Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2026
3 contributions
Regional Accents and Social Mobility
I beg to move,
That this House has considered regional accents and social mobility.
Thank you for chairing this debate, Sir Roger. The way we speak reveals so much about us. Long before we explain our politics, our profession or our background—the moment we open our mouths—our accents instantly si…
I cannot agree more with that statement; I think we are grasping that more and more. We do not have to come from the places we represent—I do not—but representing our communities does matter and it is about being ourselves. I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention.
Colleagues across both Houses…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Home Department
8 June 2026
2 contributions
Illegal High Street Trading
7. What steps her Department is taking to help tackle illegal trading on high streets.
We welcome the creation of the Government’s high street organised crime unit, and in particular its focus on strengthened partnership working between enforcement agencies. In Leigh and Atherton, communities can see that commitment, but they are asking when they will see action on dodgy shops operati…
Commons
Oral Questions
23 April 2026
Business of the House
As Members will know, this week Parliament welcomed Prestur, the wonderful Icelandic horse showcasing the value of animal-assisted and community-based support for neurodivergent people. May I personally thank you for that, Mr Speaker? I am sure you agree that we have never seen so many fat smiles on…
Commons
Oral Questions
23 April 2026
Topical Questions
T2. Happy St George’s day, Mr Speaker. The covid-19 inquiry exposed how long covid was repeatedly dismissed, despite its lasting impact on nearly 2 million people, including me. Can the Minister reassure those living with long covid that the Government will fully act on the inquiry’s findings and ex…
Commons
Debate
14 April 2026
Crime and Policing Bill
When people talk about feeling safe where they live, they are talking not about spreadsheets or crime statistics, but about whether they feel okay walking home at night, whether their local shops can open their doors without worrying about theft or abuse, and whether, when something does go wrong, t…
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 March 2026
4 contributions
Social Enterprises and Community Ownership
I beg to move,
That this House has considered social enterprises and community ownership.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir John.
When people make speeches about post-industrial towns like mine, they often begin in the same way: by listing everything that we have lost. They talk…
My hon. Friend is a great advocate for the co-operative movement, whose birthplace is in his constituency. I absolutely agree with him—there is more the Government can do to support co-operatives in all sectors.
Today, the co-operative spirit is alive and well in my constituency. In towns like mine…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Education
2 March 2026
2 contributions
School SEND Provision
22. What steps she is taking to improve SEND provision in schools.
Families in Leigh and Atherton are exhausted from constantly fighting for the SEND support their children need, so I welcome the White Paper’s proposals, including individual support plans and more inclusion bases in schools, because inclusive education benefits everyone. These reforms must come wit…
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
29 January 2026
Hospitality Sector
A lot of the hospitality small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency start out as market traders. As we know, our markets are a vital part of our identity and central to our local ecosystem, giving businesses the space to start, test and grow. Does the Minister agree that markets and hospi…
Commons
Westminster Hall
20 January 2026
ADHD Diagnosis
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I rise to speak as chair of the APPG on ADHD. As someone from a neurodiverse—or, as we call it, neuro-spicy—household, I understand the difference that support can make and the consequences when it is missing.
I want to address an elephant in …
Commons
Ministerial Statement
15 January 2026
Business of the House
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week I visited Howe Bridge leisure centre to meet sensei Billy Higgins and watch one of his much-loved karate sessions. There are too many accolades to list today, but as a founder, international champion and dedicated instructor, Billy has transformed young peo…
Commons
Proceedings
15 January 2026
Digital ID
I thank the Minister for his announcement about the changes to digital ID. As a neighbouring MP, he will know that I recently held a public meeting in Leigh and Atherton, and there was overwhelming agreement that this should not be mandatory, so the decision will be welcomed by many. However, can he…
