The big event in Parliament last week was the King’s Speech in which the King set out the legislative plans of the Government for the forthcoming parliamentary session. This is part of the state opening of Parliament and it’s an occasion that’s full of pomp, pageantry, and slightly weird traditions!

The King’s Speech was particularly historic this time round as it was the first King’s Speech written by a Labour government in over 14 years. We’ve wasted no time in setting out how we will deliver the change people voted for in the general election. There were 39 proposed pieces of legislation in the Speech which included Bills on:

• Boosting economic growth
• Launching GB Energy
• Improving the NHS for all
• Making our streets safer
• Empowering local leaders to revitalise town centres
• Planning reform to kickstart the push to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years
• Bringing forward public control of trains
• Introducing greater rights & protections for renters.
• Introducing the ‘Hillsborough Law’
• Creating an Armed Forces Commissioner to champion our heroic armed forces
• Funding 6,500 new teachers

The change we need won’t happen overnight, but as you can see from the above, the hard work is well underway. The King’s Speech is now being debated in both chambers of Parliament and will be voted on in the House of Commons this week.

I had the chance to speak about the King’s Speech and Labour’s priorities for government in an interview last week with BBC Radio Manchester. You can listen to a snippet of that interview here.

That interview was part of another whirlwind week for me as I get to get to grips with my ministerial responsibilities while continuing to serve residents in Stretford and Urmston. My diary has been packed with meetings on all aspects with my new role as Minister for Transformation at the DWP. I’ve had briefing sessions on Universal credit, Carers Allowance, fraud, and devolution as well as meetings with various civil servants and Ministers. It’s a challenge that I’m really enjoying and I’m excited to play my part in creating good jobs and economic growth in every part of the country.

I did get some respite from ministerial responsibilities when I went to a ‘tea party’ hosted at Number 10 by the Prime Minister. It was an amazing experience and while the Prime Minister kindly thanked me and other frontbench colleagues for what we have done, he was crystal clear about the hard work needed from us all to deliver the change the country needs.

Away from Parliament, I’ve been working on important issues in the constituency. Many constituents have written to me regarding the announced cancellation of the Trafford General to Manchester Royal Infirmary shuttle bus. I raised an urgent query by writing to the Manchester Foundation Trust on the 27th June, but am yet to receive a response. I followed up my initial letter on Friday and have already received assurances the Trust will respond to me urgently on this matter. I will update in due course.

I’ve also written to Greater Manchester Police and Trafford Council to raise an urgent query regarding reported incidents of knife crime, antisocial behaviour, and drug use in and around the Moss Park area. Moss Park is a valued public green space and it is crucial that we crack down on these incidents as quickly as possible. I have asked the Police and Council to update me on their plans to tackle this and work with the local community to help improve neighbourhood safety.

While I was working on constituency matters throughout the week, I was sadly unable to be in the constituency on Friday. It was what’s called a ‘Sitting Friday’ in Parliament and my ministerial responsibilities meant that I was on duty and had to be present for the day’s debate. It was a pleasure though to listen to the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner open the debate and set out Labour’s commitment to reforming the planning system so we can build the homes we so badly need. You can read this speech here.

That’s it for me this week. Looking forward to updating you all again next week.

Thank you for reading.