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News from
Debbie Abrahams MP
For Oldham East and Saddleworth
April 2019
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Contact Me
Call the Oldham office: 0161 624 4248
Send an e-mail to: abrahamsd@parliament.uk
Website: www.debbieabrahams.org.uk
Twitter: @debbie_abrahams
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebbieAbrahamsOES
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Dear <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>
This latest edition contains an update on Brexit, the local elections, my annual Summer School and my activities across the constituency and in Parliament.
For more regular news you can like my page on Facebook, follow me on twitter or visit my website.
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Debbie Abrahams MP |
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Brexit
Since I last wrote to you about Brexit, the EU has agreed to an extension on a potential Brexit deal until October. In addition, European Elections are also likely to take place on 23rd May if no agreement is in place.
Detailed talks have been taking place between the Labour Party and the Conservative Government. The talks so far have covered customs, services, workers’ rights, environmental protections, entrenchment of commitments, a confirmatory public vote, and the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
However, disappointingly, there has been little shift in the Government's ‘red lines’, which is essential if we are to secure a compromise agreement that a majority in Parliament can get behind. Labour has agreed to hold further talks and will continue to work to find a compromise that can win support in Parliament.
Meanwhile the progress that Britain needs, whether it’s to re-balance our economy so that the North gets its fair share of growth, to address the shocking low pay too many workers face including across Oldham, or the collapse of our public services as austerity strips them bare, has stalled.
I understand and share the utter frustration of many of you. Brexit is a mess. I repeat the point that I have made a number of times over the last few months, I will continue to argue for a deal that will be in the best interests of my constituents, trying to find a way through that respects democracy but doesn’t harm my constituents. You can read my full statement here.
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Local Elections - Thursday 2 May
The local elections are fast approaching and you have your opportunity to have your say on Thursday 2 May. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.
Voting Labour at the local elections means a vote for more affordable homes to rent and buy including council houses, an extra 10,000 bobbies on the beat, introducing smaller class sizes in primary schools, and a plan to start properly funding our social care services.
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Summer School 2019 - Applications open
Applications for my sixth annual summer school are now open. The Summer School will run between 8th and 19th July 2019 and is open to 16-24 years olds. If you want to learn more about politics, community development and how you can make a difference in your local area then please do apply! Find out more here.
To register your interest in the summer school, send a letter of application with a curriculum vitae by email to abrahamsd@parliament.uk – (let us know in the CV if you own a rail-card and give us the details). A person specification can be found here. The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Monday 10th June.
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Constituency update
I have hit out at the decision not to include Greenfield station in the latest round of government funding under the Access for All scheme which aims to upgrade access at train stations across the UK. And what makes it even worse, is the fact that of the 45 stations to be upgraded, 25 of them are in Tory constituencies, including the constituency of the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling! Even Tory MPs are saying that the Access for All scheme is painfully slow. Theresa May has promised to make all stations accessible and I will hold her to that promise. Read more here.
My thanks to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services (GMFRS) and a number of local agencies and volunteers for their response and hard work, over what has sadly been a very busy time for them, tackling numerous fires on the moors and hills above Uppermill and Delph. I know many residents are concerned by the numerous fires in the last year. I have contacted the GMFRS about their investigation on the causes of these fires and particularly on the use of portable and disposable barbecues. I will continue to work closely with local agencies and push Government on the need for better resources so we can tackle this problem.
I want to congratulate my constituency caseworker, George Hulme, Jim McMahon MP and local businessman, Jey Ali when they helped a local woman who had her bag stolen whilst waiting for a bus. Thankfully, they were able return the bag to Ms Mitchell. Well done all!
I had an extremely useful meeting with the Oldham interfaith forum identifying work we can collaborate on to make a difference in our Borough. In conjunction with Oldham Council, the churches have played a significant role in ensuring rough sleepers have had somewhere to sleep at night. We are also planning a vigil this Saturday at the Civic Centre in memory of those who died in terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Please check my twitter and facebook page for timings, once they are confirmed.
I have been visiting a number of local schools to speak to pupils about my role as an MP. This is one of the best parts of my job and I've been impressed by their knowledge and engagement. We have some wonderfully talented young people in our Borough and I know many of them will make their own mark on society in the future.
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Parliamentary update
During a debate on 10 years of the work capability assessment (WCA) in Parliament last week, I named 27 people who died after being found fit for work - my full speech can be viewed here. I also demanded that there should be a moratorium on all new assessments while there is an independent inquiry into the deaths of people found fit for work after these assessments, and for reassessments medical evidence should be used instead of the flawed WCA.
In the wake of the horrific attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, I have signed a joint letter to the Home Secretary, asking him to deliver on the funding to improve and increase security for places of worship. We have not yet received a reply to our letter, but the Home Office has announced security training and advice through 12 safety and security workshops across England and Wales, as well as guidance and leaflets to protect places of worship from hate crime attacks. This can be viewed here. Applicants can register an interest in the places of worship scheme by emailing, securityfundingced@homeoffice.gov.uk
During a statement on racism and sport, I asked for more from our leaders in sport, the public and private sector, and also in politics, for us to tackle racism and discrimination not just in football, but across society.
I questioned the Chancellor in Parliament and demanded an end to the social security freeze which is contributing to poor people dying early. Watch my question here.
As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dementia, I visited UK Dementia Research Institute labs to discuss the current dementia research landscape yesterday. It was fascinating and I have pledged to work with the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK to push for a 'Dementia Revolution' in funding, for research into prevention, treatment and care.
During Health Questions, I asked the Health Minister why my constituent who has terminal secondary breast cancer has had her Personal Independent Payment assessment refused despite having letters from her doctors confirming her condition. Watch here.
Please go to my website to read my latest articles and speeches.
https://twitter.com/UKLabour/status/1044980165103644677
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