Government focus must be on growth

ONE of the rising stars of the Labour Party has Oldham party members and business leaders the borough has to make the most of Metrolink.

Chuka Umanna, the Shadow Business Secretary, bemoaned the Government decision to scrap regional development agencies and spoke of his hopes that the replacement Local Enterprise Partnerships would become relevant.

The 33-year-old MP for Streatham, a former employment lawyer who entered Parliament in 2010, addressed an audience of local politicians, supporters and business people at a party fund-raising dinner at the White Hart, Lydgate.

Organised by Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams, the event also featured a business forum.

The debates were exhaustive and inclusive covering subjects from access to finance for small business to the council’s role in boosting the local economy.

Mrs Abrahams promised to publish a full resume of all 16 roundtable debates “within weeks”.

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