August newsletter

Welcome to my August newsletter!

Even though Parliament is in recess, there’s still a great deal happening across Salford, and my team and I continue to work hard for constituents. From urgent housing concerns and NHS issues to protecting our environment, it’s been another busy month.

This month alone, I’ve resolved 939 cases and responded to more than 1,560 emails. As always, I’m putting Salford first.

A proud northern voice in Downing Street

Congratulations to Andy Burnham on becoming Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister. It is good to see a proud northern voice at the heart of government, and a leader who has promised to be unashamedly and authentically Labour. I wish Andy every success as he takes on this important role and works to deliver the change people across Salford and the country need.

Congratulations also to Bev Craig on being elected Mayor of Greater Manchester. I look forward to working with Bev to stand up for Salford and deliver for communities across our city-region. There is much to do, and I look forward to working together to make Greater Manchester a fairer, greener and more prosperous place for everyone.

A new future for Clarendon Leisure Centre

It’s fantastic to see the first images of the new Clarendon Leisure Centre and the exciting future ahead for Pendleton and the wider Salford community. I’ve been working closely with City Mayor Paul Dennett, Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Salford City Council and government ministers to help get us to this point. There is still work to do, but this is a huge step forward. After more than two years without this much-loved community facility, local families can now see what is coming: a new swimming pool, gym, sports courts, café, play area and much more. This will be a fantastic facility for Pendleton and the wider city, and I’m delighted to see the plans moving forward.

Completing the welfare state: a National Care Service

We often like to tell ourselves that the creation of the NHS in 1948 marked the completion of a moral and political revolution. Healthcare would be provided according to need, not ability to pay – a bold statement about the kind of society Britain wanted to become. But that revolution was only half completed. Social care was never fully brought into the same settlement. Today, care in old age, disability and chronic illness remains fragmented, means-tested and too often dependent on postcode, bureaucracy and personal wealth.

That has to change. I was encouraged to see the new Prime Minister put the creation of a National Care Service firmly back on the agenda, with a commitment to build a system that works alongside the NHS, improve conditions for care workers and finally confront a problem Westminster has ducked for far too long. Now we need to turn that ambition into action. A National Care Service should guarantee dignity, independence and support according to need, not ability to pay, completing the unfinished work of the welfare state.

• Read my article here on why we urgently need to make it happen.

Backing the BBC and public service broadcasting

The BBC is woven into Salford’s economy and identity, from MediaCity and local radio to the thousands of skilled jobs it supports. But years of cuts are putting that success at risk, alongside trusted journalism, regional programming and the principle of universal public service broadcasting. At a time of misinformation, AI-generated fake news and increasing concentration of media ownership, strong and independent public service journalism matters more than ever. With Charter Renewal approaching, this should be an opportunity to strengthen the BBC, protect jobs and invest in the services people rely on – not shrink them further.

• In my latest article for PoliticsHome, I set out why we must fight for a properly funded, independent and universal BBC. Read it here.

Solidarity with NHS theatre staff

UNISON North West members working in theatres across the Northern Care Alliance took industrial action over pay. These dedicated NHS staff should not be paid less for stepping up to cover staffing shortages. The Trust must return to negotiations and work with UNISON to reach a fair settlement. I stand with the workers fighting for fair pay and recognition for the vital work they do.

Have your say on Salford’s future

Salford’s Local Plan will help shape how our city develops through to 2043, covering everything from new homes and jobs to green spaces and neighbourhood development. The final consultation is now open, giving residents the opportunity to have their say before the plan is finalised.

• Please share your views by Friday 25 September: https://www.salford.gov.uk/slp-part2-publication

Reforming House of Lords

I’ve co-signed a cross-party letter calling on the Prime Minister to establish a national commission on reform of the House of Lords. More than half of our legislature should not remain unelected. We need a second chamber that is representative, accountable and better reflects the nations and regions of the UK. There is clear public support for change, and this is an opportunity to build a fairer and more democratic system that commands greater trust. It is time to move forward with meaningful reform.

• You can read the letter in full here.

