Another busy week in Parliament and the Constituency with a great deal achieved.
On Monday I had meetings with colleagues in the Ministry of Justice about a range of issues including making sure we are able to pass the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill before the end of this Parliamentary Session – this new legislation will go a long way to plugging some of the gaps in the current laws protecting people who face abuse in their own homes.
On Tuesday the Science and Technology Committee met to consider written responses to questions we’d asked the Business Secretary about the new Advanced Research and Inventions Agency which will spearhead innovative ideas and fund high-risk ideas.
Later in the day I supported Justice Minsters in bringing forward regulations make changes to fees in civil proceedings and rounded the day off with a Briefing to the Armed Forces APPG by Brigadier Dan Cheeseman of the Royal Marines who is the Royal Navy’s Chief Technology Officer, discussed the future of warfare.
On Wednesday the Science and Technology Committee met to question witnesses about the future of scientific research after COVID – our inquiry will take place over several weeks and all around the UK, including a future session talking to Universities here in Greater Manchester.
In the Afternoon I was pleased to be re-elected as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Local Government. The APPG is a cross-party group with both MPs and Peers which discusses important issues affecting Councils. This year we decided to focus on Social Care which is one of the single largest challenges facing us at the moment. We were joined by Council leaders and Executive Members from around the country to hear their thoughts. I was disappointed to see that despite signing up, no one from Rochdale Borough Council showed up, despite the serious implications for our communities.
The APPG will be writing to the Care Minister with our thoughts on the subject and taking further evidence throughout the year with a view to improving policy in this area.
Later in the day I was in the Chamber to co-sponsor a Bill which would require Local Authorities to have another Council hear any applications to build on green belt which they made to themselves. A lot of Councils have taken to 'marking their own homework' when it comes to precious green spaces and this Bill could stop that.
I also spoke with the Home Secretary about the recent reports that some of the convicted groomers awaiting deportation following the Rochdale grooming scandal are still in the community. I conveyed the strength of feeling locally to her and received assurances that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
On Thursday the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme resumed its physical visits. Although we’ve done a lot of learning online over the past year it was wonderful to be back in person as we spent the day at the Joint Maritime Security Centre and the Royal Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth. Speaking to frontline personnel is the best way to ensure we politicians are making the best decisions when it comes to our Armed Forces.
On Friday I was back in the Constituency for meetings about Transport, Apprenticeships and Policing. I later joined local officers on patrol to see how they’re working to tackle some of the serious issues affecting our communities, including the recent spate of antisocial behaviour in and around Heywood Town Centre. PCSOs and PCs will now be on regular patrols in hi-viz uniform in Heywood.
Two PCs have also now been trained on the use of radar mobile speed guns and the Force are taking action to deal with off-road bikes in Norden and Alkington Woods.
I’d like to thank the Police for being so open to working with me and my team to improve things locally.
On Saturday my trainers were back on and I was our supporting some of our excellent local candidates for May’s Council Elections – if you want a community champion who will vote against greenbelt erosion and work to get more money into Heywood, Middleton, Bamford, Castleton and Norden, then cast your vote for your Conservative Candidate next month!
