Letter from Parliament - Tony Lloyd MP

Amongst many things this week, I addressed a bill proposed for secure tenancies for the victims of domestic abuse. Two women are killed every week in this country as a result of domestic abuse.

Throughout my life I have met many people who have told me the most horrendous stories about being trapped in domestic violence. I particularly think of a woman who was into her 70s and had been married for many decades before finally summoning up whatever it took to break the bonds of that relationship.

We have to ensure that we do not place artificial barriers in the way of people leaving such situations.​

It is an interesting but shocking statistic that 22% of women who arrived in refuges in a particular year had a secure tenancy on arrival, but only 13% had a secure tenancy on departure. We need to reflect on that because it means that, even before this legal change, the situation does not guarantee that people leaving secure tenancies move back into those secure tenancies.

I met the family of Alfie Dingley, a young boy who has a severe of epilepsy. The Home Office has denied a request for medicinal cannabis oil, which he was given in the Netherlands and subsequently reduced his seizures. His parents should not have to risk breaking the law. I fully support them in their endeavours to gain a licence for medical use.

Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale has achieved some remarkable results, which I raised in Parliament.

Towns such as Rochdale are more dependent on further education and less dependent on the university system. I asked if the government recognises the differential in funding in further education holds back young people from the most-deprived areas, who need skills training more than anybody else?

I wore odd socks on Wednesday to show my support for World Down’s Syndrome day, a national day to raise awareness of the condition.

I also met with various organisations, such as disability charities and Arthritis UK, the North West TUC, Shelter, and the brain tumour association. I also met with a local engineering firm, Holroyds in Milnrow, about the challenges and opportunities an engineering company faces.

I spoke in a conference about the need for healthy homes in this country.

On Friday, I had a meeting at the Town Hall in Rochdale with the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham after holding my weekly advice bureau.

I will also be attending a ‘Meet the MP’ event in Milnrow on Friday night with ward councillor Neil Butterworth.

Over the weekend, I will be litter-picking in Spotland, enjoying some delicious food at the Rochdale Food and Drink Festival, and meeting people in Milnrow.