I must start this week by congratulating Bill Cooksey on his 101st birthday and once again thanking him for his fundraising efforts.
Last week, as I said, I went to Thornley to meet CAP (Christians Against Poverty), they hold outreach sessions at a number of locations across the top of the Sedgefield Constituency and have been active for around 30 years now. Although they obviously come from a church perspective their priority is helping people manage their way out of debt and they do a tremendous job. This particular session was held at The Little House of Hope, a resource typically open 5 days a week, which I have visited a few times and is in itself lovely, working in a very similar way to Play Café.
I had a number of meetings and surgery appointments with constituents last week, these range from people looking for help to those wanting to share their knowledge and experience. Examples of those looking for help include anti-social behaviour in the Trimdons and Ferryhill; a business in Aycliffe frustrated by shoplifting, and other businesses experiencing massive cost pressures that could close them down.
I was able to share the ASB problems later in the week when I went to the PACT meeting in Trimdon Village. As regards the shoplifting in Aycliffe, the biggest frustration here was the individual concerned is a habitual offender, this is nothing to do with current cost of living pressures but does indicate that sentencing is not robust enough. This, I will again, raise with the Justice ministers.
I had a surgery appointment with a lady who had worked in the health service all her life. She offered informed and positive advice and suggestions, drawn from her extensive experience, that I will share with Health ministers. I hope that offers an insight into the sort of discussions I have with constituents and if you want to catch up, either to discuss your concerns or offer suggestions, please get in touch.
As you are aware I am a PPS to the Chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi, and along with other colleagues we had a Team’s call last week where he shared the work he is doing. His focus is on preparing options for the new Prime Minister to consider and delivering the support his predecessor had already put in place worth £37 Billion. The support being provided is very substantial, but the scale of the problem driven by the war in Ukraine is ever increasing and it is clear more will need to be done.
The support so far has been targeted to those most in need, but the pressure is now increasing on more people and many businesses. I shared with the Chancellor the problems of the businesses and constituents, but I have to say he was already well aware of the issues. His role is to have the Treasury team working full throttle to have options available to the new PM in September, and he is definitely on the case.
Only one more week now in the constituency before Westminster reconvenes, look forward to seeing some of you before getting back to my regular London commutes. As always, if you want to contact me, please give us a call on 01325 790580 or email me at:
paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk
Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield