Parliament was prorogued this week, bringing this almost 2-year long session to a close. It began after the 2024 General Election and has been defined by a clear sense of purpose: change delivered with over 50 bills passed.

It’s been a busy final few days in Westminster, with late nights and tight votes to get key legislation over the line and make sure critical Bills did not fall at the final hurdle.

Here’s a quick round up.

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

A major piece of legislation brought to completion this week, with final votes focused on strengthening neighbourhood policing, giving communities greater confidence in public safety and ensuring the tools are in place to tackle crime effectively.

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Passed in the final days of the session, delivering a significant shift of power out of Westminster. New powers for local areas, stronger accountability and communities given a greater say over the decisions that affect them, and powers to protect vital community assets.

𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Completed this week, with reforms to strengthen oversight, improve security for savers and ensure pension schemes are fit for the future, protecting people who have worked hard and expect stability in retirement.

𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝘄

A landmark moment. This week saw the passage of legislation to establish a legal duty of candour and deliver long overdue accountability, a vital step forward in justice and transparency.

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

Also brought to completion this week, focused on improving outcomes for children and young people, strengthening safeguarding and ensuring schools are better equipped to support every child to succeed, and stepping up to prevent harm caused by social media.

𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗

The biggest 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 in a generation, ending no fault evictions and improving security and standards across the private rented sector.

Driving forward 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, strengthening day one rights, tackling insecure work, and improving conditions across the labour market.

Abolishing the two-child limit to lift almost 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 and ensure support better reflects the needs of families, 60% of which who are affected by it are in work.

Planning and infrastructure reforms to 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, unlocking development while keeping communities at the heart of decisions.

Action taken to 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 to secure the future of a strategic national asset, protecting jobs and ensuring long term industrial resilience.

Bringing 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 across the country, improving reliability and putting passengers first by following the lead of Greater Manchester and our Bee Network.

Taking 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 to deliver better value, accountability and performance.

Establishing a 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 through the GB Energy Act to drive investment, create jobs, deliver energy security and expand community owned energy – a key Co-op Party campaign.

Strengthening regulation and accountability through the Water Act to 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀, clamp down on sewage dumping, and put the public interest first.

Introducing an 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 via the Football Governance Act to protect clubs, fans and the future of the game.

Modernising Parliament by 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 in the House of Lords and strengthening democratic accountability.

This session has shown the difference a Labour government makes.

Parliament is now prorogued until the King’s Speech and the State Opening of Parliament in mid-May, where more change will be delivered.

For now, a moment to take stock and get ready to go again.

We’ve all seen how smartphones are changing childhood, and not for the better.

That’s why I welcome the government’s move to amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to ban mobile phones in schools after accepting recommendations to turn existing guidance into a legal requirement. Classrooms should be places to learn, not scroll.

I’ve said before that the Online Safety Act doesn’t go far enough. This is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to do to properly clean-up social media.

That includes backing the consultation on restricting social media use for under 16s. Social media brings opportunities, but it also brings very real harms with big tech companies too often failing to take responsibility for the platforms they run. Keeping children safe, online and offline, can’t wait.

Let’s get on with it.

Head to https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/20/mobile-phones-statutory-ban-schools-england-bill-amendment to see more

We’re starting to see how the Chadderton Pride in Place funding can make a real difference locally, including supporting the future of Foxdenton Hall and improvements to Foxdenton Park.

Up to £1 million has been provisionally allocated through Pride in Place (£850,000 capital and £150,000 revenue over three years), with work now underway to decide how this funding is best used to deliver for local people.

This investment builds on significant progress already made. Chadderton Together has secured £228,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside £119,000 match funding from Oldham Council, to develop detailed plans for Foxdenton Hall, with architects and project teams now in place.

The next step will be a major funding bid later this year for around £2.2 million to deliver the full restoration and Pride in Place funding will play an important role in supporting that wider vision.

Importantly, this isn’t just about one building. Pride in Place also creates an opportunity to improve Foxdenton Park by enhancing facilities, supporting health & wellbeing, and ensuring the space works better for residents.

I want to recognise the work of Cllr Colin McClaren and everyone involved in Chadderton Together for their persistence in getting us to this stage.

There’s still more funding to secure, but Pride in Place gives us a real opportunity to move forward and deliver visible improvements that will strengthen pride in Chadderton.

