This week in Denton & Reddish
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Dear Constituent,

A very warm welcome to Denton and Reddish weekly news.

I hope that you've had a great week. In just over two weeks time, I will take to the skies and zipwire to raise money for Florence - an incredible Dukinfield girl with a rare degenerative condition called GM1. I'll be taking part with a number of brave volunteers, and would be very grateful if you would consider donating here. It would mean the world to Florence and her family.

This week, Parliament returned to full in-person participation for the first time in over a year and a half. It was great to be back and raising issues that matter to people across Denton and Reddish. Scroll down to 'Andrew in Parliament' to see what I got up to. 
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Gwynne tables motion to recognise 1950s-born women pensions injustice 

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has tabled an Early Day Motion to recognise the recent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) report into State Pension Age communications.

Gwynne, who is Co-Chair of the All-party parliamentary group for State Pension Inequality for Women alongside Conservative MP Peter Aldous, has tabled the motion to put pressure on the Department for Work and Pensions to act in addressing the ongoing 1950s-born women’s pension injustice.

An Early Day Motion is a non-binding motion which is open for MPs to sign during the parliamentary session. Traditionally, EDM’s have been used by MPs to raise awareness of a particular topic, and to indicate cross-party support for an issue.

Gwynne’s EDM highlights the recent findings of the PHSO who are in the process of investigating the Department for Work and Pensions. The PHSO found that successive DWP administrations had committed maladministration in inadequately communicating changes to State Pension age for 1950s-born women.

Commenting on the motion, Andrew Gwynne said:

“I’m pleased that this motion has been published and is garnering cross-party support. An early day motion in itself will not force the Government to act, but it will allow Parliamentarians to express their frustration at the lack of action from the DWP.

This is part of the continuing work that the APPG is doing; namely, to continue to raise this issue and draw attention to it by any parliamentary means possible. We hope to utlise parliamentary procedure to bring this issue to the floor of the House, and will continue to update 1950s-born women accordingly. They are doing a fantastic job of campaigning for justice outside of Parliament, and parliamentarians must now start matching their efforts.

My message to the Government is simple. Meet with 1950s-women, APPG members and policymakers. Let’s sort this problem out once and for all.”

To read the full text of the Early day motion click here.

Gwynne backs campaign to end scandal of unsold food being wasted

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, is backing the #FoodOnPlates campaign to stop millions of tonnes of fresh, unsold food from being wasted, when it could instead go to charities and community groups feeding families.

One in 8 people in the UK struggles to afford food – and the pandemic has resulted in many more families face food insecurity, with 67% of charities providing emergency food aid saying they would have to continue, even as restrictions ease. However, more than a quarter of all the food grown in the UK is never eaten, representing 6% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions.

The #FoodOnPlates campaign is being led by food redistribution charity FareShare, who, in Denton and Reddish last year, redistributed the equivalent of 194,00 meals via 7 local organisations. In Greater Manchester, Fareshare redistributed over 8 million meals last year, through 350 local organisations.

Commenting on the campaign Andrew Gwynne said: 

“This is such an important campaign that I am proud to support. Charity and community organisations across Denton and Reddish have worked tirelessly to provide food throughout our community during the pandemic and beyond.

That’s why I’m backing the #FoodOnPlates campaign. It’s important that we secure funding for farmers to get their unsold fresh food to charities supporting vulnerable families and individuals, instead of it being wasted.”

FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell said:

“I’m very pleased to be working with Andrew Gwynne. Our network of frontline charities have been a lifeline for families during the pandemic, and, sadly, demand now remains at similar levels.

It’s a scandal that good food is left to rot in our fields or be thrown into biogas digesters or landfill when so many families are still dependent on food aid in the wake of the crisis, with thousands more unable to afford healthy fruit and veg.

France rescues six times more unsold food than we do in the UK, in part thanks to tax breaks that cover the additional costs of getting that food to charities. That’s why we’re calling on the UK Government to reinstate landmark funding to save good food and get it onto people’s plates.”

To find out more about the campaign go to foodonplates.org or view the policy briefing here.

Gwynne backs ambitious hedgerow investment

Andrew Gwynne, MP For Denton and Reddish, became a Hedgerow hero on Monday and pledged to back an ambitious increase in hedgerow cover to address the biodiversity and climate crisis.  

The pledge was signed by a number of parliamentarians and agriculture experts at the launch of landmark research by The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). The CPRE is a charity that focusses on protecting and developing green, accessible spaces. It’s research has found that an increase in the Hedgerow network in the British Countryside by 40% could create 25,000 jobs and have massive ecological benefits.  

Hedgerows – one of the UK’s most accessible wildlife habitats, can be found on roads, footpaths, and gardens. They have a range of ecological benefits and can help absorb carbon, protect against flooding and improve soil fertility.  

The CPRE also found that for every £1 invested in hedgerows, £3.92 could be returned to the right economy.  

Commenting on the research and the launch, Andrew Gwynne said:  

“As Secretary of Friends of the Tame Valley, I know all too well the ecological and economic benefits of investing in green spaces. That’s why I was so pleased to become a hedgerow hero and support CPRE’s fascinating research. 

As we approach COP26, policymakers need to be looking at ways to improve our environment and reach net zero.  

Since 1945, the UK’s hedgerow network has shrunk by around 50%, and it’s vital that we invest in the network in order to improve our environment and secure a greener future for generations to come.” 

Commenting on the research, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: 

"It is almost impossible to define the enormous value of our hedgerow network – just as our arteries and veins supply our bodies with nutrients and oxygen, the UK’s hedgerow network defines many of our rural landscapes and must remain healthy to benefit villages, towns and cities. Our research shows that investing in our hedgerows is a win-win for climate and people in both the countryside and urban areas. 

Sadly, half of our precious hedgerows have been ripped from the landscape since the Second World War and we’ve seen a huge decline in nature and soaring carbon emissions. There is a lot of work to do. Local authorities can support community groups 

to plant more hedgerows while farmers can help by letting hedgerows grow taller, and bushier. 

But we know the government has the biggest part to play in unleashing the full potential of hedgerows. That’s why we’re calling on Ministers to set a target to increase the hedgerow network by 40% by 2050 with improved protection for existing hedgerows. This would be seen as a bold step by the UK government in the lead up to hosting the international climate summit to support nature’s recovery, help grow us out of the economic downturn and tackle the climate emergency head on."

                 

Read More of This Week's Stories
Andrew in the Constituency

Beeweighed relaunch 🐝

On Saturday morning I popped into Denton Labour Club to support Lynda L Leadbetter at the post-pandemic relaunch of her weight loss support group Beeweighed. She runs sessions across Greater Manchester and I’ve joined her Denton one to help shed a few pounds I’ve put on over lockdown. You’re not tied to a specific diet, Lynda works out which is best suited to you and supports you to achieve your goal.

I was joined by Councillor Allison Gwynne and Councillor Claire Reid, who are both fellow Beeweighed members. Good luck Lynda with the relaunch!

Tameside History takes centre stage 📜

This year it’s the 21st anniversary of Tameside History Forum and all the local groups have put on a display at Portland Basin, Ashton.

I dropped in on Sunday with Allison to see the fantastic displays from all the groups across the borough, including three in my constituency:

• Denton Local History Society
• Friends of Dukinfield Old Hall Chapel (of which I’m Patron)
• Dukinfield Old Chapel

It was particularly nice to see the Denton memorabilia put on display by my friend Florence, including the magnificent newly acquired silver salver giving thanks to Richard Greswell for his patronage and support for both the Old Chapel (St Lawrence’s) and Christ Church from the inhabitants of Denton and Haughton.

If you get a chance to visit, it’s on the lower floor of the museum.

The Canal & River Trust 💚

It was good to meet with Jason Lock from Canal & River Trust today. He has responsibility for the Peak Forest Canal, including the section through the Tame Valley.

Jason was keen to meet me as Secretary of Friends of the Tame Valley to discuss joint working with them to improve the canal through Hyde and Dukinfield. They’ve already done some fencing and wall repair work near Dunkirk Wood and Lover’s Alley. They’re planning more work in the area and are keen to involve our volunteers in the work, especially as they’re planning on submitting the canal for a Green Flag Award.

🧹 We also did a bit of litterpicking en route. Jason was impressed with how much cleaner the canal is since his last visit. He thanks the Friends and volunteers for that. 👏🏻

Advice surgeries return 🗣

I'm really pleased that another bit of normality has returned and we are able to hold advice surgeries again. We're holding surgeries at:
🔴 Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
🔴 Dukinfield Town Hall
🔴 Denton Labour Club
🔴 Denton West End Community Library
🔴 Haughton Green Centre
🔴 Reddish Library
🔴 Stockport Labour Club

Please phone 0161-320 1504 for an appointment.

Andrew in Parliament


📺 WATCH: I’ve asked the Secretary of State for an urgent meeting following ongoing problems at Russell Scott Primary School after Carillion’s costly 
bodged refurbishment.


📺 WATCH: We’ve had two statements on Afghanistan today: one from the PM and the other from the Foreign Secretary.
I ask what we do if the terrorist networks and training camps return to Afghanistan, threatening British interests around the globe and our national security.


📺 WATCH: We’ve had a Statement by the Work and Pensions Secretary where she’s confirmed the suspension of the Triple Lock. It’s a bitter betrayal for many. I also asked when she’s going to update the House about the 1950s-born women’s pensions issue.


📺 WATCH: The Prime Minister has announced his “plan” for social care, without any detail or clarity beyond increasing National Insurance Contributions for employees and employers. I ask about the massive funding gap to English councils. No understanding of the crisis. No answer.
Andrew in the media

Russell Scott Primary School Coverage

      

📺 📰 WATCH & READ : Thanks so much to BBC North West Tonight who did an exceptional job of covering Carillion's costly bodge job at Russell Scott Primary School and my Parliamentary Question about it. The story was also covered on the BBC website, by Construction News and by Manchester Evening News here.  I hope when I meet the Minister next week she recognises the urgency of the situation and works with me to fix this unacceptable situation. 

Community Board
Local author Leanne Brown has started writing a fantastic series of books to promote, help and raise awareness for mental health in children. Leanne wants to bring these books to schools, parents and organisations to help promote mental health in children.

You can find out more, including how to buy the books, on her website.
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