Last week I referred to being back in the BEIS select committee where we discussed the Decarbonising of Heat in Homes. Our witnesses included Citizens Advice and the Carbon Change Committee, and we considered how the recent Heat and Buildings strategy had been received. It was broadly positive with some areas to work on.
Last Tuesday I had a teams meeting as regards the pressures on University Hospital North Durham with other MP’s and interested parties to keep us all appraised of their status. Friday was a busy day in the constituency: after meeting Citizens Advice to catch up on local provisions and reassured that they are now back to face-to-face meetings with residents, I went to Ferryhill for the funeral of Cllr Brian Avery. Brian was a County Councillor for Ferryhill for many years and it was good to see the Church full to overflowing with the Leadership of Durham Council, elected members and officials, representatives of the Police and Fire Services and many others. A great send off for a truly committed Councillor and a good man.
After this I had the pleasure of visiting the Bison farm at Bishop Middleham before holding a constituency surgery at Woodham, before another surgery at Trimdon on Saturday morning. These are always an experience as the variety of issues people look for support on never ceases to amaze me. These surgeries are not just about people needing help though, if you would like to share your views with me on an issue then you are welcome to make an appointment also.
Last week in Westminster saw two high profile events: the announcement of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), and the second reading of the Health and Social Care Bill (HSC). Both are significant improvements on where we are now but both have received some adverse press as they were hoped to go further.
The IRP has been criticised because of the curtailment of the eastern leg of HS2 but there are many positives in what is a £96b investment in our railways. For us, a train journey from Darlington to Manchester (currently 115 minutes) will reduce to 81 minutes. The speed of delivery means we will see immediate and substantial change in the next 10 years, rather than waiting until the 2040’s. I am also pushing for as much of the expenditure as possible to be committed to British, and preferably North East, businesses. I remain very confident that a new station for Ferryhill will be delivered, and I will continue to push for the Leamside Line to be in future programmes.
The HSC Bill makes major changes, and whilst there has been a lot of commentary around how the asset cap of £86,000 helps those with larger asset values more, but the changes to a more generous means test helps those on lower incomes more and things need to be looked at in full.
We are seeing some concerning developments in central Europe regarding Covid with further lockdowns being implemented. Indeed the German Health Minister, Jens Spahn, said “By the end of this winter everyone in Germany will either be vaccinated, recovered or dead,” From the data I have seen, we seem to be in a much better position in the UK, driven by the substantially better roll out of vaccines. Due to both a higher percentage of vaccinated population, and because of initial roll out speed, we are now able to have booster jabs sooner, to increase the efficacy of the vaccine. I have had my 3 jabs and I would strongly encourage you all to have whatever jabs are offered to you. This is the best way to protect ourselves, our friends, our families and our NHS and it is also the best way to reduce the remote possibilities of lockdowns for us over winter.
So please: stay safe, get jabbed and have a good week.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield