Great to spend some time last week in Derby meeting Co-operative Party subscribing societies with Central Co-op. Really strong, practical discussions about how co-operation delivers for communities and how we build on that momentum.

As Chair of the Co-op Party, I’m proud of what we’re already achieving in government. We committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector and we are delivering.

That includes backing community energy through GB Energy, strengthening Community Right to Buy so local people can protect valued assets, boosting community-led housing as we get on with building 1.5 million new homes, and turning our campaign with Usdaw to end violence against shop workers into the law of the land.

That progress matters and there is more to come. We are now gearing up for the next phase, organising locally, campaigning hard and growing the movement so co-operation stays at the heart of Labour in power. Thanks to everyone who took part!

Great news that the proposed closure of the Chadderton Park Day Care Centre has been paused.

Thanks to Oldham Council for listening to concerns and getting this right. Hopefully this service will continue long into the future, I know how much it means to residents in Chadderton

I have been in contact with Greater Manchester Police following the serious incidents in Coldhurst and Chadderton last night.

I know there will be concern about what has happened. A Section 60 order is now in place, giving officers additional ‘stop and search’ powers while enquiries continue, something I have long been supportive of to keep local people safe and give residents confidence in their safety.

I have been reassured that patrols and police activity are being stepped up to keep residents safe and to identify those responsible.

If you have any information, please contact GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Our community is always strongest when we look out for one another.

I’m really pleased to see up to £1 billion being pledged for community-owned green energy schemes across the UK, funding that could help local groups take control of renewable power, cut bills and build stronger, greener communities here at home.

For too long our valued venues like sports grounds and community centres have been hammered by rocketing energy costs with some paying tens of thousands of pounds to keep the lights on. That’s got to change.

This kind of investment is exactly the sort of positive, community-focused change we’ve been campaigning for and why it’s a priority for the Co-op Party as we work to ensure every community benefits from the transition to clean energy.

But it doesn’t stop at community venues, local neighbourhoods can come together to benefit from the funding too.

This was a horrific attack on a nurse who went to work everyday for two decades to care for patients.

The trauma goes beyond the serious injuries on that day, and my thoughts are with nurse Achamma Cherian, now thankfully back at work at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/face-patient-who-left-nurse-33405148?fbclid=IwY2xjawP6sRRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81MTQ3NzE1NjkyMjgwNjEAAR6UkvUwcqhYhbDP3sI6DY9VtQxegj0QN_g4zfG-nDUFxh-4uPf-7q1tYUdt0Q_aem_EdXY179vmOJO5yYUVEuAAA

Thank you to constituents who have been in touch to raise concerns about MioCare’s proposal to close the Wellbeing Service at Chadderton Hall Park.

This is a vital service for local residents with learning disabilities and their families, providing stability, support and a sense of community.

I’ve raised this issue and will have sought clarity on the service going forward following the consultation running until the 26th February. It’s important that every effort is made to keep this service open for those who depend on it.

I’ll keep constituents updated an hope we can find a solution urgently.

I have included a statement from Cllr Barbara Brownridge as the lead member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing who has been working on this issue.

It’s National Apprenticeships Week, a chance to celebrate a route into work that changes lives.

I was proud to be an apprentice, leaving school at 16, I trained at Oldham College and learned on the job from people with decades of experience. It opened doors for me – and I know it can do the same for the next generation. I’m prouder still my two sons have followed the same path on leaving school.

1,600 people in Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton were in apprenticeships last year, and it represents a significant opportunity learn, earn and thrive.

That’s why Labour is getting on with breaking down barriers. Over-19s no longer need Level 2 English and maths to complete an apprenticeship – opening up opportunities for 10,000 more people every year, and it means those who have previously been locked out will now have this vital route to a career opened up.

Apprenticeships build real skills, lead to good jobs, and help close our national skills gap. They’re a proper alternative to the academic route and we should treat them that way.

That’s why we are putting the academic route on a level playing field to the technical route with a new target for government: 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 after leaving school.

But we need much more urgent reform. I wrote previously on the mismatch between apprentice vacancies being advertised and the school leaving timetable for young people.

Figures from the Department for Education’s Find an Apprenticeship service set this out clearly. In 2024 there were 99,380 apprenticeship vacancies advertised in England. Of these, only around 16 % (15,880) were advertised as young people were finishing their exams through to the summer half-term, between July (8,610) and August (7,270). The highest number of monthly vacancies were advertised in January (10,480) and February (11,320) – six months after young people had sat exams and left school.

Work to transform technical education isn’t just national. Mayor Andy Burnham is leading the way in our city-region with the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate, creating two equal routes at 14 – one academic and one technical.

I’ll keep championing vocational pathways because every young person deserves a fair shot, whatever route they choose, and it is the way to boost local economic growth and drive-up living standards.

A good conversation last week with Oldham Council’s Deputy Chief Executive for Health and Care last week where we spoke about the next steps to improve further local health services in our borough.

This comes off the back of some welcome news this week that our borough’s adult social care services have been rated ‘𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱’ by the Care Quality Commission. A real credit to the staff who work so hard every day.

Now it’s about building on that progress and making sure local people get the care and support they deserve. We’re not complacent and we know we’ve got more to do – I’ll keep pushing for Oldham.