Constituency update on Oldham Child Safeguarding Review

The Home Office has confirmed to Oldham Council it’s support for a locally led inquiry into safeguarding practices.


The centre of the next phase must be focused on the victims and survivors who deserve to have their voice heard, and justice secured.


It must act, as the previous Greater Manchester commissioned Assurance Review did, without fear or favour, and it must lead ultimately to those responsible for the abuse which took place to be held to account and to feel the full force of the law.


As a constituency MP I have been clear throughout that it is essential that the process carries the support of victims and survivors, and that it is open to all affected to come forward, regardless of the passage of time, or venue or circumstances of the abuse which took place.


Since the 2022 Greater Manchester Oldham Assurance Review, Greater Manchester Police have undertaken Operation Sherwood to identify and bring to book offenders, it is important that criminal prosecutions follow.

You can read my parliamentary contribution following the previous review here:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-06-30/debates/537DD78E-671A-4B57-A6CA-E69A6DBD43CF/ChildSexualExploitationAndSafeguardingInOldham

Weekly Ministerial Round-up

With the House rising for the Christmas recess this week, the busy days have continued for me as Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.

This week saw the government publish our English Devolution White Paper, our measures to permanently put power back into the community, and taking back control of the place we live. Once put into Law, it will represent the biggest transfer of power away from Westminster to local people for a generation.

We are working together in partnership across central and local government through the Leaders Council to tackle head on the big issues facing local government and communities. We discussed the English Devolution White Paper, public sector reform, homelessness and resettlement as well as finances.

We also set out the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement this week, worth £69bn with an extra £3.7bn for social care and a new £600m Recovery Grant directed to areas with higher deprivation. We are getting on with fixing the foundations of local public services as part of our Plan for Change.

I’d like to wish everyone in Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton who celebrates during the festive period a very Merry Christmas and hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Labour announces £1 billion to end homelessness

Today we have announced the largest ever cash boost to support councils tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness. Nationally we are investing £1 billion into homelessness services and will end homelessness once and for all.

This announcement will have a huge impact on all of Oldham, but specifically on the 650 families currently presenting as homeless to the Council and the 700 households living in temporary accommodation. Oldham Council will receive over £2 million investment to funding programmes enabling greater support and intervention for those facing hardship.

Everyone deserves to have a safe and decent home, and today’s announcement is a fantastic step towards making this happen.

Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement

Today we set out the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement that secures £69 billion for the sector, with an extra £3.7 billion for social care and a new £600 million recovery grant for areas with higher deprivation.

After years of Tory cuts and fiscal mismanagement, we are finally giving local government the respect and support they deserve. As the former leader of Oldham Council, I know all too well that this is long overdue.

This Provisional Settlement is the first step in repairing the foundations of local government, rebuilding our public services, and shifting to a fairer system for all.

English Devolution White Paper

Following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, I made the case to Parliament for how this Bill will be transformative for local places and local people.

I am proud that in cooperation we will deliver a new community ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets. This shall empower local people to bring spaces back into community ownership and end the blight of empty premises on our high streets.

This is about permanently putting power back into the community, and taking back control of the place we live. Whether it is our Town Halls in Chadderton & Royton, Oldham Coliseum, or the Civic Centre – these places are the fabric of our town, and they should be protected. Community right to buy will protect this now and forever.