This week in Parliament
With some time to spare this evening I thought I’d give you a flavour of some of the things I’ve been up to this week:
Monday
Spoke in the House of Commons asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Bury Council could use the £4 million Additional Restrictions Grant provided by central Government to support self-employed businesses and sole traders who work from their home address. The Chancellor confirmed they could and the implementation of the scheme locally was at the discretion of the relevant local authority.
Attended a meeting of the Northern Recovery Group, with the Minister for Vaccines Nadhim Zahawi discussing rollout progress and plans.
Attended a meeting of Conservative Councillors in Bury.
Debates took place in the House of Commons on Global Britain and the Vaccine roll out.
Called on Bury Council to immediately use the £4 million Additional Restrictions Grant to support Bury business in need – now. Wrote, along with the MP for Bury South, to the leadership of Bury MBC requesting they prioritise financial support to home-based businesses, who have not received previous grants as they do not pay business rates.
Tuesday
Attended Bury Business Leaders Group Meeting to discuss financial support for businesses in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington. Confirmation that Bury MBC were to receive a further £2 million payment from the government, meaning the Council will have a £6 million fund to support businesses throughout the Borough.
Took part in Justice Select Committee hearing on how the courts and criminal justice system are dealing with the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Spoke in the House of Commons in the COVID 19 debate. I called on the government to offer further financial support to the hospitality sector and businesses in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington, specifically those who have not qualified for previous local authority administered grants.
Had a call with the Number 10 Press Secretary to hear about how we ensure politics is made more transparent.
The Foreign Secretary spoke about the situation in Xinjiang, China and the human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims. I am pleased the government has taken a tough line on this issue.
Defence Secretary updated the House on how the armed forces are being brought in to help with the vaccination programme, including the North West. This followed a meeting I had with the Defence Secretary the week before.
Wednesday
The Prime Minister took questions from MP’s in weekly PMQ’s. Some questions focused on food hampers and the PM took a firm line saying that we will do everything we can to ensure no child goes hungry as a result of this pandemic.
Meeting with Hope instead of Handcuffs campaign who oppose the mandatory handcuffing of troubled young people within the care and criminal justice systems.
Full day dealing with constituency casework, speaking with businesses, schools and medical professionals together with constituents.
Thursday
Spoke at a conference in my role as Chair of the APPG for Youth Employment. Setting out how we can increase opportunities for young people across Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington.
Meeting with the Football Association regarding football and facilities within my constituency. I was asked to support a parliamentary campaign to increase legal protections for referees in amateur football and the growing problem of violence being used against them.
Took part in Justice Select Committee confirmation hearing for the Inspector of the Crown prosecution Service, together with a detailed discussion with representatives of the Office for National Statistics.
Meeting with campaigners on Tuks Law, which is part of my Private Members Bill currently before the House.
Spoke in Westminster Hall debate on the protection of human rights in Kashmir.
Friday
Conference call with the Mayor of GM, together with other MP’s from our region.
Discussion with Deputy Mayor of GM, representatives of the retail sector and other MP’s to discuss how the police and our justice system must offer better protection to retail workers who are suffering increasing levels of physical attack and intimidation.
Attended further meeting with the Minister for Vaccine Deployment. Positive news that the government are confident the top 4 priority groups will be vaccinated by mid-February.
Meeting with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Chief Executive of Bury MBC. Confirmation of the positive progress of vaccine rollout within Bury and confirmation that a new scheme will be brought to the cabinet next week, confirming the application process for local businesses to apply for support from the £6 million Additional Restrictions Grant held by the Council.
Saturday / Sunday
Meeting with DWP Ministers and the Chancellor on government support for vulnerable families,
Meeting with Education Minister and Minister for Children and Families. Received confirmation of the funding process for early years providers, including Hoyle Nursery School where I am a governor.
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