Last week was yet another interesting one in Parliament in a job I absolutely love doing. The week started with a series of discussions with local MPs from both the Tees Valley and Co Durham with regard to Covid restrictions and a possible change of tier for our area. The consistent message across all calls was that we felt it was too early to consider changing to tier 3. We had another series of similar calls at the end of the week where the message was the same, indeed there seemed to be a possibility of some flattening of the curve although some spikes are still showing. The hope is that these early signs change into a more positive flat or even declining trend which would keep us away from the risk of increased restrictions. It was also pleasing to see that, as the week ended, the Chancellor announced further support for those in teir 2 which should help our area.
The most contentious vote in the house last week was the one associated to the opposition day debate on free school meals. The way Labour advertise their opposition debates is increasingly misleading and the debate on school meal vouchers was no different. Not a single MP in the chamber thought of child poverty as anything but of the upmost importance and the debate was on the method of tackling it but Labour framed it for political gain.
To be clear, I have not voted against feeding schoolchildren and I have not voted against reducing child poverty. I have voted against the extension of free meal vouchers as being the appropriate method of tackling inequality and child hunger. I disagree with Labour that the use of vouchers is the appropriate solution, indeed, for many years, that was Labours position. You could also ask why they would choose to have this debate on the very last day possible before half term if it wasn’t to make political points. If the motion had been passed then it would’ve left next to no time for our already hard pressed schools to administer the process.
The government is very active in terms of trying to create long-term preventative measures but in the short term is also recognising urgent needs and indeed Durham County Council has received an additional £694,000 for welfare support. These funds provided by the government are now being framed by some councils as them helping because the government didn’t, even though the Government provided them with the funds! Whilst we may disagree on the opposition day debate, I can assure you I am clear in my desire to lift children and their families out of poverty.
Other discussions this week have included some with owners of care homes in Wingate; a discussion with the HS2 purchasing team reinforcing the need for local UK supply chains to be given priority; a discussion with Durham County Council officers around the selective licensing proposal and a discussion with fellow MPs around the Mineworkers Pension Fund.
I also had the opportunity to ask a question in the house on transport questions, where I again raised the need for support for the coach industry and also referenced the need to look at options around improving air travel restrictions. We also had another meeting of the BEIS select committee, where this time we had a number of the regional Metro members including Andy Burnham from Manchester and Jamie Driscoll from North of Tyne. The discussion with them was about their opportunity to engage in supporting regional growth and in particular how they, as Mayors, fit into the levelling up agenda. Given the discussions Andy Burnham has had with Boris Johnson this week, as you can imagine, this was an interesting session.
My last duty of the week was a visit to meet the principal of the new South Campus at Durham University, this is a fantastic investment by the University and increases the opportunity for students to be accommodated in university buildings as opposed to the centre of Durham. Obviously they are also dealing with the problems of Covid 19 but so far this campus is relatively unscathed.
You may also have seen that I have supported a letter to the Prime Minister from the Northern Research Group. This is a group of Northern MP’s formed to look specifically at issues affecting the North and to lobby as a group on the basis of facts and research. We will be doing our utmost to make sure that initiatives like “levelling up” and “build back better” deliver for all of us.
Next week we are on recess which should give an opportunity to catch my breath before the home run to the end of the year, which will no doubt have some very interesting challenges, not least around the conclusion of the Brexit trade negotiations.
As I said earlier, it is a critical time in the fight against Covid 19 so please remember HANDS-FACE-SPACE, wash your Hands regularly, wear a mask on your Face where required and give people Space.
Stay safe and have a good week.
Paul Howell MP
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield
