Another very interesting week last week, last Tuesday evening I joined the Aycliffe Rotary Club for their meeting as Jean Thompson handed over to Trish Pemberton as the new president for the 2020/21 year. Cllr John Clare gave an interesting presentation on climate change and in particular the work being done in Durham. I wish Trish a very successful year as President, knowing her interests I am sure we will talk trains at some point.
On Thursday morning I attended the BEIS select committee where we began our discussions on the post pandemic growth inquiry. We started by looking at the Economic environment before the pandemic and discussing the impact with Professor Mariana Mazzucato, who is the director of UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and a Professor of Economics of Innovation and Public Purpose, and Professor Diane Coyle, who is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge.
Friday was another busy morning with back to back virtual meetings starting with the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, Jo Farrell, to talk in particular around antisocial behaviour and criminal damage issues. We followed this with a meeting of the Tees Valley MPs and TVCA Mayor Ben Houchen. Then it was Heart UK who were briefing me on CVD or cardiovascular disease. I will talk more on this another time but if you don’t have regular checks on your cholesterol levels please can I implore you to do so. After that I talked to local landlords about Durham County Council’s proposed selective licensing scheme and followed that with a call to Sue Jacques who is Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and the last call of the morning was a discussion around HS2.
The afternoon saw us back, looking at our new office, which is to be in Sydney House on the Business Park just next to Greggs. We are working on moving in and organising IT etc and expect to be up and running in a couple of weeks. I then popped into the Blue Bridge Centre to see the guys from Community Support and wished them well in their endeavours. It is wonderful to see someone picking up the mantle of Honest John’s work.
Over the weekend it was good to get into the town centre a couple of times and see the shopkeepers who are delighted to be back and open again, I would encourage you to go and support them.
Monday it was train to London time but before that I was able to catch up with people from Durham University who are undertaking modelling work around the impact of coronavirus. The data they are working with should be particularly useful as we exit this pandemic. In the afternoon we were debating the Business and Planning Bill in Chamber, during which I was also able to deliver my maiden speech. A very proud moment.
This Bill is formulated around the changes to regulations that will temporarily allow more flexibility in areas like the creation of pavement cafes to allow restaurants and pubs to operate. In my maiden speech I thanked Phil Wilson for his efforts previously and wished him well. I was able to use the opportunity to strongly advocate for the need to make sure we continue our efforts to level up the UK.
Tuesday saw me in the London office and included an online discussion around Climate Change with some constituents followed by the passing of the Immigration Bill later in the day.
As I am sure you are all aware there are significant liftings to lockdown restrictions starting this weekend on the Fourth of July and I hope we can all take the opportunity to support some of the places that have been shut for so long but in a sensible manner. Please respect the virus and continue to practice as much social distancing as you can. The rules are the minimums and there is nothing to stop you giving everyone more space if you can.
I wish you all a great week.
Stay safe and look after each other.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield
Paul.Howell.MP@Parliament.uk – Tel: 020 7219 4272
