I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic. Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures. However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place. I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again. ENDS

The support package being announced today, is far too little and too late. Firstly, it's only for pubs and an average of 2.2k a pub, which won't even touch the sides. But why ignore the rest of Hospitality, restaurants, cafe, hotels, live music venues etc? The Chancellor just wants a cheap headline, leaving an entire industry up in arms. Meanwhile, our High Streets are being decimated, due to her lack of understanding of business.

Strength in numbers?

It’s just the job by the pool ⁦@JeremyClarkson⁩

Congratulations @buryfcofficial on your record attendance, your championship & your promotion. After the heartbreak of last season & the years of devastation before, this is an amazing comeback & very well deserved for all the club & fans! 🙌 #PartOfIt #UTS

Fog on the Tyne? Hopefully not as we head to Newcastle for the @TheCFN conference. We’re looking forward to catching up with members old and new and discussing all things CF! #CorporateFinance #ConsiliumCA

Lancashire experts join The Corporate Finance Network thecfn.org.uk/lancashire-exp… @SBCAPreston

Word of the day is ‘recrudescence’ (17th century): the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve.

New shadow chancellor @MelJStride in the commons: “As you step over the fallen — the former farmers, the pensioners, the onetime businesspeople, the poor and the vulnerable — there you will find the shattered remains of the working people of this country”

Ready & waiting to hear what is said

Never underestimate the power of having hope!

Your play = Team GB’s dreams coming true! 🙏 #ThanksToYou #TeamGB #Paris2024

Stunning silver! ✨ Congratulations Izzy Thorpe & Kate Shortman who win our first EVER medal in artistic swimming 👏 #Paris2024

Paul hasn't talked about the VIX index for a while, so why is it back on his radar this month? Watch below 👇 Catch up on the full #AccountingBites episode here 👉 capitalise.com/gb/advisers/k… @TheCFN

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS!! 🤩 Tom Dean, James Guy, Matt Richards and Duncan Scott defend their title!! 🥇 #Paris2024

My thoughts on the economic stats just released linkedin.com/posts/kirstymcg…

On Friday Kirsty McGregor and Paul Surtees sat down to discuss the latest impacts to the market following the UK General Election 📊 Watch the full video to get their insight plus some top tips for your client conversations 👉 capitalise.com/gb/advisers/k… @TheCFN @fintechfields

This did make me chuckle

Fascinating! Didn’t realise the main broadcasters used the same poll - collaboration eh? It might be the way forward!

A great interview. Levelling Up is nowhere near done. On many metrics, it’s got worse rather than better. And we know to grow a business takes money. Just like it does to grow a country. We need to invest, not make cuts or hope fresh air will give us the added productivity.