One of the problems with writing this column can be that the timing is slightly out of sync. I have to submit it at the beginning of the week it will be published in and, whilst I try to be clear, it is easy to be misunderstood. This happened last week when I had said I would be in Tesco for a pop-up event, but a couple of people thought it was the wrong Thursday. Sorry, I will try to be clearer in future, but these should be reasonably regular events now.
Last week, week commencing 27 March, I travelled to Westminster, on Monday, in time to support the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins MP, with a tearoom surgery. This is where other MPs come with questions related to her responsibilities and she will either answer them or get her officials to investigate more complex cases.
On Tuesday, I went to an APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Northern Culture where we discussed the importance of sport to communities before joining Lord Baker and others to discuss UTCs (University Technical Colleges) and their importance in Technical Education. I also was able to see a performance of the King’s Colour Squadron in Speakers Court before heading to the Chamber for the votes on the Illegal Migration Bill which should make a significant step forward in dealing with the small boats issue.
Wednesday started with a round table with the NFU (National Farmers Union) and the Secretary of State for Defra (Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs), Mark Spencer MP, discussing horticulture. Then it was the Transport Select Committee to discuss the Strategic Road Network; followed by Prime Minister’s questions before a meeting re the Northern Research Group. I then spent the rest of the day in the Chamber as PPS (Parliamentary Private Secretary), first for a Ten-Minute Rule Bill before the main business of the day which was the Finance Act. Later I went to a dinner hosted by the Social Justice Caucus where Gillian Keegan MP, Secretary of State for Education, was the guest speaker.
Thursday saw an early train north before time in the office with a number of Microsoft Teams meetings including Arriva, about Trimdon buses; the British Poultry Council; a student about their dissertation and a solar company regarding their plans near Bishopton and Brafferton. After the Teams updates and discussions, I went to Crook as I knew that Arriva and the Bus Minister, Richard Holden MP, were meeting, and I wanted to discuss the problems in Trimdon. Later it was over to Sedgefield as visitors from the Compound Semiconductor Catapult were meeting with our semiconductor businesses as they have opened an office on NETPark.
I had also called down to the Town Centre to see some of the team at the Halifax as it was announced that the branch will be closing in September along with around another 50 throughout the UK. Whilst this is clearly not good news for the staff it might not be as bad as it seems for the Town Centre. As this was the last bank in the town, we will be getting a banking hub established and I am working hard to ensure that Halifax doesn’t close before this opens. The hub would be run by a Postmaster with full access to cash and deposit facilities, but then different banks would be in attendance each day to allow customers to get face to face meetings when needed. I will be sure to provide updates as soon as information is received.
Friday, I caught up with Durham County Council and my Aycliffe based team before heading to Leeds Bradford Airport for a week away. You will be reading these updates as I return so next week’s column will be less busy.
As always, you can reach me through paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk or call Aycliffe 790580 and even when I am away my team are there to help.