Jo Platt: 'We can change the fortunes of our constituency'

After 14 years of Conservative rule, Leigh and Atherton's MP said that the Labour Party "inherited a mess" from the previous government, which is why the party has had to make "difficult decisions" since.

Some of these decisions have proved controversial across the country and across the constituency, but the re-elected MP is confident that over time, Labour can "change the fortunes" of local people.

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Jo Platt was re-elected as Leigh and Atherton's MP in July (Image: Leigh Journal) With the Chancellor announcing Labour's first Budget last month, one of the most controversial policies has been the cuts to pensioner's winter fuel payments, with residents protesting this decision across Wigan and Leigh.

While Ms Platt admitted that this was a "difficult decision that had to be made" due to the state of the country's finances, the MP stressed that her office has helped an "astronomical" amount of residents who didn't know they were eligible for pension credits or other benefits. 

The MP also pointed to Labour's triple-lock policy, which will see state pensioners rising by £472 a year in April 2025.

Jo Platt marking the re-opening of Unify Credit Union on Bradshawgate with Andy Burnham (Image: Unify Credit Union) Another controversial element of Labour's Budget has been the increase of employer's National Insurance payments, with businesses warning that new jobs or pay rises may be impacted by the rise.

Again, Jo Platt pointed out that this was a decision that needed to be made to fix the issues facing the economy, but emphasised that small businesses will be protected by the rise.

In the long term, the Leigh and Atherton MP said that businesses will be supported through Labour's 'Small Business Strategy', which aims to permanently lower business rate multipliers, develop a 'co-operative' economy, and provide easier access to financial support.

With an election pledge to transform high streets, Ms Platt also said that Labour will also simplify regeneration investment, such as Leigh's £11.4m Levelling Up fund and £20m Towns Deal fund, to provide easier access to the funding and remove barriers to what the cash can be spent on.

Transforming high streets was one of Ms Platt's election promises (Image: Jo Platt MP) The government's other long-term priorities include fixing the housing crisis, Ms Platt explained, with the Party aiming to abolish Section 21 evictions, introduce planning reforms, and increase affordable housing.

A £150m commitment to crack down on illegal boat crossings is another pledge that Labour has committed to, as well as slashing NHS waiting times and improving SEND provision in schools.

Last month, Jo Platt was also appointed to the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, which she says will scrutinise government policy in these areas, call for investment in desperately needed areas, and make culture and sport "accessible for all".

Recently championing the constituency's breadth of sporting heroes in Parliament, from Keely Hodkinson to Ella Toone and Leigh Leopards to Leigh Boxing and Fitness, Jo Platt said she is aware of the issues facing local sports clubs and will fight for funding to support and develop these organisations.

Local Labour councillors campaigning with the MP in Leigh (Image: Jo Platt MP) Speaking about her first four months back in government, Jo Platt MP said: "We inherited a mess from the previous government and everyone knew that things were broken, our public services were broken, and this is why people voted for change.

"You don't come into government wanting to make difficult decisions, but we knew that things were not going to be easy.

"These difficult decisions have had to be made and we [MPs] are all aligned that these decisions, in the long term, will grow the economy and put money back in people's pockets.

"It's important that we do this to change the fortunes of our constituency and get our local economy growing again."