80 MPs or their caseworkers squeezed into Committee Room 18 of the House of Commons last wednesday to hear the FSA explain the proposed deal to Arch Cru investors, why the offer letters are so confusing and why they are not going after other potential parties.
We have formed an All Party Group to seek a better deal for investors - thousands have lost money up and down the country.
We defintely made progress: a full copy of the press release is set out below
ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON ARCH CRU FORMED
Today saw the formation of an All Party Parliamentary Group on Arch Cru.
Mr Alun Cairns MP Vale of Glamorgan and Mr Tom Greatrex MP Rutherglen and Hamilton West were elected as Co Chairman of the Group and Guy Opperman, MP, for Hexham, as Secretary.
Two key people of the Financial Service Authority were in attendance.
Committee Room 18 in the House of Commons was packed with over 30 MPs and representatives for 50 additional Members to hear a one hour discussion. This proved to be very helpful and a very positive response from given from the FSA. A list of key issues were raised and key answers given.
The FSA agreed to
a) clarify the initial Capita FM offer letter to investors to dispel misinterpretations and
b) to try to get all other parties, including those not under their regulatory responsibility into one room to have a global discussion on the ongoing concerns and settlements.
The Group resolved to ask Capita and the Financial Services Ombudsman to attend a future meeting.
The matter was also raised by Mr Greatrex in the House of Commons at Prime Minsters questions at which the Mr Cameron agreed to consider what further actions could be undertaken.
The FSA stressed that the urrent offer is solely limited to HSBC, Bank of New York and Capita FM and no other parties. They reiterated their view that the current offer is a good deal against those three parties.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Sport in the North East
Everyone who knows me knows I am sport mad: I see it as part of my job to try and facilitate more sport in the North East, and obviously Hexham in particular.
We have the Olympics next year - both with specific events in the North East, and lots of school Olympics and the extra special East Tynedale Olympics that is being organised out of Wylam.
These last few weeks I have met with the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and following that had meetings with the British Mountaineering and Canoe Associations, working out how we can make their sports more accessible to local people in Northumberland.
This culminated this week with a really good meeting with representatives of the Lawn Tennis Association: we are at the early stages of planning specific tennis assistance and events in the North East, and Hexham in particular, but watch this space.
My plan is, in particular, to get a LTA professional to go to several of the schools during the early part of the summer term and provide free coaching and assistance, whilst also harnessing the LTA contacts and know how to try and help make the sport accessible to all in the build up to Wimbledon and the Olympics next year.
We have the Olympics next year - both with specific events in the North East, and lots of school Olympics and the extra special East Tynedale Olympics that is being organised out of Wylam.
These last few weeks I have met with the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and following that had meetings with the British Mountaineering and Canoe Associations, working out how we can make their sports more accessible to local people in Northumberland.
This culminated this week with a really good meeting with representatives of the Lawn Tennis Association: we are at the early stages of planning specific tennis assistance and events in the North East, and Hexham in particular, but watch this space.
My plan is, in particular, to get a LTA professional to go to several of the schools during the early part of the summer term and provide free coaching and assistance, whilst also harnessing the LTA contacts and know how to try and help make the sport accessible to all in the build up to Wimbledon and the Olympics next year.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Battlesteads Inn, in Wark, Northumberland, wins Green Hotel of the Year - beating everyone including the Savoy!
The Battlesteads is one of my favourite pubs - we hold events there all the time and it is a major destination and boost to the Tourist Business of Northumberland. On Friday the Pub won the Green Pub of the Year awards at the Cateys, the leading Hotel award. My congratulations to owners Richard and Dee Slade and all the team at the pub. I saw Richard at my Green Deal workshop in Hexham on Wednesday, when he was discussing his new woodchip burning biomass boiler. If you have not been to Wark - please go - it is a special place.
Full details set out here:
http://www.battlesteads.com/
For reasons as to why The Battlesteads won I give you a flavour below of their Environmental Policy:
“We are committed to providing the greenest possible environment while ensuring the maximum comfort for our guests. We hope you share our appreciation of locally sourced food, consideration of our individual carbon footprint, joy of wildlife and the natural flaura and fauna of Northumberland.
