We inherited a broken asylum system after the years of chaos & decline under the Tories, who five years ago contracted 400 hotels across the country including our own Victoria Hotel (former Bower) in Chadderton.

In fact it was the now Reform MP, then Conservative Home Office minister Robert Jenrick who expanded its use from 80 to 120 occupants.

Oldham has always played its part, for instance with 680 asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation (houses) in addition to the use of hotels, but it’s a fact the borough has taken far more of a share than other areas due to historically lower housing costs, and it needs to be much more equitable going forward.

The government confirmed again the Victoria Hotel’s use as dispersal accommodation will end and I’ll be keeping on the pressure for it to happen sooner than later, and that it doesn’t then just add further pressure onto family homes being taken by Serco, adding to the temporary accommodation demand as families find it harder to secure an affordable rented property.

It will take time to fix the mess inherited but the public want an approach which is firm, and that means stopping illegal immigration such as small boats, abuse of visa schemes or overstayers. And they want fairness and for everyone to play by the rules, and for the rules themselves to put the collective good first.

Oldham has shown time and time again its support and compassion and that trust must be respected and not eroded.

Delighted Bev Craig is now officially the Labour AND Co-operative mayoral candidate

Polls show this is a straight fight between Labour and Reform in the Greater Manchester Mayoral by-election next month.

Come on Oldham, let’s get behind an outstanding candidate!

I share the outrage at the news Rochdale Grooming Gang ringleader and former Oldham resident Shabir Ahmed is proposed for imminent release from prison, and I’ve raised it in the floor of the House with the Government.

The crimes committed against mainly vulnerable white working class girls continues to shock and disgust all decent people in our community. He appears to have shown no remorse whatsoever and in my view poses a real risk to the public.

I will continue pressing the Government for answers and will keep constituents updated as soon as I receive a response.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act was the beginning, not the end, of breaking away from the command and control culture of Whitehall that has held back us for too long.

It established devolution by default, created the right to request devolved powers, expanded the role of mayors and combined authorities, alongside stronger neighbourhood governance and community ownership. Localism and devolution must go hand in hand.

Together we grew mayoral leadership, and with a fair wind the whole of the North will soon be covered, alongside new mayoralties across the South and East of England.

We’ve seen in Greater Manchester the difference of devolution with powers to take control of the bus network, skills and housing, but there is a lot more to do. The skyline of a booming city can feel a world away from the streets of Oldham unless we have a programme which allows every part of the region to benefit from growth.

In the end devolution will only reach its full potential if central government changes too, with No. 10 driving it as a core mission of government; and councils are the foundations on which devolution is built. They need resourcing and empowering to get things done on the ground.

A turbocharged programme for government can take devolution to the next level, and allow all of the country to finally realise its potential.

A snapshot of my time this week down in Westminster

𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Alongside other measures the Bill will establish a new Defence Housing Service, and out the Armed Forces Covenant on a statutory footing as promised in the Labour Party manifesto.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲

Pleased to attend a parliamentary reception hosted by the Ukraine Policy Network. As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty against Russia’s illegal invasion, it was a timely opportunity to hear firsthand experiences of life in the UK from those who were supported through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Oldham is host to around 150 people who are being supported by local people who have opened their homes and hearts. 90% of adults in the programme are in work even with the difficultly of the temporary nature of their visas, which needs to addressed.

𝗔 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴

During the ministerial statement on the Farming Roadmap and the Farming Profitability Review, I spoke in the Chamber about the important role co-operative farming can play in strengthening rural communities, improving economic resilience & national security, and helping farmers secure a fair return for their hard work.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Great to have secured a Ten Minute Rule Bill to change stillbirth registration by allowing it to be completed online. At an incredibly difficult time for families, this simple change would remove unnecessary bureaucracy and make the process more compassionate for bereaved parents.

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆!

It was great to welcome Makerfield’s new MP, Andy Burnham, to Parliament this week as he was sworn in. I know he’ll be a strong voice for local people and I’m looking forward to working alongside him on the issues that matter most to our communities in Greater Manchester.

Good to now be back up in Oldham to finish the week with meetings in Royton, visits and engagements with local people.

Today is Armed Forces Day, a time to thank all those serving to keep us safe at home and around the world, and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I attended the Defence Showcase in Parliament this week to hear about today’s threats and the military’s response to it, including the team supporting mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz using new remotely operated vessels from Portsmouth, which work alongside crewed operations.

The nature of the threats continues to change, and technology evolves rapidly during conflict. Much has been learned from Ukraine’s experience with drones, for instance.

What remains constant, however, is the dedication, professionalism and courage of those who serve.