Disability Benefits Reform

This week the Government announced a package of reforms to the social security system – the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper.

I welcome the Government’s planned investment in tailored, non-compulsory employment support and other sensible reforms but I am deeply concerned that removing £5 billion from the benefits system by 2030 would completely undermine this positive step and restrict support to those who desperately need it.

Whilst we await further detail from Government on its plans in the coming weeks I want to be clear from the outset that I strongly oppose any cuts that would restrict the support so many disabled people desperately need and indeed any measures that would place further strain on the living standards of disabled people and their families.

Sadly already, almost half of families living in poverty already include someone who is disabled and I note that Disability Rights UK have stated this week that the rise in claims in recent years has largely been driven by the increase in the retirement age, record NHS waiting lists, inadequate education and mental health support for young Disabled people and a complete failure to tackle the disability employment and pay gaps.

The social security system is an important social safety net, there to ensure people’s basic human rights are being met. No one should be forced into financial hardship, and everyone should be able to live with dignity and independence, whether they are able to work or not.

For these reasons, I have written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging her to reconsider any potential plans to restrict support.  You can read my letter here.

While I recognise the financial challenges facing the Government—challenges directly resulting from 14 years of mismanagement by previous Governments—there are alternative options available. One such option, which I have long advocated for, is to introduce higher taxes on extreme wealth to better fund public services.

Extreme wealth inequality is destabilising for both society and the economy. It is only fair that those with the broadest shoulders contribute more, and this is not just the view of ordinary people—many millionaires themselves recognise the need for a fairer system. A recent Survation poll found that 68% of those with over £1 million to invest support a wealth tax on individuals with more than £10 million.

Wealth taxes are a fair and practical solution, and this is what I will be pressing the Government to consider instead. I will be working hard to encourage the Government to reconsider its proposals.

Please do make sure to contact me to outline your concerns and experiences so that I can raise them with Government.

In addition to me raising this issue on behalf of constituents the Government will also be consulting on specific parts of the Green Paper until 30^th June 2025.

You can access the Green Paper and add your voice to the consultation here.

State Pension Inequality for Women

The Ombudsman found the DWP was guilty of maladministration and recommended an urgent scheme of redress for 1950s women who suffered pensions injustice. Right across the house many MPs are clear that this remains a historic injustice that must be resolved. The Government has been urged to meet and work with all campaign groups representing the women affected to finally deliver a pathway to justice. I spoke about this in a recent Westminster Hall debate, which you can watch here.

International Women’s Day

I was honoured to join the International Women’s Day Celebrations with Salford residents at the Beacon Youth Centre. It was an amazing day filled with music, food from around the world, and inspiring conversations—recognising the incredible women in Salford and beyond and continuing the fight to accelerate equality.

Fourteen years of austerity under the previous Tory government disproportionately affected women, with cuts to public services, underinvestment, and privatisation eroding vital support systems. The cost-of-living crisis further deepened gender inequalities, with the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) highlighting how women have been the “shock absorbers of poverty.” Women are more likely to be in poverty, have lower savings, and suffer the brunt of cuts to social security. A YouGov poll for the WBG found that more than a quarter of mothers are struggling financially to meet their children’s needs, reflecting the worsening crisis.

With a Labour government now in power, transformative policies are being introduced, including the Employment Rights Bill and reforms to housing and the rental sector. However, the WBG stresses that stronger workers’ rights must be supported by a robust social security system to prevent families from falling into destitution. They call for increased social security support, the removal of punitive benefit policies, better job training, and investment in public services like childcare, transport, and social housing. Addressing food and energy costs through social tariffs and renewable energy is also crucial. While Labour faces the challenge of rebuilding public finances, economic growth must prioritise improving quality of life—especially by investing in women’s everyday needs. I wrote about this in the Morning Star, which you can read here.

Grocery Code Adjudicator

A recent survey by the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union has revealed that many UK food supply chain workers are struggling to feed their families due to low pay as supermarket giants increasingly place downwards pressure on supply chains to keep supermarket profit margins high. I raised this and the need to strengthen the power of the Grocery Code Adjudicator to protect the interests of suppliers, workers and prices for consumers. Watch here.

Keeping transport workers safe

I co-sponsored a Parliamentary motion calling for stronger protections for transport workers against violence, abuse, and harassment. The motion highlights the alarming findings of the TSSA union’s latest report, which reveals that such abuse is widespread, including racial and sexual harassment, threats, and physical assaults. The motion urges the Government to use public transport reforms as an opportunity to tackle this issue and supports key recommendations, including stronger legal protections, increased funding for British Transport Police, stricter penalties for offenders, mandatory incident reporting, and the establishment of regulatory bodies to improve workplace safety. All transport workers deserve to work in dignity, free from abuse and harassment. You can read the motion in full here.

Employment Rights Bill

I was pleased to support the Government’s Employment Rights Bill recently. It boosts wages and workers’ rights in the most radical strengthening of employee and trade union rights in a generation.

I tabled amendments to the Bill based on issues which had been raised with me by constituents, legal advisors at the Salford Unemployed Resource Centre and local trade union representatives.

The amendments reflected real life cases in Salford where employees had been treated very badly and denied justice. One was designed to help strengthen union protections and the other to tackle loopholes which allow dodgy directors to find ways to evade employment tribunal penalties.

You can read more about my amendments in this Labour List article.

Save Our Post Office: Update

Following on from my letter to government Ministers raising concerns about proposals to close Salford City’s Post Office, I have received a response which has confirmed no decision has yet been made about the future of Directly Managed Branches, including Salford City’s Post Office.

I will continue to call for our Post Office to remain open and I will be monitoring this very closely.

Our Post Office is an essential part of our local economy; with well-trained staff who have a wealth of experience between them, our Post Office is relied upon by local residents and businesses, and those who collect their pensions and benefits.

Clarendon Leisure Centre

Pendleton sadly lost Clarendon Leisure Centre to a fire last May, leaving a community already starved of facilities with nothing. I asked Ministers to meet me to discuss what help the Government can give Salford to ensure the centre is rebuilt urgently. Watch here.

Endometriosis

So many constituents have shared with me the impact endometriosis has had on their lives and the need for better understanding of symptoms and support. I was pleased to meet campaigners from EndometriosisUK, the UK’s leading charity for all those affected by endometriosis, to discuss what MP’s can do to support. To learn more visit: endometriosis-uk.org

Congratulations, Salford City College Group!

Huge congratulations to Salford City College Group for winning not one, but two awards at the Association of Colleges Awards in Parliament this month. They won the NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing, recognising the College’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff, predominately through #WellStudent and #WellStaff. They also won the City & Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers, for the College’s outstanding efforts in forging strong, sustainable partnerships with employers through its Industry Partners initiative, ensuring students gain valuable real-world industry experiences. Salford is proud of you.

St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School

I visited St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School in Broughton this month with Chair of Governors Mr King, and met with headteacher Mr Deane and all the wonderful hard-working staff and pupils. The school is a warm and embracing community that helps pupils to thrive – thank you for a lovely visit.

Salford Hongkongers CIC Awards

I was honoured to join Salford Mayor, Paul Dennett, and Ceremonial Mayor, Cllr Tanya Burch, at the Salford Hongkongers CIC Awards in Swinton. The evening celebrated incredible volunteers whose work is vital in helping Hongkongers settle and build bridges in our community in Salford. Thank you for all you do!

Community clean-up event

It was great to be out litter picking in Langworthy and Weaste with Salford Labour Councillors, members and community groups. We cleared loads of rubbish in such a short amount of time thanks to our communities coming together – teamwork in action!

Out and about in Salford

I was pleased to be out and about recently with Salford Labour, delivering newsletters for our hard-working Swinton Park Councillors. Thank you to everyone who came along. I hope to join you all soon during upcoming campaigning events throughout the constituency.

Biggest Ever Football Session

Well done to schools across Salford who joined the Biggest Ever Football Session earlier this month. The event promoted inclusivity and showed children that girls belong in football. It was a great chance for students to develop leadership skills, and I’m please so many schools in Salford took part. Find out more here: girlsfootballinschools.org