Another busy week in Westminster. We started on Monday with an important update from the Home Secretary on the actions the Government is taking to tackle the vile crime of child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs.
We are implementing the changes the last Government failed to make; tougher prison sentences for grooming offences and mandatory reporting duties so that anyone turning a blind eye to abuse will face justice.
In January the Government also commissioned a further audit to examine what further reviews, investigations and actions are required to address the failure to tackle grooming gangs. Baroness Casey has now reported her findings, and the Home Secretary set these out to MPs. The findings include the establishment a national commission with statutory inquiry powers to oversee both new and ongoing local inquiries into grooming gangs.
Victims have waited 20 years for justice and this Government is not about knee jerk responses. We have considered the findings of the last inquiry, which was not acted upon, put the victims at the centre of our approach and acted based on the evidence in front of us.
We also held a debate to mark Windrush Day 2025, paying tribute to the Windrush generation. This generation, and their families, have made an enormous contribution to our society. Nowhere is that more obvious than in the diverse communities across Old Trafford, Stretford, Urmston and Partington.
The Home Office has re-established a Windrush Unit in the Home Office and is working to learn lessons, and to improve training and standards. Ministers have just appointed a new Windrush Commissioner, to ensure the voices of the Windrush generations are heard, their experiences are acknowledged, and proper compensation is delivered.
Across Tuesday and Wednesday the House of Commons completed its consideration of the Crime and Policing Bill. It contains a host of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, retail and knife crime, and the epidemic of violence against women and girls, and to restore confidence and trust in policing. This included a backbench amendment to decriminalise abortion which was adopted by a large majority. To be clear, this does not change anything in the existing abortion care provisions but does prevent vulnerable women being sent to jail.
I stood for election on a promise to take back our streets and I support the many measures in this Bill to fight crime that will help to deliver on this promise.
Then on Thursday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave a statement on the publication of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy.
Infrastructure is key to unlocking growth across the country so we can improve living standards for working people. I welcome the publication of an Infrastructure Strategy that will revitalise the country and the economy.
The other statement for the day came from the Minister for Energy Consumers on action the Government is taking to cut energy bills.
The Warm Home Discount will now be extended to an additional 2.7 million families next winter, increasing the number of people able to access this vital support to over six million families. The discount will be available for every billpayer on means-tested benefits, as the Government removes restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help. This will include over 12,000 Universal Credit claimants here in Stretford and Urmston, as well as those claiming other means-tested benefits.
The Minister also set out that the Government is taking steps to ensure the energy market works in the interests of consumers, including expanding automatic compensation schemes for when things go wrong.
Then on Friday I attended the debate and vote on the third reading of the Assisted Dying Bill. Those of you who have followed me on this issue will know that in November I supported the principle of assisted dying in the Second Reading vote.
I believe now as I did then that this is the right thing to do. I know there are deeply held views on both sides of the argument, but I feel strongly that this is about shortening death not shortening life. I voted for the Bill which passed and will now proceed to the House of Lords.
I returned to the constituency on Saturday and started off the morning with a session in Partington, speaking to voters on the doorstep, before also delivering some letters advising residents of a street-surgery myself and the local councillors will be holding next weekend.
I then popped over to the Davyhulme area to speak to some residents regarding an ongoing issue we have had with an influx of flies into the local area. I have been in touch with Trafford Council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency on this issue and will update further as I can.
I finished Saturday off in Urmston town centre. I love where I live, and it was great to enjoy a cold pint after a busy morning and afternoon at the Urmston Food & Drink Festival – organised by the lovely people at Love Urmston. It’s great to see such community spirit on display with food, drink and plenty of entertainment.