Mid-February Overview

From pension injustices to urgent Home Office-related cases, housing concerns to student finance pressures, it’s been busy! 381 cases resolved and 1,190+ emails responded to in the last month. Always putting Salford first.

The Mandelson Scandal

On ITV’s Peston programme, I made clear that trust in politics depends on integrity, transparency and accountability. The revelations surrounding Peter Mandelson’s long-standing association with Jeffrey Epstein are deeply disturbing, particularly in light of the newly released documents. I said there must be a full and thorough inquiry into his actions in Government. Leadership means putting the public interest first, always, and anything that undermines that standard damages confidence in our political system. Watch a clip of this here.

I also mentioned that, in the same week, MPs voted overwhelmingly to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a decision that will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty overnight. That is the kind of change that transforms lives. Watch here.

Calling for Justice for 1950s-Born Women

As Co-Chair of the APPG on State Pension Inequality for Women, I was joined by 91 MPs and Members of the House of Lords in writing to the Government to urge it to reconsider its rejection of compensation for 1950s-born women affected by maladministration in the communication of state pension age changes. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman was clear that injustice occurred and recommended compensation on that basis. The report found women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their futures, a material injustice that cannot simply be dismissed. I believe the Government must now urgently engage with the women affected, revisit its decision and ensure that proper redress is delivered without further delay. Read the letter in full here.

I also spoke to Sky News about the Government’s decision to once again rule out compensation for women born in the 1950s who were affected by maladministration in the communication of changes to the State Pension age. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman was clear: maladministration occurred, there was injustice and compensation should follow. Ignoring that advice is plainly wrong. Many women’s lives were turned upside down, and justice means meaningful engagement and fair redress. Watch here.

Upholding Fairness and Trust in Settlement Policy

I recently joined more than 70 Parliamentarians and civil society organisations in writing to the Home Secretary to urge the Government to rethink its proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain. Families who work hard, follow the rules and contribute so much to our communities deserve fairness and certainty, not retrospective rule changes that move the goalposts midway through the process. I will continue to press for an approach that upholds dignity, supports public services and treats people with the respect they deserve. You can read the letter in full here.

Free School Travel for Children in Temporary Accommodation

I warmly welcome the decision to introduce free Bee Network bus travel for children living in temporary accommodation across Greater Manchester, a campaign I was proud to support from the outset. This is a really important step, and I am pleased Mayor Andy Burnham has listened to the voices of families and campaigners who have made the case so powerfully.

I was proud to support this campaign from the outset, because no child should be forced out of their school or left facing exhausting journeys simply because their family has been placed in temporary accommodation through no fault of their own. A free Bee Network bus pass will provide stability at a time of upheaval, and that can make all the difference to a child’s education, wellbeing and sense of security.

This is a significant and compassionate change that will benefit around 8,000 children across our city region, and it shows what can be achieved when communities, charities and representatives work together for children’s futures. Find out more in this Manchester Evening News article.

Defending Earned Settlement and Our Public Services

In Parliament, I spoke about how our public services are held together by millions of dedicated workers: nurses and care workers, teaching assistants, cleaners, engineers, transport staff and civil servants. Many were born here; many were not. All of them keep our country going. Proposed changes to earned settlement risk undermining that contribution and creating uncertainty for the very people we rely on every day. In Parliament this week, I set out why we must protect fairness, stability and respect for those who serve our communities. Watch my speech in full here.

Raising Police Funding for Greater Manchester at PMQs

At Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the Prime Minister about police funding for Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police faces exceptional pressures, yet received the second lowest percentage increase of any police force and is now £12 million worse off as a result. Communities across Salford and Greater Manchester deserve the policing support they need to feel safe. I will continue pressing for a fair funding settlement that reflects the real challenges our region faces. Watch here.

Water Reform: A Long-Overdue Step Forward

The Water White Paper is a very welcome and long-overdue step forward. For too long, water companies have effectively been allowed to mark their own homework while infrastructure has been left to crumble and pollution has blighted our local rivers. In Salford alone, there were 11,974 sewage spills in 2023 from overflows into the Croal and Irwell, managed by United Utilities. That is the direct result of weak regulation and years of failure under the last Conservative Government.

Putting a Chief Engineer at the heart of the new regulator, introducing proper ‘MOT-style’ checks on infrastructure, and giving regulators the power to intervene early are all reforms our communities have been calling for. They should help to end a system where pipes fail, pollution is tolerated and households are left to pay the price.

But we must be honest: this is a good start, not the end of the journey. The problems we face go back decades to privatisation, chronic under-investment and a model that has rewarded shareholders while bills have risen and sewage has continued to pour into our waterways. Even large fines have failed to change behaviour, while dividends have dwarfed spending on infrastructure.

That is why I support these reforms as a first step, while continuing to make the case for going further. We need to bring water back into public ownership. Public ownership of water would allow every pound from bills to be reinvested in clean water, resilient infrastructure and lower costs for households, rather than flowing out to shareholders overseas. Our water system should serve the public interest, protect our environment and be accountable to the communities it exists to serve.

£85 Million for Grassroots Sport

Great news for sport in Salford. Labour has opened up £85 million for grassroots sports facilities in 2026/27, improving pitches, changing rooms and floodlighting across the country, with at least half of the funding going to the most deprived communities. Strong local clubs are at the heart of our communities, giving young people opportunities, keeping families active and bringing people together. I would encourage eligible Salford clubs to apply via the Football Foundation and make the most of this investment. Apply via the Football Foundation: https://footballfoundation.org.uk

Achalasia Action

To mark Rare Disease Day on 28th February, I tabled a Parliamentary motion to recognise achalasia, a rare and serious swallowing condition affecting around 6,000 people across the UK. Achalasia can cause severe pain, malnutrition and profound impacts on both physical and mental health, yet far too many people face years of misdiagnosis, often being told their symptoms are anxiety, acid reflux or eating disorders. I pay tribute to Achalasia Action, the only UK charity dedicated solely to supporting those living with the condition, and welcome its powerful report Misunderstood, Mistreated and Fighting to be Heard, which highlights systemic delays in diagnosis and the disproportionate impact on women. The motion calls on the Government and NHS England to act on the report’s recommendations, improve professional awareness, reduce diagnostic delays and ensure that people living with rare conditions receive the timely care and support they deserve. Read the motion in full here.

Strengthening Salford’s Links with Ireland

It was a pleasure to meet with the Consul General of Ireland, Cillian O’Kelly, here in Salford. With such a large and proud Irish diaspora in our city, we had a constructive discussion about strengthening links, celebrating our shared heritage and exploring opportunities for future collaboration. I look forward to continuing that conversation in the months ahead.

Heart Unions Week

During Heart Unions Week, I was proud to celebrate the vital role trade unions play in improving pay, conditions and dignity at work. I was also proud to vote for the Employment Rights Act, the biggest upgrade in employment rights in a generation. Now the focus must be on implementing it quickly and in full, and delivering Labour’s New Deal for Working People in full, so that working people across Salford and beyond see real, tangible change in their lives.

Solidarity with Birmingham Bin Workers

I was pleased to meet Birmingham bin workers in Parliament and to stand alongside colleagues in co-writing to the Prime Minister to press for urgent action. These are frontline workers who have kept our communities going, and they are taking action to defend fair pay and decent conditions. This dispute has gone on far too long. A fair resolution is possible and in everyone’s interests. The Government must now step in and help bring about a just settlement without further delay.

Standing Together for Unity in Salford

It was great to attend the Together Alliance’s Salford unity event last weekend alongside the City Mayor, Salford Labour Councillors, faith leaders, trade unionists and local residents. In Salford’s 100th year as a city, it was powerful to see so many people come together to say clearly that racism has no place here. Everyone present pledged to help build an even stronger anti-racist culture across our city, rooted in solidarity, respect and hope for the future.

