Renter’s Reform Bill

I voted in favour of the Renter’s Reform Bill which saw the most significant package of reforms to the private rented sector in over 40 years and it will provide greater security and stability for more than 11 million private renters. Millions of people in England live day in, day out with the knowledge that they and their families could be uprooted from their home with little notice and minimal justification.

The Tories promised action but failed completely. Worst of all, they bowed to vested interest on their benches by watering down their commitment to end ‘no fault’ evictions. We have managed to act where the Tories have failed to make renting fairer, more secure, and more affordable, by banning no-fault evictions, ending bidding wars and extending Awaab’s Law, which I have supported throughout, to protect private tenants.

Renter’s Rights Bill will:

• Abolish section 21 evictions and move to a simpler tenancy structure where all assured tenancies are periodic. We will implement this new system in one stage, giving all tenants security immediately.
• Ensure possession grounds are fair to both parties. The bill introduces new safeguards for tenants, giving them more time to find a home if landlords evict to move in or sell, and ensuring unscrupulous landlords cannot misuse grounds.
• Provide stronger protections against backdoor eviction by ensuring tenants are able to appeal excessive above-market rents which are purely designed to force them out. As now, landlords will still be able to increase rents to market price for their properties and an independent tribunal will make a judgement on this, if needed.
• Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman that will provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints about their landlord. This will bring tenant-landlord complaint resolution on par with established redress practices.
• Create a Private Rented Sector Database to help landlords understand their legal obligations and demonstrate compliance and help tenants to make informed decisions when entering into a tenancy agreement. It will also
• Support local councils to target enforcement activity where it is needed most. Landlords will need to be registered on the database in order to use certain possession grounds.
• Give tenants strengthened rights to request a pet in the property, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. To support this, landlords will be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.
• Apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector to give renters safer, better value homes and remove the blight of poor-quality homes in local communities.
• Apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector, setting clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords must take action to make homes safe where they contain serious hazards.
• Make it illegal for landlords and agents to discriminate against prospective tenants in receipt of benefits or with children – helping to ensure everyone is treated fairly when looking for a place to live.
• End the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent. Landlords and agents will be required to publish an asking rent for their property and it will be illegal to accept offers made above this rate.
• Strengthen local authority enforcement by expanding civil penalties, introducing a package of investigatory powers and bringing in a new requirement for local authorities to report on enforcement activity.
• Strengthen rent repayment orders by extending them to superior landlords, doubling the maximum penalty and ensuring repeat offenders have to repay the maximum amount.

State Pension Inequality for Women

I recently co-chaired a packed and passionate meeting of the All-Party Group on State Pension Inequalities for Women. The group works in Parliament to support the 1950’s women affected by inadequate communication of changes to their state pension age in securing justice. The APPG is one of the largest cross-party groups in Westminster spanning colleagues from all parties across the Lords and Commons.  

I also spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on this, where I reminded MPs that when the Ombudsman confirmed last year and found that the DWP was guilty of maladministration, that these women had suffered injustice and that they were entitled to compensation, we thought that the next step would be shaping up a redress mechanism. I told Ministers that it is unprecedented for a government to agree with the findings of an Ombudsman on the one hand but to refuse to initiate redress when clear injustice has occurred. State level injustice is state level injustice, and it cannot be ignored. You can watch my speech in the debate here.

Injured patients and staff

A number of MPs across the House have been contacted by constituents regarding historic and current issues related to the conduct and competency of a spinal consultant, who was sacked in 2015. Families and patients operated on by Doctor ‘F’ over two decades at the Salford Royal Hospital, Spire Manchester Hospital and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, along with concerned staff, formed a support group and a number of us met with them recently.

The accounts I heard from patients, their families and the brave staff who tried to speak out for them, were traumatic, harrowing and experiences that no one should ever have to endure. It is clear that those impacted deserve to know the truth, they require full support and ultimately, they deserve justice for what they and their loved ones have suffered.

I will be working with other MPs across the house who represent patients and staff affected to do all we can to represent and support the group in their journey towards, finally receiving the answers and justice they deserve. We will soon meet with a Government Minister, and I will provide further updates in due course.

Local skills training and employment

As a Man Utd fan, I welcome the potential economic and social benefits that Salford may see from the redevelopment of Old Trafford. I spoke in the House and raised with Ministers about the importance of local contractors to employ, train and retain people from within the local area and to ensure that ethos is mirrored across supply chains. You can watch my speech here.

Regent Road Retail Park Development

I was pleased to join local residents and Councillors at a recent campaign meeting regarding the Regent Road Retail Park development. Myself, along with local residents and Councillors, will be working together to make representations to planning panel should these plans go to a hearing. You can read my letter of objection on behalf of residents by clicking here.

Salford Community Fire Station

A huge thank you to Salford Community Fire Station team for making time for my visit this month. Firefighters carried out drills and used specialist equipment during the visit to demonstrate the vital work they do to keep residents safe. It was inspiring to see the dedication they have for fire and water safety, clearly going beyond the call of duty every day. It was great to also see the Scorpion, high reach extendable turret, in action too.

Loreto College

It was a pleasure to visit Loreto College in Hulme, which is attended by many young people from Salford for BTECs and A-levels. I was pleased to see their fantastic facilities and learn how I can best support staff on their campaign for fair national pay in line with other teachers.

Banyamulenge

It was great to welcome members of the Salford and UK Banyamulenge community to Parliament to speak about their history and search for justice after the Gatumba massacre and genocide. Thank you to all who came along.

Salford Astronomical Society

I was thrilled to visit the Salford Astronomical Society, which has its own observatory and an 18.5’’ telescope just round the corner from Buile Hill Park. I want to thank them for inviting me and showing me the wonderful work bringing the stars to Salford. To find out how you can get involved, visit their Instagram or Facebook pages and give them a follow!

Manchester & Salford Ramblers

Congratulations to Manchester & Salford Ramblers for securing National Lottery funding for their Carers Walks project! Free walks, including lunch and transport, support unpaid carers and those they care for by promoting exercise and socialising. Find out more and how you can join by visiting their website: manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk

Congratulations, Dennis!

Congratulations to Dennis Baldwin who received the Mayor’s Citizen Award in recognition of his work in suicide prevention in Salford. He continues to inspire others in the fight against suicide and Dennis’s dedication to helping others makes him a truly inspiration figure in our city. Congratulations, Dennis!

Bee Network

The start of January marked the completion of the Bee Network buses, bringing all Greater Manchester buses under public control after 40 years of deregulation. Parts of Salford first joined the Bee Network in 2023 but the final stage, which covers more than 250 routes, will now see all buses in the region under public control. I’m looking forward to the Government empowering more local leaders to match this success with the incoming bus Services Bill.

Mike Thorpe

I was deeply saddened to hear that Mike Thorpe has passed away. Mike was a driving force in supporting Salford’s most disadvantaged communities and he leaves a profound and lasting impact across the city. As a leader of The Broughton Trust, a Salford-based charity dedicated to reducing poverty and improving opportunities for local people, Mike spearheaded vital services such as employment support, youth work, and community development projects, helping over 1,000 people each year. His tireless dedication to the community transformed countless lives, and his passing is a deeply felt loss for Salford.