tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50776368193825334222024-03-12T23:47:11.598+00:00Guy Opperman's Constituency DiaryGuy Oppermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17758963879317602374noreply@blogger.comBlogger4369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-41357222380466022712023-10-25T11:00:00.001+01:002023-10-25T11:00:18.535+01:002023 Jobs Fair! Tomorrow!<p> It's almost here... The eighth annual Tynedale and Ponteland Jobs Fair is this Thursday (26th) at the Wentworth Leisure Centre.</p><p>We have over 60 employers with full and part-time opportunities, apprenticeships and career advice all on offer.</p><p> If you are looking for work, please come along!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaadamgHNf8_z2tFMmX9Ge2dUm6AY6Z8FN3F6S8OV_OIUxSyh_WBWaSrIS0VfkJVvfxtl4MijCPlUIDCRICqrYsQRcx0zBOmlnYCjRYs1kn9sO_oNjibPTgcs-C2EboxMqXGhcbdwHjK__NHAl6N3eJYMhEQaUVYGBVGlQhKiyDU7c1EK4HGq_KGUzCE6/s1080/JobsFairFB2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaadamgHNf8_z2tFMmX9Ge2dUm6AY6Z8FN3F6S8OV_OIUxSyh_WBWaSrIS0VfkJVvfxtl4MijCPlUIDCRICqrYsQRcx0zBOmlnYCjRYs1kn9sO_oNjibPTgcs-C2EboxMqXGhcbdwHjK__NHAl6N3eJYMhEQaUVYGBVGlQhKiyDU7c1EK4HGq_KGUzCE6/s320/JobsFairFB2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-70598895061355992182023-06-07T11:17:00.007+01:002023-06-07T11:17:50.846+01:00Ponteland Over 50s Fair! <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0D7dobiawi5L6tSyBct0uPMsDQopqWgBZndIOyZ5WPkY70hpJ1L0dvGunDELO0-ZYeq2D33yKo4g7hLw1ZOwyDIuIjm9dUpdCGylh4NKjWG8WaEvn4_9t8lv9VGlvcbXQvQRW3p646iJh-K6ZdaVjUFzEm8IuDrq6mhOBki4BM3j1wUbr0L_WgwTh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0D7dobiawi5L6tSyBct0uPMsDQopqWgBZndIOyZ5WPkY70hpJ1L0dvGunDELO0-ZYeq2D33yKo4g7hLw1ZOwyDIuIjm9dUpdCGylh4NKjWG8WaEvn4_9t8lv9VGlvcbXQvQRW3p646iJh-K6ZdaVjUFzEm8IuDrq6mhOBki4BM3j1wUbr0L_WgwTh" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last Thursday, I held the Ponteland Over 50's Fair at the Ponteland Leisure Centre. </div></div><p style="text-align: justify;">60 local employers, charities, community groups and volunteering networks came along and set up their stalls in the new state of the art sports hall. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1n-JqO2PakwUZkd2VHfLOEICPSR2s0mJbnAzBjCCJIYFq_7CAYBDOtE49bfkbKyAkD60dSwBDF0T0IkYgMFRyQl4IJ86Bd8uPUQNZPb3K3LnL5mbxYhn4PN44tcvcKD4F7HTPZv-5XQzieBc51fEKKGGzvlaoyN8SYjlRefVclxaV3Nbd2RfyiQ6b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1n-JqO2PakwUZkd2VHfLOEICPSR2s0mJbnAzBjCCJIYFq_7CAYBDOtE49bfkbKyAkD60dSwBDF0T0IkYgMFRyQl4IJ86Bd8uPUQNZPb3K3LnL5mbxYhn4PN44tcvcKD4F7HTPZv-5XQzieBc51fEKKGGzvlaoyN8SYjlRefVclxaV3Nbd2RfyiQ6b" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The opportunities on offer were incredible. What what struck me most was the huge variety in the hall. There were plenty of employers looking for new recruits, including EE, Matfen Hall, Ouseburn Farm, North East Fostering, Springfield Healthcare, St Cuthbert's Care, Home Instead, and Groundworks North East. Newcastle Airport, one of the region's biggest employers, also came along and very kindly sponsored the event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhluzh-lSE7Pa2PwIevh2ag3cWsnTur6lbxZr4o1Mrgot3LKeDumfzmUE-zPf2VyUzCUKG5FUKl6tQqm7YF3HqnQps-uOqWTzy54UPL183-i5B75-ETw9U06KBlcFwkJAQhdcBg1DeBOFJjMnkR1mCTdabAnBvZB-WZ3tx22I0NTVf1w7Kyxc2thzHk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhluzh-lSE7Pa2PwIevh2ag3cWsnTur6lbxZr4o1Mrgot3LKeDumfzmUE-zPf2VyUzCUKG5FUKl6tQqm7YF3HqnQps-uOqWTzy54UPL183-i5B75-ETw9U06KBlcFwkJAQhdcBg1DeBOFJjMnkR1mCTdabAnBvZB-WZ3tx22I0NTVf1w7Kyxc2thzHk" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There was also a fantastic number of local volunteering and hobby groups at the fair, and I must admit I didn't realise there were quite so many in Ponteland. From Ponteland Friendly Stitchers and Ponteland Local History Society, to the Ponteland Ramblers, and the Ponteland Senior Gentlemen's Club, there really was something for every single one of the 400 people who turned up looking for a job, a volunteering opportunity, or a new hobby to take up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL3EOypazqw65caZ3lMm3FQWeLHSCOBBw6v0wEeH1QiiUhmj7a1mvPu8USLiHSkNIX-gwgwjePybfzM1t1E2JjbAnG1WivDyZY5ZpJaMUTjU5xeniug0-z0VRzGZGBHXU5yg1E10TS0Kt9L1kVc3MOrIOQ_zNp65Ig635cNNpkuweBnqQYgol2TFs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL3EOypazqw65caZ3lMm3FQWeLHSCOBBw6v0wEeH1QiiUhmj7a1mvPu8USLiHSkNIX-gwgwjePybfzM1t1E2JjbAnG1WivDyZY5ZpJaMUTjU5xeniug0-z0VRzGZGBHXU5yg1E10TS0Kt9L1kVc3MOrIOQ_zNp65Ig635cNNpkuweBnqQYgol2TFs" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The feedback from all was positive. The atmosphere on the day was relaxed, people were able to just come and go as they pleased, and there was no pressure to sign up to anything - some just came along for a coffee and a chat. It was fantastic to see so many smiles on faces - I think the most important thing was that everyone seemed to enjoy the event. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTts9x-sig3A0ZiDTb7liem73IXnt_oro9tmJgFcuhKf3pF0w1miLvvNaoraaJc6j9Zy2R9ptHbg8FEuZNGpQdDo9Wj00SxizeyaKzWUDueK0KqYw_g8oD7gz5PVW6aBWrA-HQMwqnjlM0Y0s2FlrkLaXhCVq8UE2vJsnstGcrrl0R7rBNVltpabIs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTts9x-sig3A0ZiDTb7liem73IXnt_oro9tmJgFcuhKf3pF0w1miLvvNaoraaJc6j9Zy2R9ptHbg8FEuZNGpQdDo9Wj00SxizeyaKzWUDueK0KqYw_g8oD7gz5PVW6aBWrA-HQMwqnjlM0Y0s2FlrkLaXhCVq8UE2vJsnstGcrrl0R7rBNVltpabIs" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I want to thank everyone who came along. After many many months of preparation and planning, I'm so pleased that the fair was a roaring success. I'm looking forward to next year's already. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><p></p>Thomas Ridgwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035777167330592337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-84639528170973186082023-05-30T11:13:00.000+01:002023-05-30T11:13:02.275+01:00Good news for Tynedale tenant farmers<p>Farmers across West Northumberland are at the heart of our rural economy, including tenant farmers, not least given the essential role they play as a route into farming.</p><p>Their voices must be heard, which is why, following the comprehensive review of tenanted farming chaired by Baroness Rock, the Government has made some key announcements:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>creating a new farm tenancy forum to put a more formal engagement and feedback structure in place between DEFRA and the tenanted sector will embed tenant farmers further in policymaking, improve communication with the tenanted sector and help make Government schemes as accessible as possible.</li><li>developing a new Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and industry-led code of practice on expected standards of socially responsible behaviour for all parties involved in agricultural tenancy agreements.</li><li>launching a call for evidence this summer on a proposed ‘tenant farming commissioner’ or ombudsman.</li></ul><p></p><p>These are positive steps, building on previous work, such as making it easier for tenants to participate in the sustainable farming incentive by offering 3-year agreements, making all productivity grants accessible to tenant farmers, including the £168m of investment launching across 2023, and around half of the 22 long-term, high-ambition landscape recovery projects selected in the first round involving tenants working with other farmers and land managers.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qZz4JiScsAuo1Y9BlcmcLRlVVp0loliuOb6ZBDJi8ApJbu_ULfYISimE2F2LJD2HXxglM3Hd7hVolbB5hiHgUu6Ol7qPEGYlPlFUIlGKz_DZFjadk8_bAF9mNhZ_Afh67T7AyWPynEz7oywhhLUTvGxDU2XIr8UiLPqwSe6mesmJpYPZxm3aBB1JKA/s1280/GuySheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qZz4JiScsAuo1Y9BlcmcLRlVVp0loliuOb6ZBDJi8ApJbu_ULfYISimE2F2LJD2HXxglM3Hd7hVolbB5hiHgUu6Ol7qPEGYlPlFUIlGKz_DZFjadk8_bAF9mNhZ_Afh67T7AyWPynEz7oywhhLUTvGxDU2XIr8UiLPqwSe6mesmJpYPZxm3aBB1JKA/w435-h326/GuySheep.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-34581804489551562962023-05-11T14:43:00.001+01:002023-05-11T14:43:54.086+01:00Ponteland Over 50s Fair <p>On Thursday, 1st June, I will be holding the Ponteland Over 50s Fair. The Fair is sponsored by Newcastle International Airport and supported by Northumberland County Council and Newcastle Jobcentre.</p><p>The Fair aims to inform local people about social organisations, services available and job opportunities in and around Ponteland, Northumberland.</p><p>The event will benefit everyone over 50, residents who have retired, or people who know someone who is retired and would like to discover local activities and support. The Fair is an excellent opportunity to increase awareness and interest in local organisations.</p><p>Many stalls will be from local clubs and organisations to charities, utility companies and banks. Organisations will also offer support and advice on care services, pensions and wills. </p><p><b>The Fair will be held:</b></p><p>Date: Thursday 1st June 2023</p><p>Venue: Sports Hall at Ponteland Leisure Centre</p><p>Time: 10 am - 2 pm</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzKHbFNKmVpp4gksOlQUZYCTNsz-CexRCIu-vwAzRKiNBdtk1QZlcP_ZJh_GYs1JmmDyD0dubLeonb9Kxzkm61Qr41jyA6k4Zv4PZWEt-IjKSb03DZjaeMvw7lQy58hdIN0sUu2WTLLTTbggcGyLv2aqKSeN6ydG7qjV6Ra6oyyUKofaYWj_QMCGy4w/s814/thumbnail_Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="814" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzKHbFNKmVpp4gksOlQUZYCTNsz-CexRCIu-vwAzRKiNBdtk1QZlcP_ZJh_GYs1JmmDyD0dubLeonb9Kxzkm61Qr41jyA6k4Zv4PZWEt-IjKSb03DZjaeMvw7lQy58hdIN0sUu2WTLLTTbggcGyLv2aqKSeN6ydG7qjV6Ra6oyyUKofaYWj_QMCGy4w/w400-h391/thumbnail_Image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-37444007854986244442023-05-10T12:33:00.001+01:002023-05-10T12:33:38.889+01:00Meeting the new CEO of Northumberland County Council<p>I recently met the new Chief Executive of Northumberland County Council, Dr Helen Patterson, at County Hall in Morpeth. </p><p>I made clear to the CEO my priorities for Tynedale and Ponteland.</p><p>We discussed many issues, such as improving our roads, environment, housing, crime and anti-social behaviour and improving active travel across Tynedale and Ponteland. </p><p>I look forward to working with Dr Paterson to deliver for my constituents across West Northumberland. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2aXa--q7_4d0zcfaOyfOUOKSyWhLkwZGBPCoc62TQWLZay_7v_2gW9I6pg5fQA7_I_cxxgIu9jt8QHVR-JS6wReOsjcD4yKfhCDo_8a7YSMLWPrCTeo2nL4wB3yxQGqvHv-3wiPERibJ2r9u-B7KkW7qf4zYHQ-B7ujEBy99a3G5jAH4yTKb-sYq_A/s2048/CEONorthumberland%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2aXa--q7_4d0zcfaOyfOUOKSyWhLkwZGBPCoc62TQWLZay_7v_2gW9I6pg5fQA7_I_cxxgIu9jt8QHVR-JS6wReOsjcD4yKfhCDo_8a7YSMLWPrCTeo2nL4wB3yxQGqvHv-3wiPERibJ2r9u-B7KkW7qf4zYHQ-B7ujEBy99a3G5jAH4yTKb-sYq_A/w300-h400/CEONorthumberland%20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-17750931956318799792023-05-10T11:46:00.003+01:002023-05-10T11:46:28.927+01:00Primary Care Recovery Plan <p>The Government are making it quicker & easier for you to get the care you need from your GP practice & local pharmacy </p><p>The plan includes:</p><p>✅ tackling the 8am rush with better phone & online systems</p><p>✅ pharmacies supplying medicines for more conditions</p><p>✅ more staff & more appointments</p><p>This feels like a very sensible and effective plan to make the most of both our GPs’ time and the skills of our community pharmacies.</p><p><b>The Plan will:</b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Empower patients by rolling out tools they can use to manage their own health, and invest up to £645 million over two years to expand services offered by community pharmacy.</li><li>Enable patients in over 90% of practices to see their records and practice messages, book appointments and order repeat prescriptions using the NHS App by March 2024.</li><li>Ensure integrated care boards (ICBs) expand self-referral pathways by September 2023, as set out in the 2023/24 Operational Planning Guidance.</li><li>Expand pharmacy oral contraception (OC) and blood pressure (BP) services this year, to increase access and convenience for millions of patients, subject to consultation.</li><li>Launch Pharmacy First so that by end of 2023 community pharmacies can supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions. This, together with OC and BP expansion, could save 10 million appointments in general practice a year once scaled, subject to consultation.</li></ol><p></p><p><b>Implement ‘Modern General Practice Access’ </b>so patients know on the day how their request will be handled, based on clinical need and continuing to respect their preference for a call, face-to-face appointment, or online message. We are re-targeting £240 million – for a practice still on analogue phones this could mean ~£60,000 of support over 2 years.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Support all practices on analogue lines to move to digital telephony, including call back functionality, if they sign up by July 2023.</li><li>Provide all practices with the digital tools and care navigation training for Modern General Practice Access and fund transition cover for those that commit to adopt this approach before March 2025.</li><li>Deliver training and transformation support to all practices from May 2023 through a new National General Practice Improvement Programme.