Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) deserve the same support and opportunities as every other child across the country. We need an inclusive and diverse education system that recognises the needs of every child, and to achieve that we need adequate funding and support for local authorities to be able to deliver a tailored public service.

Councils have been pushed to the brink after increasing demand on social care, and inadequate funding from the previous administration. Yes, it is true that demand for SEN provision has caused a financial strain on councils that are already on a weak footing. But, what is more important is that behind every one of those numbers is a child who is often not getting the outcomes they need.

In Government we are prioritising putting resilience back into the system so councils can build specialist support into the everyday function of public services. Specific to funding pressure for SEN, there has been an announced additional £440m in high-needs funding for the 2024–2025 academic year targeted at the rising costs. Councils shouldn’t be in a situation where they have to choose between which public service they can provide.

I am especially proud of the resilience and leadership Oldham Council has shown in this space. SEN funding in OWCR has had a 66% real terms increase in high needs block allocation between 2018-9, and 2025-26. Oldham Council has taken this funding support to focus on early intervention, equip schools with SEN coordinators, support specialist schools, and a collaborative approach with local health and social care services for holistic support.

We cannot forget that when financial pressures are biting hard, that we need to work towards a common goal of giving every child the best outcomes possible.

It was fantastic to be in Oldham Sixth Form last week to meet with the Principal and speak with Year 13 geography and economics students about the big issues shaping their future.

We had great discussions about many issues which matter to them. One being the rising cost of housing, specifically the gap between wages and house prices, which is making it harder for young people to get on the property ladder.

That’s why bold action is being taken to build more good-quality and affordable homes, ensure work pays by equalising the age disparities over time in the National Minimum Wage, and creating the environment for good jobs with our once-in-a-generation boost to workers rights.

We spoke about regeneration in our borough and how governments at every level can work together to create opportunities for young people; whether it’s through apprenticeships, training, and secure, well-paid jobs. Juggling studies and work isn’t easy, but with the right support we can help the next generation thrive.

And also what inspired me to become an MP, and what you can do in the role to make a real difference in our community and fight for the interests of local people.

A huge thanks to everyone at Oldham Sixth Form College for the warm welcome – your passion and ideas for the future were truly inspiring.

It was a bitter sweet annual Mayor’s Ball in Oldham this year as over 450 gathered in support of Cllr Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE as he nears the end of his term.

We reflected on his work supporting charities and the time he has put into every corner of the borough in celebration of our wonderful towns, villages and neighbourhoods.

But it was also a moment to reflect on the legacy of Mayoress Afsheen Chauhan who passed away a year ago, and whose birthday would be next week. Having fought with cancer she passed away at just 45 years old and many of her family and friends are all still grieving the loss of such a wonderful woman. She would be very proud of her three children for the courage and dignity they have shown, and to Zahid for his strength throughout the past year.

The evening was a celebration the communities of Oldham and the diversity of cultures which make up our Borough; The Oldham Symphony Orchesta, Oldham Scottish Pipe Band, The Oldham Steel Band, Natraj Dance Academy, Ramez, Mohammed Sarwar, The SVITOCH Ukrainian Chamber Choir, and Sur Sangeetaloy Music Group.

All the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Mayor’s Charity, and distributed to local good causes.

Thank you to the Chadderton Historical Society for hosting such a brilliant event yesterday to mark 100 years since Broadway opened, where we unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

It was wonderful to see the children from St. Herbert’s school out in the playground cheering on proceedings, and the fantastic town crier added to the occasion well!

Since opening 28th February 1925, Broadway sparked the progress of Chadderton’s development and progress during the 20th Century, arguably the most ambitious and memorable achievement of the former Chadderton Urban District Council.

We are proud to reach this moment and of the progress we’ve made. While working hard to preserve and promote our rich local heritage like this, we must also look to the future to make sure local people have the high-quality and safe roads, trains, trams, buses and walking routes they deserve.

It was straight to London for a ministerial statement on Monday on the current industrial action in Birmingham, which is causing misery and disruption for residents with piles of rubbish building up on the streets. We have been clear that this can not continue and a solution must be found, and it is subject to significant coordination across government and locally with the council and its partners. That is why I also visited Birmingham yesterday to discuss how to find a solution that works for local people and see this vital public service put back in place. The council has our full support in working through this.

Immediately afterwards we moved on to the Lord’s Amendments to the Non-Domestic Rates Bill. In this, I was able to reaffirm our commitment to rejuvenating high streets by introducing permanently lower tax rates for the high street and town centre; focusing on retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from 2026-27, removing business rates relief from private schools to redirect funds to enhance state education, where over 90% of children are educated.

Excitingly, we had the opportunity to visit Southampton this week as part of the Devolution Priority Programme. As well as ministerial meetings, we managed to see the Sea City Museum and Southampton Art Gallery. An unexpected highlight of the day was seeing Boaty McBoatface! (An autosub named by the public back in 2016.)

It was then back to a meeting to discuss the exciting Great North project with mayor Kim McGuinness from the North East and how government can support its work to champion the North of England.

As usual the week was also dominated by official meetings on council finance and intervention, with lots being done. Likewise on the English Devolution Bill where we are making great progress on drafting the legalisation.

It was also a nice to be able to hear the ten minute rule bill where I covered the frontbench for the housing team, which was on promoting co-operative housing schemes, something we could do with more of.

We’ve got a lot of co-operate policies coming through now, including the community asset right to buy, community energy and tackling violence against shop workers.

Today is also a huge day for devolution in our area, as it is the first day of the Greater Manchester Integrated Settlement. The start of record funding of £630 million for Greater Manchester to improve our transport network, invest in education and skills development, and boost housing across the region.

We have already seen the potential of devolution, for example through better connectivity and integrated ticketing across the Bee Network, more effective healthcare delivery through the Greater Manchester Integrated Health Board, or urban regeneration projects helping us have more green spaces across the region.

Now, with more funding, freedom and flexibility, GMCA will be able to go further and find solutions to the matters we all care about. Whether this is homelessness, antisocial behaviour or unemployment, we will now be equipped to target the root causes, provide practical support and direct funding to these vital local services.

This game-changing integrated settlement will be the key to unlocking growth and driving up living standards for generations to come. The first day of a very exciting time ahead!

Work should pay fairly and offer a good standard of living, but for too many people that isn’t the case. No matter how hard they work covering the cost of living is hard. That’s why Labour introduced the Minimum Wage in 1999.

I left school at 16 years old and went straight into the world of work, building an early career as a technician through an apprenticeship and starting a family young in Oldham, and I know the effort needed to make ends meet, to cover the bills and all that comes with rising a family.

Today, the National Living Wage will increase to £12.21 per hour, bringing a £1,400 boost annually to 3 million people across the country. In Oldham alone, over 𝟕𝟎𝟎𝟎 people will directly benefit from this uplift.

Also included will be a 16.3% pay uplift for 18 to 21-year-olds, affirming that everyone, regardless of age, deserves fair pay and respect for the work they do.

Securing a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers will crucially ease the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. Wages going up quicker than prices – that is the difference of a Labour Government.

We are a Government dedicated to ensuring work truly pays, and today marks a significant milestone towards achieving fair pay and driving up living standards.