Your Salford 100

Get yourselves down to Salford Museum and Art Gallery for Your Salford 100. To mark 100 years of Salford’s city status, 100 Salfordians have each chosen an object from the Museum’s collection that means something to them, creating a brilliant celebration of our shared history, culture and community pride. It is a wonderful way to see the city through the eyes of the people who make it what it is. The exhibition runs from 14 February 2026 to 10 January 2027 and entry is free, so do take the opportunity to visit.

Buile Hill Mansion Brought Back to Life

It was fantastic to join Salford City Mayor, Michael Wheeler MP, Salford Labour Councillors and Salford City Council officers for a sneak peek at the restoration works at Buile Hill Mansion. Real care has been taken to restore and celebrate this much-loved historic building. From the grand staircase to the original features and beautiful detailing, it is wonderful to see Buile Hill Mansion being brought back to life. This will be a very special venue for weddings, ceremonies and community use, something Salford can be proud of. Well done to everyone involved.

Salford at Its Best: Backing People Facing Homelessness

I want to share a brilliant example of Salford at its very best. Huge thanks to Lee Knowles, a Salford City FC season ticket holder, who turned his £1,000 half-time prize win into a lifeline for people facing homelessness this winter. Rather than keeping the prize, Lee used his Camptech Products vouchers to purchase sleeping bags for those most in need and, inspired by his generosity, Camptech matched the donation, doubling the impact and enabling 36 king-size sleeping bags to be distributed to The Mayor of Salford’s Charities, Salford Loaves & Fishes and Emmaus Salford. It is community spirit in action, supported by Foundation 92 and the wider Salford City FC family, and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together to support one another. Read Foundation92’s article in full here.

Vital Funding Secured for Salford Victoria Theatre

Congratulations and well done to Salford Victoria Theatre Trust on securing vital funding to help safeguard this iconic, Grade II listed community asset. The £15,000 grant will enable essential early-stage feasibility work to assess how the building can be restored and repurposed for community use, a crucial first step in protecting its long-term future. After years of uncertainty, this is brilliant news for Salford and for everyone who wants to see this much-loved historic venue brought back into use. Read more here.

Salford Community Upskilling

It was great to join Salford Community Upskilling CIC, and Cllr Yolande Ghola alongside  Cllr Gina Reynolds, at their event in Swinton. They are doing brilliant work empowering local residents and supporting those who are digitally excluded through English classes, ICT training, mental health awareness and arts and culture programmes. Initiatives like this make a real difference, opening up opportunities and strengthening our communities.

LGBT+ History Month in Salford

During LGBT+ History Month, we celebrate the rich heritage and lasting contribution of LGBT+ communities here in Salford, across the UK and around the world. From the defiant resilience of Salford’s early queer scene and the cultural impact of A Taste of Honey, to the creativity of Islington Mill and the grassroots energy of Salford Pride and Weaste Pride, our city has long played its part in advancing equality and visibility. I am proud of that history and of the vibrant community that continues to shape Salford today. I will always stand with LGBT+ people and continue working for equality, dignity and respect for all.

Out and about in Salford

It was great to join hardworking Salford Labour councillors and members out across Salford, speaking with residents about the local and national issues that matter most to them. We picked up a significant amount of casework and had some really constructive conversations on the doorstep. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us.

Weaste Pride Charity Bingo for George House Trust

Get yourself down to The Brewers on Canal Street on 28 February to support Weaste Pride as they raise vital funds for George House Trust. Expect charity bingo, cash prizes and plenty of big laughs with Shania Pain hosting the afternoon. Doors open at 3pm, eyes down at 3.30pm, and it is £10 cash for your bingo book. It promises to be a brilliant afternoon in support of a fantastic local charity doing crucial work in our community.

John Virgo (1946—2026)

I was saddened to learn of the death of John Virgo, one of Salford’s own and a true giant of snooker. A brilliant player, a much-loved broadcaster and a huge character, he brought joy to millions both on and off the table. My thoughts are with his family, friends and all who loved him. Rest in peace, JV.