“Our ethos is that it’s always better to work with the environment than to fight against it. Northumberland is one of the least spoiled areas of the country in terms of traffic impact, light pollution and urban sprawl - let’s keep it that way!”
Battlesteads proudly holds a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and is highly rated in the popular Alistair Sawday Guides to both the UK and Europe. In 2010, the hotel was crowned Best Green Pub and Great British Pub of the Year as well as scooping the Gold Award for Sustainable Tourism in the North East Tourism Awards.
Green CredentialsThe use of low-energy light bulbs throughout means that the whole hotel now uses less energy for lighting than the bar area alone did in 2006.
An innovative woodchip-burning biomass boiler supplies heating and hot water to the entire hotel using sustainable fuel from forestry only one mile away, meaning virtually zero fuel miles!
The surplus heat generated is used to heat two polytunnels, which provide herbs and salad vegetables even in winter months. We also have herb gardens and salad gardens on either side of the main garden area and we plant soft fruits and root vegetables in our kitchen garden throughout the year. Rainwater is captured in a huge tank to provide water for the entire garden and planters.
WildlifeThe walled garden visible from the conservatory is specially planted to encourage wildlife - the boiler house has a bat box and an owl box, we have lots of bird-feeders to encourage the many smaller species in the area. See how many you can identify - we have binoculars in the conservatory to help you.
And if you want to see Red Squirrels and stay in a nice setting - this is the place.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
BBC Radio Newcastle at 9am and then Prudhoe Community High School Q & A
Friday Morning: have a packed diary - off first thing to do a live phone in on BBC Radio Newcastle, followed by our social action project, where we help out at the Scottswood Community Garden in Newcastle.Then on to Prudhoe High School - apologies if I arrive a bit muddy and scruffy...
Doing an hour long Q&A with the students after lunch in the Fuse Media Centre - the school is changing every year for the better.
Really looking forward to it.
Hoping to see what they are doing for Children in Need and also whether they want to do a Lip Dub promoting Prudhoe High School? For those of you who do not know what a lip dub is then watch this - it will blow your mind. The story goes that someone insulted the town of Grand Rapids in the USA so they decided to showcase the town in the worlds biggest lip dub:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI
There are other amazing school based lip dubs on a smaller scale - simply search google, of course!
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Green Deal and Fuel Poverty Workshop with the Green Alliance
Massive thanks to the Green Alliance for hosting our Green Deal Workshop - focusing on urban and rural fuel poverty in the Hexham constituency, and the wider North East. The Green Deal is an up front free programme used to provide household energy efficiency, and combat fuel poverty, with a staged repayment scheme out of your fuel bill savings. It will transform your energy bills and save you money in the short and long term.
- all agreed the basic principles behind the Green Deal were good;
- but all agreed that as a programme for energy efficiency it needed work, refinement and basic changes if it was genuinely to be fit for purpose.
That is where we come in - as 40 key stakeholders ranging from oil clubs to councillors, to Transition Tynedale and Friends of the Earth, from energy companies to the CAB, from social landlords to the HCP, many businesses and local providers and multiple interested parties, all disected the policy in detail: in doing so we identified the good points and the bad.
The crucial purpose of today was in
- trying to identify how this policy can help Hexham constituency residents
- and what lessons we need to give to Greg Barker, the key Minister.
The Green Alliance are working with 3 environmental partners as pilot projects to road test the Green Deal [the other constituencies are Redcar and Bristol North West]. We welcomed Becky, Rebecca and Hannah to Hexham and invited 40 Good Men and Women all of whom came together to learn and help make the Green Deal work
I plan to give everyone present proper feedback both here and in writing, but the key lessons learnt were that:
- the policy can and will work for private home owners
- but that take up will be difficult without active community leadership [of which today was our first step of many]
- this policy needs change if it is to apply to social tenants [who arguably need this policy more than anyone] as few tenants would apply for such a policy. It will clearly work if the government wants to, and can afford to, give the deal direct to Landlords, like Isos.
