Last Monday, 22nd May, I had a question in the House of Commons Chamber for the Home Secretary and reminded her that despite the increased police numbers recruited by the Government since 2019, there is still a need for more. I also said it’s imperative that they are delivered to the front line to deal with ASB and are not directed into back office jobs. Before that, I had the opportunity to take a close look at the refurbished Elizabethan Tower. This tower is referred to by many as Big Ben but it is in fact only the largest of the 5 bells in the tower that can be correctly referred to as Big Ben. The tower is due to open to the public soon and we were offered a preview, it now looks fantastic and is well worth climbing the 300 plus steps if you get the chance.
Amongst the meetings last week was one with Building Digital UK (BDUK) to complain about the lack of progress we are seeing with broadband internet, particularly in some of our rural villages. They gave me good promises that progress is imminent, but I shared my scepticism and will continue to push for better. I also met the minister responsible for the dormant assets fund and I pushed for greater progress on delivery of a community wealth fund.
I had a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and Darlington to remind her of my priorities regarding ASB as well as a session with Pragmatic from Sedgefield discussing their investment in a new facility in Durham and I will be visiting there this week. I joined a session with the Secretary of State discussing the Renters Reform Bill, which needs to strike the right balance between improving tenant rights whilst making sure good landlords stay in the market. I was in the Chamber for an adjournment debate on Tuesday, in my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary, responsible for supporting Treasury Ministers.
The Transport Select Committee this week had its final session on the Minimum Services Bill, including questioning the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman. The next step is for the Committee to report on its conclusions from the sessions we have had with all stakeholders. After this it was PMQ’s before calling at a reception hosted by AMEDA. They are an industry body trying to encourage more efficient operation of domestic appliances and I took the opportunity to talk about EBAC and their energy efficient products like washing machines.
Still in London, I went to discuss the UK Semiconductor Strategy at the Royal Society at an event where Coherent, who have a site in Newton Aycliffe, were one of the hosts and also caught up with the leadership of Hitachi. Thursday I spent the day with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme and we visited RAF Wittering near Peterborough where we had the chance to talk to numerous personnel, including university students. This is where the RAF do a lot of their first stage pilot training and we had the opportunity to experience a flight in one of their training planes.
I finished the week in the constituency where I had a meeting at EBAC as well as hosting a surgery at Woodham Community Centre and taking the opportunity to call and see the fantastic new changing rooms at Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club. It was good to catch up with club chairman, Ian Palmer, who has been working so hard to deliver these. I recall seeing the state of the old changing rooms when I was an Aycliffe County Councillor and the club was desperate for something better. Credit to GAMP, the current local Councillors and the businesses who have helped make this possible.
I also had the pleasure of a visit to Trimdon Grange where they have renamed the recreation field to respect one of their famous sons, Bobby Cowell, who was from Trimdon and played over 400 times for Newcastle and won the FA Cup 3 times, 1951, ‘52 & ‘55, as a full back. The celebration included local family as well as some who had travelled from Canada.
This week Westminster is on recess so I will start in the constituency before a few days away, if you want to get in touch, the office will be open even when I am away, so please either call Aycliffe 01325 790580 or email: Paul.Howell.MP@Parliament.UK