Oldham MP determined to hold PM to his word on ‘building back fairer’ post-pandemic

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has insisted that she will be holding the Prime Minister to his word after he agreed with her that the UK must ‘build back fairer’ after the pandemic.

In a question she put directly to Boris Johnson in the House of Commons, Ms Abrahams quoted the work of Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who wrote the recent Build Back Fairer: The COVID-19 Marmot Review, saying: “Sir Michael Marmot’s recent report pointed to four drivers which have contributed to what he describes as ‘the high and unequal death toll in the UK’.

“He identified the governance and political culture which has damaged social cohesion and inclusivity, the widening inequalities in power, money and resources, and the regressive austerity policies over the last ten years.

"Also the declining life expectancy and healthy life expectancy of the poorest, particularly women, which is amongst the worst of all comparable economies.

“Professor Marmot has called for the Government to address these issues and build back fairer."

Ms Abrahams then asked Mr Johnson: “So will the Prime Minister, and his cabinet, listen to him? 

In his response, the Prime Minister said: “I have a very high regard for Michael Marmot and worked closely with him for many years and I believe his advice is invaluable and we will, indeed, be making sure that, as we come through this pandemic, we look at the way it has impacted on the poorest and most vulnerable and, indeed, we will build back better.”

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s answer, Ms Abrahams said: “I will be holding the Prime Minister to his word on this.

“I can’t pretend that I am confident that he has actually read Sir Michael’s report or that he will understands what this involves given his Government’s reluctance to continue and extend the Universal Credit £20 a week uplift, or to reassure those who have received no support from the Government over the last 10 months, including three million self-employed people. 

"I worry that his version of building back fairer won’t have any effect on the increased inequality that has affected millions over the last decade.”

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