- Our short term target is to take away the lessons learnt and help Geg Barker refine the policy
- Our long term target is to transform our area and make real efforts to combat the fuel poverty and energy deficiency that exists in Hexham.
- To do that we are looking for specific streets in Hexham and Haydon Bridge who are interested in getting the benefit of the Green Deal
One final note: what was also amazing was seeing everyone interacting and talking about their common interest in this issue.
Many thanks to Green Alliance - a very rewarding 3 hours.
- all agreed the basic principles behind the Green Deal were good;
- but all agreed that as a programme for energy efficiency it needed work, refinement and basic changes if it was genuinely to be fit for purpose.
That is where we come in - as 40 key stakeholders ranging from oil clubs to councillors, to Transition Tynedale and Friends of the Earth, from energy companies to the CAB, from social landlords to the HCP, many businesses and local providers and multiple interested parties, all disected the policy in detail: in doing so we identified the good points and the bad.
The crucial purpose of today was in
- trying to identify how this policy can help Hexham constituency residents
- and what lessons we need to give to Greg Barker, the key Minister.
The Green Alliance are working with 3 environmental partners as pilot projects to road test the Green Deal [the other constituencies are Redcar and Bristol North West]. We welcomed Becky, Rebecca and Hannah to Hexham and invited 40 Good Men and Women all of whom came together to learn and help make the Green Deal work
I plan to give everyone present proper feedback both here and in writing, but the key lessons learnt were that:
- the policy can and will work for private home owners
- but that take up will be difficult without active community leadership [of which today was our first step of many]
- this policy needs change if it is to apply to social tenants [who arguably need this policy more than anyone] as few tenants would apply for such a policy. It will clearly work if the government wants to, and can afford to, give the deal direct to Landlords, like Isos.
- Our short term target is to take away the lessons learnt and help Geg Barker refine the policy
- Our long term target is to transform our area and make real efforts to combat the fuel poverty and energy deficiency that exists in Hexham.
- To do that we are looking for specific streets in Hexham and Haydon Bridge who are interested in getting the benefit of the Green Deal
One final note: what was also amazing was seeing everyone interacting and talking about their common interest in this issue.
Many thanks to Green Alliance - a very rewarding 3 hours.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
The Fair Fuel Debate
I have had to be in Northumberland today so I have missed the Fair Fuel debate brought forward by my friend Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow.
Robert came to Hexham in April and is a genuinely good man trying to do what he can for his constituents and others.
I support his motion - which was passed unopposed by the House of Commons today, which urges the Goverment to scrap the rise in petrol duty. All of us understand that the govermenet needs to raise money to pay of the deficit but this may be a tax that is stopping the economy growing and punishes rural people in particular
This issue touches upon my campaign to stop fuel poverty and is a real issue in Northumberland where a car is a necessity, not a choice. Certainly that was the view of the locals in Tarset who I was speaking to on this issue on Saturday.
You can read more at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2061572/Scrap-rise-petrol-duty-100-MPs-demand-Osborne-abandon-planned-3p-increase.html#ixzz1dnvxRuDm
Robert came to Hexham in April and is a genuinely good man trying to do what he can for his constituents and others.
I support his motion - which was passed unopposed by the House of Commons today, which urges the Goverment to scrap the rise in petrol duty. All of us understand that the govermenet needs to raise money to pay of the deficit but this may be a tax that is stopping the economy growing and punishes rural people in particular
This issue touches upon my campaign to stop fuel poverty and is a real issue in Northumberland where a car is a necessity, not a choice. Certainly that was the view of the locals in Tarset who I was speaking to on this issue on Saturday.
You can read more at:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2061572/Scrap-rise-petrol-duty-100-MPs-demand-Osborne-abandon-planned-3p-increase.html#ixzz1dnvxRuDm
Green Energy in Hexham - The Hydro Project on the River Tyne
On the banks of the Tyne at Hexham, with local organisers Bob Hull and Gillian Orrell, Local Councillors Terry Robson and Derek Kennedy and Euro MP Fiona Hall.This is a community based apolitical attempt at bringing green energy to Hexham. Huge credit must go to the team at the Hexham Community Partnership, Transition Tynedale and the supportive local councillors. We are all behind the scheme but need your support - you do not need to live in Hexham to support us - see below.
