Letter from Parliament - Tony Lloyd MP

Tony Lloyd MP

I have had a busy week which started with a ministerial brief regarding a military consultation on the Iraq and Syria issue against IS. The role troops play is important and we know terror is a threat from those countries.

I met with Wayne Jones, president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, regarding business needs across Greater Manchester.

The Consumer Council for Water is the independent voice of all water consumers in England and Wales, standing up for people like you and me, and I had an interesting meeting with their representatives.

A big issue 40 years ago was children who have been damaged through hormone pregnancy tests. The ensuing consequences were seriously damaging because mums were not told. I met with campaigners who are seeking recognition that it took place and who want to ensure it does not happen to others in the future.

Many of you will know that I was previously the Police Crime Commissioner in Greater Manchester and I of course retain an interest in police and crime issues, particularly now in Rochdale. An ongoing problem, though not as bad in Rochdale as other places, is dealing with gang violence and I met with government ministers to discuss strategies to try and end such violence.

Next up was a meeting with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. The Partnership is the body made up of the 37 NHS organisations and councils in the city region, which is overseeing devolution and taking charge of the £6bn health and social care budget. With health and social care being devolved to Greater Manchester it is important to ensure the transition from national government runs smoothly and that the health and well being of Greater Manchester's 2.8 million people is improved as quickly as possible.

Public sector workers have had to contend with a Tory government imposed pay cap - of below 1% - for far too long. I attended a trades union organised rally to lend my support to the call for an end to the pay cap.

I attended a Macmillan coffee morning in Parliament, and whilst I know how brilliant the nurses are for caring for those who are dying, it was interesting to hear more about the important role the nurses play in helping survivors.

With winter fast approaching it is important to get protected against flu. Those who have the injections help protect those who don’t or can’t have it as less people catch flu. I went to get my jab but, unfortunately, they ran out by the time I was due to have mine. I shall be ensuring I get the jab soon and I encourage the public to have it too.

I think we can all agree that we need better housing, and more houses being built. I attended a meeting which seeks to address the current shortage of good quality housing across the north of England.

Back in Rochdale I met with Petrus officials and they spoke with me about the issues they deal with and the support they get to deliver a vital service.

The JD Sports warehouse on Kingsway Business Park has expanded dramatically since it first arrived, and is expanding again now. Over 1,700 are currently employed at Kingsway and I was delighted to be asked to make a presentation.

The way the government has implemented Universal Credit has caused a lot of major problems around families not being able to afford to eat, getting into rent arrears and even evictions. Claimants have to wait at least six weeks before any money is paid out, and some are having to wait three months. This has to change and I met with representatives of Citizens Advice to discuss the problems because Universal Credit is coming to Rochdale on Valentine’s Day next year. It is clear there is not that much love for the whole thing, and quite rightly there is pressure being applied on the government to at least ensure the system works properly, but we do need to continue to push for it to change - something I and my Labour colleagues will continue to do.

Friday soon comes and tonight I am attending a local Labour Party meeting.

This weekend I shall be in Littleborough for the 'Little Pink Borough' judging and also taking up an invitation to a coffee morning in Littleborough.