</li></ol><p></p><p><b>Build capacity</b> so practices can offer more appointments from more staff than ever before.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Make available an extra £385 million in 2023/24 to employ 26,000 more direct patient care staff and deliver 50 million more appointments by March 2024 (compared to 2019).</li><li>Further expand GP specialty training – and make it easier for newly trained GPs who require a visa to remain in England.</li><li>Encourage experienced GPs to stay in practice through the pension reforms announced in the Budget and create simpler routes back to practice for the recently retired.</li><li>Change local authority planning guidance this year to raise the priority of primary care facilities when considering how funds from new housing developments are allocated.</li></ol><p></p><p><b>Cut bureaucracy</b> to give practice teams more time to focus on their patients’ clinical needs.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Reduce time spent liaising with hospitals – by requiring ICBs to report progress on improving the interface with primary care, especially the four areas we highlight from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges report, in a public board update this autumn.</li><li>Reduce requests to GPs to verify medical evidence, including by increasing self-certification, by continuing to advance the Bureaucracy Busting Concordat.</li><li>Streamline the Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) from 36 to five indicators – retarget £246 million – and protect 25% of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) clinical indicators.</li></ol><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEjxgS47ot02dyvdI4ClcAxJTuOMAjwPvrQEaaLCRfKUUhT62oxlzLDlTCfPv6Ns7RwjIhklWkkj3UYaQ5etXuJpMNDQ_1AsDi3Vo5e18M7RM5b1U0NQ2g2XXzKsN1qgUz6R2DKSyRGJKkMAQXXtIZ2ivU1wE-hScjpzW0r85YVOY-HftLM412tXQ0A/s300/PrimaryCare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="300" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEjxgS47ot02dyvdI4ClcAxJTuOMAjwPvrQEaaLCRfKUUhT62oxlzLDlTCfPv6Ns7RwjIhklWkkj3UYaQ5etXuJpMNDQ_1AsDi3Vo5e18M7RM5b1U0NQ2g2XXzKsN1qgUz6R2DKSyRGJKkMAQXXtIZ2ivU1wE-hScjpzW0r85YVOY-HftLM412tXQ0A/w391-h254/PrimaryCare.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-33055670521761174032023-05-08T11:46:00.001+01:002023-05-10T12:07:11.303+01:00Coronation visits in Prudhoe<p>I had a brilliant day on Friday, the day before the Coronation, in Prudhoe, chatting to residents about their views. </p><p>Firstly, Cllr Gordon Stewart and I visited the Miners Lamp Community Hub and Café.</p><p>For the Coronation, the community and pupils from Adderlane Academy are making a pathway of painted pebbles around Eastwoods Park. The pebbles will be laid into the ground around the park.</p><p>This project is a fantastic initiative, and it was great to see how excited everyone was ahead of the Coronation!</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UK11vIxBV07YaAbJZbuS8jYtTP8CVJ9JBtf4vvawDWEVu9k7G1K_b0Km-FE_Mp4LcM7VuxLU8vKEedEQ2YdrmZ_bFIfAl3M3TJWOWDexIX_QikmMVeyMCs5BbHjizRKzs1IpNjFCuNuWGOTFR5W650LDhyET7332W6B54e7PPQRhpvyjD3JhKW22xg/s1024/Coronation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UK11vIxBV07YaAbJZbuS8jYtTP8CVJ9JBtf4vvawDWEVu9k7G1K_b0Km-FE_Mp4LcM7VuxLU8vKEedEQ2YdrmZ_bFIfAl3M3TJWOWDexIX_QikmMVeyMCs5BbHjizRKzs1IpNjFCuNuWGOTFR5W650LDhyET7332W6B54e7PPQRhpvyjD3JhKW22xg/w400-h300/Coronation2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pupils of Adderlane Academy at the Miners Lamp Cafe</td></tr></tbody></table></p><br /><p>It was then great to be out and chatting to local residents on doorsteps in the pouring rain! If I missed you, please do complete my local issues survey, so I know your VIEWS: click <a href="https://letstalk.conservatives.com/841C8F16-03B2-ED11-A3AF-00505693FFD8#!/">HERE</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4YchBJwZrtPdioi2v26j40BEgQi5p3BaEnp1jcwxlhZlqkMLPU8RtyKXx1j18r51G9ZORHgSgSK8KReFkdmcg8GtkyjSY3NkFGLFOHhUNBsvYXwuXVkZY5jnxoCSVxc8Zy8h_z7cCOkLw9H4aB1mtWoTrUlffgdDD61FOedUoUavjkMBXqKQl9HEw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-05-05%20at%2017.21.35.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4YchBJwZrtPdioi2v26j40BEgQi5p3BaEnp1jcwxlhZlqkMLPU8RtyKXx1j18r51G9ZORHgSgSK8KReFkdmcg8GtkyjSY3NkFGLFOHhUNBsvYXwuXVkZY5jnxoCSVxc8Zy8h_z7cCOkLw9H4aB1mtWoTrUlffgdDD61FOedUoUavjkMBXqKQl9HEw/w400-h300/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-05-05%20at%2017.21.35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqaD6dEzVBDTaZy9_jfRTOFvgpaemen_t4wN4tv5YHAI_oFMw_OwodqSex8Fvc3JhgU1xXsKrA3288HkBKwAaPxtPfS5P1iPp0Vb27JJrQvuNgMZbh1wz2gkUt8w0SYk9nfW_bmQ1DtNHzDxonRWZmhFtA8p6CtzQPd30fg4fVSsrOs8a3Cxe0zhJ1Q/s1024/Coronation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-42742563257200885812023-04-27T13:19:00.000+01:002023-04-27T13:19:24.203+01:00Business of the Year Award - Bongo Barn<p>I was delighted to award Stocksfield business Bongo Barn with this year's Business of the Year Award.</p><p>Tim and the team at Bongo Barn restore bespoke camper vans. They import them to the country, restore and recommission them and then build them into state-of-the-art camper vans with modern comforts, safety and reliability.</p><p>The company also received orders from customers nationally and sometimes outside of the UK.</p><p>This happens in their rural Northumberland workshop in a beautiful setting, a few fields from where Tim's family has ran businesses for over 100 years.</p><p>This is a tremendous local Northumberland business going from strength to strength. Congratulations to Tim and the team!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-br6SWuY7pQKonueCB4fLt5s5eCDMSMc9unqHu4DdkJtFSvoMhth_Ebza3lz8i87aSi6DDoEvjWN9ipbiNRy65oK7OLvFJssD5kskdpomyQdumW_E0H2buD4_4eVQmZrMyW1xEqcC_WMZLAqMY3ssH_GepKiSMQ86AMRJb2IjXF9vOwG-2ZJ2wZTzA/s4032/SmallBizAward%20(002).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-br6SWuY7pQKonueCB4fLt5s5eCDMSMc9unqHu4DdkJtFSvoMhth_Ebza3lz8i87aSi6DDoEvjWN9ipbiNRy65oK7OLvFJssD5kskdpomyQdumW_E0H2buD4_4eVQmZrMyW1xEqcC_WMZLAqMY3ssH_GepKiSMQ86AMRJb2IjXF9vOwG-2ZJ2wZTzA/s320/SmallBizAward%20(002).