ABOUT THE PLAN:
Hexham River Hydro is a 100kW community hydro power generation scheme on the River Tyne in Northumberland, which will not just generate renewable electricity but will secure sustainable funding for social and economic regeneration and community activities in Hexham and its environs and be an education and awareness-raising tool for residents and visitors alike. Once established the Hydro will use the 2 left hand arches seen in the picture for power generation, or as an alternative a tunnel based scheme harnessing the Tyne's power.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE HEXHAM RIVER HYDRO:
HEXHAM RIVER HYDRO has been shortlisted for the final round of the national energyshare competition. The winning project will be decided by online voting which opens on Tuesday 15th November and closes on 3rd December 2011.
The project needs your votes:
Vote now at http://www.energyshare.com/hrh and help us bring £100K to the north east.
You can also watch Roly Beevor's excellent video showcasing the project if you go on the Energy share website. It really shows how this is a community based Hexham project.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Boundary Change Hearings
Keep Northumberland Whole! Have you had your say? It is not too late to email the Boundary Commission at reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk or simply write to them at 35 Great Smith St, London, SW1P 3BQ. Their proposal is to take Haltwhistle and the South Tynedale Divisions of Northumberland [which includes Allendale, Slaley, Allenheads, the Allen Valley, and the whole of the South Tyne] and put them in a County Durham seat.
We oppose this and are trying to keep these areas - and returning to Consett the division of Rowlands Gill and Chopwell, which the BC in their wisdom have given to the Hexham constituency.
I am off for the next 2 days to the Boundary Commission Hearing, which starts at 10 am in Newcastle to make the case. I am speaking tomorrow at around 9.30am
Don't let them carve up your county simply by inaction or the lack of a letter or email!
We oppose this and are trying to keep these areas - and returning to Consett the division of Rowlands Gill and Chopwell, which the BC in their wisdom have given to the Hexham constituency.
I am off for the next 2 days to the Boundary Commission Hearing, which starts at 10 am in Newcastle to make the case. I am speaking tomorrow at around 9.30am
Don't let them carve up your county simply by inaction or the lack of a letter or email!
Saturday, 12 November 2011
An afternoon in Tarset
Delighted to be invited to hold a community meeting / surgery for nearly 2 hours this afternoon in Tarset Village Hall. Really great to be back - we discussed all the problems of health and police services in rural communities,forestry, planning, fuel poverty / LPG problems, boundary changes, fuel pricing and so much more. My thanks to everyone who came, and their hospitality and my friend Chris who kindly acted as driver.The Tarset community takes in several hundred fascinating people who contribute so much to the society they live in - based around the villages of Lanehead, and Greenhaugh, which has a great First School. The area is in the National Park and the locals think more about their life, environment and actions than almost any other community I know.
A visit to the amazing Greenhaugh pub, The Holly Bush Inn, and a session with the Tarset Grumpies is warmly recommended on many fronts: full details of all the community has to offer is on the Tarset website but I will leave you with the delightful link to the Tarset Grumpies:
http://www.tarset.co.uk/community/grumpies.cfm
Friday, 11 November 2011
Green Alliance Workshop on the Green Deal and how to save energy
Very excited to be co-hosting a Green Deal Workshop this coming Wednesday 16th November.
We are doing all we can to bring together the energy companies and prepare for the winter in the North East
I am really pleased that the Hexham area has been chosen as the first of the Green Alliance's flagship pilot projects to work out how the Green Deal will work and the massive savings and opportunities that will follow as a result of the Energy Act that we recently passed in parliament.
