THE very nature of being a Member of Parliament requires me to spend much of my time in Westminster, representing the people of Leigh and Atherton.

However, conference season has allowed me the opportunity not only to attend the four-day Labour Party conference in Liverpool but also to spend more time working in Leigh and Atherton.

In the constituency Leigh and Atherton is my home, and I’ve relished the opportunities I’ve had in the past couple of weeks to hold surgeries and meet with residents, community groups, and businesses to offer my support.

This past week alone has seen me meet with members of our veteran community, with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to discuss our local priorities, organisations supporting the physical and mental health of residents in the borough, and community leaders working at the heart of our local housing estates.

Focused on delivery

The Labour Party conference brought together colleagues, charities, and campaigners united in their drive, passion, and energy to deliver real, positive change for the country.

The Government has already begun the difficult work of undoing the damage caused in the past 14 years, but it will take time. Public services have been broken, and we’ve been left with a £22 billion black hole.

We are only 12 weeks into this Labour Government, but steps have already been taken to deliver for the country.

In the NHS: New dentistry recovery and reform plans are already underway, and we’ve ended the junior doctor strikes, which is central to our commitment to deliver 40,000 more appointments a week.

In education: We’ve organised the rollout of free breakfast clubs in all primary schools starting in April, and in less than 100 days, we will end private schools’ tax breaks to help drive high standards for the nine in ten children who go to state schools.

On living standards: We’re overhauling renter’s rights to give greater security to millions of renters, and we’ve invested an extra half a billion pounds in the Household Support Fund, helping families who need it most.

We’ve started the Covid corruption inquiry, introduced a plan to remove all hereditary peers from the House of Lords, and the Hillsborough Law will ensure those responsible for public disasters never escape justice.

Change has begun, and progress is being made. Locally, my team and I are here to support the residents of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton, Golborne, and part of Astley in any way we can and would urge anyone who is, or knows someone who may be struggling to please contact the constituency team at my office.

The staff are on hand to make sure that pensioners are claiming what they are entitled to.

If you’d like to get in touch, please email jo.platt.mp@parliament.uk