It was wonderful to be at this year’s Mayor’s Ball at The Loom, our recently opened event space in the heart of Oldham town centre, for Mayor of Oldham Cllr Eddie Moores and his wife and Mayoress Kath Moores.

A brilliant night bringing together community groups, local organisations, volunteers, and businesses from across our borough all in one room. That’s our borough at its best.

It was also really nice to see the Oldham Scottish Pipe Band recognised in its centenary year with a Civic Appreciation Award presented by the Mayor of Oldham.

These events aren’t just about a good evening. They’re about backing the Mayor’s charities and recognising the people who quietly get on with making a difference every day. As always, all the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Mayor’s Charity for good local causes.

Oldham runs on that kind of community spirit and I was proud to be there and support it.

On 26 April 1986, Chernobyl Reactor 4 exploded, releasing radioactive material across Ukraine and much of Europe.

The fallout saw vast quantities of radioactive material across Ukraine, Belarus, and much of Europe, contaminating millions of square kilometres and forcing the evacuation of entire communities, most famously Pripyat.

Today on the 40th anniversary of the disaster, it also serves as a present day reminder of the real threat Russia’s aggression poises to its future.

I saw that firsthand on a recent cross party parliamentary visit to Ukraine where we had special permission to visit inside the huge covered structure protecting the sarcophagus covering Reactor 4, where we observed the damaged caused by a Russian drone attack a year earlier.

Should an attack disrupt the concrete sealed structure covering the reactor it could see over a hundred tonnes of nuclear fuel released into the air over a vast area.

It was quite an experience to feel the history of the site, but also to be reminded that no where is safe from attack for as long as Putins illegal war persists.

Slava Ukraini.

There is an interesting article on this from the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/25/chornobyl-power-plant-at-risk-amid-russia-war-ukraine

Another busy week in Westminster as this Parliamentary Session Comes to a close. Here’s a quick round-up

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

Spoke in a Delegated Legislation Committee on the draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) Regulations. Important, technical changes, but ones that matter for keeping people safe at work and making sure standards don’t slip.

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟲

Great to meet with Minister Dixon to talk about progress on securing votes at 16 through the Representation of the People Bill. This started as a campaign in Oldham, so it’s good to see it moving forward nationally and us delivering on our manifesto commitment. More to do, but real momentum is building.

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

I used Commons Business Questions to press the Leader of the House on whether the government is bringing forward a new round of the Community Ownership Fund. Communities are ready to step up, they just need the backing.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

Key votes on the landmark English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill as it moves through its final stages. This is about shifting power out of Whitehall and into our towns and cities.

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 & 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹

I was also in the voting lobbies on the Crime & Policing Bill, focused on giving police the powers they need, keeping communities safe, and getting real support for victims & survivors.

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀 & 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁

Members voted on the Victims & Courts Bill, which has now completed its passage through Parliament and is awaiting Royal Assent. A big step forward in strengthening support for victims and fixing our broken justice system.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

There were important votes again this week on completing the passage of legislation before Parliament is prorogued, including on improving outcomes for children and strengthening our schools system, as well as strengthening pension schemes and improving long-term security for savers.

As ever, a mix of detailed committee work, pushing the Government in the chamber, and voting on legislation that shapes the country. It’s great now to be back home in Oldham to finish the week with meetings & engagements across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton.

It was great to meet with democracy minister Sam Dixon to talk through the progress of introducing Votes at 16.

I was proud to be able to talk through the Oldham Youth Council Private Members Bill we presented to Parliament in 2017, which led to the establishment of the cross party group and eventually featuring in the Labour Party manifesto to now become a live bill making its way to become law.

I’ll obviously be supporting the Bill when it comes back to the Commons

In the Commons yesterday, I asked the Leader of the House about bringing forward a new round of the Community Ownership Fund.

Community ownership is an important Co-operative Party campaign, it’s about empowerment, pride, identity, and keeping the places that matter in local hands. When a pub, a sports club, or a community space is at risk, people should have a real chance to step in and save it.

Sometimes protection by listing as a community asset is enough, as we’ve secured with Boundary Park and pubs like the Daisy Field Inn, but when they need greater protection ownership really matters. I’ve pushed this before with Avro FC. A brilliant local club with deep roots in the community, fighting not just for survival but for its future.

For some communities they have the resources to step in, but many do not. Often it’s the communities who need it most who need the greatest financial backing. That’s why we need new round of the Community Ownership Fund.