Dear Constituent,

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Denton and Reddish weekly news. 

It's been another busy week, and there's plenty to update you on, including some really exciting Business Award Success. 

Scroll down to find out more!

In May, I'll be taking to the skies in a Wing Walk for 9-year old Florence. Florence has a rare life-limiting degenerative condition called #GM1. We're raising money for Florence and her family to make wonderful memories. If you can, please click below to donate.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has slammed Halifax’s decision to close their Denton branch.

At midday on Tuesday Halifax announced that – effective from the 30th of August – the branch will shut, leaving the town without a bank. The bank has said that closures are part of a move to respond to changes in customer patterns and reduced footfall in physical branches.

However, Gwynne has stated that the closure will ‘exclude customers’ from accessing banking services and leave local residents in the lurch.

Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said: 

“This is an incredibly short-sighted decision that will exclude customers from accessing banking services.

I appreciate that the way people bank is changing, but local people need to be able to access a physical bank, especially if they are not comfortable or able to access online services. I’m incredibly concerned that this decision will leave local people in the lurch.

I am also disappointed at the lack of communication from Halifax before reaching this decision. I was only informed of the closure a few minutes before the public announcement was made, leaving me no time to argue against this decision on behalf of residents. I will be speaking with the bank directly, and urging them to reverse this decision.”

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, is urging constituents to learn the livesaving skill of CPR in just 15 minutes with the British Heat Foundation’s RevivR training.

Gwynne learned CPR with RevivR at an event in Parliament last week. Hosted by the British Heart Foundation, the event brought together MPs from across the political spectrum to teach them how to save a life when someone has a cardiac arrest using RevivR, the BHF’s innovative online training tool.

In 15 minutes, RevivR can teach you how to recognise a cardiac arrest, give feedback on chest compressions and outline how to correctly use a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to step in and save a life in the event of the ultimate medical emergency.

The training is easy, quick and free – all you need is a mobile phone and a cushion. Learn CPR with RevivR here: https://revivr.bhf.org.uk/.

At the event, Gwynne met married couple Nicky and Michael Lack from Buckinghamshire. Nicky saved Michael’s life with quick CPR and defibrillation in 2018 after he had a cardiac arrest in their family home. They spoke about the power of CPR and defibrillation to save lives.

Immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival – yet a recent survey suggests that more than a third of adults across the country have never undertaken any form of CPR training. The BHF is urging everyone to learn lifesaving CPR and give someone the best chance of survival from a cardiac arrest.

Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said:

“CPR can save lives, and it was incredible to see this essential skill being taught in a new and innovative way.

The more people who know CPR, the more lives that could be saved. The RevivR tool is so simple and effective, all you need is a mobile phone and a cushion.

I would urge all my constituents to learn through RevivR. A huge thanks also to the BHF for all the great work they do in raising awareness of cardiac arrests.”

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said:

“A huge thanks to Andrew for attending our event in Parliament that highlighted just how easy it is to learn CPR.

A cardiac arrest can strike anyone, at any time – including those we love the most. But immediate CPR and defibrillation can save their lives. We’re urging everyone to spend just 15 minutes to learn CPR using our free online training tool, RevivR. Take the 15 minutes to learn CPR today – it could save a life, a loved one.”

Gwynne at the BHF Parliamentary reception last week.

 BUSINESS AWARDS PARTNERSHIP 

Back in 2021, Platform Personal Training Gym won my Business Award for Dukinfield. Last year, Body Contour Beauty did the same. 

This year, both Dukinfield winners have made the official decision to partner up! This partnership aims to spread the word and support customers of both businesses. 

Today I dropped into Body Contour Beauty to chat to Mark and Sara about their businesses, and what this fantastic partnership hopes to achieve. 

When I started my awards a few years ago, I never imagined they'd become so popular, and actually end up bringing brilliant businesses together. Well done Mark and Sara!

 WATCH: We have a debate in Westminster Hall on how best to support the medical technology sector. I respond in my capacity as Labour's Shadow Public Health Minister.

Medtech is a massive industry, which has the potential to transform how we deliver NHS services. From diagnostics to patient access, there is really impressive work here in the UK, the Government must make sure it is doing everything it can to support it.

 WATCH: We have an urgent question on a report which highlights serious concerns about the strip searching of children by the police.

The Government must set out how it plans to ensure safeguards are in place to protect children across the country.

 WATCH: At Levelling-Up and Housing Questions I ask why Denton and Reddish is covered in glitzy “Levelling-Up” posters when Reddish was rejected in Round One, and Denton was rejected in Round Two of the Levelling-Up Fund.

 WATCH: In Justice Questions, I ask about the probation service which has been described as ''in survival mode'' due to staffing shortages.

Rehabilitation is an essential aspect of the criminal justice system, but is at real risk unless the Government tackles these problems.

READ: Thanks to the Tameside Reporter for covering my comments on the news that Halifax are closing their branch in Denton. 

It's really important that local people have access to physical banks. If not, we risk shutting people out of accessing essential services. 

Read the full piece here.