Victory over Japan day is a commemoration of the sacrifice made by so many to protect our freedoms and, ultimately, end the war. Finally, the world had peace. 80 years later we mark that moment and the people who gave their lives to make a better world.

Lots of smiling faces at the Community Health Fair at Golden Mosque this week. The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress received a blood pressure check and organisations such as the Health Visiting Team, Living Well, Springhill Hospice, Rochdale & District Mind and others were in attendance.

In a victory for local residents, an IX wireless mast in Heywood has been taken down! After complaints from residents, I raised the issue in Parliament, and met with Ministers, on how we can stop firms riding roughshod over the wishes of local residents. www.rochvalleyradio.com/news/local-n...

Our wonderful Queens Park was proudly on display for the Feel Good Family Picnic last week. Hundreds came along, enjoying the activities and information stalls! 😀 My team were there, talking to kids and parents. Such a fun day and thank you to everyone who took part. 👏

Labour is fixing private parking with: 🧢 Caps on unfair fines ⏱️ Mandatory grace periods 🪧 Clear signage Have your say and respond here: consult.communities.gov.uk/off-road-par...

I was delighted to meet with the children of St Vincent's in Parliament just before recess. I'm so glad that they had the opportunity to visit Parliament, speak with their MP and learn how what happens in Westminster affects them, their families, their schools and their communities.

Wearing this sash as the 629th woman elected to Parliament is a reminder of how far we’ve come—& how far we’ve still to go. Only 694 of 10,628 MPs since 1832 have been women. Everyone deserves the tools to get on in life - and I will do all I can to make sure they do.

Since last July, my office has dealt with over 5,000 cases, helping local people get help, advice and raise issues with Government. Anyone in Heywood and Middleton North can contact my team by emailing [email protected]

Bringing energy bills down is critical for people and business. Today in Parliament, I asked the Minister how the Government plans to support families who need it most through targeted interventions such as the Warm Homes Plan to deliver cheaper bills and more insulated homes.

Last night's launch of the Greater Manchester Strategy had great news for Middleton: ✅ Mayoral Development Corporation, ✅ ...chaired by Steve Coogan and Rose Marley, ✅ Night Bus 17 to return, ✅ A serious look at bringing Metrolink to Middleton Together we are... Middleton

I welcome the news that the Labour Government investing over £200m here. Everyone knows getting to work in the morning is an utter nightmare! This is a big boost for the area. Congestion will improve, journeys will be faster & it supports the creation of new jobs and homes.

Celebrating a year since the election, here's a quick summary of the work I have been doing to represent the towns and communities of Heywood and Middleton North. So much more to do, but we have achieved some big things already! Sign up for updates -> elsieblundell.org.uk/contact-me/

Exciting day for our Summer School participants! Big thank you to @AvantiWestCoast for supporting the school and looking after them on the way to London! They grilled the Local Government Minister Alex Norris, met with speaker Lindsay Hoyle and finished at 10 Downing St!

Retail workers are the heart and soul of our communities and our high streets. It's good to celebrate them, so I'm proud to support @USDAWUnion for National Retail Worker's Day. Give them a smile when you are in a shop today!

We're on Day 3 of my Summer School! Over the last couple of days we've covered professional skills for networking, & job interviews, projecting confidence, and working in the community with local Cllr Angela Brown. It's a great group of young people with energy and dynamism.

It's been the first day of my annual summer school for 16-19 year olds from Heywood and Middleton North. They're a wonderful group of young people, and a big thank you to Mayor Janet Emsley for showing them our borough’s beautiful Town Hall.

Here's a quick recap of some of the important and exciting news from June in Heywood and Middleton North: Metrolink to Heywood Visits to local businesses Tackling poor mobile signal in Middleton And please fill in my men's health survey: elsieblundell.org.uk/menshealth

It was a real pleasure to meet campaigners from VOICE and hear their own stories of losing loved ones as a result of reoffenders. I will give them a voice in Parliament to ensure the Probation Service is fit for purpose and no one else has to go through what they have.

The Creative Industries are going to play a vital part in a future economy we can't even dream of yet. That's why the Labour Government @dcms is investing £150m in areas like ours, with a 10yr plan. Have a look if this could be part of your future buff.ly/OsB2Q52

Today we finished our work on the Victims and Courts Bill. The new Bill will make sure victims are the focus of our justice system: Swifter justice, dealing with the backlog in courts Offenders must attend sentencing Parental responsibilities restricted for child sex offenders

I think it's important we ensure health services are fit for everyone, including men. I am asking men to tell me about their experiences, especially with mental health, in a survey on my website. Please take the time and/or share this link! buff.ly/0v7fAE9

My vote on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill.

From day one of being elected, one of my key priorities was to secure real investment for the people of Heywood and Middleton North - not just warm words. This Government has put its money where its mouth is, where others did not, and I am delighted that our town will benefit.

I welcome the opportunity to sit on the Victims and Courts Bill Committee, to ensure that this important piece of legislation delivers justice for victims in Heywood and Middleton North.

