Last week started with a meeting with the permanent secretary for BEIS (Business Energy and Industrial Strategy) and her team. In this we had a comprehensive briefing to the BEIS select committee by all of the senior officials. As I have said before this department is incredibly diverse in that it covers not only business of all types, not only all aspects of energy and industrial strategy but also has responsibility for leading on climate change and therefore Cop 26. Cop 26 was supposed to take place in Glasgow earlier this year, but, because of Covid-19, has been delayed until November 2021. The full title for Cop 26 is the 26th UN climate change conference of the parties. This is a particularly important year for this conference in that it is five years since the Paris agreement and countries are expected to commit to improving their NDC targets. NDC’s are nationally determined contributions and are at the heart of the Paris agreement and the achievement of long-term goals, they embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impact of climate change.
The BEIS select committee session on Tuesday was a one off session to look at the preparedness of the department for Cop26 and, considering the disruption of Covid-19, things are progressing well. Later we had an MP’s briefing with the PM in anticipation of the tier restrictions vote. Last week I also had the pleasure of separate catch ups with the Bishop of Durham and the North of Tyne Mayor. Each had different incites to share and proved again that every day is a school day. Friday saw a virtual catch up with the Dean Bank Regeneration team at Ferryhill and the Chief Executive of the local NHS trust. In the latter we were reassured that trends are positive but of course we need to continue good practice.
The weekend included Small Business Saturday so I went to promote a number around our villages and would remind you all that many of them have had a very challenging year so please support them whenever you can. One of the best local small businesses, is of course our outstanding Newton Press, and like so many small businesses, they are great supporters of our community. Newton Press are also, through the pages of the Newton News, a great source of other local businesses you can support.
Unbelievably it is now a year since I was elected as your MP and I must say that, despite all that this year has thrown at us, I continue to believe I have the best job in the world and remain as proud and delighted to be your representative as I was on election night. The virus has frustrated, in particular, our efforts at direct engagement, but as the vaccine is deployed and the lockdowns get lifted next year we will double down on our efforts and support the Prime Minister as we deliver on levelling up and build back better.
We are seeing infection rates reducing but please continue to respect the rules and we can hope for a reduction to tier 2 at the earliest opportunity.
So please, everyone do your bit and remember
HANDS-FACE-SPACE
Wash your Hands regularly, wear a mask on your Face where required and give people Space, follow the new regulations that will hopefully put us in a better place for Christmas and beyond.
Stay safe and have a good week.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield
