It was great to meet with several independent and chain stores, restaurants and bars that operate on Royton Precinct last week regarding the issues they have been having with increased service charges and a deteriorating precinct, which has needed some TLC for some time.

The meeting was held on the precinct and included myself, tenants and London and Cambridge Partnerships to discuss how we can move forward in partnership and for the good of the precinct and for the people of Royton. We all want Royton Precinct, and Chadderton’s which is owned by the same company, to thrive rather than just survive.

It was a productive meeting, and I am hopeful we have found a fair way forward by working with the council and local people.

Thank you to the retailers and to LCP for meeting with me last week.

It’s an exciting time for Oldham. Bit by bit, the town centre is being transformed, bringing life, pride and purpose back into the heart of our borough.

The scaffolding may be up, but so is our ambition.

The Market Hall is being brought back to life, restoring a historic gem at the centre of our community. Just down the road, the Old Library, a building rich in Oldham’s story is getting the attention it deserves, soon to be a cultural hub once again. And after a long fight, it’s brilliant to see real progress on a new Oldham Coliseum, giving our town the theatre it deserves (Hoping to be able to share progress pictures on this soon)

On top of this, exciting work with Muse Developments is underway to make town-centre living a reality—attracting people, investment and vibrancy back into Oldham and revitalising our high street.

These aren’t just plans on paper, they’re happening now. Shovels in the ground, bricks being laid, buildings being restored. It is being delivered under Labour leadership in the town and supported by Labour values—local pride, opportunity for all, and investment where it’s needed most.

Sometimes the dots don’t connect for people. But if you walk through Oldham today and look at the progress, know this: this is what delivery looks like. And it’s being done for Oldham, by those who believe in Oldham.

There is always more to do—but we’re on our way.

Streamlining processes for introducing new qualifications & adapting to emerging skills gaps

Establishing Skills England

Better coordination between different areas of education and industry

Ensuring apprentices are best prepared for jobs of the future

Boosting local economic growth and driving-up living standards

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions) Bill has now passed through parliament and is ready to become law. We have a big reform agenda on skills and technical education to create more good jobs and boost local economic growth.

It was great to be in Oldham College last week to meet with Principal Simon Jordan, be given a tour of the Digital and Creative Faculty, and meet with T-Level Media students with whom I took part in an OC Radio podcast. Thank you for having me and for the great work you all do to help our young people realise their ambitions and reach their potential.

My background is in technical education, attending Oldham College myself, and I know the power it can have in transforming people’s life chances and delivering the services communities need.

I prioritised good jobs at the election for the people of Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton because I want local people to have more opportunities and drive up their living standards. From establishing Skills England, to ending fire-and-rehire, banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, and increasing the National Living Wage rising by £1400.

Work to transform technical education and drive-up living standards is not just being done at a national level. Mayor Burnham’s plan to create an equal alternative to the university route in Greater Manchester called the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate will mean two equal routes at 14 – one academic, one technical.

Our Plan for Change matches people’s desire for change and is working – shown by the fact wages are now rising faster than prices – and these latest reforms will take that progress further.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, I want to speak directly to our community in Oldham.

We know the last few years have been incredibly tough—through the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and the everyday pressures people face. Behind closed doors, too many are struggling in silence. Mental health is health, and it deserves the same attention and care as our physical wellbeing.

In Oldham, 15.0% of adults aged 18 and over are recorded as having depression, which is higher than the England average of 13.2% (2022/23) (jsnaoldham.co.uk). Staggeringly, it is recorded that 1 in 4 adults experience a common mental health disorder like anxiety or depression (Greater Manchester Mental Wellbeing Report, 2023). That’s not just a number—that’s family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Our town has always shown strength in adversity. But strength doesn’t mean suffering alone. Whether it’s reaching out to a mate, speaking to your GP, or finding support through local services like TOG Mind or Kooth or the fantastic Andy’s Man Club, please know help is out there.

I’m proud of the work being done by local groups, but much more needs to be done nationally—proper investment in NHS mental health services, better access for young people, and parity between mental and physical healthcare. The Labour Government’s renewed focus on mental health—from pledging to recruit thousands more mental health staff to embedding mental health support in schools and GP surgeries is a huge step forward. It’s a long-overdue commitment to parity between mental and physical health.

If you’re struggling, you are not alone. Let’s keep building a community where it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay.”

Please reach out if you need help;

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust – Oldham Mental Health Services

Provides a range of mental health services for adults and children in Oldham.

0161 604 3000

Borough Management Offices, Parklands House, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH

penninecare.nhs.uk/oldham

Oldham Community Mental Health Team (East)

Supports adults with severe and enduring mental health problems.

0161 770 4151

Horton House, Hamilton Street, Southlink Business Park, Oldham, OL4 1DE

penninecare.nhs.uk/oldhamcmht

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

3. Oldham Talking Therapies (NHS)

Offers psychological therapies for people aged 16+ registered with a GP in Oldham.

