Small businesses and the people behind them are the beating heart of our local economy and the pride they put into their work really shines through.

They are vital in boosting local growth and provide good jobs for people in our borough – a priority of mine at the election last year.

So much of what we are doing is aimed at supporting small businesses not just survive but thrive: from working with tenants, the Council & LCP at Royton Precinct to resolve issues over high service charges so we can improve the infrastructure without putting unfair costs on tenants; to campaigning in Parliament, with Unison and the RAC Foundation to get HMRC Mileage payments uprated to ensure workers get properly compensated.

Please, if possible, shop local this Saturday.

I’m deeply concerned by the reports of chaos involving around 100 youths fighting and fireworks being thrown.

My office has contacted both police and the council to demand extra reassurance for residents and to ask what will be done to prevent a repeat, and I’ll post any relevant replies if they add to the statements in the article when we get them.

That said police and council responding is no replacement for parental and individual responsibility, which I hope is also being reflected on, and that the dispersal order being in place is noted and complied with.

Education Questions kicked things off on Monday. I pressed ministers for clarity on the proposed 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝘅𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲. It was announced back in 2023 and parents, the council and local providers deserve straight answers on where it now stands. I also pushed again for 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 so more are advertised in the summer, when young people actually need them.

On Tuesday, in the 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, I spoke about the human and financial cost of failure. In Oldham, 633 children are living in temporary accommodation. It’s unacceptable. We need a whole-government effort to get families into safe, decent and affordable homes, and to shut down the rogue landlords exploiting this crisis.

Great as always to welcome pupils from 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶 𝗥𝗖 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 to Parliament before the 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 wrapped up on Wednesday. This Budget delivers for Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton: lifting 6,000 children out of poverty, freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years, cutting energy bills by around £150, and freezing prescription charges. Real help with the cost of living.

I also pressed the Transport Secretary in a written question on 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝟲𝟬 and poor drainage. Encouraging signs of progress, but there’s still more to do on a motorway our whole region relies on. To see more on this question I put forward, head to the MEN: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/…/government…

In the Westminster Hall debate on 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮, I made the case for a co-operative ownership model so we can protect our local papers, radio stations and broadcasters – the people who’ve told Oldham’s story and held power to account for generations.

I had a number of interesting meetings including meeting with the outgoing CEO Robin Fieth and newly appointed Sarah Harrison from the Building Society Association on working to promote building societies and inclusive finance. I wish Robin the best in what follows and look forward to working with Sarah.

Members also voted on the 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹, which will reform pension schemes to deliver better value and channel more investment into local infrastructure and future industries.

Yesterday, I raised concerns about the 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿𝘀 in England. It 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘢𝘮, but as a former Minister for English Devolution & Local Government, I know the impact this has on local leaders who’ve acted in good faith. They deserve better.

Before heading back home, I asked the Leader of the House whether the government will back the 10-Minute Rule Bill I support on 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. This isn’t about banning fireworks, it’s about setting reasonable noise limits and giving councils the powers they need to deal with repeated antisocial misuse. It matters to people with sensory issues, veterans, pet owners and anyone who just wants a quiet night.

Now the best bit, back in Oldham and some rewarding visits lined up this weekend.

Many residents tell me about the distress caused by nuisance fireworks. Despite our work with GMP and Oldham Council through licensing checks, warning letters and early intervention, the current rules limit what can be done.

Fireworks should bring joy, not anxiety for neighbours, those with sensory issues, pets or veterans living, or anyone who wants a decent nights sleep ahead of work or school the next day. I raised this issue in the chamber this week and I am sponsoring Yasmin Qureshi MP’s Bill to give councils stronger powers to control excessive firework noise.

This is not about stopping lawful use. It is about keeping them safe and respectful for everyone.

We need to step up clamping down on venues and hotspots, and we need tougher action on retailers. Dealing with noise is one element, but of course fireworks are dangerous in the hands of the irresponsible and young people.

Please continue reporting illegal firework use to Oldham’s environmental health team. Clear evidence, including phone recordings, helps them act.

For generations our local papers, radio and broadcasters in our borough have told the story of our communities and held power to account.

But the world has changed. Print readership has fallen sharply and advertising has moved to global tech companies. These platforms rely on the work of local journalists but often give very little back. Australia and the EU have taken action to make sure social media giants pay for the news they use. The UK has not, and our local media feels the pressure every day.

We need a fairer system that protects local reporting and supports the people who still turn up to court hearings, council meetings and community events.

That’s why a co-operative model of ownership should be brought forward for our news media. As Chair of the Co-operative Party, I know the impact this type of ownership can have and strong local media means stronger communities & better democracy. We cannot afford to lose it.

It was a pleasure to meet with the pupils from Chadderton’s Corpus Christi RC School in Parliament.

After a full tour which included the Commons and Lords I caught up with them in the Education Centre to talk about the role of an MP and to take questions.

Great to meet you all!

Exactly 10 years ago today, the Oldham West & Royton by-election took place and I was elected as its Member of Parliament. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve for all those in the communities of Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton for the past decade, and as councillor in the borough for 12 years before that.

So much has happened over those years, not least of all another three General Elections, the EU Referendum, the pandemic, a Labour government elected and much more! But today I just wanted to say Thank You to constituents who have allowed me to represent you in Parliament, and that however you voted and even if you didn’t vote at all, that I appreciate the many constructive and respectful exchanges over those years. I’ve always tried hard to represent everyone in every part of the constituency regardless of political views. I know once the votes are counted you only have one MP and it matters to me that we help anyone who needs it.

And through this role my team and I have been able to help many thousands of local people, often when the system has let them down and sometimes when it can feel there was nowhere left to go. I know the individual difference that has made to so many.

And so a Thank You to my team today, and those who have worked with me throughout the years and played their part. They are the people who make sure we see through the battles for local people and the wins are very often a result of their efforts. And to my own family for supporting me to do what is an incredible if not demanding responsibility.

Politics isn’t easy and in Oldham it is never dull, we know that gets a lot of attention, but what isn’t talked about enough is the amazing networks of decent people doing their bit in every corner of our borough, not for reward or status but for the care and commitment they have for the community. I see it every single week and it gives me hope our best days are ahead of us.