222,000 people in the North West working on the National Living Wage received a 5% pay rise today, worth an extra £690 over the course of the year, in the biggest pay rise for low paid workers in 20 years.

The British Council is looking for exceptional leaders aged 18-35 to join a group 50 young people from around the world in a ten-day programme in October to learn from policy experts and inspirational leaders.

Fifty years ago, Lord Learie Constantine took his seat in the House of Lords, making history by becoming Britain’s first black life peer.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson held his ninth Jobs Fair last week (Friday 22 March) and once again, it was a huge success. The Pendle Jobs Fair is now in its ninth year and showcases over thirty local and national companies who have vacancies and opportunities available.

The national news is once again dominated by rows over Brexit, which over shadows lots of exciting developments locally. 

Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson has welcomed the decision by the Planning Inspectorate to dismiss the appeal submitted by Seddon Homes to build 34 houses in Salterforth.

Andrew has welcomed the announcement of a Government plan to make utility firms that dig up roads responsible for repair work for longer, saying it will protect local taxpayers.

This week in Westminster was one of the toughest since I’ve been elected, with Parliament putting Brexit at risk by voting down the Withdrawal Agreement, ruling out no-deal and voting to extend Article 50.

Pendle MP, Andrew Stephenson has welcomed the news from the National Lottery Community Fund that over £56,000 has been awarded to organisations in Pendle over the last 3 months.

Last week, I visited Rolls-Royce's Ghyll Brow site to discuss the announcement late last year of further job losses. During the visit, I met with site management, spoke to workers on the factory floor and met with the trade union representative.