Please read my statement on why Lord Robertson's speech last week was only partially right.

How to apply:
To register your interest in the summer school, send a letter of application with a curriculum vitae by email to abrahamsd@parliament.uk (please include details of any railcards you may have)

Week two will be spent working with Oldham and Saddleworth-based organisations and charities. And on the last day participants will 'graduate'!

There will be a visit to Parliament where the group will have a tour of Parliament and meet various politicians, journalists and advisors.

Previous speakers at the summer school have included Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield, former Lancashire CCC captain John Abrahams, Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, and many, many others.

Sessions will be facilitated by various experts and leaders in the areas of community development, campaigning, communications, and politics.

You will spend the first week developing knowledge and understanding of community development, campaigning skills and tools, and will choose placements with local organisations in the second week to put theory into practice.

The selected group of young people will be based in Oldham and must be available for every weekday for the duration of the scheme.

The summer school is an opportunity to learn about politics and how you can make a difference. It also provides opportunity to get some work experience.

Participants will develop key skills for both future involvement in politics and community based work.

I have opened applications for my annual 'Working for your community' summer school for 18-24 year olds a little early this year, as I'm already getting requests from young people.

Apply to take part in Debbie Abrahams MP’s annual Summer School for young people!

You can now apply to take part in my popular two-week programme in July, including a free trip to Parliament!

I also asked when this had taken place and what guidance exists for officials on which issues must be escalated to their Ministers.

With trust in politics in the UK so low, it is vital that officials and elected politicians make decisions with a full understanding of the facts.

#Nolanprinciples

In this afternoon's statement on the Security Vetting issues which allowed Peter Mandelson to be appointed as Ambassador to the United States, I asked the Prime Minister which official had received the recommendation that Mandelson should be denied clearance.

Debbie Abrahams MP and volunteers in Derker

In Derker on my #weeklyMPknock.

My team and I were handing out my Annual Report. We also picked up a number of issues including the state of the road, antisocial behaviour and housing.

You can always contact me to report any issues you have on abrahamsd@parliament.uk and 0161 624 4248

Debbie Abrahams MP at surgery

Another busy surgery, dealing with various issues ranging from anti-social behaviour, housing matters and the NHS. If you have an issue you need support with please contact me at abrahamsd@parliament.uk

They have hosted the Chamber of Commerce, have great relationships with the #TheGrowthCompany, the Founders Club and local businesses like #Billingtons.

I am looking forward to their celebration in Alexandra Park later this year.

Debbie Abrahams MP at Postive Steps Oldham

It was a pleasure to meet #PositiveSteps. Based in the centre of Oldham they co-locate with 20 organisations.

Including 50 level 6 career advisors, family team, youth justice service, young carers service, etc.

My Annual Report will be hitting every doorstep in Oldham East and Saddleworth over the next few weeks.

In the meantime if you have any issues you'd like help with I'm on abrahamsd@parliament.uk and 0161 624 4248

Debbie Abrahams with volunteers in Glodwick, Oldham

I was out in Glodwick meeting residents on my #weeklyMPknock this Thursday!

It was great to be able to talk through my Annual Report with my constituents as well as pick up some casework, eg flytipping.

But the Parent Infant Mental Health Service are working to help more families have the most positive experience fundamental to the health, well-being, and development for the baby and their family.

You can find more information here: 👇🏼

www.penninecare.nhs.uk/oldham-pimhs

The first 1001 days of a baby's life. They should be the happiest - but sadly this isn't every baby's experience.

It was incredibly interesting to find out about the different aspects if their work from prevention to supporting babies with brain injuries and their parents.

Debbie Abrahams MP at Oldham Parent Infant Mental Health Service

I am grateful to Parent Infant Mental Health Services, Pennine Care NHS for inviting me to their Children's Centre in Oldham to hear about their the Parent Infant Mental Health Service.

I was keen to hear from our witnesses on what additional measures they believed should be taken to lift even more children out of poverty.

Listen here to what the said 👇🏼

I recognise and welcome the current measures in the Government's new child poverty strategy – and its projected achievement of lifting half a million children out of poverty – I am concerned by the government’s own estimate that 30% of children will still be living in poverty in 2030.

Dr Matt Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Sociology @citystgeorgesucu.bsky.social; and Professor Ruth Patrick, Professor of Public and Social Policy @glasgow.ac.uk

We welcomed Baroness Ruth Lister, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy @lborouniversity.bsky.social; Edward McPherson, Senior Consultant, WPI Economics;

Alongside the Chair of the #EducationSelectCommittee, @helenhayes.bsky.social, we continued the #WorkAndPensionsSelectCommittee and #EducationSelectCommittee joint inquiry into Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy.

Vaisakhi infoographic

Happy Vaisakhi to the Sikh community celebrating here and around the world. Vaisakhi di lakh lakh vadhaiyan!

If we are to restore peace to the Middle East, and to restore the rules-based international order to health, there have to be consequences to breaking the law.

or seeking to do - business in the UK. Israel's flagrant violations of international law must be met with clear sanctions.