As I said last week the draw for Private Members’ Bills took place, unfortunately I was unsuccessful. The lucky first name was Stewart C Macdonald of the SNP followed by Dan Jarvis, Labour and then a Conservative Greg Smith. There is no party bias to the draw, it just happened that 3 different parties were represented in the first three places, and it will now be interesting to see what legislation they propose.
As I have mentioned before, one of the ways to influence in Westminster is through APPGs (All Party Parliamentary Groups). These range from groups that are almost just a general interest to some that are making real efforts to change legislation. This week I had meetings on the Left Behind Neighbourhoods APPG, that I chair, but also joined brief meetings with the General Aviation APPG and the Furniture Industries APPG.
I joined a meeting with the Chancellor where he listened to representations from backbenchers on the potential steps to be taken to help the cost-of-living concerns and other policy thoughts. I also had my usual BEIS meeting. This week was a one-off session on the Government’s Help to Grow schemes before next week when we will be having our second session on Energy Prices, which will include a response from the Secretary of State.
I also had discussions with the Citizens Advice Bureau and caught up with the Minister for Her Majesty’s Courts service and expressed my frustrations that, in terms of issuing custodial sentences, courts should be more robust. Whilst most meetings now are face to face, I also had a couple of Zoom meetings, one with the Centre for Social Justice and the other with the team working on the Levelling Up bid for Newton Aycliffe. I discussed with Amazon their business challenges and how they integrate with others. In case you were not aware, the Amazon fulfilment centre at Darlington is in the Sedgefield constituency.
On Wednesday I spoke in the final day of the Queen’s Speech debate before getting a late train north after the votes. This meant that I could be in my Newton Aycliffe office on Thursday which included a meeting with one of the Aycliffe Councillors, a discussion on the Leamside line and a Zoom panel on Empowering places. I also took the opportunity to call in to Bewick Crescent Doctor’s surgery for a catch-up on their improved ways of working as we come out of Covid.
Friday was a particularly busy day starting with a call with Durham Police at 8.00am; a Transport call at 9.30am; a visit to a farm at 10.30am; a meeting with Livin at Junction 7 before a quick call in to 5 Acres to celebrate their first anniversary. Then it was back to the office for a series of surgeries before the important call of the day, I went to wish my Mum a happy 88th birthday.
I finished the day at Redworth Hall for the ‘Make Your Mark’ awards for businesses on the Aycliffe Business Park. It was a fantastic celebration of the amazing companies we have in Aycliffe. Charlie Charlton, a former senior journalist with BBC Newcastle, was our host and Paul Stiller, Director at Stiller Warehousing & Distribution Ltd, gave an inspiring keynote speech. There was such a dynamic range of businesses represented at the event, from the new start up to the big names, It was particularly great to see the outstanding candidates for Apprentice of the Year. Well done Ellie Shooter from Digital Edge who won, but also many congratulations to Connor Bland from Stiller’s who was runner up. I look forward to visiting many of these companies over the coming weeks.
Saturday was a quieter day that started up at Station Town where they held a meet and greet for residents. I joined local Councillors, Neighbourhood Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner at the church hall and residents were able to drop in and talk to us. After this I called in at the Family Fun Day at the Veteran’s Community Hub and then popped into the Messy Church at St. Clare’s. Two more brilliant organisations we have in Aycliffe.
On Monday I’m back to Westminster with business that will include the Public Order Bill and the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill as well as a Humble Address to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. We will then have a short recess, returning on Monday 6th June. Before then of course we will have had the Platinum Jubilee weekend where I hope you enjoy whatever celebrations you are joining and that the weather is kind.
If you would like to get in touch with me, as always, you can reach me at paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk.
Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield