New Years Honours – Oldham

Congratulations to Oldham people recognised in the New Years Honours.

It’s a big achievement to be selected for an award out of many thousands of citations put forward each time, and it goes a long way to showing the difference in each field made.

These are not the same as the political appointments made by former or current Prime Ministers which have been brought into dispute too often, instead these stand alone on merit.

Firstly, many congratulations to Kevin Sinfield and teammate Rob Burrow who both receive CBEs. Though I’m not the only one questioning why these were not Knighthoods, they are still extremely significant honours and I’ve no doubt a further step towards being ‘Sirs’.

Oldham artist Brian Clarke whose work is renowned internationally is awarded a Knighthood. Locally you’ll see his work in the Spindles Shopping Centre (glass roof near Rhode Island Coffee), and of course the Brian Clarke Academy secondary school is named in his honour, with a bespoke glass feature in its hall.

Jayne Clarke, who serves as Executive Principal of the Pinnacle Learning Trust is rightly awarded an OBE for her work, previously being principal at Oldham Sixth Form College.

Well done to Elaine Linda Robinson on her MBE for years of work supporting young people.

And to Mahbubur Rahman on receipt of a BEM.

Labour & Co-Op Annual Christmas Stall!

Every year we try to spread some Christmas joy & hand out cakes, sweets and hot chocolate to those enjoying the town centre, thank you to those who came to say hello – I hope you enjoyed!

As a bonus this year we had the pleasure of the Brass Monkeys brass band, among others, playing next to our stall!

Good opportunity to promote the excellent campaign in support of retail workers too! Co-operative Party Usdaw Union🎄

This year we held a collection for the British Red Cross, who do so much to support those in hardship and emergencies across the world. Thank you to those who donated, every penny helps.

Autumn Statement

This Autumn Statement proves the country needs change. With a government that is laser focused on improving family finances.

Thirteen years of economic failure has left the people of Oldham worse off and paying the price of Tory mismanagement with 25 Tory tax rises since 2019 and households paying £4,000 more in tax each year than they did in 2010.

Only a Labour government will make working people better off as a priority by boosting wages, cutting people’s bills and getting the economy growing again.

Dangerous Driving – Oldham used as a ‘race track’

Today I have written to the Home Secretary to raise the issue of dangerous driving in Oldham.

On Oldham’s roads alone, since 2010, 65 people have been killed and 755 serious injured, far too many of whom because of dangerous driving.

I have asked the Home Secretary how the government plan to deter dangerous driving in the future, and what more they are doing to secure justice from the start for grieving families and loved ones.

Israel & Palestine – Statement

Thank you to those who have contacted my office regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this will be going out via email as well as on social media.

From the outset of the escalation of the Israel – Hamas conflict I have worked to ensure that the concerns of my constituents are heard in the House of Commons and within the Labour Party.

The scenes we see daily, with the excessive loss of civilian life including thousands of children is a humanitarian catastrophe. It is for the international community to show leadership and set out how we move from where we are today, to where we must ultimately arrive.

This week the Labour Party tabled a motion in Parliament that called for action to see the safe return of hostages and to end the violence and suffering in Gaza.

To this end Labour’s amendment, which I supported, demanded;

• International law: UK’s commitment to the rules-based international order, international humanitarian law and the jurisdiction of the ICC to address the conduct of all parties in Gaza and Hamas’s attacks in Israel.

• Protection of civilians: immediate release of all hostages and reaffirm Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorism; believe all human life is equal and that there has been too much suffering, including far too many deaths of innocent civilians and children, over the past month in Gaza;

• Prevent escalation: the Government continue to work with the international community to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict in the region.

• Right to return: guarantee that people in Gaza who are forced to flee during this conflict can return to their homes.

• Illegal settlements: seek an end to the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank.

• Humanitarian aid: and, while acknowledging the daily humanitarian pauses to allow in aid and the movement of civilians, believe they must be longer to deliver humanitarian assistance on a scale that begins to meet the desperate needs of the people of Gaza.

• A roadmap to peace: ensuring cessation of fighting as soon as possible and a credible, diplomatic and political process to deliver the lasting peace of a two-state solution.

I know that this amendment covers a lot of ground, and that the standalone demand for an immediate ceasefire might seem more direct, but the complexity and seriousness of the crisis demands nothing less than a fully considered roadmap to peace, grounded in the reality of where we and resolute in our commitment to end the horrors we see.

The brutal fact remains that both Hamas and Israel have ruled out a ceasefire, and we have not yet secured adequate protection of civilians who face a grave and real risk, whether they be the innocent citizens of Gaza, or the Israeli hostages still missing.

It is for them that the Official Opposition must offer more than protest in support. We have a moral duty to set out a roadmap to peace, and we must use what influence we do have to grow domestic and international support in this endeavour.

Labour’s approach is very much about establishing the building blocks that secures a long-term, secure and lasting end to this conflict. I am of course disappointed that the amendment tabled was not supported by the Conservative government, but I can assure you that our resolve remains.

I will continue to do everything I can to work to this end, including continuing to raise the issue in

Remembrance Sunday 2023

It was an honour to attend and lay a wreath at the Royton Remembrance Service this morning in remembrance of all those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

Thank you to the Royal British Legion and all those who volunteered and helped in organising this service and those across the borough, the work you do is inspiring and is a credit to you all.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Royal Oldham Hospital – RAAC

Today I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Steve Barclay MP, with regards to the current situation with the Royal Oldham Hospital and the identified concerns regarding the use of RAAC within elements of the roof of the building.

RAAC is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s. It is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, is quicker to produce and easier to install. It is aerated, or “bubbly”, this means that it is less durable and has a lifespan of around 30 years.

With this issue, the safety of patients and staff in the hospitals today should be the highest priority, their safety and well-being need to be the top of the asking price when considering the impact of RAAC and the cost of bringing the buildings up to standard.

The potential consequences of not taking timely and adequate action risks the safety of staff and patients, so the government must act immediately to rectify the affected roof section.

I expressed that the news that the government will be taking action to address this is a step in the right direction, however I am concerned that the scale of the works required will need a robust plan and timescales to be completed with minimal disruption to patients and staff members daily lives.

I have therefore requested that the government make a robust and publicly available work plan with reasonable timescales for completion of the work and that this is published as a matter of urgency alongside a commitment that those in hospitals, including staff and patients have a managed plan to nullify or avoid large-scale disruptions in their work or treatment plans.

Finally, I asked that the government provide all funds needed for the project direct from central government and that this will not directly affect local health service budgets.