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-63452223386287645072023-04-03T15:53:00.000+01:002023-04-03T15:53:00.787+01:00Wylam Wears a Hat for Brain Tumour Research <p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVo5ftkKSJdCH8t5BXoiAilGfPnnAWIMHkO4F2I8Yb8f2tH4Nxmri7iq5RKByr-ijZFkmzRqAGwKlPi8idIEmzDnn1Nk4OluOxa-k5MD0f1A0OUklNN9R2AopPzAHV3IEE0KjahUFRFcH6xLDwS2iUjKuwRx3E8Tll0jh-_O7bni-_wZhSndNPEtD8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVo5ftkKSJdCH8t5BXoiAilGfPnnAWIMHkO4F2I8Yb8f2tH4Nxmri7iq5RKByr-ijZFkmzRqAGwKlPi8idIEmzDnn1Nk4OluOxa-k5MD0f1A0OUklNN9R2AopPzAHV3IEE0KjahUFRFcH6xLDwS2iUjKuwRx3E8Tll0jh-_O7bni-_wZhSndNPEtD8=w563-h422" width="563" /></a></div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>As it is every year, the last Friday in March is ‘Wear a Hat Day’ where people up and down the country put on a hat for brain tumour awareness. </span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-19ae7bb2-7fff-67be-bad6-ba1598eba256"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is always a special day for me. 12 years ago, in 2011, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Thankfully, I was one of the lucky ones and made a full recovery, but the experience of meeting others along the way who weren’t so lucky has made me a committed campaigner for brain tumour awareness. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Locally,</span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the place to be is always Wylam for ‘Wylam Wears a Hat Day.’ Thanks to the amazing efforts of Viv Smith, a local and tireless campaigner, residents in the village dig out their craziest hats and put on special events, all to raise money for the incredible Brain Tumour Research charity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The beauty of Wear a Hat Day is that it is family friendly and fun for all. This year, I joined a pre-school cookery class at the Wylam Institute where the ‘Tiny Tasters’ made Easter treats while their parents sported some fetching headwear, all in aid of brain tumour awareness. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Locals in Wylam never fail to impress. Well done to everyone who took part. I’m looking forward to next year already! </span></p><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Thomas Ridgwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035777167330592337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-65419351665777994472023-03-22T12:22:00.000+00:002023-03-22T12:22:05.713+00:00Litter picking in Ponteland<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5iESP7KygiNsasvKEpR3diiN899l7Cw_MEF7lL2sVBg-N2K6BXJiwEJn9-E0vNMLe67Xt6tkPTCuneZBcc-tRQSMgWhkTxAkhZ3Jd-sgImYo1UCZtgdABfg7B8tsdgaml3P5UXBl2OopGK6haw7AAYh1ER3KtVemU0j4i79lyMYI6I5c3DSraz3T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="795" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5iESP7KygiNsasvKEpR3diiN899l7Cw_MEF7lL2sVBg-N2K6BXJiwEJn9-E0vNMLe67Xt6tkPTCuneZBcc-tRQSMgWhkTxAkhZ3Jd-sgImYo1UCZtgdABfg7B8tsdgaml3P5UXBl2OopGK6haw7AAYh1ER3KtVemU0j4i79lyMYI6I5c3DSraz3T" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the weekend I joined Jane Hodson-Hamilton, a community volunteer from Ponteland to pick up litter in the the town. </span></p><p>Jane regularly sacrifices her Saturday mornings to clean up the local environment and I was delighted to present her with a Community Champion Award to recognise her fantastic work. </p><p>In Ponteland, w<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">e filled ten full big bags in just an hour. The amount of litter was staggering. Without local volunteers like Jane and her team, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the natural beauty that Northumberland has to offer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well done, Jane! </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e4733340-7fff-b3ae-1f20-a1354d2779b1"><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Thomas Ridgwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035777167330592337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-70628994408069339612023-03-21T14:31:00.000+00:002023-03-21T14:31:38.584+00:00St Joseph's Middle School visit Parliament <p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1hxr8ph1e-LZDt0raHGib4N2dQ3PoKV4Pdj64XF5GpzGSfR40zOgXwpoX3xLUCygGySGWwKQ649EfSyH6efPhrlc3nIu4ZdchtPzYfROngN5VfRUG_596TG6xXnWK13mwLuvsU3_MTeb73YB-VUbWhKqceE_hEZvQY081qmiYqmQ7i-xEhNQIf4Sq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1hxr8ph1e-LZDt0raHGib4N2dQ3PoKV4Pdj64XF5GpzGSfR40zOgXwpoX3xLUCygGySGWwKQ649EfSyH6efPhrlc3nIu4ZdchtPzYfROngN5VfRUG_596TG6xXnWK13mwLuvsU3_MTeb73YB-VUbWhKqceE_hEZvQY081qmiYqmQ7i-xEhNQIf4Sq" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was delighted to welcome St Joseph’s Middle School from Corbridge to Parliament. Pupils enjoyed a full tour of both Houses of Parliament and the wider parliamentary estate before sitting down for an interactive Q&A seminar with myself at the Parliamentary Education Centre. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pupils at the school are clearly engaged with politics and history, and I want to pay tribute to Head of History Mr Hudson for all of the hard work he puts in and for giving the children the opportunity to experience the heart of democracy for themselves in Westminster. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0d066da1-7fff-8495-8eae-dea15d9a2536"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Houses of Parliament don’t belong to MPs, they are yours! If you are interested in visiting, please email me at </span><a href="mailto:guy.opperman@parliament.uk" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guy.opperman@parliament.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Thomas Ridgwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035777167330592337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-44013733264342370002023-03-16T17:05:00.002+00:002023-03-20T17:06:26.649+00:00The Budget<p>Yesterday, I was in the chamber of the House of Commons to listen to the Chancellor’s first Budget. </p><p>There was a genuine sense amongst my colleagues of a brighter future ahead - the economy is growing and inflation is falling. </p><p>Halving inflation is one of the Prime Minister’s key pledges, and we are on the way to achieving that goal. The Chancellor said yesterday that the Bank of England forecasts inflation to fall to 2.9% by the end of this year – meaning that inflation will be cut by a third. </p><p>A growing economy and falling inflation will have a direct effect on people’s lives and livelihoods across Northumberland. What struck me most listening to the Chancellor yesterday was the emphasis he placed on helping families, including young parents in Tynedale and Ponteland. </p><p>I want every child in Northumberland to have the best start in life. We continue to see significant investment in our local schools to make this a reality. Last year, the government announced an additional £2.3bn for our schools. This investment is having a direct impact on the life chances of our children. This coming year, Northumberland County Council is receiving an additional £9.4m for our local first schools, middle schools, nurseries, and high schools to raise standards and the quality of teaching in our schools so that our kids can enjoy the best education possible. </p><p>The Budget builds on the investment we have seen in our local schools over the last decade. Since 2015, £98.1m has been invested in our four local high schools, with the schools at Haydon Bridge, Queen Elizabeth High School, Ponteland and Prudhoe having been fully rebuilt or refurbished. </p><p>As well as investing in school-age children, the government is supporting families with younger children with the cost of childcare. The extension of free childcare - 30 hours a week for working families with children between nine months and four years is truly transformational. It will help young parents juggle family life with working life, helping them with the costs of raising a young child, saving the average family £6,500 every year, and reducing their childcare costs by nearly 60%. </p><p>I know it’s been a tough year for families across Tynedale and Ponteland as we struggle with the cost of living and the pressures of raising young children. I am confident that the measures in this Budget place us well on the way to economic recovery and a prosperous future.</p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-1271975914490306772023-02-15T14:32:00.000+00:002023-02-15T14:32:49.812+00:00Backing our Rural Schools<p>I am lucky to represent one of the most rural constituencies in England, and with it, some of the most rural schools.</p><p>I recently caught up with staff and pupils at Kielder Primary School and Slaley First School. Kielder and Slaley are rated as 'Outstanding' and 'Good' respectively by Ofsted, and it is clear to see why. Teaching staff are dedicated at both schools, and the pupils benefit greatly as a result. There is an eagerness from the children to engage in learning - that much was obvious from the sea of hands and subsequent grilling I got in the Q&A session!</p><p>What is always apparent in my visits to rural schools in particular is the real pride the children have for their small school, and their understanding of it as the beating heart of their local community. I look forward to visiting again soon. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQYlNa_YKDpQ-NRCAxXkp83W0QKwk-EjU74BSZQgKPcAaNGhL1W2qJXz3RpRZp1eZGkzxAFZxcJMNaq3i1tPSm2gVD-MVmNc2c77yQIZrzS1skSATw9CzGDlyhtq7_gZeGgtek9krP3SrhswBCzER7PUG861OTQwGH1UIMStF2WVmNWRk6DdHNq84/s1280/GO%20slaley%20school%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1280" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQYlNa_YKDpQ-NRCAxXkp83W0QKwk-EjU74BSZQgKPcAaNGhL1W2qJXz3RpRZp1eZGkzxAFZxcJMNaq3i1tPSm2gVD-MVmNc2c77yQIZrzS1skSATw9CzGDlyhtq7_gZeGgtek9krP3SrhswBCzER7PUG861OTQwGH1UIMStF2WVmNWRk6DdHNq84/s320/GO%20slaley%20school%202.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a grilling from Class 2 Pupils at Slaley First School</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbeFsaWbSo_e1mHzdHbs8UWjL4TAAGpIHf9sLQhrTbpdpEKMpPcK34tVNacNk-00IrMrf4g1PjwV2X97pL_UQ078geJgtiLE1785FU8HbZlAimHKgGAuZxUAG1PYtA90iota4qrSrAoV1acwfJ98VL_rYhXkyfgn5bSfbUw1r9C3dSLHwxahxM3a/s1280/GO%20slaley%20school.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1280" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrbeFsaWbSo_e1mHzdHbs8UWjL4TAAGpIHf9sLQhrTbpdpEKMpPcK34tVNacNk-00IrMrf4g1PjwV2X97pL_UQ078geJgtiLE1785FU8HbZlAimHKgGAuZxUAG1PYtA90iota4qrSrAoV1acwfJ98VL_rYhXkyfgn5bSfbUw1r9C3dSLHwxahxM3a/s320/GO%20slaley%20school.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The school is going from strength to strength under headteacher Angela Hayward</td></tr></tbody></table><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLack55FLHwT_6LyJOX1kbJzvh_jSpdverilWtll6BQUUcteF7YCLdNrGJfQmKR-9LXc5nonk8q0YQiJRitq72fWwxVnNGI3Rp7T-uE-2w-AzVIDdlfEAFjaErGA9ICIiBH1vPB8L3Yhp0kvcVxVpebiql_lEVKwAmH-TMiH9w06AF4PAGSb5ByuoW/s1280/GO%20Kielder%20school.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLack55FLHwT_6LyJOX1kbJzvh_jSpdverilWtll6BQUUcteF7YCLdNrGJfQmKR-9LXc5nonk8q0YQiJRitq72fWwxVnNGI3Rp7T-uE-2w-AzVIDdlfEAFjaErGA9ICIiBH1vPB8L3Yhp0kvcVxVpebiql_lEVKwAmH-TMiH9w06AF4PAGSb5ByuoW/s320/GO%20Kielder%20school.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with pupils at one of Northumberland's most rural schools, Kielder Primary. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Thomas Ridgwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035777167330592337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-12193228437715881052023-01-24T10:41:00.004+00:002023-01-24T10:41:36.952+00:00Mental Health funding boost<p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Government has announced the results of its rapid review and has announced some additional Mental Health resources in our region. </span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extra funding of £150m was announced, with £7m being specifically used to fund 100 specialised mental health ambulances. The funding also includes £300,000 for a Crisis Café based in Northumberland.</span></p><p><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once </span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have further details on the number of these specialists ambulances in our area and the site of the new Crisis Café - I will update you further.</span></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="x1n2onr6" id="jsc_c_di" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl x1qjc9v5 xjbqb8w xjqpnuy xa49m3k xqeqjp1 x2hbi6w x13fuv20 xu3j5b3 x1q0q8m5 x26u7qi x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xdl72j9 x2lah0s xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x2lwn1j xeuugli xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n2onr6 x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1ja2u2z x1t137rt x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1q0g3np x87ps6o x1lku1pv x1a2a7pz x1lliihq x1pdlv7q" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=590801479527339&set=a.360098932597596&__cft__[0]=AZU7ju4CO4DvZwe1jK9AYXyfn1BFdUdjHgSCW3ZgIDRgGSSZahH8RUFcYN8pMZbuKN5AkiGx_i0mE0OKSySd3HxuqdPyRSHcbYKGIHTUWdvugH3TwzE4lLwwrGBEYxB73NfB3FjnJfQROsAu3aaBS2gPWSqRfbkHiQE-Z9Gy-TlSh01r1ZdYDlAczw3R_D0Z3Ic&__tn__=EH-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; border-bottom-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-left-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-radius: inherit; border-right-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-style: solid; border-top-color: var(--always-dark-overlay); border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; display: block; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="x6s0dn4 x78zum5 xdt5ytf x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6 xh8yej3 x1jx94hy" style="align-items: center; background-color: #508ff8; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 500.012px;"><div style="font-family: inherit; max-width: 100%; min-width: 500px; width: calc((100vh + -325px) * 0.8);"><div class="xqtp20y x6ikm8r x10wlt62 x1n2onr6" style="font-family: inherit; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-top: 624.977px; position: relative;"><div class="x10l6tqk x13vifvy" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: inherit; height: 624.977px; left: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 499.988px;"><img alt="May be an image of text that says "MORE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS 100 new specialist ambulances for mental health patients 150 new or improved facilities across England On top of our record £2.3 billion investment in mental health services across England by 2024. 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display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Share</span></div></div><div class="x1o1ewxj x3x9cwd x1e5q0jg x13rtm0m x1ey2m1c xds687c xg01cxk x47corl x10l6tqk x17qophe x13vifvy x1ebt8du x19991ni x1dhq9h" data-visualcompletion="ignore" style="border-radius: inherit; font-family: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transition-duration: var(--fds-duration-extra-extra-short-out); transition-property: opacity; transition-timing-function: var(--fds-animation-fade-out);"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="x1jx94hy x12nagc" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px;"></div></div></div></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-39230233650785279512023-01-19T16:41:00.001+00:002023-01-19T16:41:32.745+00:00 BREAKING NEWS: £14.7 MILLION SECURED TO BUILD CYCLING AND WALKING INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTHUMBERLAND <p>I am delighted with the news that the Government has announced £14.7 million of funding for cycling infrastructure in Northumberland as part of the Levelling Up Fund. </p><p>Part of this money will go towards improving cycling and walking infrastructure between Corbridge and Hexham. </p><p>My huge thanks to Northumberland County Council, Cllr Nick Oliver and Cllr Trevor Cessford for putting together the bid and making this happen. </p><p>Read more about the original bid <a href="https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/20269999.council-bids-cycling-walking-improvements-corbridge-hexham/?fbclid=IwAR1sFhx6H9RhM_QYSu1Ch7YLriir3S09Ds2Rk6Q-ezBxZ30ZYqeicI6PDHw">HERE</a></p><p>Full courant report <a href="https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/23262951.hexham-bedlington-get-nearly-15m-levelling-fund/">HERE</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU8Kyzm5AOV05DfsQIQGfZLWM0_YqNciSbdXwyRGSQ6TTuB9Iyzc75WDC91nDAm_NuHibFvj0bpYKDTxA90sUg2d8tCnrFqOSnrFT00UaKUBhG4aelZLYVCRdSiamgny-IipgyJoPk8v8O3DKLZmiFNpczYz4g-_N0VuvEuxLEVIMrhEDvqIcoW3_Wg/s600/cycle%20graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU8Kyzm5AOV05DfsQIQGfZLWM0_YqNciSbdXwyRGSQ6TTuB9Iyzc75WDC91nDAm_NuHibFvj0bpYKDTxA90sUg2d8tCnrFqOSnrFT00UaKUBhG4aelZLYVCRdSiamgny-IipgyJoPk8v8O3DKLZmiFNpczYz4g-_N0VuvEuxLEVIMrhEDvqIcoW3_Wg/s320/cycle%20graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-82504141580507010402023-01-14T18:47:00.002+00:002023-01-16T10:25:31.724+00:00Farming Surgery at the Hexham Mart<p>It was great to be at the Hexham Auction Mart yesterday morning for meetings with NFU North East, local farmers and a drop in surgery working with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials.</p><p>If you are a farmer in Tynedale and Ponteland and we missed you, please get in touch: guy.opperman@parliament to raise any local issues with us. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NT_O41JcJ4samAYbbL8av0C3WUwZD99YZY3j0wWyNJfxXlQZZHH1w-u_CQPrq5H2iSkFrYgWoi7WM91WArNlx9QoukuNTlmsgs18wVv9BD7fbM-4oaQUT0AimTUpOwHZe_1VEgZy2wAhxsf8YCXnwpHAhJPCDuM7hC-SGehR4_dKEdE15VEi3pk4ow/s4000/20230113_105841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NT_O41JcJ4samAYbbL8av0C3WUwZD99YZY3j0wWyNJfxXlQZZHH1w-u_CQPrq5H2iSkFrYgWoi7WM91WArNlx9QoukuNTlmsgs18wVv9BD7fbM-4oaQUT0AimTUpOwHZe_1VEgZy2wAhxsf8YCXnwpHAhJPCDuM7hC-SGehR4_dKEdE15VEi3pk4ow/s320/20230113_105841.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Anna from the NFU</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-7497440207701052332023-01-14T16:47:00.004+00:002023-01-14T16:47:45.124+00:00Public meeting with our Ukrainian guests and their hosts <p> Last night, we held a meeting with over 100 of our Ukrainian guests, many of their sponsors and supporters in Hexham. </p><p>Massive thanks to Wendy and the many other organisers and helpers, and Phil from Northumberland County Council who came along to help answer key questions.</p><p>Many answers on issues as varied as work, skills, language training, kids education, references, housing, Ukrainian qualifications, cars, the rise in sponsor support and visas were able to be given on the night, even if only in part. </p><p>Our key project is to create an FAQ website on the Northumberland County Council website in English and Ukrainian. This will have all the key updated links and information and will also be linked on my website and for use across Northumberland to the many hundreds of guests, sponsors and supporters.</p><p>Our hope is that this is resolved and publicly available in the next 2 weeks. As explained at the meeting, my office continues to provide assistance on a whole host of issues: email in and we will help: guy.opperman@parliament.uk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkK9xc0TKn9Ni5Et1h5Qk9waaFeE44b4F7sZvyTAC6iBeYJe9s8ep1Xwo6BgYCBqBIiEMoEU3edGihQTbPYtaAj7RmD5k0itj-EJKvvDeZZw4-IAfniv1SVA0qCSjY0c9zwV_m9iqgEOL3NBrxVJ4SbIrEZA1r9n-K9NgYs6GNKEIq78uw1OmpfaMoA/s2048/Ukraine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkK9xc0TKn9Ni5Et1h5Qk9waaFeE44b4F7sZvyTAC6iBeYJe9s8ep1Xwo6BgYCBqBIiEMoEU3edGihQTbPYtaAj7RmD5k0itj-EJKvvDeZZw4-IAfniv1SVA0qCSjY0c9zwV_m9iqgEOL3NBrxVJ4SbIrEZA1r9n-K9NgYs6GNKEIq78uw1OmpfaMoA/s320/Ukraine1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-6525904550456831602023-01-03T17:45:00.003+00:002023-01-03T17:45:46.950+00:00Working hard for Rochester and Byrness<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt;">Representing our rural communities and making their
voice heard is my central priority.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Storm Arwen affected so many across Northumberland.
Thousands were without power for days, and some were without power for 13 days.
