This past week has seen significant progress across a range of policy areas: tackling serious crime, protecting our national game, and upholding justice across Britain.

On Monday, Parliament heard a statement from Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, on the appalling abuse committed by grooming gangs. These were crimes of the most horrific nature. Children were subjected to unimaginable suffering while too many in positions of responsibility turned away.

It is right that the Government has launched a new national audit of group-based child sexual exploitation to identify what more needs to be done to protect children from this vile offending. At the same time, we are moving ahead with the independent inquiry’s key recommendations, including the introduction of a mandatory duty to report suspected abuse. All police forces in England and Wales will now also review past cases where investigations were closed with no further action.

Here in the North West, football is the beating heart of our communities. On Monday, the Football Governance Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This Bill will introduce a proper licensing structure for football clubs to ensure they are sustainable, transparent and rooted in their communities.

Owners and directors will face stronger checks, and crucially, fans will be consulted on decisions that affect the identity of their club, from shirt colours to stadium relocations. The Bill also introduces a backstop power on broadcast revenue sharing to help smaller clubs survive in a game too often dominated by financial giants.

Football belongs to the fans and this package of laws will protect both the elite clubs that represent our country on the global stage, and the non-league clubs that are so important to the fabric of communities such as Trafford FC in Flixton.

The UK also welcomed the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa. This visit was a vital moment for diplomacy, as the UK reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution and backed the PA as the legitimate governing authority in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The announcement of a £101 million support package is an important step toward governance reform, peace-building and humanitarian relief. As a Government, and as a country, we must continue our efforts to help bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas—followed by negotiations to secure a lasting peace in Gaza and a two-state solution.

On Tuesday, Parliament discussed the increasingly tense situation in Kashmir following a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The UK Government has rightly engaged with both India and Pakistan to urge calm and restraint. I know that many constituents with connections to India or Pakistan will be concerned by the escalation in tensions, and I want to reiterate that my position remains that a resolution must be found between the two nations, reflecting the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Later in the day, I was pleased to see the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill pass through the House of Commons after its Report Stage and Third Reading. This Bill, which is now progressing through the House of Lords, has been a major part of my ministerial role at the Department for Work and Pensions since I was appointed in July. I was proud to see it clear the Commons.

The provisions in this Bill are crucial to reducing the massive sums lost to public sector fraud in recent years. This legislation strengthens powers for investigators to root out fraud, modernise evidence-gathering, and ensure welfare funds are accessed by those who truly need support—not by fraudsters or criminal gangs.

On Wednesday, I was pleased to support the Licensing Act 2003 (Victory in Europe Day Licensing Hours) Order 2025, which passed through the Commons. The Order allows licensed premises to remain open until 1am on 8 May to mark the 80th anniversary of V-E Day, giving people the chance to gather with friends and neighbours, raise a glass, and honour the legacy of those who served so valiantly in the Second World War.

On Thursday, the House of Commons held a debate to mark Parkinson’s Awareness Month. I join the Public Health Minister in thanking charities like Parkinson’s UK and Cure Parkinson’s for their tireless work supporting people living with the condition. Neurology services in the UK face significant challenges, so initiatives like the Getting it Right First Time programme and the new Neuro Forum are vital in improving care and outcomes for Parkinson’s patients.

Back in the constituency on Friday, it was fantastic to visit Barton Clough Primary School and meet teachers, governors and—most importantly—parents of children in the school’s specialist SEND unit. We discussed the challenges facing schools in supporting children with complex needs, and I’ve taken away several pieces of questions to raise with Trafford Council in the coming days.

It was inspiring to see a school so committed to the care and education of its pupils. I’m also pleased that the Labour Government will publish its plan for the SEND sector in the coming months.

I was able to get to two community events on Saturday, as well as a meeting to reselect Cllr Catherine Hynes as Labour’s candidate for Urmston in next year’s local elections. I popped into the Partington Family Fun Day hosted at the Rainbow Café and it was also a pleasure to attend the reopening of Cornerstone Methodist Church in Urmston on Saturday. The Church’s beautiful new building has been a long time in the making—congratulations to everyone involved in this wonderful achievement.

Andrew Western MP