I had an interesting visit to the Northern Home Show at the Trafford Centre on Friday (14th June). I was part of a ‘Green Deal or No Deal’ panel – putting the arguments for and against the Government’s programme. It is a sobering thought that energy prices went up 6-10.8% last financial year and that [...]
Supporting Carers Week 2013
June 9, 2013 By
To celebrate the launch of Carers Week, 10-16 June 2013, I recently met with actress Lynda Bellingham in Parliament, to recognise the contribution that carers in Oldham make on a daily basis. Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate the 6.5 million carers across the UK and raise awareness of the impact that caring has on [...]
One Nation – One Oldham East and Saddleworth: My Top 10 Priorities
June 7, 2013 By
Today I publish my One Nation – One Oldham East and Saddleworth top 10 priorities and details about how I intend to tackle some of the constituency’s most pressing issues. These priorities are the culmination of months of work, including a residents’ household survey and holding several round table discussions with local organisations and community [...]
Police and Crime Commissioner Public Meeting – 2nd July 2013
June 4, 2013 By
The next Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Public Meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd July 2013 in the Council Chambers, Oldham Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL3 6AE. The meeting will take place from 6.30pm till 9pm and will give attendees the opportunity to hear about the newly elected Commissioner, Tony Lloyd’s plans for the [...]
The Need for Action at the G8
May 28, 2013 By
There is enough food in the world to feed everyone. But almost 1 billion people go hungry, and every year 2.3 million children die from malnutrition. We need radical change if we’re going to put a stop to this global injustice. I have been contacted by a large number of constituents ahead of this year’s G8, where [...]
Finance Bill Debate
April 24, 2013 By
Last week I spoke during the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, which puts into effect the Government’s Budget 2013 proposals, focussing particularly on the effect of the Chancellor’s changes to people in Oldham East and Saddleworth in terms of living standards, fuel poverty, reliance on the foodbank and child poverty. The full speech is [...]
Biggest Ever Increase in UK Foodbank Use
April 24, 2013 By
Trussell Trust foodbanks have seen the biggest rise in numbers given emergency food since the charity began in 2000. Almost 350,000 people have received at least three days emergency food from Trussell Trust foodbanks during the last 12 months, nearly 100,000 more than anticipated and close to triple the number helped in 2011-12. Unfortunately I’m [...]
Cold Weather Payments Triggered by Met Office
April 3, 2013 By
A Department of Work and Pensions Cold Weather Payment was triggered yesterday (02/4/2013) by the following Met Office weather station(s) for eligible residents in the listed Postcode districts that are part of the Oldham East and Saddleworth Constituency. Bingley – OL1, OL16, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL5 The trigger is for the period period 25/3/2013 to [...]
Late Payments – Call for Evidence
March 28, 2013 By
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the country are suffering acutely as a result of late payment, with many firms’ survival being put at risk by cash flow problems, and total outstanding funds owed amounting to 36.4 billion. I launched the Be Fair – Pay on Time campaign in June 2011 after being contacted by [...]
Oldham Office Hours – Easter
March 25, 2013 By
