Letter from Parliament - Tony Lloyd

Tony Lloyd MP

It was quite quiet this week as Parliament has broken up for its summer recess.

We began the week with a Shadow Cabinet away day, looking at the Labour strategy for Brexit and general elections.

There has been some trouble in recent weeks in Northern Ireland, particularly in Derry, with petrol bombs and live rounds being fired. I met campaign groups for both sides to hear them and it was well worth being over there.

I met with the Mayor of Rochdale for a catch-up, and later met with Andy Burnham, Liz McInnes and Jim McMahon about the antisocial behaviour on the Metrolink trams. We are asking for real action to bear down because this behaviour puts people off using the service.

I visited Rochdale Job Centre to listen to people’s concerns about Universal Credit. Some people on disability premiums are losing out, and we need to take a closer look at this.

Personal Independence Payments, which are replacing Disability Living Allowance, is another problem. Lots of people have had theirs refused, only to have it reinstated when they’ve kicked up a fuss, which they shouldn’t have to do. I’m very concerned this system is broken.