Monday 26th June started in Parliament with a visit to an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Menopause before then meeting the Entrepreneurs Network and later heading to a meeting with Maria Caulfield, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, to discuss concerns constituents have raised with me about pressures on the provision of mental health services. So just the usual variation that this job offers!
On Tuesday 27th June I had an early start to join the National Prayer Breakfast which is an annual event held in Westminster Hall with people from communities from all over the country. Later in the day I was able to join a tour behind the scenes of the Palace of Westminster to understand the issues being considered in the renewal and restoration plans. The scale of the services behind the scenes is quite something, for example there are around 250 miles of electric cables! I signed up to be a Disability Confident Employer and supported the Financial Secretary to the treasury in a DL (Delegated Legislation) committee on double taxation relief. We also had a meeting with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme where we gave them feedback both on the scheme itself but also our findings from meeting and talking to service members.
On Wednesday 28th June I came back to the Constituency so that I could attend the installation dinner for Fiona Hill as the new Chancellor of Durham University. I did not go to university from school but went to Durham in my late 30s where I gained an MBA. On Thursday 29th June I then went to Durham Cathedral for her formal installation and also had the privilege of a one-to-one meeting on Saturday morning. Fiona has an incredible back story and is an appropriate choice to be the new Chancellor. Fiona was born in Bishop Auckland and went to Bishop Barrington Comprehensive, at that time, although she achieved a scholarship to Durham High school, she had to forgo the opportunity as she couldn’t afford the uniform! She tells her story in a book called “There is nothing for you here!” which is what her father said to her due to her intensity for study and reading. She subsequently studied Russian and ended up working in the White House for Presidents Bush and Obama before later taking the stand in the prosecution of Donald Trump at his impeachment trial. Her focus as Chancellor will be all about encouraging the delivery of opportunities to those from communities where opportunity is limited. I am looking forward to working with her on numerous agendas from here on in. The agenda of the Left Behind Neighbourhoods APPG resonates closely with her plans.
On Friday 30th June I went to a couple of Primary schools. My first visit was to Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School which has been shortlisted as one on the top 10 schools in the world for innovation. It was a real pleasure to meet the Head, tour the school and talk to some pupils. Then it was to Deaf Hill Primary School in Trimdon Station where again I had the privilege to tour the school and joined some of the pupils for lunch. Deaf Hill were recently in Westminster for the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club awards where they won first prize. It really was an enjoyable morning.
After this I headed to County Hall at Durham for our regular MPs’ meeting. On this occasion our primary briefs were around Tobacco Harms and Transport. Whilst the brief was about all Transport in the North and clearly referenced the good initiatives on lower bus fares and the significant funding being provided, we of course discussed how essential it was that solutions were found for services like the X21 that Arriva are withdrawing. I also had similar discussions with the Tees Valley Mayor as the X21 crosses the boundary of the two authorities and it is imperative they work together to find a solution. Whilst in County Hall I also took the time for a discussion about the Governments proposed Investment Zone for the North East and stressed how important it is that this includes NETPark in Sedgefield.
Over the weekend, I went to the 75 year celebrations in Aycliffe at the Town Park, it was good to see so many organisations represented, and it was a pleasure to catch up with so many people. It was particularly interesting to see the pictures that are being compiled representing Aycliffe over the years and I will be delivering some of my own soon. If you have any, please consider doing the same.
More information about submitting your Aycliffe 75 memory can be found here: https://www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk/aycliffe-75/your-aycliffe-75-memories/submit-your-aycliffe-75-memory/
If you want to get in touch with me about any concerns, please call 01325 790580 or email: paul.howell.mp@parliament.uk