PAUL WAUGH MP Rochdale getting on the ministerial map

ONE of my most important jobs as MP for Rochdale is to get our borough the Government investment and the ministerial attention it deserves.

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The amount of 'money and ministers' an area receives, through new funding and visits, is a decent yardstick by which to measure how much London is listening to its Member of Parliament.

And on that measure, we have scored really well these past few weeks, with four ministers in town in as many weeks.

Employment minister Alison McGovern was the first to visit as part of her child poverty taskforce, hearing first hand from community groups and volunteers how Rochdale helps families who are struggling and what more we need from Whitehall.

I know Alison was impressed with the way we do things here, from the family hubs and early support given to under-fives to the unique way some of our schools provide Saturday schools that provide a free meal and extra learning at weekends.