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Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Denton and Reddish weekly news!
I hope you've been making the most of the sunshine! It's been another busy week. There's plenty of stuff planned locally over the summer, so scroll down to the community board to get your diary prepared.
I hope you have a lovely weekend, and see you next week!
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Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, joined the RSCPA earlier this week to discuss the urgent need for animal welfare legislation to secure a better future for animals.
The RSPCA is asking the UK Government to ensure it passes the legislation it committed to, which was included in the recently dropped Kept Animals Bill, on primates as pets, live exports, puppy smuggling and Livestock Worrying.
Recently, the Government announced its decision to scrap its pledges on animal welfare, a decision Gwynne has branded “shameful”.
At the event, Gwynne and the RSPCA also discussed the need for strengthening dog breeding laws, ensuring animal welfare is protected in trade agreements, strengthening protections for wild animals and calling for animal welfare to be taught in schools.
Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said:
“I’m proud to be supporting the RSPCA. The Government’s decision to scrap the kept animals bill was appalling, and I’ll keep putting pressure on them in Westminster to think again.
“Britain can and should be a world leader in animal welfare. I look forward to working alongside the RSCPA to make that a reality.”
Harriet Main, public affairs manager at the RSPCA added:
“We’re really pleased that Andrew attended our drop-in event to find out how he can support the RSPCA in their mission to progress animal welfare standards as well as providing information to his constituents.”
“There are pressing issues on the political agenda, but the commitments made to animal welfare need to remain intact. We want a firm commitment from the Government that positive changes are on the horizon.”
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I’ve always been a strong believer in the power of community. None of us live isolated lives, and it’s vital to recognise that and make the most of the things that bind us together.
Community is about more than living on the same street. It’s about shared spaces, decent homes, good jobs and looking out for one another. This last principle has been particularly important over the last few years.
Here in Stockport, there have been some great progress in things that define us as a community. This led to Stockport recently being recognised as one of the ‘Best Places to Live’ in the Sunday Times annual list for 2023.
I’ve written before about the exceptional re-generation scheme – pioneered by local representatives like my late friend Cllr Shiela Bailey – which saw the creation of 1,500 affordable homes across the borough. This has come alongside huge investment in our town centres, which has given a new lease of life to many areas.
Similarly, across Reddish and the Heatons, I’ve been really impressed by the campaigning of local councillors who have called for improved investment in our neighbourhood centres.
Community centres are exceptionally important. They provide resources for local residents, host food banks, provide childcare and much more. It’s been a real tragedy to see these kind of centres close across the country over the last decade, something that I’ve spoken out regularly in Parliament.
However, I’m glad that here in Stockport there is a concerted effort to not only protect them, but to invest to make them even better.
It’s so important that this progress continues across Reddish and the Heatons, and I look forward to working closely with local representatives, volunteers and residents to make that a reality.
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Andrew in the Constituency
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I'm delighted that it has been confirmed that Denton will receive a new NHS Community Diagnostic Centre soon (something I've been calling for for some time!).
Based at Crown Point North Shopping Park, it will specialise in CT scans, MRI scans, DEXA scans, Spirometry, ECG and Phlebotomy.
Over the last 13 years, local people have seen NHS waiting lists soar. I’m really glad that after years of campaigning, Denton will finally receive a Diagnostic Centre in the local community which should make a huge difference to securing much earlier diagnosis of all kinds of conditions from heart disease to cancer. I’m really pleased our community is one of just eight chosen by the Department for Health and Social Care.
Now it’s time to give our local NHS the staff it so desperately needs.
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 WATCH: 4 million fewer adults are accessing learning opportunities compared to 2010, and there are 200,000 fewer apprenticeship starts compared to a decade ago.
The Secretary of State is apparently proud of these figures, and accuses me of 'chasing numbers'. I make no apology for doing so when people are being deprived of accessing skills and training for the future.
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WATCH: There are real concerns over the action of the Iranian Regime domestically, but also through its actors here in the United Kingdom.
In Foreign Office questions, I raise these concerns with the Foreign Secretary, and ask him what assessment he has made of the improving relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
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WATCH: We have a debate in Westminster Hall on cancer medicine appraisals .
This is a really important topic which at its heart is about ensuring cancer patients get access to the very best medicine and care available.
I respond in my capacity as Labour's Shadow Public Health Minister.
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WATCH: Boris Johnson has been caught lying and is now doing what he does best - blaming everyone but himself.
Like everyone else, I'm sick of this never ending Tory soap opera. It's time for a general election and time for change.
Thanks to the Granada Debate for having me on last night.
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