WESTMINSTER politics can be divisive and negative with many people often asking why politicians can’t just work together and promote the common good.

But away from the heated exchanges during Prime Minister’s Questions, there’s much more cross-party collaboration than expected.

Last week, it was fantastic to take part in a Westminster Hall debate discussing social mobility in the North West, organised by my parliamentary neighbour Jo Platt MP.

Locally, there’s a good story to tell. The constituency is rated 121 out of 533 constituencies in England and Wales for social mobility, with youth social mobility rated even higher at 73rd of 533.

While we are doing better than most areas, there’s always more that can be done to improve.

During this debate, it was asked what more can be done to ensure that people in the North West have better opportunities for success and Jo spoke passionately about improving the outcomes for her constituents in Leigh.

A number of drivers are needed to improve social mobility: the availability of good school places, support of local businesses in order to create work opportunities for local people and investment in transport links to ensure connectivity across the region.

In recent years, there’s been an improvement in these key areas, none more so than our local schools.

Before the 2010 General Election, 54 per cent of schools were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” in the constituency.

Now, it’s 89 per cent. Taking just the Atherton part of my constituency, every single school is rated “Good” or “Outstanding”.

Schools play a vital role in social mobility, ensuring each child has the best start in life by equipping them with the skills they need to succeed so it’s fantastic that our local schools have seen such improvement – a detriment to the hard work of teachers, parents and children.

Improvements are also being made to local public transport and roads, with the recent announcement that the M6 will finally be linked to the M61 after the old plans for the A5225 were revived, something I have long campaigned for.

However more can be done, which is why I’m backing local resident Norman Bradbury’s campaign to make Hag Fold railway station park and ride – something that would open up employment opportunities to residents on the estate.

These improvements will make a big difference to our towns in the future, making them a more attractive place to live and work, as well as giving residents more opportunities to get on in life.

As I said during Jo’s debate, today’s challenge is to make sure that we keep those who have achieved social mobility within our communities, rather than moving away and taking their success with them.

This is where our local council leadership must step up. They can help deliver the necessary health and leisure facilities, as well as lead investment in our local high streets, so that Bolton West and Atherton remain one of the best places in the country to live, work and bring up a family.