Last Saturday, I was invited to give the key-note speech at the North West Women’s conference. It was fantastic to see so many women in attendance and taking part in a day filled with speeches, workshops, training and discussion. My speech from the conference, titled
I am calling for an end to the ‘stark inequalities’ in breast cancer diagnosis and care across England, following the launch of a new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer (APPGBC). The landmark report uncovers the true extent of the ‘postcode lottery’ in breast
Check out the recent edition of my e-newsletter here. This edition contains information on Carillion and Government failure, , and constituency and parliamentary news including remembering my dear friend Councillor Sue Dearden and the inspirational work she did, at her funeral. Rest in
On International Women’s Day, it is right that we celebrate the contribution of women in our society, and step up our fight for equality. But while we will hear warm words from the Prime Minister, the reality is that under her government women are being hit hard by austerity, from cuts to
I spoke at the TUC pensions conference as Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and detailed the alternative Labour can provide. My speech, based on the issue of “In from the pension fringes: when will social and green issues go mainstream?” is below, in full. “I welcome the
Debbie: Labour will help the 4520 households in Oldham East and Saddleworth affected by fuel poverty
It’s shocking that in Oldham East and Saddleworth, 4520 households (10.8%) live in fuel poverty and cannot even afford to heat their homes, as highlighted by Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (23/2/18). Fuel poverty affects over four million households across the UK and energy costs hit the poor
As freezing temperatures trigger emergency winter funding across the UK, I am encouraging people to check in on their neighbours, and anyone who may be vulnerable. The current big freeze has triggered Cold Weather Payments as the temperature is predicted to hover around freezing for
This Conservative Government has tried to justify the accelerated increase in the state pension age on improvements in life expectancy. The evidence from several analyses is clear: increases in life expectancy have slowed markedly and at older ages may even be reversing. The Government must
In marking the centenary of women’s suffrage today, I remember the life of Annie Kenney, a cotton mill worker, from Springhead in my constituency who was the only working class woman to hold a senior position in the Women’s Social and Political Union. Annie became a leading figure in the
I have been approached for help by Oldham based building contractor Johnson Bros Ltd who have been left with unpaid invoices of over £145,000 following the collapse of the construction giant Carillion. I’ve been running my Be Fair – Pay on Time campaign for several