September has been a very busy month as your local Member of Parliament. Myself and my new office team have now responded to over 1500 emails and helped 500 people with individual pieces of casework including very complex issues around housing, welfare and education. I’ve also secured a big win for the Newton Aycliffe, following a lot of painstaking work.
Success in saving the Aycliffe semi-conductor plant
Since before the election, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to help secure a clear future for what was the Coherent semi-conductor factory in Aycliffe Business Park. Newtonians, my age and older, will remember HM Queen Elizabeth opening the factory as a Fujitsu plant in 1991.
After a contract to make electric chips for Apple iPhones was moved abroad earlier this year, the high-tech facility was facing sale and possible closure. The factory also makes semi-conductor technology for UK defence, including fighter jets, so it was clear there was a strong local and national argument for investing in this plant and saving the 100 jobs. I’ve been working with Labour’s defence team to push this for some months.
After months of confidential work, I was delighted to welcome Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, to Newton Aycliffe to announce the government would step in to save the plant. In a £20 million takeover, the Ministry of Defence bought the facility to secure homegrown supply of this vital defence equipment. As well as saving local jobs, the new government is committed to investing in future growth and opportunities at the Newton Aycliffe plant. This important announcement shows the value of having a pro-active, local MP who’s standing up for our town.
New staff team recruited
I’m really pleased to say that, after interviewing in the last few weeks, my staff team is now at full strength. I’ve had to recruit from scratch, as a new MP, and have been pleased to hire some excellent local residents from across our constituency.
Like most Members of Parliament, my staff team are split between an office here in the constituency and in Westminster. Standing up for our area is my top priority, so I’ve spent the majority of my staffing budget locally. My constituency team assist with enquiries, help me to chase government departments and other organisations, who residents are having problems with, and book in local meetings. I’ve now got an Office Manager, Senior Caseworker, Caseworker and part-time Communications Officer. We’re currently working from temporary office space and are moving to premises in Newton Aycliffe in the near future.
The other part of my job is making sure we have a strong voice in Parliament and being a national legislator. That involves meeting government ministers to raise issues, asking questions, speaking in the House of Commons and engaging with organisations to push local issues. It also involves scrutinising and voting on laws. To help me with my work in Parliament, I’ve recruited a Parliamentary Researcher, who starts shortly.
With the final members of my team starting in the next few weeks, I’ll be able to support more residents, and more quickly. As ever, if there are issues you think I can help with, please email me at:
alan.strickland.mp@parliament.uk
Upcoming advice surgery in Newton Aycliffe
Throughout the month I’ve held six constituency surgeries across the towns and villages in our new constituency. I wanted to thank everyone who’s taken the time to come and raise issues with me. My next advice surgery in Newton Aycliffe is on Friday 25th October 4-6pm. Other slots are available in locations across the constituency. Get in touch if you would like to book an appointment.
Alan Strickland MP.