Latics in action at Boundary Park

Great to be at Boundary Park yesterday to see Latics in action against Hartlepool … and to secure a win!

Thank you to the Rothwell family, Directors and club for having us. It’s the first time being back since the launch of SportsTown project, a £70 million masterplan in a Community Regeneration Partnership to put in a huge investment into local sports and educational pathways centred at Boundary Park. It is clear that the future of the much loved club and its stadium is firmly at the heart of the community.

This feels like a new era. And without the perseverance of fans over a long period, and the enormous energy and dedication put in by the Rothwell family during their ownership of the club, supported by CEO Darren Royle who have breathed new life into the club and its ground, it wouldn’t be facing the exciting future it now has.

It was fantastic to meet with so many during the afternoon and great to meet Joe Royle, a legend in his own right.

We know how valuable football clubs are to fans, communities and local economies, and the more we work together to support them the greater the dividend for our town.

Prime Minister Commits to Oldham Born ‘Votes at 16’

The Prime Minister’s affirmation last week that the Government intends to adopt the campaign to lower the voting age to 16, stating it would ‘definitely happen’, is very encouraging.

In November 2017, in co-operation with Oldham Youth Council, I introduced the Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Private Member’s Bill, aiming to grant 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in general elections, local elections, and referendums. While this Bill did not pass, it sparked a conversation on the importance of young people’s engagement with politics, which continued in the Westminster Hall Debate I initiated on the subject in 2019.

The Bill was initiated in Oldham, it was written in Oldham, and its formation to become a manifesto policy, then to government policy owes much to the young people of our town.

One of the main arguments then was that since individuals at 16 are subject to direct taxation, they should have a say in how their taxes are spent. There should be no taxation without representation. The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment in last week’s liaison committee saying, ‘I think if you’re old enough to go out and work, if you’re old enough to pay taxes, then you are entitled to have a say on how your taxes are spent.’

I am proud that this initiative was born in Oldham and came from the direct political engagement of Oldham Youth Council, which continues as seen with our most recent meeting being in January to further discuss issues such as Votes at 16.

We can’t underestimate the power our community and our young people have had in shaping the national agenda and extending the democratic process to future generations.

Pressing GMP to Make Our Roads Safer

I have written to Greater Manchester Police to express serious concern over the recent rise in dangerous driving across Oldham, particularly following a series of alarming incidents, including a fatal crash in Chadderton.

While I previously raised this issue with GMP in December 2023 – and welcomed the 16% drop in incidents that followed – I am now deeply concerned that the situation is worsening again.

That’s why I’ve written once again to GMP, urging them to take stronger and more immediate action. I’ve proposed increased visibility of road safety officers in hotspot areas, more physical safety measures like traffic calming schemes and speed cameras, and greater education, particularly aimed at young and new drivers, to raise awareness of the dangers.

I asked GMP to outline what steps are currently being taken and whether these additional measures are under active consideration. We must not wait for more lives to be lost before decisive action is taken.

This is an issue I will continue to press until our roads are safer for everyone in Oldham.

Please see GMP’s response here.

Delivering for high street businesses with a permanent 40% rate relief

✅ Certainty for our town centre retailers

✅ Putting the online and the on-street on a level playing field

✅ Redressing the imbalance between the out-of-town and the in-town

✅ 1 million properties protected from any inflationary increases next year

✅ Driving footfall, to breathe new life into communities

Our Business Rates reforms have now become law, with the passage of the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act 2025. The Tories has 14 years to address these problems and they did nothing, whereas this Labour government has brought these reforms after only 9 months in office.

High streets and town centres are more than just a place to do business; they are a place for a community to come together and foster co-operation – and this law delivers for them.

This law will go further to make sure state schools get the money that they need to break down the barriers to opportunity for all children, building on our free breakfast club programme in every primary school, which is set to launch this month.

Labour in power at every level is working together on shared goals to deliver change for small businesses: the government passing this new law and bolstering workers rights; our Labour Mayor creating the Mayoral Development Zone at Atom Valley to stimulate more good jobs in our borough; and Labour-led Council running projects to protect heritage and increase footfall including building the new Market Hall in Spindles, saving Oldham Coliseum, restoring Royton Town Hall, and more.

While there is much more still to do, we have started to deliver: ending the years of chaos & decline, beginning to rebuild communities like Oldham, Chadderton & Royton, and driving up living standards, with wages now rising faster than prices.

Weekly Ministerial Round-up

This week the House rose on Tuesday for the beginning of Easter Recess, but this hasn’t meant a break with still a lot going on!

On Monday, we had the last OPQs of this Parliamentary session. I responded to questions on improving the accountability of local government, and on improving resilience in councils so they can provide vital services such as specialist SEND provisions.

On Tuesday, it was a pleasure to visit Crawley as part of our ongoing visits to areas on the devolution priority programme. Alongside constructive conversations with council leaders, MPs and chief executives from across Sussex. I saw first-hand the benefit MHCLG’s £4.5m investment was having on skills development at Crawley College through their Green Construction Skills Hub and inspiring conversations with ambulance practitioner apprentices. A highlight was having the honour to officially open the Crawley Innovation Centre – made possible through MHCLG and HMT funding – supporting local enterprise and regional growth.

I have also been continually monitoring the situation in Birmingham with regular meetings, interviews and on Thursday, saw the impact on the ground by visiting areas directly affected by the bin strike. I am committed to working with the West Midlands Combined Authority to ensure they continue to deliver for local people, and find a sustainable outcome to the dispute that works for all.

Update: Future of the Post Office in Oldham

Since the announcement that WHSmith in Spindles Shopping Centre will close in May 2025, I have been working to confirm the future of Oldham’s Town Centre Post Office, and want to update my constituents on the progress of live discussions.

The Council, as the freeholder has been proactive, recognising the importance of this vital facility. They have confirmed there are potential operators interested in taking it on, and the progress of applications with Post Office Ltd is quite advanced in finding a replacement postmaster for this site.

After discussions with Post Office Ltd, I have confirmed that both the independent postmasters have suggested locations within the Spindles shopping centre so there should hopefully be minimal disruption to a service running in the centre of the Town.

Given the current branch shuts in May, there is potential of a short break in service, while the postmaster is selected. During which time the branch alternatives would be at Coldhurst Post Office and Hardy St Post Office.

Despite speculation in opposition groups, I want to stress the assurance from Post Office Ltd that TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) will apply, so that any worker in the current branch would be offered first option of employment at the new branch, and details have already been passed to the prospective franchises.

The Post Office isn’t just another shop – it is a vital public service that should be easily accessible for all. I believe it is essential to have a Post Office in the centre of our Town for older residents, local businesses, and working people. People shouldn’t be having to go out of their way to reach this service.

If you have any concerns or worries over the future of the Post Office in Oldham, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at jim.mcmahon.mp@parliament.uk, and be assured that I will continue to fight for a sustainable outcome for our town.

Building homes and protecting Oldham from “free for all”

The Government has responded to the opposition motion in Oldham council to reject Places for Everyone; thankfully the Government is committed to a plan-led approach that benefits local people, so has decided not to allow Oldham to withdraw from Places for Everyone.

Local plans are absolutely crucial. They provide the stability and certainty that communities, businesses, and developers need to see the planning system working effectively. These plans aren’t just a piece of paper but a vital tool for attracting investment, driving growth, and ensuring we get the housing, jobs, and infrastructure our area needs.

It is true that Oldham desperately needs affordable housing developments to meet our demand, but we also need a plan that listens to local people’s wishes and concerns. One way Places for Everyone would do this is by protecting our green spaces and ensuring development on brownfield is prioritised first. Housing developments can’t compromise the communal spaces that make Oldham, Oldham.

Places for Everyone would also respond to local concerns over the type of developments made in our town, such as the amount of HMO’s. By letting private landlords build without a strict local plan regulated by the council, this would only increase rather than decrease. Having a local plan that is aware of and responsive to local people’s concerns is critical in making sure developments are strengthening our town, rather than dividing it.

It’s important to note that the plan was not perfect – given the competing tensions in the council it was never going to be. However, a local plan is the best way to stop a free for all for developers, protect important green belt and build the homes we need for local families.

A responsible government couldn’t let a fragile political situation in Oldham stop us looking for solutions that benefit all. The opposition parties brought in this motion to destabilise the Labour leadership, they did not bring this in thinking about what is best for Oldham. As the Housing Minister confirmed there is ‘no justification’ for stopping Places for Everyone.

Helpfully, the Government’s response has been published on the government website if you would like to read further: https://www.gov.uk/…/oldham-council-places-for-everyone…

The Government’s commitment to the plan-led system is great news for the future of our town. I will continue to work with my constituents to ensure that Oldham’s planning policies evolve in a way that both reflects local needs and contributes to the national agenda for growth and sustainability.