Crumpsall Synagogue Attack
The attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall that took place on Yom Kippur was horrifying. At this most sacred time in the Jewish calendar, my thoughts and prayers are with those victims who lost their life and those affected, as well as their families and Jewish communities across Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond. Antisemitism and all forms of hatred must be challenged wherever they appear. We must stand together to ensure that violence and intolerance have no place in our society.
Pride In Place: £20m for Pendleton
I’m proud to share that Pendleton will get £20million through Labour’s Pride in Place initiative. That’s £2million every year for the next decade, with local people deciding how funding is spent. The scheme lets local people call the shots on where and how money is spent in their communities, restoring local pride and helping them reclaim their streets. More details will follow shortly, so watch this space!
Domestic Abuse Survivors Support
Survivors of domestic abuse who need an insolvency solution will no longer have to pay to keep their address from being added to a public register. Often escaping with little more than the clothes on their backs, survivors frequently face a heavy financial toll, on top of the inevitable emotional burden. If an insolvency solution can help them rebuild their lives, we should do everything we can to remove any barriers.
Scrapping the £318 fee for a ‘persons at risk of violence’ (PARV) order will help survivors access financial support without putting themselves at risk of a violent ex-partner finding out where they live. Really proud to have supported this Money Wellness campaign. This news is a victory for compassion and common sense.
Ending Homelessness Debate
We’ve lost 260,000 social rented homes in the last decade. If we’re serious about ending homelessness, Councils need the power, funding and freedom to build social homes at scale, homes at true social rent, not unaffordable “affordable” rents. Watch my contribution in a recent Westminster Hall debate on ending homelessness here.
Wealth Taxes Are Sensible and Urgently Needed
I recently wrote for Labour Outlook about the urgent need for fair and sensible wealth taxes to tackle Britain’s growing inequality and properly fund the public services we all rely on. While nurses are turning to food banks and councils are being forced to cut vital services, billionaires continue to see their fortunes soar, a situation that is both unjust and unsustainable. Drawing on the work of Patriotic Millionaires UK, I set out how targeted reforms such as a 2% annual wealth tax on assets above £10 million, equalising capital gains with income tax, and closing loopholes for the super-rich could raise over £60 billion every year without burdening working people.
These measures could protect vital allowances, strengthen the NHS, fund schools, and ensure that no one is left behind. As I wrote in the article, “By taxing extreme wealth, we could have built a society where wealth is used not to hoard yachts and mansions, but to guarantee dignity, opportunity, and security for every single person.” You can read my full article for Labour Outlook here, and watch my interview on That’s TV News here.
Standing up against child poverty
I recently co-signed a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister calling for the immediate abolition of the two-child benefit cap. I have long called for this, and this recent letter highlights the devastating impact the policy has on families, pushing around 1.7 million children into hardship, and argues that removing the cap would lift over 2 million people out of poverty. It also stresses that scrapping the policy is both affordable and economically beneficial, urging the Government to make its abolition a central part of any credible child poverty strategy. Read the letter in full here.
Gaza Ceasefire
The announcement of a ceasefire and the return of hostages and prisoners is welcome and long overdue particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.
There remains a long fragile road ahead to secure a lasting peace, but this is a moment of hope that we must build upon.
The Prime Minister stated to the House of Commons on 14th October:
“We have the chance—it is a chance—to bring a terrible chapter in history finally to a close. It is a moment of profound relief for the House, this nation, and indeed the whole world, but it is tempered, of course, by the knowledge that for the hostages and their families, the loved ones of those killed on 7 October and the innocent civilians in Gaza—the dead, the bereaved, the starving—this has been two years of living hell.
“I think of Avinatan Or, who has family ties to the United Kingdom, returned at last to his family and his girlfriend Noa. Avinatan and Noa were taken from that music festival two years ago, the footage of their abduction filmed by Hamas—evil committed to camera. I have met Avinatan’s family, and heard for myself the agony that they suffered for two long years, waiting for him to come home. His frail condition is shocking evidence of the appalling treatment he must have endured. We await the release of the deceased hostages; their families need the chance to grieve, so we demand that they are returned to their families immediately.
“My thoughts are also with the people of Gaza, almost all of whom will have lost family members—husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and, worst of all, sons and daughters. Over 20,000 children were killed. I think of people like Yara Yaghi, who I met a year ago. She was 17 years old and was studying at college in Hertfordshire. She had lost 44 members of her family—a pain that cannot be erased, even as we welcome the peace today.
“Mercifully, the killing and destruction has now stopped, and aid is beginning to enter Gaza. To be clear, we urgently need to see more aid, and faster. All restrictions must now be lifted. The need for food, sanitation, healthcare and shelter are all still acute. While the signing yesterday was historic, what matters now is implementation and getting help in as quickly as possible.
“The UK is providing £20 million in additional humanitarian support to get water, sanitation and hygiene products to tens of thousands of civilians across Gaza. That is in addition to the support we are already providing. Our two field hospitals in Gaza have already seen 600,000 patients, and earlier this month we evacuated the third group of sick and injured Palestinian children to the United Kingdom. They are now being treated by the NHS. We will work with the UN and our partners to go further and faster in providing the aid that is so desperately needed.”
You can view the Prime Minister’s full statement to the House here.
The international community, including our own Government, must now use every diplomatic and legal mechanism available to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it, and that a political path is forged towards long term lasting peace.
The Government has called on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace.
State Pension Inequality for Women
I caught up with WASPI campaigners in Parliament recent. 1950s women have suffered grave injustice, they should not have to fight, it is morally right for the Government to right this clear historic wrong.
Council tax debt collection and bailiff reform
I was proud to co-sign a letter with ACORN the union, trade unions, cross-party MPs and Councillors calling for urgent reform of council tax collection, ending heavy-handed bailiff use and supporting those in debt.
The letter calls for the Government to take urgent action to tackle the growing crisis of council tax debt by using early intervention and support for those struggling to pay, rather than heavy handed enforcement action and court orders, which all too often means people are pushed further into debt, made liable for a full year’s bill overnight, and are left living in fear of a knock at the door from bailiffs. Read the letter in full here.
Free dementia clinic with Dementia UK
It was great to meet Emma from Dementia UK and Rhian at the Nationwide UK branch in Salford. They’re doing brilliant work providing dementia support with Admiral Nurse appointments, open to everyone—not just Nationwide customers. Find out more and book here.
Urgent Action to Protect the Historic Crescent Pub
An Urgent Works Notice has been issued on the iconic Crescent pub following its shocking deterioration, a crucial first step in safeguarding one of Salford’s most treasured historic landmarks. The Crescent holds a unique place in our city’s story. This action is a vital move towards ensuring the building’s preservation for future generations, recognising its deep cultural and historical importance to our community.
Salford Local Histories Festival
It was a pleasure to open the Salford Local Histories Festival at St Thomas Church (Pengy Church) and to present the Frank Mullineux Award to Joe Murray, author of Dirty Old Town. Thank you and well done to the organisers, looking ahead to Salford’s heritage centenary next year! Click here to see photos of the event and take a peek at the stalls.
Salford Hongkongers CIC
It was great to catch up with Salford Hongkongers CIC today to discuss their future projects, which I’m proud to support. Their passion and dedication to Salford are inspiring, with so many volunteers doing vital work to help Hongkongers settle, thrive, and build bridges across Salford.
Friends of Buile Hill Macmillan Coffee Morning
It was a pleasure to join the Friends of Buile Hill for their brilliant car boot and Macmillan fundraising event. A huge well done to everyone who helped organise such a fantastic and successful day. Proper community spirit in action and all for a wonderful cause.
200th anniversary of the Church of St Philip
It was lovely to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Church of St Philip on Chapel Street with the Deputy Lieutenant, Mary-Liz Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, and the brilliant community coming together to support the people of Salford.
Salford Cathedral Restoration
It was pleasure to visit Salford Cathedral and see the fantastic restoration work in action. The Cathedral is one of the true gems of our great city, and these works will help ensure its survival for future generations. Thank you to the Diocese of Salford for inviting me.
Black History Month
Great to join Salford Labour Councillors and members of the Salford Refugee Forum, Visible Outcomes, the Beacon centre youth group, and residents to celebrate Black History Month this weekend. Thanks to all involved in organising, great event and lots of dancing!
Vaccine Clinics Visit
A massive shout-out to the brilliant team from Langworthy Medical Practice for their outstanding work running the recent Covid and flu booster walk-in clinic at the Royal British Legion. When I visited, more than 800 local residents had already been vaccinated, a huge achievement that shows the team’s dedication to keeping our community safe and well. The practice will also be arranging home visits shortly to ensure that nobody misses out on their booster.
Pictures of Salford Exhibition
It was a pleasure to meet local photographer Keith Driscoll at Langworthy Cornerstone, where his Pictures of Salford exhibition runs until 24th October. Fantastic work capturing our city. Do pop in and show your support.
Gods of Salford
Absolutely stellar performance in the House of Lords by young Salfordians showcasing excerpts from GODS OF SALFORD show. Thanks to the amazing team The Lowry and Simon McDonald. Really proud of our young Salfordians.
Out and about in Salford
We picked up plenty of casework on the doorstep speaking to residents in Broughton recently with our hardworking Team Salford Labour Councillors and members. Thanks to everyone who came along, and to everyone we spoke to!
Rebecca Long-Bailey 