This week sees us back in Westminster for the first time in 2023. On Monday we started with questions to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities which included reference to the NE Devolution deal, followed by the Second Reading of the Procurement Bill where I stressed the importance of simple and single approval processes for SMEs when dealing with public bodies like the NHS. I gave the example of a fantastic product (a light therapy mask to help treat diabetic retinopathy) produced in NETPark by PolyPhotonix that requires approval by each separate Health Trust rather than a blanket NHS wide approval. This multiple approval process is inefficient for the NHS and incredibly frustrating to a small business. I also supported Victoria Atkins, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in a briefing session for Tuesday’s Stamp Duty debate where I am on Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) duties.
Tuesday was also the weekly Treasury team meeting and then into the Chamber for the Stamp Duty Bill where I was on duty as PPS. Later I had a Transport Select Committee Meeting in anticipation of our public session on Wednesday. The session is about the rail strikes and our witnesses are the primary negotiators. The first session will have the representatives from: the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA). I am sure the first session will certainly grab attention, not least because we’ll be taking evidence from Mick Lynch of the RMT. Network Rail and the Rail Delivery Group representatives will take part in the second session. I am sure they will both be very interesting sessions and by the time this column is published on Friday, you may have seen them on TV, however, as I’m writing this on Tuesday, I can’t predict the outcomes yet.
Thursday I will be off to RAF Cranwell on the way north as part of my Armed Forces engagements and on Friday I have a typically varied day of meetings planned in the constituency, including with Oakwood Learning Centre in Heighington and later the North East Space Leadership Group, followed by a meeting with Dehenna Davison MP in her neighbouring constituency and Shildon Alive, who are a community organisation that might have some useful ideas for a possible ‘community hub’ here in Newton Aycliffe. Finally, I plan to get out and about knocking on a few doors and speaking with residents and asking them about their concerns in Ferryhill.
Education is key to improving lives, communities and ensuring future social and economic growth in this amazing Sedgefield constituency. With that in mind, it’s wonderful to hear that Horndale County Infant and Nursery School in Newton Aycliffe, where I was a School Governor before becoming MP, – despite all of the difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic – have achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating. I wish to offer my hearty congratulations to all the staff and children on their hard work and dedication.
I also want to congratulate St. Francis Junior School on receiving their award from Santa, Mrs Claus and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen. Newton Aycliffe Police held a competition for schools to decorate a nine-foot Christmas Tree and St Francis’ created a Snowman Christmas tree with a mission to melt hearts with kindness. The children of this school are teaching all of us about the importance of kindness and it was indeed heart-warming to see the photograph of the children and their prize-winning tree, in last week’s Newton News.
Many of us are looking towards getting healthier in 2023 and it’s good to see the hearty encouragement from Aycliffe Running Club to help us achieve our goals. More information is available on their website www.ayclifferunningclub.org.uk. Perhaps it’s time for me to join the Aycliffe Running Club again too and dust off the Aycliffe Vest, which I still have from when I ran a little about 10-15 years ago! As always, if you want to get in touch, just call the constituency office on 01325 790580 or email at:
paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk