Overseas, the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz remains a top priority. The UK has joined 31 nations in a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of oil to stabilize global markets. While we pursue diplomatic resolutions to the wider Middle East conflict, the government has successfully repatriated 100,000 British nationals and committed £15 million in humanitarian aid to support those displaced in Lebanon.
At home, the 2026-27 GP contract has introduced an additional £485 million in funding, bringing total investment to over £13.8 billion.
With 2,000 more GPs already on the frontline, new reforms ensure that all clinically urgent requests are handled on the same day. These efforts are already yielding results: 77% of people now find it easy to contact their GP, a significant rise since 2024.
The government is also backing the next generation with a £2.5 billion package designed to create 200,000 jobs and apprenticeships. By offering incentives of up to £3,000 for hiring long-term unemployed youth, the goal is to ensure that all our young people are able to reach their full potential.
Long-term security also means industrial and environmental renewal. The UK Steel Strategy, backed by £2.5 billion, protects domestic production through new 50% tariffs on excess imports. The mission for clean power by 2030 has already seen £90 billion in investment, focussing on energy independence and lower bills. Finally, to protect our children, the government is consulting on landmark online safety measures, including potential social media bans for under-16s.
This week I also had the pleasure of hosting two local school visits to Parliament. Firstly, on Wednesday I welcomed the Junior Peace Mala Ambassadors of St Matthews Primary School in Stretford.
The children travelled down from Stretford to host a workshop for MPs to make Peace Mala bracelets promoting friendship, respect and peace between people of all cultures, faiths, beliefs and none.
The children of St Matthews are passionate advocates for peace and multi-faith friendship, and we were joined by MPs from different political parties to remember that we are all inter-connected and that diversity is always something to be celebrated.
Then on Thursday, pupils from St Michael’s Primary in Flixton visited, taking up the offering by the UK Parliament Education Centre, which includes a free tour of Parliament. It was clear they were all very excited to be there and I hope they took a lot away from it!
It was a busy weekend for me in the constituency, and I started it off on Friday morning with a visit to Flixton Primary School. I chatted with the headteacher and chair of governors and had a tour of the school.
From there it was up to Partington and Cross Lane Park. The new changing facilities there are ready. It was great to see the new BMX pump track in use – I even had a go myself! Hundreds of young people have already used this new facility, and I’m delighted they’ve now got access to brand new changing facilities as well.
After that, I headed to the new Banking Hub in Urmston. Their new temporary location is set up in the Venue on Westbourne Road, while they finalise details on the permanent location. I had a chat to the staff there who told me they’d been really busy since opening.
I then had a meeting at my office with some constituents to discuss before my last stop on Friday at an advice surgery for constituents in Stretford.
Saturday morning kicked off with a visit to Longford Park to meet Col and Nay from Longford Park Football Club. They told me about the work they do with the local community and it’s clear that the club – which has been going for 15 years now – is an important part of the local community.
I then shot up to Partington for a canvassing session – speaking to residents on the doorstep with local councillors. I picked up some issues which I’ll be looking into for residents.
It was over to Urmston then, for a meeting with the team at Granville Park allotments. It was great to see some of the recent developments on site there and chat to the allotment association to see how I could support them.
Over to Flixton after that, for an event celebrating the awarding of Fields in Trust status for the William Wroe Fields and the unveiling of the new Fields in Trust signage. As residents will know, I was behind this campaign from the start and as council leader, removed William Wroe from the housebuilding plans submitted by the previous Conservative-led Trafford council.
Lastly on Saturday, I headed over to Metro’s Sports and Social Club in Stretford. They have recently raised – entirely funded by contributions from members – funding to install a new defibrillator on the exterior of the building, there for anyone who needs it. Another example of this great local institution giving back to the local community.
On Sunday morning, before the train back to London ahead of next week in Parliament, I took the time to see the Trafford Music Service Spring Concert at Stoller Hall in Manchester. Great to see local kids in concert – it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience!