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READ WIGAN MP LISA NANDY’S EXCLUSIVE COLUMN
I WAS privileged to be elected as Wigan’s MP on May 6, but it’s been a difficult few months for the town as we’ve faced millions of pounds of cuts, even before this autumn’s budget.
During the election campaign I met thousands of people across Wigan and promised that I would defend the services that matter to you. Since then I’ve worked with community groups, health, education and business leaders, councillors and charities across Wigan to protect homes, services and jobs.
In the first of these monthly columns I want to let you know what I’ve been doing on your behalf.
My top priority is local jobs. I have raised the future of the Tote in Parliament and will meet with ministers next month to press them to protect the staff who work there. I fought to safeguard youth apprenticeships for Wigan’s young people and I am campaigning with Ed Miliband for a living wage of £7.60 an hour.
I grew up in Lancashire during the last recession and protecting hard working people is one of the main reasons I came into politics.
I’ve met many children across Wigan, at fantastic schools like Abraham Guest which I’m officially opening this month, and I’ve seen first hand how important new school facilities are. As a new member of the education select committee I challenged the Secretary of State to come and apologise to Wigan’s children for axing their much needed new school - or reverse his decision.
I am working with Age Concern to defend the free bus pass and winter fuel allowance for Wigan’s older people, many of whom tell me this is their top priority in my busy weekly surgeries.
And I am campaigning with my Parliamentary colleagues to protect women from the cuts. Before I was elected I worked for a children’s charity and I know that women with children value their local Sure Start, child benefits and need access to good quality, good value childcare.
Many of Wigan’s women work part-time and I have promised to defend their wages and conditions.
During the past five months my aim has been to get out and meet as many people in Wigan as I can, so that I can champion the things that matter to Wigan’s residents in Parliament. Despite the difficult economic situation there is much to celebrate: from inspirational community champions like Age Concern volunteers, to the international reputation of Wigan Warriors, I couldn’t be prouder to represent such an important town.
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
