copy of the letter is in the comments section below

It was great host a cross-party roundtable with a delegation of Ukrainian and Canadian co-operators to Parliament where we discussed support for co-operatives in Ukraine and how to rebuild back from the rubble of war.

Internationalism and solidarity are valves which bind the co-operative movement across the world and the mutual support we offer each other helps sustain and grow the people’s economy.

I was delighted to host as Chair of the Co-operative Party as we discussed a range of issues from co-operative development and opportunities in farming, energy, housing, and social care services.

Thank you to fellow co-operator Alex Sobel who also chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group and acts as Trade Envoy to Ukraine for Charing one of our sessions, and to Joe Fortune and Caitlin Prowle from the Co-operative Party.

Having come down from Manchester following a visit to the movements historic roots in Toad Lane, Rochdale, the delegation is now on to see grassroots co-operatives and examples do community ownership.

Safe journey and carry on co-operating

Slava Ukraini.

I met with probation services yesterday, alongside fellow MPs Paul Waugh (Rochdale) and Elsie Blundell (Heywood and Middleton), to raise serious concerns about the release of notorious child sex offender and grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed. This follows a meeting with the Justice Minister on Tuesday.

Shabir Ahmed is a vile and unrepentant child sex offender who poses an ongoing risk to children. The fact that he was refused parole on three occasions is evidence of that. He is now being released after serving his statutory custodial sentence, and we are advised there is no lawful route to keep him in prison beyond it. Having had his British citizenship revoked, he should not be able to benefit from what is effectively a loophole in the Immigration Act 1971 that was intended to protect law-abiding Commonwealth citizens. Every available avenue should be explored to secure his deportation now that he has completed his sentence. If that requires a change in the law, then the law should be changed.

I also want to see further changes to the Sentencing Act 2026 to ensure that child rapists cannot in future benefit from the “earned release” scheme and be allowed out early.

Our thoughts must be with the victims and survivors of his horrific crimes. Because of their bravery, he has spent 14 years behind bars, but his release even to another area will be deeply traumatic. We must also bear in mind that while some victims saw justice in court, it is likely that others did not.

I have sought and received assurances that, whatever else happens, Shabir Ahmed will not be allowed to set foot in Rochdale (including Heywood) or Oldham. That has now been confirmed. He will be electronically tagged, his movements will be monitored, and if he breaches the exclusion zone, he will be returned to prison.

But he remains a risk to society and ultimately he should not be allowed to remain here.

I want to pay tribute to the work of Oldham-based KOGS (Keeping Our Girls Safe) for its support for victims and survivors.

I wish Hassan well and pleased that Hollinwood gets a spot in such a great position.

Most people would welcome a young man serving his town as Youth Mayor, following the footsteps of many wonderful young people who have served and represented our borough so well.

But what a sad reflection it is of a handful of spiteful and racist people who have soured this occasion. I’m afraid they are all too familiar names which crop up across social media who view much of life through their prejudice of another race and religion.

Don’t let a tiny minority get you down, Oldham is wonderful and you’ll have a great year in post.