0161 716 2777

penninecare.oldhamtalkingtherapies@nhs.net

iaptportal.co.uk/pcold.html

iaptportal.co.uk

4. TOG Mind (Tameside, Oldham & Glossop Mind)

Provides mental health support, counselling, and wellbeing services.

0161 330 9223

office@togmind.org

togmind.org

Able Futures

Offers free mental health support for people in work, including help with anxiety, depression, and stress.

0800 321 3137

hello@able-futures.co.uk

able-futures.co.uk

Andy’s Man Club – Oldham

A peer-to-peer support group for men, offering a safe space to talk and support each other.

Meets every Monday at 7pm (except Bank Holidays) at Oldham Event Centre, Boundary Park, Hilbre Ave, Oldham, OL2 5BL

andysmanclub.co.uk

Healthy Young Minds Oldham (CAMHS)

Specialist services for children and young people up to 18 years old experiencing mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties.

0161 770 7777

point-send.co.uk/mental-health-wellbeing

Mental Health Crisis Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis:

Call 111 and select the mental health option (Option 2) – available 24/7

Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)

jo@samaritans.org

samaritans.org

Thank you,

Jim

It was a real privilege to join the Mayor’s Appreciation Awards and stand alongside some of the outstanding volunteers from across our borough — from Chadderton, Royton, Oldham, Failsworth and Saddleworth — who were rightly recognised for their selfless service to the community.

Too often, the quiet work that holds our towns together goes unnoticed. These are the people who give their time, energy and care without ever asking for thanks — and yet they are the very heartbeat of our borough. Oldham is a better, kinder, stronger place because of them.

I was especially proud to see recognition for the Failsworth Carnival Committee. As someone who served on the committee for several years including as its treasurer, I know just how much work went into making the carnival such a special part of our local life, bringing in community groups, uniformed organisations and dance troupes from across the borough and beyond. It’s sad to see it come to an end after running since 1963 — but the legacy of those volunteers will live on in the good causes they supported and the community spirit they built.

Everyone who received an award can be proud of the contribution they make, and I did want to give a special mention to Shirley Buckley, who has worked alongside me since I became an MP, and before that supported the late Michael Meacher. Across decades of dedicated public service, she’s quietly helped many thousands of local people.

To everyone recognised at the awards — thank you, and well done. You’ve done Oldham proud.

As we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of VE Day this week, events across the country showed the nation at its best. Reflecting on the immense sacrifice made by so many in defence of our nation, way of life and freedom.

It was also the week that Labour have announced a new UK-wide veteran support system, called VALOUR, which will ensure veterans have easier access to essential care and support – a huge step towards our manifesto commitment to implement the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces set most people up for success in life, but when veterans need help, support can often be a postcode lottery. VALOUR will be set up regionally to work with enterprising health, employment and housing charities to shape more tailored local support.

I’m sure this announcement will be welcome in Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton through providing specialist support for the 2,498 veterans we have in our community. I know first-hand that veterans possess unique skills, and yet face unique challenges.

I’m proud to have great grandparents, and grandfathers who served in the army, as many will. And there I was able to see closely the tight bond of the service community in my time as a Remembrance Sunday organiser for a number of years, and as we worked to secure refurbishment of war memorials across the borough, something every generation should take responsibility for.

Here in Oldham, we are proud of our heritage and of the role our people played in the war effort, both on the front lines and at home. Their bravery and unity continue to inspire us.

But remembrance must go hand in hand with responsibility. Our veterans deserve more than gratitude in words – they deserve action. That means access to proper housing, healthcare, and mental health support. It means listening to their voices and ensuring that no one who has served this country is left behind.

As we mark this important anniversary, what better time to commit to building a country that truly honours their legacy – one that values peace, justice, and care for one another.

Despite the shorter week due to the early May bank holiday, it’s been a full and focused few days in Government – particularly centred on the financial sustainability of local councils. After years of inadequate funding, many councils are under immense strain. My role now is to tackle that legacy head-on and build a fairer, more resilient model that gives local authorities the certainty they need to deliver for their communities.

On Tuesday, I was in London for meetings with local leaders and officials, ahead of the publication of Government guidance to areas facing financial challenges.

On Wednesday, I gave evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, setting out our plans for a sustainable, long-term approach to local government funding – one that moves us beyond sticking-plaster solutions.

That same day, I responded in the House to an Adjournment Debate on Havering Borough Council and its place in Essex devolution. It was a chance to reflect on a theme that resonates deeply with people up and down the country: pride in place and the value of local identity. One of my first acts in Government was to bring every English county flag to Parliament Square and now outside the Department – to show that identity and belonging are central to how we shape public life.

I ended the week back in Manchester, joining a brilliant VE Day celebration at the Civic. Before that, I caught up with Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Chair of LGA Labour, to reflect on the local elections and our shared mission to build a stronger, more accountable local government.