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.

Today Parliament has been recalled, for the sixth sitting Saturday since World War 2, to take decisive action to save the British steel industry.

It’s essential that we step in to preserve our core industries, fight for national security and safeguard British jobs.

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.

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.