Yesterday, I sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, co-signed by some of the other northern Greater Manchester MPs, about next week’s Spending Review.

As the final decisions are being made where to invest by the Treasury, we wanted to make the case that towns (even in city regions like Greater Manchester) are both in danger of being left behind, and also the UK’s greatest potential for economic growth.

The Spending Review is a critical opportunity to build on this immense potential, investing in the people and infrastructure of towns like Heywood and Middleton.

In the letter, I made clear that to deliver on the priorities of local people national government must use this Spending Review to give my constituents – and people living across North GM – the means to access the opportunities that have been denied to them for far too long.

That’s why I made clear my full support for:

The upcoming Atom Valley development – a once in a generation opportunity to cluster jobs and innovation from world-class research and manufacturing on our doorstep.

The Northern Arc – a rail growth corridor joining up cities in the North of England, unleashing a potential £90bn of economic growth.

Any investment into our city region from national government must benefit all towns and communities within.  We must trust devolution to reach all corners of our region, with national government as our partners for growth.

I am absolutely determined that Heywood and Middleton North, after decades of underinvestment, will receive the focus, attention and consideration that it deserves.  I will not stop championing the worthiness and potential of my constituents and what they can contribute to our growing region.