It was another very busy week in Parliament, which kicked off with Department for Work and Pensions questions in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, where I responded to a question on the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) assessment process.
Constituents regularly contact me about PIP assessment and appeals, and I was pleased to report that appeals have reduced over the past year and confirm a broader review of the PIP assessment process will be undertaken. Constituents often share their frustrations with telephone assessments, and we are working hard to return to face-to-face assessments. The recently announced PIP review will give opportunities for individuals, interest groups and organisations to share their views on reform of the system, and I will follow this closely.
Monday also saw debate on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. Immigration is important for the UK and we cannot lose sight of that, but we must take action to rebuild secure borders and tackle the dangerous people-smuggling gangs that threaten our borders and risk the lives of vulnerable people. This Government will always ensure that those with a genuine right to be here are supported, and crack down on those who have no right to be here from abusing the system.
On Tuesday there was an Opposition Day Debate on the UK-EU summit. I was proud to be elected on a manifesto that committed to resetting the UK’s relationship with the European Union and deepening ties with our European friends and allies. I am delighted with the deal that we have struck, which will help grow our economy, support British jobs, drive down bills, and put more money into people’s pockets. The deal will cut red tape for British food and drink suppliers, as well as make it easier for holidaymakers to get through EU borders by using e-Gates. It will also create more opportunities for our young people to work and travel across Europe, and help us work closer with our neighbours to tackle illegal migration.
I know many constituents are extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Israel’s denial of aid is appalling and allowing tonnes of food to rot at the Gaza-Israel border, blocking it from reaching people who are starving and in desperate need, which is totally unacceptable. Israeli Ministers have said that blocking aid is a pressure lever, but this move is cruel and indefensible. Our Government is clear: we condemn this new Israeli offensive and the killing of yet more Palestinian civilians, and concrete actions will follow if the situation does not improve.
On Wednesday, the Commons considered a Lords Amendment to the Great British Energy Bill, which will ensure that forced labour does not take place across its business and supply chains. I was pleased to see the amendment pass with cross-party support, which will help GB Energy lead the way on building low carbon, clean energy infrastructure using ethical supply chains.
On Wednesday I was also invited to an event with Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram on proposals to deliver a new Liverpool-Manchester Railway, which could boost the North West economy by £90 billion, create 22,000 new jobs during construction, and support regeneration and much needed new housebuilding across the region. If this route is agreed it would make a real difference for my rail commuters in the constituency by creating more regular and reliable services. I look forward to seeing these plans progress and to further discussion about protecting and enhancing existing intra-city connections such as those on the Urmston line serving local residents.
Thursday saw a couple of urgent questions in the House. The first was on prison sentences and recalls to prison. When we came into power, one of our first priorities was to stop the collapse of the prison system which the Tories allowed through 14 years of neglect and mismanagement. We are making good progress on this, committing £2.3 billion to prison expansion, and announcing new legislation to limit prison recalls for low risk offenders. A number of constituents have raised concerns about early release and recall, and I was pleased to see the Minister make clear that higher-risk offenders are exempt from these proposals to reduce pressure on our prisons.
Thursday also saw an update from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the Government review of sanctions, implementation and enforcement. Sanctions are a powerful tool in the UK’s diplomatic arsenal, and I am pleased that, since July 2024, the Government has introduced over 500 new sanction designations against individuals, entities and ships. Most recently, this included a major package of sanctions targeted at the dangerous shadow fleet carrying Russian oil.
I usually spend Friday meeting constituents, but this week was a Sitting Friday to allow for further discussion and debate on the Assisted Dying Bill. Hundreds of constituents have contacted me with their views, and I have been extremely moved by the stories shared. I continue to be supportive of the Bill, and it was great to see the House at its best during the debate, with thoughtful contributions from all members. Debate on the Bill continues through June, and I will keep constituents updated on its progress.
I spent Saturday catching up with constituents in Lostock and Barton, as well as meeting with Labour Party members. It’s always great to hear directly from constituents and members on how you feel the Government is doing, and what local issues you want me to prioritise. I came away with lots of new constituent cases and my team will be helping me to raise these over the next week.
Constituents are always welcome to get in touch – you can email me on andrew.western.mp@parliament.uk, or telephone the office on 0161 749 9120.