Much of the focus in Parliament last week was on the upcoming Budget. It’s frustrating that at a time when the NHS is collapsing, the housing crisis is spiralling out of control, and poverty is soaring, that so much of the conversation in Westminster is on which minor tax cuts the Prime Minister might make to appease his mutinous backbenchers.

While the Tory psychodrama rumbles on, I was focused on some of the issues close to my heart.

I had multiple meetings with charities, think tanks and providers working in housing, including the Northern Housing Consortium in which we discussed building new affordable homes as well as upgrading and insulating those we already have.

Insulating our housing stock will not only be vital in meeting our net zero commitments, but it will also bring a much-needed reduction in bills for households across the country while creating thousands of new jobs. I’m pleased therefore that a mass programme of home insulation is central to Labour’s plan for Government.

In other housing news, I attended the Renters Reform Coalition’s (RRC) parliamentary reception. The RRC is made up of multiple charities focused on homelessness and the rights of private renters.

It was a timely event given the news that the Government look set to water down what should have been flagship legislation to protect renters. The Renters Reform Bill, first promised in 2019 but still not delivered, looks set to be rendered toothless with the Government folding under pressure from their own landlord backbenchers to indefinitely delay a ban on no-fault evictions for private tenants. You can see what I’ve said in the past on the Renters Reform Bill here.

Away from housing, I attended a fascinating event hosted by the David Nott Foundation, an amazing charity that does such important work across the globe training doctors working in conflict zones, including Gaza and Ukraine. It was truly inspiring to listen to the doctors who attended. I’ll look to support their work whenever I can in the future.

With the Government’s inflation-busting rail fare increase coming into effect at the end of last week, I repeated my strong opposition to this latest raid on the pockets of passengers. I know many residents will be wondering why they are having to fork out for ever increasing fares when services at stations like Urmston are so unreliable. You can see my question on this to the Rail Minister here.

A real highlight of my week in Westminster was welcoming the brilliant pupils from St Matthew’s Primary School to Parliament. We discussed life as an MP, funding for schools, and how they can get involved in politics in their local community. They had lots of great questions for me as always! You can see the pictures here.

Back in the constituency, I met with Stretford Foodbank to discuss the pressure they are under during this ongoing and brutal cost of living crisis.

A key issue raised during the meeting was the future of the Household Support Fund. This fund, distributed by local authorities but reliant on central government funding, has been a lifeline for foodbanks and those who use them, providing much needed financial support to both. I recently wrote the Government about the Household Support Fund, asking for clarity on its future and stressing its importance to struggling families in Stretford and Urmston.

I also met with the headteacher of Egerton High, in Urmston, for a catch up- I’m keen to regularly do this with all our schools so I can offer my support wherever possible and keep up to date with the great work they do.

Another school visit on Friday was to Seymour Park Primary, in Old Trafford, to meet the school council and to find out how the school celebrates and promotes democracy. The pupils explained what changes they’d like to see within school, and it was brilliant to hear their views and to see them positively pushing for change. It was a great way to round off another busy week!