The Prime Ministers’ announcement that restrictions are to be largely lifted from Monday is another major step back towards post Covid normality, whatever that may be. This next stage is about us all taking more personal responsibility rather than being told what we can and can’t do. It takes us all doing the right thing for the best outcome to be found. We all need to have consideration for others and the environment we find ourselves in. An easy example from my world would be when I am travelling to London by train. If there are only a few people in a carriage I would not wear a mask, but, if it was crowded, then I would wear one, at least moving around.
The message from the scientists remains clear though, that the way out of this is via immunity and immunity can arise by having had exposure or by vaccination. The more of us that are vaccinated the less the risk of transmission and therefore the less risk of putting pressure on our NHS. Please, if you have not already been vaccinated, take the opportunity, and help your friends and family.
It was a shame that England just missed winning the European Cup, but they still did better than they ever had in that tournament and let’s hope they take a step further in the World Cup next year. A big benefit of the stage 4 release is that of sports and theatres opening up, allowing us all to enjoy events again.
BEIS this week saw us taking evidence from experts on the financial structure of Liberty Steel as part of our inquiry on the Steel industry. We also released our report on the ‘Findings of the report of Climate Assembly UK’. Our short inquiry has focussed on how Government and stakeholders have engaged with the findings of CAUK and investigates how its recommendations have influenced the Government’s work to date. The report is available online on the Government’s website.
I had a catch up as regards the work being done on the feasibility report for reopening Ferryhill railway station. I am increasingly confident that the data will support us achieving this, which would be a great step in building back better infrastructure for our area. I took part in a meeting with a group looking at a new social covenant, this is about trusting communities more and enabling local people to take the actions that help their communities and links, quite heavily, with the APPG on Left Behind Neighbourhoods I chair.
Saturday saw me having the opportunity to help open a memorial garden in Fishburn. Sandra Dowson, a local resident, had led fundraising to build a beautiful feature area in the cemetery where people can both sit and reflect but also have plaques installed to remember people they have lost. I had the privilege of saying a few words and then the pleasure of joining Sandra and others in Fishburn Club afterwards.
Unusually I was drawn to ask a number of questions to ministers this week, normally I average about one question every two weeks, but I have had three in five days. I started with a question in BEIS orals where I was wanting the Minister to show support for NETPark and its innovative businesses. This was followed by a question to the Cabinet Office about the opportunity to make better use of the new County Hall building in Durham by using it for a Government department. I proposed ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) and suggested this could allow more Council roles to be dispersed to places like Aycliffe. Later in the day I was able to ask the Home Office about funding to support initiatives giving young people more to do and redirecting them away from anti-social behaviour. All of these questions can be viewed, along with the ministers’ answers, on my website.
We continue our surgeries around the constituency, last week we were at Fishburn; this week we’re at Sadberge and we are off to Hurworth next week. If you want an appointment at any of the future surgeries, please get in touch with us. There is, of course, always the opportunity to arrange one at our office on the Aycliffe Business Park as well.
As we pass stage 4 on Monday, please remember to be considerate to others and respect those that have concerns as we open up. Some will find it difficult to re-engage in an open society and we should all try to help them by being sympathetic and giving them the space and time they need. The mantra of Hands Face Space and Fresh Air still holds as a common-sense thing to continue. Please look after you and yours and stay safe.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield
