Tax Extreme Wealth

I recently spoke on BBC Politics Live about the need for a fairer tax system ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget. Last year, MPs from across Parliament urged the Government to take meaningful steps to ensure that those with the greatest wealth contribute more. One year on, the case for change has only grown stronger.

Our tax system continues to place a disproportionate burden on working people while protecting wealth that grows passively at the very top. Families are facing rising living costs, overstretched public services and growing insecurity, while extreme wealth continues to accelerate. This imbalance is not only unfair but also holding our country back.

I joined MPs in writing to the Chancellor, urging her to use the Budget as a turning point by focusing on taxing wealth more and work less. A fairer system would help reduce poverty and inequality, ease pressure on working families and provide sustainable funding for vital public services such as education, health, housing and social care. This is not about penalising success. It is about fairness, responsibility and building an economy that works for everyone, not just a privileged few.

Our call to action reflects the work of Taxpayers Against Poverty, a UK organisation dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality and financial hardship. Founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson and led today by Tom Burgess, TAP advocates for economic policies that reduce poverty through evidence-based proposals, including fairer taxation of wealth. Their work sits alongside Compassion in Politics, a sister organisation committed to bringing more honesty, respect and compassion into public life.

I will continue to champion a tax system that rewards effort rather than advantage and ensures every family and every community has the chance to thrive.

Global Tax Justice

I recently spoke in Parliament about the urgent need for global tax justice. Multinational companies shifting vast sums through tax havens are depriving our hospitals, schools and care services of the funding they need, costing the public tens of billions each year. This cannot continue. We need real transparency, a fair system and meaningful international action to ensure that companies pay their share and that public services receive the resources they deserve. Watch here.

Council Tax Exemption for the Terminally Ill

I strongly welcome Salford City Council’s decision to exempt terminally ill people from paying council tax. Nobody facing a terminal diagnosis should have to worry about bills or enforcement letters when they should be focusing on their health and loved ones.

I recently joined other MPs and trade union representatives in signing a letter coordinated by ACORN, calling for national reform of the council tax system to make it fairer and more humane. Salford’s decision shows the kind of compassion we need to see embedded in policy across the country.

Find out more in this Salford Now article here.

Two-child limit

I was proud to co-sign a letter to the Chancellor ahead of next month’s Budget calling for the full abolition of the two-child benefit limit. This is a policy that punishes children for the circumstances of their birth and no Labour Government should maintain it. Ending the limit would be the single most effective and cost-efficient step we could take to lift children out of poverty. Alongside colleagues who took a principled stand on this issue last summer, I am urging the Government to use the Budget to scrap the policy in full and to demonstrate that tackling child poverty remains an absolute priority. You can read the Daily Mirror article on this here.

I also joined cross-Party MPs in signing a Parliamentary motion urging the Chancellor to abolish the two-child limit. Ending this cruel policy would lift an estimated 670,000 people, including 470,000 children, out of severe hardship and would transform lives across the UK. I will continue to press for its full abolition so that every child has the chance to grow up with dignity, security and the support they need.

State Pension Inequality for Women

As Chair of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, I have been following closely the latest developments affecting women born in the 1950s who missed out on State Pension payments. The government has now announced that it will revisit its previous decision to reject the Ombudsman’s 2024 recommendation for compensation of up to £2,950 per person affected. This follows the emergence of new evidence from 2007, uncovered during ongoing court proceedings, which appears to relate to a halt in automatic pension forecast letters.

The Ombudsman’s report last year found the Department for Work and Pensions guilty of maladministration and recommended compensation that could total up to £10.5 billion. Although the government accepted the Ombudsman’s verdict at the time, it dismissed the recommendation for compensation. Around four million women were impacted by these changes, many of whom have said they were not informed they would need to wait longer for their State Pension, leading to significant financial and emotional distress.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has now confirmed that further checks will be carried out to ensure no relevant documents have been missed, although no timescale has been set and the government has made clear that this reconsideration does not guarantee compensation. Campaigners have welcomed this step, but legal action is likely to continue and some experts believe the final outcome may remain unchanged. I will continue to monitor this issue closely and press for the Government to work with these women and determine a fair and just scheme of compensation.

Asylum Reforms

I recently appeared on BBC Politics Live and one of the topics discussed was asylum reform. I argued there must be a calm, common sense discussion about what a fair and humane asylum system looks like. People want a system that stops criminal gangs, prevents exploitation, protects children from trafficking and provides genuine sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution. What we have instead is a toxic and divided debate that helps nobody. We need to restore trust by setting out a comprehensive approach: creating safe and legal routes so that people can apply for protection before they reach British soil, tackling the dangerous boat crossings by giving people a realistic alternative, and investing properly in border security and criminal enforcement to dismantle the smugglers who profit from misery.

A humane, well-run asylum system should protect the vulnerable, uphold the rule of law and maintain public confidence without resorting to inflammatory language or measures that undermine community cohesion. We can fix the system, but it requires a serious and constructive national conversation, not the toxic debate of recent years.

Fire and Rescue Funding

I have written with fellow Greater Manchester MPs to Ministers urging fair and sustainable funding for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. GMFRS plays a vital role in keeping our region safe, from responding to floods and wildfires to protecting our communities during major incidents and terror attacks, yet it continues to face significant strain due to years of underfunding. Our letter sets out the urgent need for proper national support so that firefighters have the resources, equipment and staffing they need to protect the public and carry out their life-saving work. I will keep pressing Ministers until GMFRS receives the fair funding it deserves. Read the letter in full here.

Awaab’s Law

I am very pleased that Awaab’s Law has now come into effect, and I am proud to have supported the Manchester Evening News campaign throughout its journey. This new law will make a real difference for people living in social housing in England. You can now report damp, mould or other hazards and expect action within new legal timeframes. If a landlord fails to act, you will be able to challenge them and they may face legal consequences including court action or compensation. The government’s Make Things Right campaign will also provide clearer guidance on your rights. I will continue to press for stronger protections for tenants and safe, healthy homes for every family.

Regent Retail Park Development

Salford Council’s planning committee has given outline approval to Henley Investment Management’s application to demolish the northern section of Regent Retail Park, which was not the outcome residents or I had hoped for. The Save Regent Retail Park Campaign, established by Ordsall residents last year, has consistently raised serious unresolved concerns, including the lack of guarantees for truly affordable social rent housing, insufficient parking proposals, inadequate assessment of impacts on health services, schools and transport, the loss of local jobs and affordable shops during construction, and the scale of the proposed towers which many feel are out of character for the area.

Residents have also highlighted poor engagement from Henley and low trust in their promises. While campaigning has already secured important concessions from Henley, many substantial concerns remain. Following the planning decision, the campaign will work with the community to consider next steps. Henley has committed to re-engage and re-consult with residents as part of the approval process, and I will be working closely with Ordsall councillors to ensure they are held to this commitment so that local voices are genuinely heard and acted upon.

Remembrance Day

It was very moving to join the Remembrance Parade and Service in Swinton on Remembrance Sunday alongside members of the community and our Armed Forces. Together we paid our respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. My thanks to everyone who took part in such a dignified and heartfelt commemoration, and to Salford City Council for the photographs.

Money Wellness

It was great to visit Money Wellness and meet the fantastic team to hear more about the vital work they do supporting people and families across the country. It is wonderful to see such an important organisation based here in Salford. Money Wellness offers free, compassionate advice to help people manage their budgets, deal with overwhelming creditor contact, check they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to and, where needed, reduce or even write off unmanageable debt. Their staff bring real warmth, empathy and dedication to helping people improve their long-term financial wellbeing. Thank you to the whole team for the invaluable support you provide.

Black History Month

It was wonderful to join Salford Community Upskilling CIC and Councillor Yolande Ghola to celebrate Black History Month 2025, alongside Salford’s Ceremonial Mayor Heather Fletcher and many members of our local community. The event was a joyful afternoon filled with music, food, laughter and a real sense of togetherness. I would also like to thank Pendleton Together and the Asda Foundation for sponsoring the celebration and helping to make it such a warm and uplifting occasion.

It was also wonderful 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. Thanks to all involved in organising, great event and lots of dancing!

New Wine Nation

It was a pleasure to visit New Wine Nation and spend time with the brilliant team delivering support for young people in Salford. Their programmes help young people build confidence, develop new skills and access practical opportunities that open doors for the future.

Out and about in Salford

It was good to be out and about in Claremont and Clifton wards, picking up plenty of casework with Team Salford Labour Councillors and members. Thanks to everyone who came along and to all the residents we spoke to.