I’ve had a busy week in Parliament, our constituency and visiting a major Royal Air Force base to learn more about the work of our forces.
I’m really pleased to have been awarded a place on the Armed Forces Parliamentary scheme, an outstanding programme that’s been running for over thirty years. The aim of the scheme is to help make sure members of the House of Commons and House of Lords have a good knowledge of our armed forces, their work and the realities facing our service personnel. The programme is cross-party and supported by the services and the Ministry of Defence.
I’ve joined the Royal Air Force branch of the programme and our first assignment was to fly to RAF Valley by Chinook helicopter to see first hand the UK’s fast jet training school. It was great to meet RAF personnel, including people from our area, and learn about all aspects of military training. As well as hearing from senior leaders about RAF operations around the world, it was good to have honest conversations with servicemen and women of all ranks about day-to-day life in the forces and what needs to be improved. I’ll be picking up the issues raised with defence ministers to push for the very best for those who defend our country.
Local jobs in the defence sector, such as those at Octric Semiconductors in Newton Aycliffe Business Park, contribute greatly to our local economy and it’s important to gain further insight into the sector so I can support growth and opportunities locally. Good, local, well-paying jobs remain my top priority as your MP.
In Aycliffe, I had the pleasure of opening the new hydrotherapy pool at the Pioneering Care Centre. The pool will assist with rehabilitation and recovery for those with physical injuries and disabilities. I was delighted to join the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs. Sue Snowdon, who opened the new Options Room for service users. The renovations mark a new chapter for the centre as they continue to improve the fantastic services they provide to us here in Aycliffe and across the region.
My constituency and Westminster offices are now at full strength. My team are working incredibly hard to help me assist constituents with a whole range of issues. We’ve now responded to nearly 2,000 letters and emails and assisted over 700 people with complex cases including Pension Credit claims, re-housing and school issues. If there is anything you feel I can help with, you can contact me on:
alan.strickland.mp@parliament.uk
I’ve held several constituency surgeries throughout this month, including one in Aycliffe this week. If you would like to attend my advice surgeries to discuss any issues, then please email me to book an appointment.
It was a privilege to visit the Solan Connor Fawcett Cancer Trust in Spennymoor. Following their creation, in 2015, they’ve helped children and adults who have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. This includes counselling, financial support, advice and a new support hub. They work closely with local health services and charities to ensure residents get all the support they are entitled to. They’ve helped thousands of residents, including lots of families in Newton Aycliffe. Please do have a look at their website if they might be able to help you.
I’m pleased that this Labour Government is committed to halving the number of deaths by cancer in the next 5 years. We’ll do this by doubling the number of cancer scanners and investing in an extra 700,000 appointments a year to speed up diagnosis and treatment.
Back in Westminster, I voted on several key Bills currently going through Parliament including a law to remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords and the creation of GB Energy. A whole raft of legislation is currently moving through the parliamentary process, and I look forward to the progress being made on the policies we set out in our manifesto.
I look forward to updating you all next week, please get in touch if you think there’s anything I can help with.
Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe & Spennymoor
alan.strickland.mp@parliament.uk