Northern Powergrid’s response was totally unacceptable. Their communications
completely failed – leaving everyone with no information of when their power
would be restored.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KmS3O6Uj6W7YKIp8vPjYJHDHIR_53Z0dP6RBrcQHxzCxdE3hsw1ui8L5gmB8wxQ2iOKM47Fds_wDBwvV4ebambzXHfSo88lbRCLki5FhsP717KTjtiXnoK9b-QqWiJXOsVZ7wS9Ohv9hR2ehhFPcpqe0i08WAeQh5kg8fre3mr_WTnOuZ9_SHUJ8zg/s830/StormArwen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="830" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KmS3O6Uj6W7YKIp8vPjYJHDHIR_53Z0dP6RBrcQHxzCxdE3hsw1ui8L5gmB8wxQ2iOKM47Fds_wDBwvV4ebambzXHfSo88lbRCLki5FhsP717KTjtiXnoK9b-QqWiJXOsVZ7wS9Ohv9hR2ehhFPcpqe0i08WAeQh5kg8fre3mr_WTnOuZ9_SHUJ8zg/w320-h208/StormArwen.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></p>Ever since, I have been working hard to ensure our
local rural communities are better prepared for future storm events.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I held six public meetings across the constituency,
including two in the North Tyne at Bellingham. The meetings were a chance for
local people to have their voices heard by the companies responsible for the
response to Storm Arwen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Department for Business, Ofgem and I each released
a report setting out clear recommendations as to how to improve the technical
resilience of the grid for future storm events. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a result, Northern Powergrid has recently launched their
£7.5 million foundation, which provides up to £20,000 grants to Parish
councils, village halls and community groups. So far, I have sponsored 17
applications, of which, X have been approved. The scheme will be formally
launching in the new year and I will provide further details of how you apply
when the information is available. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rochester Village Hall Committee were awarded an
£18,000 grant as part of their application to fund key pieces of equipment,
such as a generator.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenIS0sNMmEqUnoLj2tUbKvsuEiXb0cvSJKzFQTYUs2qwk3FiTYqb9WixlpAoUIhes6tjye0ajzo10FuYe7i2Llc014C-GOMjESrNdS47Bnre8fZkvOVZnN7ICz6m5C9MRtNSufcT0-C7b8ETvWoYhwJeO4NSs3ayMxpBK2TpBRrmULMpksD3D-YpR1g/s1024/RochesterParish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenIS0sNMmEqUnoLj2tUbKvsuEiXb0cvSJKzFQTYUs2qwk3FiTYqb9WixlpAoUIhes6tjye0ajzo10FuYe7i2Llc014C-GOMjESrNdS47Bnre8fZkvOVZnN7ICz6m5C9MRtNSufcT0-C7b8ETvWoYhwJeO4NSs3ayMxpBK2TpBRrmULMpksD3D-YpR1g/s320/RochesterParish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Susan and David from Rochester Parish Council</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">I recently
had the opportunity to meet with David, Susan a</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">nd local residents at Rochester Village
Hall. ITV Tyne Tees also came along to cover the new generator they have bought
with the money they have received from Northern Powergrid. You can see the ITV
report here: </span><a href="https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-11-26/arwen-aftermath-generators-installed-to-keep-village-running-during-blackouts"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-11-26/arwen-aftermath-generators-installed-to-keep-village-running-during-blackouts</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I also popped into Rochester Relish –
The last café in England, where I presented my Small Business Award. Rochester
Relish is a fantastic local business. Please do support them is you are going
past!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have also knocked
on doors and surveyed local people in Rochester and Byrness to ensure residents have had their local concerns heard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MvPJOrI_AcbreDxzGgAQtLpjr8EtnobFS0ZSYfbPk2H4_cliz79q7yCUn9gGk-xLzi_AJQBeRJ28PMnGANJDxFR2WNJwIncRhqOCc4O9JAdSjdXkizUKHgO4pfb2CDEHN4o-vOIzyoR5Uic62cHLdm2CFfr3WERwuv1f2BZnREvmLHN-2f3R-ekx4g/s1024/OtternburnSchool%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MvPJOrI_AcbreDxzGgAQtLpjr8EtnobFS0ZSYfbPk2H4_cliz79q7yCUn9gGk-xLzi_AJQBeRJ28PMnGANJDxFR2WNJwIncRhqOCc4O9JAdSjdXkizUKHgO4pfb2CDEHN4o-vOIzyoR5Uic62cHLdm2CFfr3WERwuv1f2BZnREvmLHN-2f3R-ekx4g/s320/OtternburnSchool%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting the local school in Otterburn recently</td></tr></tbody></table> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><br />Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-58563700256120978832022-12-08T16:10:00.001+00:002022-12-08T16:10:42.706+00:00Cold Weather Payments triggered<p>Cold Weather Payments are made to recipients of selected benefits. </p><p>To trigger the payments, the average temperature at a specified weather station must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven consecutive days. </p><p>The DWP’s Cold Weather Payment pages provide further information for claimants.</p><p>The alert was triggered for the period 4/12/2022 to 10/12/2022. </p><p>£25 will be paid to eligible residents within the Hexham constituency living in the following postcode districts: CA9, DH8, NE19, NE47, NE48, NE49.</p><p>For more information, visit: <a href="http://gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility">gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3mP69ksjJt_M_93lqgiMMjJwgE_yamqmxQKvC8fkOKJvJr9lgfLb9lW48w22Pyq8LAxRLJ3LcnP9y_t-Z5VRqV1rGaPwUEp47NeuF_hcLB4UNouvE2YKuf3o6pGTcUzzdqd1-18r3QD70nA1RCqgwxwjE6qFu0ZHy32rp0nXEg1Ro5-_Jgfm6qwWRA/s600/ColdWP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3mP69ksjJt_M_93lqgiMMjJwgE_yamqmxQKvC8fkOKJvJr9lgfLb9lW48w22Pyq8LAxRLJ3LcnP9y_t-Z5VRqV1rGaPwUEp47NeuF_hcLB4UNouvE2YKuf3o6pGTcUzzdqd1-18r3QD70nA1RCqgwxwjE6qFu0ZHy32rp0nXEg1Ro5-_Jgfm6qwWRA/s320/ColdWP.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-16001925213133106752022-12-08T13:09:00.003+00:002022-12-08T13:09:23.691+00:00Pension Credit <p>I've been with the Pensions Minister Laura Trott MP making the case for Pension Credit.</p><p>Checking eligibility and applying for Pension Credit by 18 December 2022 – just ten days away – will mean pensioners could also receive a £324 boost thanks to Pension Credit backdating rules.</p><p>The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,500 a year and even a small Pension Credit award can provide access to a wide range of other benefits – such as help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills – in addition to the extra cost of living payments.</p><p>Claims can be made online and over the phone, with the Pension Credit calculator on hand to help pensioners see if they’re likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive.</p><p>Pension Credit tops up a person’s income to a minimum of £182.60 per week for single pensioners and to £278.70 for couples.</p><p>Currently, around 1.4 million pensioners in Britain receive Pension Credit. However, many are still not claiming this extra financial help.</p><p><b>Applications for Pension Credit can be made in the three following ways:</b></p><p>1) On the How to Claim page: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim">Pension Credit: How to claim - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p>2) Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)</p><p>3) By printing out and filling in a paper application form: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-claim-form--2">Pension Credit claim form - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDhPgMypkdGXaJCHQ7ZfNLVpzzHV0PASQgTQ7fAMEToMmXSW40xolxmp6Ua-8tGHCuae-YxHgPjHeo9NsMDX-1E24EBUpX1KHs930ltuCtLu-ffyfG8QbOup8qTYmnBMS_N86TWRxcIwsD7QqIaLrzznLTzwC0haGN2icM1ie-sar9WVEjzLZq2Jgzg/s2048/PensionCredit!LTY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDhPgMypkdGXaJCHQ7ZfNLVpzzHV0PASQgTQ7fAMEToMmXSW40xolxmp6Ua-8tGHCuae-YxHgPjHeo9NsMDX-1E24EBUpX1KHs930ltuCtLu-ffyfG8QbOup8qTYmnBMS_N86TWRxcIwsD7QqIaLrzznLTzwC0haGN2icM1ie-sar9WVEjzLZq2Jgzg/w417-h313/PensionCredit!LTY.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-77641613692274179562022-12-06T15:24:00.001+00:002022-12-06T15:24:05.599+00:00Positive Prudhoe Drill Hall update<p>I am pleased that following our campaign magistrates have granted an order under The Building Act Section 77, which gives Northumberland County Council the power to carry out works six weeks from last Friday to prevent the current danger at Prudhoe Drill Hall. </p><p>The six-week period is to allow the owner time to organise and undertake the work.</p><p>There will be at least weekly site inspections and the council will take action should the building deteriorate. </p><p>I welcome this update and I will continue to work with NCC to ensure this dangerous eyesore is dealt with.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZa_XoET2nJwwhVaUjxlufEMoT6SxH8RSDId0IShRu2vtA357pDoYXK8TeX2iVCYMZE-56hMEhfu__d8GpDUyevBE5hlh2sqQn8sG4p1PPaIJ1ae3kuA3aupeyIO0i_kTy0hd3fNYGOdFRjgHMZ9kMCZOoWKL1p9ScvoMEdhu8z7Zetwq3T15ZdAPWw/s4032/Prudhoe%20Drill%20Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZa_XoET2nJwwhVaUjxlufEMoT6SxH8RSDId0IShRu2vtA357pDoYXK8TeX2iVCYMZE-56hMEhfu__d8GpDUyevBE5hlh2sqQn8sG4p1PPaIJ1ae3kuA3aupeyIO0i_kTy0hd3fNYGOdFRjgHMZ9kMCZOoWKL1p9ScvoMEdhu8z7Zetwq3T15ZdAPWw/s320/Prudhoe%20Drill%20Hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-39262273199802392512022-12-05T15:24:00.000+00:002022-12-06T15:27:34.653+00:00Interview with Gloria De Piero on baby loss and my brain tumour<p>I discussed baby loss, “take home children”, brain tumours and more with Gloria De Piero last week. </p><p>Full credit to my Labour colleague Toby Perkins MP who has also spoken about his baby loss. </p><p>Watch the full interview here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xbYeU78P8U">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xbYeU78P8U</a></p><p>News report here: <a href="https://www.gbnews.uk/politics/mps-bravely-reveal-personal-pain-of-child-loss-ahead-of-new-bill-aiming-to-support-bereaved-parents-a-little-bit-of-you-dies/400222?fbclid=IwAR3U-tYukOp9s6WFXClEsSSTMZyQ2m6chP1On9K-Eqy05TkEKBLiQwzoD-8">MPs bravely reveal personal pain of child loss ahead of new bill aiming to support bereaved parents - 'A little bit of you dies' (gbnews.uk)</a> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-7828891531504235082022-12-01T10:09:00.000+00:002022-12-01T10:09:01.045+00:00Haltwhistle fire - latest updates<p>I am aware of the overnight fire in Haltwhistle.</p><p>I'm in contact with the local agencies coordinating the response.</p><p>Please visit: <a href="https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/News/2022/Dec/Firefighters-tackling-major-fire-in-Haltwhistle.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3El-gWomn5ZyJWRxNvvsDQ33tv9abYZoqo1G-LxEAC0U6gMa8gcKNFa3Q">Northumberland County Council - Firefighters tackling major fire in Haltwhistle</a> for regular updates. </p><p>If you would like to raise an issue, please contact me on: guy.opperman@parliament.uk.</p>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-68677039551832789602022-11-16T13:58:00.003+00:002022-11-16T13:58:36.140+00:00Haydon Bridge High School investment!<p>I recently visited Haydon Bridge to see for myself the investment that is going in to rejuvenate the area to improve the lives of local young people. </p><p>As part of my regular catch-up with headteachers across Tynedale and Ponteland, I went to Haydon Bridge High School to hear about the fantastic progress that has recently been made. </p><p>Just a few years ago, the school was deemed inadequate and was facing closure. Now, thanks to £4.5m of investment from Northumberland County Council, and the hard work and dedication from the teaching staff and the headteacher Michael Smith, the school has been truly transformed. </p><p>Haydon Bridge High School is no longer in special measures, pupil numbers are up, and this summer, all students who applied for university succeeded in that ambition. The High School is a real success story, and I look forward to hearing about even more successes when I next visit. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGSOP4o_wcwPpYwJ-unJG3xf7d6G7XqSRg6_cQwv_hIaIpgQcaUFBc_KxaAcGe3fMJfzRle-QNyw1TQ2wIDTpGnBlPBe8tRXoI_dwaygEbqcAqv6sfhBPXQy6Q7-0royE2HpWECLvWaTopiiIfzuR6yLHH-wHW_ScisUT7xyNzIWGuqEuxhkch1oUrg/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-15%20at%209.21.54%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGSOP4o_wcwPpYwJ-unJG3xf7d6G7XqSRg6_cQwv_hIaIpgQcaUFBc_KxaAcGe3fMJfzRle-QNyw1TQ2wIDTpGnBlPBe8tRXoI_dwaygEbqcAqv6sfhBPXQy6Q7-0royE2HpWECLvWaTopiiIfzuR6yLHH-wHW_ScisUT7xyNzIWGuqEuxhkch1oUrg/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-15%20at%209.21.54%20PM.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077636819382533422.post-16117421506039155742022-09-27T14:09:00.000+01:002022-09-27T14:09:03.119+01:00Mobile Barclays bank in Ponteland - campaign success!<p><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m delighted that after months of campaigning, we have been able to find a solution to help the 10,000-strong community of Ponteland with physical banking facilities. </span></p><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6a837" data-offset-key="d3qmu-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d3qmu-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">Due credit to Barclays for listening to us – the other banks didn’t.</div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6a837" data-offset-key="5nse-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5nse-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="5nse-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6a837" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0">I will continue to call on banks to rollout these services across Tynedale - these services are very important to local people.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0">Article in the Northumberland Gazette is <a href="https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/mp-guy-opperman-welcomes-introduction-of-new-mobile-barclays-bank-in-ponteland-3854626">HERE</a>.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe2PrsELSDbuahY0cd_7M-kyRuTItRErAOd1dkDcRhiea3A_YHXgGOlr75PrmtWrbDfs2BGuj8m0ddddMmxQ0-AEhNEC6NMaRPzrCWiq72p_gyZj3IjbigVt07KmdtykIWIWPo2MtwP0YVDoLOxZF9acU334JqxIt5tZ8Ih1NfxkFKgvuCQkOK_vKhA/s4032/BarclaysGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe2PrsELSDbuahY0cd_7M-kyRuTItRErAOd1dkDcRhiea3A_YHXgGOlr75PrmtWrbDfs2BGuj8m0ddddMmxQ0-AEhNEC6NMaRPzrCWiq72p_gyZj3IjbigVt07KmdtykIWIWPo2MtwP0YVDoLOxZF9acU334JqxIt5tZ8Ih1NfxkFKgvuCQkOK_vKhA/s320/BarclaysGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span data-offset-key="d5hea-0-0"><br /></span></div></div>Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08773244191801755147noreply@blogger.com