Protecting housing association residents

I’ve co-signed a letter calling on the Government to take tougher action to protect housing association tenants and leaseholders. Too many residents are left battling lengthy complaints processes, unresolved repairs, opaque service charges and a system where repeated failures can go without meaningful consequences. We are calling for stronger enforcement of Housing Ombudsman decisions, fair and consistent compensation, greater transparency for residents and tougher penalties where housing associations repeatedly fail to meet their responsibilities. Everyone deserves a safe, secure home and a housing system that is properly accountable when things go wrong.

• You can read the letter in full here.

Protecting the five-year route to settlement

I’m proud to sponsor a cross-party motion calling on the Government to retain the five-year pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain for existing Skilled Worker visa holders. People came to the UK in good faith, worked in vital services, paid taxes, contributed to our communities and built their lives around the rules they were given. Retrospectively changing those rules would be deeply unfair and risk undermining trust in the immigration system, while worsening skills shortages in areas such as health, engineering and social care. People who have kept their side of the bargain should be able to expect the Government to keep its side too.

Fairer travel insurance for cancer survivors

I’ve co-signed a motion calling for a UK “Right to Be Forgotten” so that cancer survivors are no longer unfairly penalised by travel insurers because of a historic diagnosis. Too many people who have completed treatment, are stable or clinically low risk still face excessive premiums or are refused cover altogether, making holidays and time with loved ones unnecessarily difficult. If clinicians say someone is fit to travel, a past cancer diagnosis should not automatically price them out of making precious memories. It is time for a fairer system that reflects people’s current health, not simply their medical history.

Salford community spirit in Weaste

It was lovely to join Salford Litter Heroes, Weaste & Seedley Social Club, Councillors Charlotte Youd and Wilson Nkurunziza, Alexis Sharma, Gareth, Ben, Ian and local residents for a litter pick in Weaste. The team put a real shift in, and it was especially nice to see people passing by stop to ask what was happening and then roll up their sleeves and join in too. That’s proper Salford community spirit in action, people coming together and taking pride in where they live.

Standing with Ordsall residents

It was a pleasure to join Ordsall residents, Brendan, Miranda and Councillor Ben Grogan at the Save Our Shops / Regent Road Retail Park community meeting. There is a real strength of feeling locally about the proposals, and residents deserve to have their concerns properly heard – particularly around social housing, parking, local services, the loss of vital shops and what will ultimately be delivered on the site. I’ll continue standing alongside the community and local councillors to make sure those concerns are taken seriously.

• Find out more about the campaign, the latest updates and how to get involved by clicking here.

Free school uniform exchange

It’s August, so you may already be seeing the “back to school” posts starting to appear. But did you know Salford’s free school uniform exchange is open all year round? Families can donate good-quality uniform they no longer need or pick up items free of charge, helping to reduce both costs and waste.

• Find out more here.

Celebrating Salford’s community spirit

It was lovely to meet National Lottery Local Champion Amit Patel and his family, owners of Duchy Stores One Stop, at their street party celebrating the local community. It was a wonderful event bringing neighbours together and showcasing the warmth, pride and community spirit that makes Salford such a special place.

Remembering the victims of the Gatumba massacre

It was an honour to join the Banyamulenge UK Community Association and Gatumba Refugee Survivors Foundation in Salford to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 2004 Gatumba massacre. It was a deeply moving occasion to remember those who were killed, stand alongside survivors and offer support to all those who continue to mourn their loved ones. My thanks to everyone who organised and attended such an important commemoration.

Remembering Terry Lewis

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of former Worsley MP Terry Lewis. Terry was a Salford legend, a dedicated constituency MP and a proper Labour representative who was never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. For more than two decades, he served the people of Worsley with great commitment, always putting his constituents and his principles first. His contribution to Salford’s political and civic life will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with Terry’s family, friends and all those who knew and worked alongside him.

Out and about in Salford

While the Greater Manchester Mayoral election has given us plenty of opportunities to be out speaking with residents, our work in Salford goes on all year round. From doorsteps and community events to local meetings and street stalls, being out in our communities is one of the best ways to hear directly from residents about the issues that matter to them. We’ve picked up plenty of casework along the way and been able to help people with problems they might not otherwise have known where to take. A huge thank you to Salford Labour councillors and members, City Mayor Paul Dennett and everyone who has joined us out and about across the city. Most importantly, thank you to every resident who has stopped to speak with us, raise an issue or simply say hello. Whatever the time of year, we’ll keep being out in our communities, listening, helping and putting Salford first.