ICYMI: 11 local GP Surgeries are to receive extra money to grow their capacity and provide more services. When I asked my residents what they want from the NHS: more local services. This is the Labour Government's Plan For Change in action.

A health service that works for all needs to be based in the community with more capacity. That's what my residents told me when I asked them recently. It's great news that the Government is investing in improvements to GP surgeries locally with 11 getting money to expand

There are just a FEW HOURS LEFT to apply for my summer school. We are looking for five 16-19 year olds who need help making connections and finding work experience to help them choose a future career path. Applications close today! www.elsieblundell.org.uk/flyhigh

Excellent coverage in the media this week, locally and nationally, for the confirmation that Metrolink is coming to Heywood. It's great news for the town. I don't intend to stop there, and will keep campaigning for better transport for all our towns, including Middleton.

Happy Eid al-Adha to all of my constituents who celebrate.

The Chancellor has just confirmed the money for Metrolink to come to Heywood! My hard work to argue for more investment in transport in my constituency has paid off due to the commitment of the Labour Government to transform our communities. I am delighted by today's news.

Yesterday, I wrote to Treasury to make the case for towns in GM, like Heywood and Middleton, in next week's Spending Review with the support of other nearby MPs: Invest in Connectivity, so we can access opportunity - like the Northern Arc Invest in Jobs - like Atom Valley

Yesterday, I took my campaign to get the 167 express bus reinstated to the Commons. I am unequivocal that my constituents, after decades of being overlooked when it comes to transport connectivity, deserve to finally be prioritised. I will keep working until we get this bus back.

Delighted to take my Manchester express bus service campaign straight to the Transport Secretary today. Later on, I'll be speaking up for Heywood and Middleton North in the debate of the Second Reading of the Bus Services Bill.

Delighted to take my 167 express bus campaign report straight to the Transport Secretary today. Later on, I'll be speaking up for Heywood and Middleton North in the debate on the Second Reading of the Bus Services Bill.

It has been a busy month, calling for investment and improvements in services for the residents of Heywood and Middleton North. Here's a snapshot of what I have been doing in the month of May.

I had a very insightful visit to Specsavers in Middleton this morning to hear about their new Audiology team. Sounds like an excellent service from a locally owned business investing in the town and their apprentices. Lovely to meet some of their newer team members.

Two weeks left to apply for the Fly High summer school. If you think you need a boost in making connections and networks, to experience work and help identify your personal ambition then I am hosting this 2 week experience for 16-19 year olds.

Delighted to visit Little House Nursery in Castleton last week. Ensuring high quality childcare for families is one of my top priorities. It is crucial that settings have reliable funding & families have the confidence that their children have the best start to their education.

I visited the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Middleton this morning to meet 5 new posties recruited to help solve the delivery crisis residents have told me about. I'm pleased Royal Mail are making progress, but I will monitor them & want to hear from anyone still having problems.

Today, we pause to remember Fusilier Lee Rigby - a soldier and family man from Middleton whose life was cut short by an act of senseless violence.

Today’s Order Paper in Parliament marks the 85th anniversary of the death of Cpt Richard Porritt. The first MP to be killed in the Second World War, he was also MP for Heywood and Radcliffe, similar to the area I now represent. I thank him for his sacrifice. We will never forget.

Consumers are clear; no water company executive should be above the law. Following investigations into water companies led by this Government, water bosses can now be jailed for up to five years for the contempt that they have shown toward customers and the natural environment.

Another busy week to champion the people and businesses of Heywood and Middleton North. - Bring Back the 167 - Launching my Fly High Summer School - Progress on IX Wireless with Ofcom - New railway between Liverpool and Manchester and more. Always proud to be our MP.

ICYMI: The Fly High summer school is now open for applications. More details on my website: buff.ly/sdTy2Jk Tell us about yourself before 6th June and my team will be choosing 5 young people (16-19) who need a boost making connections and gaining work experience.

Residents came to me about IX Wireless & the manner in which they are installing masts locally. I spoke to Chris Bryant, Telecoms Minister, on Tuesday & he confirmed that Ofcom are now investigating. A good first step & I'll keep residents updated. buff.ly/DIMnt1k 3

Delighted to meet with the Chief Executive of the Children’s Society earlier this week. The wellbeing and happiness of children in Heywood and Middleton North is an absolute priority for me. I look forward to working with Mark and the team in the months ahead.

It's not just about getting trains from A to B - it's about getting people to high paid jobs and and expanding opportunity. The Liverpool Manchester Railway could help transform the North (and the UK!). This is why I support @AndyBurnhamGM and others working to make this happen.

If you are aged 16-19 and live locally, I am holding a summer school to help you shape your future. It's for anyone who needs help making connections, finding work experience and deciding what they want to do in life. More details at buff.ly/sdTy2Jk

If you are aged 16-19 and live locally, I am holding a summer school to help you shape your future. It's for anyone who needs help making connections, finding work experience and deciding what they want to do in life. More details at buff.ly/sdTy2Jk

The decision by the Government to relocate thousands of civil service roles out of London and into our regions is one that I welcome. It shows the Government’s commitment to radically reform the state and ensure that our civil service better reflects the public that it serves.