A great start to this year’s Summer School with an excellent group of young people from across Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton.

We began the day at my Chadderton Town Hall constituency office with a chance to get to know each other and talk about what the week ahead has in store, before they headed to Ultimate Products at Manor Mill in Chadderton.

It was a brilliant opportunity there for them to see a successful local business in action, learn about the different careers on offer, and hear first-hand about the skills and ambition needed to grow a business from Oldham to markets around the world.

Their day finished at Oldham Police Station, where students heard about the wide range of roles within Greater Manchester Police and the realities of policing our communities, a valuable insight into the challenges officers face every day, as well as the importance of public service and keeping our neighbourhoods safe.

A big thank you to everyone at Ultimate Products and the Oldham GMP team for giving up their time to inspire the next generation.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the week brings.

Chadderton’s Professor Brian Cox has already inspired so many with his unique communication and insight into all things space and science, and now he’s investing in the boroughs young people.

The programme, launched at Boundary Park, has been in the planning for some time and will give young people an insight into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, and is supported by Oldham Athletic Community Trust in partnership with AstraZeneca.

I wish it all the success it deserves!

Read more https://www.notreallyheremedia.com/news/oldham-reporter/professor-brian-cox-launches-new-partnership-to-inspire-next-generation-of-scientists-in-oldham/

Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been working on in Parliament this week

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

Members voted on the final stages of the National Security (State Threats) Bill which has now received the King’s royal assent and is in law. This new Act of Parliament will strengthen the UK’s response to hostile state activity and update the powers available to protect our national security.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱

I questioned a Home Office Minister this week about the case of Shabir Ahmed, continuing to press the Government on the action being taken. My priority remains ensuring public safety, supporting victims and survivors, and securing the answers the community deserves. News that the law will be changed to close the loophole that halts his deportation is welcome.

𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

I met with Chancellor Rachel Reeves at No. 11 Downing Street to discuss the implementation of the uprated mileage rates. We spoke about the importance of delivering these changes effectively so that those who depend on their vehicles for work receive fair support.

𝗖𝗼-𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺

This week’s Co-operative Parliamentary Party meeting was an opportunity to welcome our newest Co-operative MP, Andy Burnham, and discuss the movement’s priorities in Parliament, including how co-operative principles can continue to strengthen local communities and the economy.

There was a lot of media interest this week, as well as meetings with fellow MPs.

Looking forward to spending the next few days back up North, catching up with constituents on the doorstep and meeting with local stakeholders before another busy week in Parliament.

It was a packed agenda meeting officials at Oldham Council on Friday to raise a range of issues across the constituency, including the rapid rise of HMOs and the need to be much firmer in rejecting those which take family housing off the market and don’t respect the heritage and built form of our borough.

I asked about the ongoing closure of King Street following the building collapse and it was concerning that work to resolve the impacted building next door is delaying the opening of this important road as work is due to start on Oldham Way, adding to the pressure on surrounding roads.

I would have hoped given the collapsed building, which could have easily killed someone as it fell onto a bus stop used by college students below, is part owned by a sitting councillor and nominee for Leader of the Council (which itself beggars belief), that more urgency would be shown as we are over four months on. This impacts on local businesses as well as diverting buses and adding inconvenience.

I also raised the future or Harry’s Bar on Yorkshire Street, as well as a wider pubs and heritage strategy for the borough, works on the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, and basic maintenance such as pothole repairs and weed spraying on pavements which is making streets look unkept.

In usual times we hold the meeting with the leader of the council and often deputies, but without an administration it wasn’t possible on this occasion.

I’ll provide fuller updates on individual matters and there are follow ups to do.

Together with Rochdale MP Paul Waugh, Heywood & Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell, and I have written to the Secretary of State for Justice following the release of convicted child rapist Shabir Ahmed and his license conditions.

This case centres on one of the most high profile child exploitation and grooming cases in the country. His victims went through hell during the course of the abuse they suffered, and had to fight over many years to secure his conviction.

I am pleased that we are due to have an update on Monday from the Home Secretary on legislation to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported now he has served his custodial sentence. She has shown determination which is welcomed and I hope closes the current loophole preventing his removal from the UK.

But until we reach a point of deportation he remains on license and as such the conditions of that matter, as well as the wider reforms of sentencing going forward.

As nominations open for Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister I’m pleased to have nominated fellow Greater Manchester and Co-operative Party MP Andy Burnham