March & April Overview
From housing to workers’ rights, environmental protection and healthcare, I’m working every day to support residents across Salford. Always putting Salford first.
Tackling Child Poverty
I spoke in Parliament in support of scrapping the two-child limit. Ending this policy could lift around 450,000 children out of poverty by 2030, improving health and life chances, and represents preventative policy at its best.
However, if we are serious about tackling poverty, we must also address the wider benefit cap. We cannot remove one barrier while leaving another in place.
- Watch my speech here.
Labour Together and APCO Worldwide
While we have long campaigned for press freedom abroad, there are growing concerns that surveillance and political intimidation of journalists may now be a threat closer to home. Recent reports have raised serious questions about links between the political organisation Labour Together and the lobbying firm APCO, including allegations of monitoring and gathering information on journalists.
I am calling for an urgent, independent and transparent inquiry into these activities, alongside stronger legislation to prevent the corporate surveillance of journalists. I recently spoke in Parliament in my capacity as Chair of the National Union of Journalists Parliamentary Group, which you can watch here.
Middle East Escalation and the Need for Peace
The Iranian regime is abominable, but the initial strikes on Iran have raised serious questions about legality and risked further destabilising an already fragile region. Legal experts and international observers have questioned whether these actions meet the threshold for lawful self-defence under international law, particularly in the absence of clear UN authorisation.
As this dangerous conflict escalates, we are seeing devastating consequences across the Middle East, with civilian casualties rising and critical infrastructure under attack. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, with growing risks to UK personnel and British nationals in the region.
There is an urgent need for de-escalation. I am calling for immediate diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire, prevent further loss of life, and bring all parties back to the negotiating table before this crisis spirals further out of control. Watch my speech in Parliament here.
Fixing the Student Loans System
I spoke in Parliament about the urgent need to fix our broken student loans system. I called on the Government to develop a sustainable funding model for Higher Education and university research, with the abolition of tuition fees as a long-term goal, but also to take immediate action to support graduates now.
What I am hearing from graduates in Salford is not simply frustration, but genuine anxiety about their financial futures.
People who have done everything asked of them are making repayments month after month, yet watching their balances rise rather than fall.
The three-year freeze on the Plan 2 repayment threshold means thousands are paying more, sooner, and for longer, while high interest rates allow debts to grow even for those on modest incomes.
I am urging the Chancellor to reverse the threshold freeze, introduce a cap on the total amount repayable, review unfair interest rates, and pause interest accrual during parental leave. More widely, we must restore fairness to the system.
Higher education should be a positive pathway into work and opportunity, not the start of working life weighed down by escalating debt.
The current Plan 2 system, introduced in 2012, requires graduates to repay 9% of their income above the repayment threshold, yet many have seen their balances increase over time due to interest and policy changes. Concerns have also been raised about retrospective changes to repayment terms, with many borrowers unaware that key conditions could be altered after they had taken out their loans. This lack of transparency has undermined confidence in the system and reinforces the need for urgent reform.
Fire Service Cuts and Public Safety
I was pleased to join the Fire Brigades Union outside Parliament for the launch of their ‘Cuts Kill’ campaign. Since 2010, more than 12,000 firefighter posts have been cut, fire cover has been reduced, and response times have been stretched. With fewer firefighters on engines and in control rooms, these cuts are putting lives at risk, and I will continue to support calls for proper investment in our fire and rescue services.
Tackling Homelessness in Salford
It was a pleasure to join Jenni from Salford Loaves and Fishes in Parliament for a reception with Homeless Link, kindly hosted by Lord Best OBE. It was really valuable to hear more about the £37 million “Ending Homelessness in Communities” fund and how it can support and strengthen local responses here in Salford.
Charities like Salford Loaves and Fishes are doing vital frontline work, supporting people facing homelessness with everything from emergency provision to longer-term help navigating housing, health and benefits systems. Funding like this has the potential to build on that work, helping to prevent homelessness earlier and provide more joined-up support for those in need.
I will continue working with local organisations, the Council and national partners to ensure Salford can benefit from this investment, and to push for the sustained funding and policy change needed to tackle homelessness at its root.
Improving Early Diagnosis of Bowel Cancer
New data from Bowel Cancer UK shows that around one in four bowel cancer patients are diagnosed in an emergency setting, often when the disease is more advanced and harder to treat. This has a significant impact on survival rates and highlights the urgent need to improve early diagnosis.
I joined colleagues from across Parliament in writing to the Prime Minister to call for action, including improving access to screening, raising awareness of symptoms, and ensuring faster referrals so cancers are caught earlier. Early detection saves lives, and we must do more to ensure people receive timely diagnosis and treatment, rather than reaching crisis point before getting the care they need.
- Read our letter here.
Standing up for NHS Staff
I joined UNISON members on the picket line at Salford Royal this month. NHS staff work incredibly hard to keep our health service running, often going above and beyond their contracted hours, and they deserve fair pay for the extra hours they work.
I stand in full solidarity with staff across the Northern Care Alliance who are standing up for their Agenda for Change overtime terms. I have also raised these concerns directly with the Northern Care Alliance and will continue pressing for a fair resolution. Fair treatment at work is essential not only for staff morale, but for retaining the skilled workforce our NHS depends on.
Concessionary travel pass update
From Sunday 1st March, a really positive change has come into effect for older and disabled residents across Greater Manchester. Concessionary travel pass holders can now travel for free at any time of day on local buses, including before 9.30am.
This will make a real difference for people who rely on buses to get to work, attend appointments, or stay connected with their communities, and I’m pleased to see Greater Manchester taking this step to make public transport more accessible and inclusive.
Cllr David Lancaster (1945-2026)
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Councillor David Lancaster MBE. For nearly six decades, David gave his life to public service in Salford, championing regeneration, community safety and opportunity for local people.
His contribution to our city, from the Quays to neighbourhood policing initiatives, leaves a lasting legacy.
My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
Salford has lost a giant of local Government.
Supporting Families in Broughton
I recently visited A Little Extra in Broughton, a brilliant peer support group for families of children with Down syndrome. The group is entirely volunteer-led and provides a real lifeline for parents navigating the health, education and benefits systems.
If you are a Salford family with a child with Down syndrome and would like to get involved, I would encourage you to get in touch.
Out and about in Salford
It was great to be out and about across Salford with hardworking Team Salford Labour councillors and members, speaking to residents and picking up a wide range of local casework. Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and chat, and to those who joined us on the day. These conversations are invaluable in helping me represent Salford in Parliament and take up the issues that matter most to our communities.
Rebecca Long-Bailey 