Last week’s agenda changed significantly after the Hitachi announcement. I was fully briefed by the company regarding the need to make this change and their ongoing commitment to both the UK and Newton Aycliffe in particular. This is endorsed by their simultaneous announcement of investment in broadening their capabilities to make the operation more capable and competitive in the future. The concern is always for the affected employees first and I am assured Hitachi will work with Union and all other parties to mitigate the impact as much as possible. I was also able to meet with the Union to take their perspective and I have discussed with Business Durham the support they are offering. I have met with various ministers to discuss how we can create an environment in which Hitachi’s commitment to the UK is recognised in procurement tendering for future contracts and as we conclude Brexit our flexibility to act will increase.
As for the rest of my week I have had meetings with the Northern Powerhouse minister, the Secretary of State for International Trade and had a briefing on House protocols and safety from the Speaker.
A number of my discussions in Westminster are about infrastructure priorities for Sedgefield and I am happy to take any representations regarding these.
Work continues in sourcing an office and I will let you all know as soon as this concludes, in the meantime we will be arranging some drop in surgeries, I will be out and about in the constituency over Friday and the weekend and look forward to catching up with some of you.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield
