Last week was a busy week in Parliament with a lot of business being conducted. It kicked off with a government statement setting out the Strategic Defence Review. The world has changed and so must we. That is why I support this review which sets out a path to strengthening our national security and role within NATO.
It includes plans for new factories, new tech and will create new jobs in every part of the UK. It will make Britain safer, more secure at home and stronger abroad.
There was also a debate on the new Bus Services Bill. This bill will implement our manifesto pledges to remove the ban on local authority-owned bus company ownership and will expand local authority powers to franchise local bus services.
There is already a franchising model in place in Greater Manchester of course. This Bill will extend the powers available which can only improve services. Running buses should always be about serving passengers. This Bill will put power back in the hands of local leaders, the people best placed to make decisions on how to improve local services.
On Tuesday we considered amendments to the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill. The men and women who serve and risk their lives in defence of our nation are at the heart of our security. That is why I am pleased to support this Bill which delivers on our manifesto commitment to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve life for our forces and their families.
The Commissioner will be a new, direct and independent contact point for serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact service life. They will strengthen parliamentary oversight of issues facing our armed forces personnel, and report directly on an annual basis to ensure accountability. They be fully empowered to investigate and highlight issues. This could range from equipment to housing to discrimination.
We also debated dementia care – a vital issue affecting nearly 1 million people in the UK. I want a society where every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis to end of life.
I recognise this is a big issue for constituents from the amount of casework I have received which is why I am so pleased this government has invested extra funding into treatment and detection. The impact of this terrible illness on both victims and families cannot be understated which is why I am proud that we have increased the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit raised to £196/week—the biggest rise since 1976.
Diagnosis rates are improving and the upcoming NHS 10-Year Plan will help deliver joined-up care for those with complex needs. I strongly believe that we can build a future where no one faces dementia alone.
On Wednesday, the Chancellor announced the biggest ever investment in local transport. If we want to make Britain better off, we must invest in every part of our country – not just a few. That is why I welcome the Government’s investment in local transport.
It includes a massive £2.5bn for transport in Greater Manchester. This will fund growth and transformation of the Metrolink network, with new stops in Bury, Manchester and Oldham, as well as the long-awaited extension to Stockport. There will be a fleet of new replacement trams and tram stops will be modernised as well as additional maintenance to improve reliability.
All of this will improve connectivity and quality of life across Greater Manchester including my constituency of Stretford and Urmston. There is however more to do and in particular I am keen to improve public transport links to Partington – which has for far too long been underserved and isolated.
It will also fund a fully electric Bee Network, with a modern, zero-emission public transport network by 2030 and includes the purchase of 1,000 electric buses.
In Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer MP made a statement on the mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed while trying to access aid. He called for an immediate and independent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
The Minister stated Israel’s newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians. He stressed the Government will continue to convene international partners to increase the pressure on Israel.
I am appalled by the repeated reports of mass casualty incidents in which Palestinians have been killed when trying to access aid sites in Gaza. Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should not have to face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families.
Israel must ensure that food and other critical supplies reach people safely, where they are, across all the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Government’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict aid undermines all those goals.
Civilians, medical, humanitarian workers and facilities must be protected. I am steadfast in my support for the UN. The UK Government has also announced £4 million of additional funding to support the British Red Cross and enable the delivery of humanitarian relief in Gaza.
I also found time to attend a drop–in event to launch The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. This is the UK’s biggest free reading for pleasure programme for children, encouraging 4 to 11-year-olds to keep reading during the holidays. This is vital to help to create and nurture a lifelong reading habit that we know improves life chances for children.
Thursday in Westminster started with the Government announcement that every child in a family receiving Universal Credit will now be entitled to free school meals. This means that 100,000 children will be lifted out of poverty, up to £495 a year will go back into families’ pockets and ensures children have access to healthier meals, resulting in better learning and brighter futures.
Free school meals are more than just food—they are an investment in our children’s potential. With school food standards also under review for the first time since 2014, this Labour government is making sure that every meal is nutritious and supports learning.
This announcement comes alongside the Government’s other plans to tackle child poverty and put money back in the pockets of parents. The child poverty taskforce is working on its child poverty strategy, which will be published later this year.
Meanwhile, the roll-out of school-based nurseries and 30 hours of Government-funded childcare has begun, saving parents up to £7,500 a year, and 750 free breakfast clubs have already opened, putting an extra £450 a year in parent’s pockets.
I am proud that this Government is beginning to turn the tide on child poverty, and I assure you I will personally continue to push for a brighter future for our children.
The week in Westminster was concluded with a debate on high street banking closures and banking hubs. This has been a problem up and down the country and my constituency is no different. Once Santander in Urmston closes later this year, there will be only Nationwide and Halifax left open across the whole of Stretford and Urmston, both located in the Stretford Mall.
I have been talking at length with Cash Access UK to ensure that my constituents have access to banking services. They have already agreed to a new banking hub in Urmston and I have appealed against their decision not to open one in Partington, where residents are also without a Post Office currently. These hubs are a lifeline for vulnerable people and small businesses, ensuring access to cash and vital services in our communities.
On Friday, back in the constituency, I met with the Chief Executive of Trafford Council, Sara Todd. We discussed a range of issues, including the proposals from Manchester United for their new stadium. It is vital to me that the local community is properly consulted during this process and I made sure I got that point across to Sara.
I also requested an update on the overdue works for Covershaw Lane which links Partington to Altrincham. Works have been delayed for over a year and – considering the transport issues already faced by Partington residents – it is simply unacceptable for these repairs to have taken this long. I have received assurances that work is now due to start this month.
I also spoke to her about the situation in Stretford Mall. I have recently met with independent traders to discuss issues they are having with Bruntwood and I spoke to Sara about the proposed closure of Bakehouse M32. Sara informed me that a solution is being looked at and I will update further once I have more information on that front.
I stopped at Partington Fish Bar for my lunch to celebrate National Fish and Chip Day. The fish bar is a Partington institution and it was great to support and promote a local business.
After lunch I held the first of my advice surgeries in Partington and then travelled across to Urmston for my second surgery. As always, residents spoke to me about a variety of issues, which this week included SEND school placings and residents facing issues with their leasehold agreements.
I also met a resident concerned with the Ryebank Field redevelopment – I have already submitted objections on plans already to both Manchester City and Trafford councils and will keep a close eye on progress. Finally, I met with the landlords of Victoria Parade in Urmston to discuss a few different issues and offer the support of my office.
I rounded off the week on Saturday with a canvassing session in Partington. It’s always valuable for me to spend some time talking to constituents and hearing about their issues – we picked up some cases to deal with on behalf of residents while we were at it.