This week’s column needs to start with a discussion around the latest Covid restrictions, as I am sure you are all aware these changed last week. There were high profile changes to international travel rules with the introduction of both pre departure lateral flow tests and on arrival PCR tests for everyone coming into the UK. This will affect a relatively small number of people significantly but for most of us it is the change to mask rules that will impact us. This change is a small imposition but one that affects many people. I know that some of you disagree with the need and the value of wearing a mask for shopping or travelling but, as I have said before, it is a small inconvenience and if there is any chance it could help then why not?
Even if you fundamentally disagree with mask wearing, one thing that is definitely not acceptable is abusing our front-line shop workers, bus drivers etc. for trying to enforce the rules. It is their job; they have no choice. If you want to rant off about it then do it to me, it’s my Government that have imposed these rules not the person behind the counter or driving the bus. If you don’t want to wear a mask in a shop then don’t go in, shop online or ask a friend. Unfortunately, I have had a number of people writing to me who have been abused in this way and I would implore everyone to refrain and also if you see it happening, support the staff.
Obviously, a significant impact has been felt locally by Storm Arwen, this has been devastating for many people particularly in Weardale and Teesdale but also in places like Barmpton village, Thornley and Easington. There is enormous credit due to the front-line teams dealing with this, particularly given the scale and the weather they had to deal with. There are however some serious questions to be answered as regards the infrastructure investment and the communications to those affected.
My week in Westminster included briefings on the storm and a debate in the chamber on the response. I had a meeting with the BEIS ministers about their immediate plans and activities. For BEIS I also had a select committee session, this week was quite technical and was about State Aid and Post Brexit Competition Policy and in particular the roles of different bodies in monitoring or enforcing the rules. I joined a meeting of the APPG trying to get justice for Equitable Life policyholders and I chaired the latest evidence session for my APPG on Left Behind Neighbourhoods. This session was titled Cleaner, Safer, Greener? Livability in Left Behind Neighbourhoods. We had witnesses reinforcing the studies behind how important your local environment is to quality of life, whether this is access to green spaces or indeed blue spaces (by this they meant the sea, lakes or rivers) but importantly the quality and cleanliness of these spaces. I also had meetings in Westminster on subjects including Aviation, Asylum Seekers, Dormant Assets and Ocean Conservation.
Before heading north on Wednesday night, I was able to meet Penny Mordaunt, Minister of State for Trade Policy, to promote our local businesses, in particular NETPark, Kromek and Crafters Companion. Penny is going to the United States soon, so I wanted to share our US facing businesses. Back in the constituency I was able to catch up with my team and the daily issues we continue to deal with. I met several businesses and was able to pop into Woodham Community Centre where the local Councillors, David Sutton Lloyd and Tony Stubbs, were coordinating a multi-agency walkabout. It was great to see representatives from Durham County Council including Kate Ward, Emma Leighton, Veronica Benn, Rachel Tindall and Kelly Presch; Claire O’Connor from Livin and PC Bram Boot and PCSO Sarah Button getting together to understand the issues that matter to the community and encouraging people to use the ‘doitonline’ function on the Durham County Council website or using the 101 number for the police. I couldn’t stay for the walkabout as I had a meeting at Durham County Hall that included the Council’s Cabinet and Senior Management Team as well as all the Durham MPs. This meeting covered everything from Storm Arwen to Devolution to their Financial Plans. I was going to call at a number events on Friday and Saturday but received a message on Friday afternoon requiring me to take a PCR test. Huge credit to those operating this process as I was able to book a test at the drive in at Shildon on Saturday morning and had confirmation I was negative by Saturday afternoon.
My sign off message remains boringly consistent, our biggest weapon against Covid is the vaccines, everything I hear tells me that the countries with highest vaccination rates are faring best and also that those in hospital with Covid are disproportionately those who have not been vaccinated. So please take the opportunity for any jabs you are offered.
Please stay safe and respect our front-line workers.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield