Greater Manchester Combined Authority has released a statement on further delays relating to the independent investigation into CSE in Oldham.

I maintain the belief that the final review will be victim focused and robust.

I am concerned that this additional delay will be used to undermine the review. It’s evident from the previously announced delay, and coverage which followed it on social media pages, that false allegations of cover up and conspiracy will be repeated. But what ultimately matters is that the investigation is comprehensive, and if any failings are identified by organisations or individuals, they are fully explored and published.

I have been careful not to comment on the review until it is published, to avoid either pre-empting or prejudging it, but I can give an assurance that it is my intention to ensure, as I have always endeavoured, that victims are put first and foremost.

There are too many examples of victims not receiving the support they deserve, either because of individual professional judgement, organisational or political culture, systemic failure and at times the overwhelming demand not being met with adequate resources. If the additional time is spent securing justice, and I maintain confidence in those leading the review, then that must be allowed to conclude properly.

https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/news/update-on-the-publication-of-the-assurance-review-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-oldham/?fbclid=IwAR2KHrKJkiwRcyk0QDs7ff1HdZU9P88A8W4wUTLuAuY8X_0ULZsLNXTue3g

Today was quite a moment.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy displayed his resolve over a video link to a silent House of Commons, which was showing rare cross party unity and purpose.

I took the opportunity last week to sign the book of support in Parliament on behalf of the people of Chadderton, Oldham and Royton, as well as sending a letter of support to the two local Ukrainian churches together with my colleague Debbie Abrahams.

Our words must be followed by firm leadership, including giving the people of Ukraine the means to defend themselves, humanitarian support and aide, and playing our part in providing refuge.

Labour has called on the Government to cancel its planned rise in National Insurance Contributions that will cost families an average of £500 per year from April 2022.

As well as energy bills going up, there is still going to be a devastating set of tax hikes coming in April.

According to the Resolution Foundation, “The average combined impact of the freeze to income tax thresholds and the 1.25 per cent increase in personal National Insurance contributions is £600 per household.”

Combined with the £444 increase in energy bills expected next financial year for a household that gets the Chancellor’s loan and council tax scheme, that means most households will still be more than £1,000 worse off in 2022/23.

That’s why Labour have long called for the National Insurance rise to be halted, so it doesn’t make the cost of living crisis worse.

Labour has also set out a plan to cut £600 off home energy bills, funded by a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producers.

As this tax hike hits home, remember it started not on your street, but on Downing Street.

I know constituents with family in Ukraine will be distressed at the escalating conflict following the invasion by Russia. I have made contact with the Ukrainian Association in Oldham, and will do the same with my neighbouring MP Debbie Abrahams with the Ukrainian churches in Coldhurst and Glodwick.

We have worked closely with the UK Government to press for harder sanctions to accompany humanitarian and military aide in what will be a difficult and testing time. We remain committed to working across political divisions, and we believe the toughest and swiftest sanctions must be put in place, and the UK must go further. We also support calls for international cooperation and coordination of sanctions including blocking Russian access to global financial markets, investments and the Swift payment system.

The Foreign Office advice for British nationals is as follows;

The British Embassy office in Kyiv has temporarily relocated. Embassy staff are operating from the British Embassy office in Lviv. The in-person consular services that British Embassy office in Lviv can provide are extremely limited. If you are in need of assistance to leave Ukraine, you should call +380 44 490 3660 or +44 (0)1908 516666 and select the option for “consular services for British nationals.” You can also send an enquiry via the web contact form.

Russia’s military action in Ukraine will severely affect the British Government’s ability to provide consular assistance in Ukraine. British Nationals should not expect increased consular support or help with evacuating in these circumstances.

If you are an immediate family member* of a British National normally living in Ukraine and intend to apply for a visa under the Family Migration route, read the guidance on visas for immediate family members of British nationals normally living in Ukraine. You should call +44 (0) 300 3032785 for assistance before applying. Lines are open Monday – Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am-5.30pm.

*‘Immediate family member’ is defined as spouse/unmarried partner/ child under the age of 18/ parent if British National is child under 18/ adult dependant who normally resides with you due to a medical condition.

Oldham has seen another year of bruising cuts to school budgets, and the Tories claim of levelling up is left in tatters.

In the coming year Oldham’s primary schools, secondary schools and sixth forms are set to miss out on £19.5m, leaving pupils without the specialist support they need to thrive.

The campaign for fair funding has been taken to parents and carers at schools and door to door to raise awareness.

In a frantic attempt to closedown democracy, Oldham’s small band of Tories are now trying to stop parents and carers discussing these cuts with councillors and the MP at the gates of the very schools affected.

Claiming ‘health and safety’ risks, it must have escaped their attention that this important part of democracy, where those who are elected work all year round, and go to the places where people go about their daily lives, and has been happening for decades without issue.

Away from the distraction being caused, it is important we focus on the huge scale of cuts to our schools.

The figures used by Schoolcuts.org.uk have been validated by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Analysis from Labour shows that the basic state pension will be worth hundreds of pounds less in real terms over the next year, affecting 15,122 pensioners in Oldham West and Royton.

The analysis shows that, as a result of rising inflation and the Conservatives’ decision to only increase the state pension by 3.1 per cent, a basic state pension for an individual will be worth around £222 less in real terms over a year than in 2021/22.  

For a couple it will be worth around £355 less. This is a real-terms cut to the state pension that is more than the amount Ministers are providing households to reduce their energy bills over the next year.

The motion to approve Conservative plans for a real-terms cut to state pensions was pushed through by Conservative MPs on Monday 7 February. This means that from Friday 1 April in the midst of a cost of living crisis, the Government’s decision to break the triple lock and give pensioners a real-terms cut to their pensions will leave older people in Britain paying hundreds of pounds more as a result of the rise in energy prices.

Labour’s plan to reduce energy bills would raise money to keep bills low through a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas profits to support all households, with households typically getting £200 off their bills. Labour’s plan will get £600 to the lowest income households while the Conservatives will only give them £350.

Commenting, Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West and Royton said:

“At a time of rising energy bills and prices going up in the shops, Tory MPs have pushed through a real terms cuts to pensions and the support families rely on.

“With working people, families and pensioners struggling to make ends meet along with rising child & pensioner poverty this is clear proof that the Conservatives are simply not on the side of working people or pensioners.

“It’s clear that only Labour will always stand up for pensioners guaranteeing older people the respect, security and prosperity they deserve.

Labour demands Government spell out plan to tackle soaring food prices as cost of living crisis deepens

As inflation spirals and pushes up the cost of a weekly shop, Labour will demand the Government sets out its plan to tackle soaring prices and hunger in the UK.

Jim McMahon MP, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will use an opposition day debate in Parliament on Tuesday to urge the government to focus its efforts on fixing the increasing squeeze on households rather than saving the Prime Minister’s job.

Labour’s motion will note MPs’ concerns over “households bracing themselves for the biggest drop in living standards in thirty years; that the cost of living crisis includes steep price increases in everyday and essential food items, making the situation worse for the 4.7 million adults and 2.5 million children already living in food insecurity and risking more people experiencing food insecurity”.

Labour will say the Government is “making the cost of living crisis worse through tax hikes, low growth, falling real wages, and a failure to tackle the energy crisis” and will urge ministers to set out a national strategy for food, including how it intends to ensure access to high quality, sustainable, affordable food for all and meet the United Nations goal to end hunger by 2030.

It comes as millions feel the crunch across Britain, with families facing hiked taxes, soaring energy bills and rising inflation. 

Figures show 5,972 food parcels were distributed by the Trussell Trust in Oldham between April and September last year, a percentage increase of 121% compared to the same period five years ago in 2016.

Jim McMahon, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, said: 

“At a time when inflation is spiralling, the government should be ensuring people across the country are able to buy healthy and good quality food. This can only be achieved by taking a responsible, strategic approach to this complex and increasingly important issue.

“Labour’s plan to keep bills low would cut £200 off most household energy bills, with £600 in total going to those households who need it most – cancelling out almost the entire rise in energy prices.

“The next Labour government would support British business to bolster sustainability and affordability of good quality food as part of our contract to deliver security, prosperity and respect for the British people.”