LATE LAST night – following the Brexit vote – I spoke in the Commons on the failures surrounding the roll-out of Universal Credit (UC), as well as its indiscriminate sanctions.

It was encouraging to see the Government listen to the concerns of the majority, including their own MPs in last week’s budget. Some much needed tweaking was finally carried out that will make some difference to claimants currently at the mercy of UC. But it has come too late for many who have already borne the brunt of its failure to provide basic support.

Continue reading “Universal Credit is turning into the real nightmare before Christmas for too many families.”

YESTERDAY, along with my colleague Kerry McCarthy MP, I attended a meeting between Jeremy Hunt – the Secretary of State for Health – and the family of Layla Rose Ermenekli from Limeside in Oldham. The meeting was called to discuss the Government’s failure to provide Meningitis vaccine to all children.

Continue reading “Jeremy Hunt apologises for the death of Layla from Lime Side”

Early this week I was proud to welcome one of our local schools at the British Council in London. Limehurst Primary School in Oldham West & Royton has been awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

Continue reading “Congratulations to Limehurst Primary School”

DURING HIS budget speech today the Chancellor called the Tories the Government of the future. There were certainly a lot of superficial giveaways designed to make us feel good and massage the chronic problems our country faces, but they failed even to boost the energy of backbench Tories.

Continue reading “Budget 2017: backtracking on 7 years of Tory damage, but missing the path to repairing our public services”

MY FINAL visit in support of Parliament week was attending Continue reading “Roundtable discussion on Votes at 16 with the Manchester Metropolitan University and students from The Loreto College.”

MY SECOND Visit to support Parliament week was an enjoyable morning with young pupils from St Agnes and Mayfield Primary School.

Continue reading “Gallery Oldham’s Parliament Education Project with some of Oldham’s finest!”

 

Oldham Hulme Grammar School Parliament Week Event .

My first visit as part of Parliament week was attending the fantastic Oldham Hulme Grammar School.  I was impressed with the week-long activities the school held such as Mock referendums, promoting Local Council and Youth Council Elections and discussing how democracy works in the UK.

It is always unnerving to speak to students as in my experience some of the most challenging and interesting questions come from our Youth. I discussed what my role as a Member of Parliament entails, my work in Parliament and the importance of Participation in democracy, followed by a great Q & A session from the students!.

 

After a long week in Parliament it was a pleasure to have been invited to The Blessed John Henry Newman RC College Presentation evening celebrating the fantastic achievements of the Year 11 students. The atmosphere in the school, the vibe in the hall where excited students, the proud staff and parents had congregated waiting for the event to start was moving . The sense of unity and community was felt throughout the school hall.

It was an honour to have been invited as the Chief Guest and to have been able to have been a part of a special evening. A big well done to all the dedicated staff and my sincere best wishes to all the students for a bright and successful future ! .