Commons
Oral Questions
13 January 2026
2 contributions
ADHD Services
10. What steps his Department is taking to improve ADHD services.
I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party parliament group on ADHD. ADHD providers estimate that untreated ADHD could cost the economy £11.2 billion over the next decade, largely due to avoidable impacts on justice, employment, education and health. Will the Minister commit to ensure that …
Commons
Proceedings
4 December 2025
Business of the House
Like others, to mark Parliament Week I had the pleasure of visiting Leigh Church of England primary school and hearing directly from students about their campaign to support teaching assistants. It was inspiring to see young people championing those who support them, showing real democratic engageme…
Commons
Proceedings
2 December 2025
Budget Resolutions
The autumn Budget shapes the choices we make and the kind of society we want to build together. After 14 years of mismanagement, this Budget is about turning the page. It is about moving from uncertainty to opportunity, and about giving people the confidence that the Government are on their side. Th…
Commons
Westminster Hall
19 November 2025
3 contributions
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Mundell. I declare my interest as chair of both the all-party parliamentary group on myalgic encephalomyelitis and the all-party parliamentary group on long covid. I thank the hon. Member for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt) for bringing this impo…
I agree, and I recognise every single one of those issues. As chair of the APPG, I hear about the harrowing cases of what people are struggling with on the pathway to healthcare. It is simply not good enough.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 November 2025
2 contributions
Flood Risk and Flood Defence Infrastructure: North-west England
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington South (Sarah Hall) for securing the debate, which is so important, especially with the winter months approaching.
As we have just heard, in January the north-west faced floods of such feroci…
I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. As near neighbours, we share the same concerns. I do think that the Greater Manchester combined authority is leading on some really good work, pulling in all the agencies in order to work on the responsibilities of some of those partners, and we need to be…
Commons
Westminster Hall
5 November 2025
Financial Transparency: Overseas Territories
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Twigg. I begin by paying tribute to my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour the Member for Bolton West (Phil Brickell) for his work in this House and outside it to combat fraud and corruption. His steadfast resolve is to be commended. I have proba…
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
Houses in Multiple Occupation: Planning Consent
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for securing this important debate.
In my constituency, the rise of HMOs is a growing concern. As other Members have said, HMOs provide vital accommodation for key workers, students …
Commons
Oral Questions
Business and Trade
30 October 2025
2 contributions
Small and Medium-sized Businesses
11. What steps he is taking to help support business growth through his Department’s plan for small and medium-sized businesses.
Leigh and Atherton has many exceptional SMEs that are driving local growth, particularly in manufacturing, engineering and construction. What steps is the Minister taking to make sure that SMEs in areas like mine receive targeted support as part of efforts to address regional imbalance and reduce re…
Commons
Westminster Hall
21 October 2025
Co-operative Sector: Government Support
It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Turner. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton (Jim McMahon) for bringing this really important debate to the House.
I am immensely proud to represent the communities of Leigh and Atherton—towns that embody the v…
Commons
Oral Questions
Education
20 October 2025
2 contributions
Children with SEND: Mainstream Schools
4. What steps her Department is taking to improve support for children with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools.
I thank the Secretary of State for visiting Golborne All Saints during the summer. As she saw, it is a shining example of inclusive education in action. As we mark ADHD Awareness Month, will the Minister outline the potential impact of the curriculum review on children with ADHD, and how that can be…
Commons
Westminster Hall
16 October 2025
Ada Lovelace Day
It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Ms Furniss, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Lizzi Collinge) for bringing this important issue to the House for debate today.
As we know, Ada Lovelace Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women in science, te…
Commons
Debate
11 September 2025
Regional Transport Inequality
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Derby North (Catherine Atkinson) for bringing this really important debate to the House.
Growth goes where growth is, but when transport is inefficient, access to opportunity is limited. Leigh and Atherton, once thriving industrial hubs, now sit between Manches…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
11 September 2025
Business of the House
Our high streets in Leigh and Atherton are being undermined by illicit shops that are used for money laundering, illegal working and counterfeit goods. Raids on shops have taken place this week, leading to the seizure of over £10,000-worth of illicit goods, but the shops reopen within hours. Crimina…
Commons
Debate
2 September 2025
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
I refer Members to my declaration in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The fight to rebuild trust in politics must begin in our communities. In Leigh and Atherton, people want to feel proud of the place that they call home. They want visible investment and the power to shape their future…