More details to follow and a full report after the event at The Beaumont Hotel on Wednesday
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Heading Home to Northumberland
Really excited to be heading home to Hexham
I have a packed diary for the next 9 days but the highlights include
- visits to the Hexham Hydro, a meeting in Tarset and the Social Action launch in Hexham this weekend
- A Q and A session at Prudhoe High School next Friday
- Helping out at Scotswood Community Garden with the Grassroots volunteers
- A special meeting with the Green Alliance [more to follow on this later]
- Multiple surgeries, home visits and meetings
and the Boundary Commisssion Hearings in Newcastle
Will blog more as the 9 days unfold
I have a packed diary for the next 9 days but the highlights include
- visits to the Hexham Hydro, a meeting in Tarset and the Social Action launch in Hexham this weekend
- A Q and A session at Prudhoe High School next Friday
- Helping out at Scotswood Community Garden with the Grassroots volunteers
- A special meeting with the Green Alliance [more to follow on this later]
- Multiple surgeries, home visits and meetings
and the Boundary Commisssion Hearings in Newcastle
Will blog more as the 9 days unfold
"We Will Remember Them" at 11am on 11.11.11 and on Sunday
Tomorrow is Armistice Day - try and stop and remember those who died for us.
I lost a great uncle on the beaches of France at Dunkirk.
We all have friends or family who have served or are serving still.
I will be laying a wreath in Prudhoe at 11am and then attending the Remembrance Day Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Prudhoe before travelling to the Hexham Mayors Reception at 12.45
Try and see if you can go to church on Sunday, or at least wish our men and women who are fighting abroad "God speed" and that they are in our thoughts and prayers
I lost a great uncle on the beaches of France at Dunkirk.
We all have friends or family who have served or are serving still.
I will be laying a wreath in Prudhoe at 11am and then attending the Remembrance Day Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Prudhoe before travelling to the Hexham Mayors Reception at 12.45
Try and see if you can go to church on Sunday, or at least wish our men and women who are fighting abroad "God speed" and that they are in our thoughts and prayers
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Can the England Team wear a Poppy on their black armbands?
This was raised twice in the House of Commons today at PMQs, where the actions of FIFA were again castigated for being out of touch and disrespectful to those who have laid down their lives for all of us.
Fifa has now agreed that the England team can wear poppies on their black armbands during Saturday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.The move came after Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron made representations to Fifa asking that England be allowed to wear shirts embroidered with poppies.
The Prince was described as being "dismayed" by Fifa's initial stance.
"The Duke's strong view is the poppy is a universal symbol of remembrance, which has no political, religious or commercial connotations," said a statement.
FIFA should be ashamed of themselves.
Regular readers will know that they tried to stop a woman playing football against men earlier this autumn in Manchester
Fifa has now agreed that the England team can wear poppies on their black armbands during Saturday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.The move came after Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron made representations to Fifa asking that England be allowed to wear shirts embroidered with poppies.
The Prince was described as being "dismayed" by Fifa's initial stance.
"The Duke's strong view is the poppy is a universal symbol of remembrance, which has no political, religious or commercial connotations," said a statement.
FIFA should be ashamed of themselves.
Regular readers will know that they tried to stop a woman playing football against men earlier this autumn in Manchester
Monday, 7 November 2011
Olympic Torch in Northumberland on day 28 of the relay
Olympic Torch coming to Northumberland and going through Hexham, Prudhoe and so much more.
See the plan for the Torch here. HERE
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Popcorn Politics - One thing is clear - Robert Redford Wins
Off to see George Clooney's election thriller "The Ides of March" very soon and conducting a readers poll: what is your favourite political thriller?
Here are some of the declared choices, courtesy of a Times poll:
- All the Presidents Men: David Cameron and Ed Milliband
- The Godfather [had no idea this was a political film!]: Dianne Abbott, Boris Johnson and lots more - you have to worry!
- Bob Roberts: Danny Alexander
- The Lion King: Anne Widdecombe
- Advice and Consent: Ken Livingstone [there are multiple jokes in that choice but I won't go there]
Honourable mentions to The Lives of Others, Charley Wilsons War, Julius Caesar and Frost / Nixon
- Nick Clegg - apparently could not make a choice...
For me my most favourite political movie will always be the 1972 Classic "The Candidate", if only because it is about an idealistic liberal lawyer who decides to run for office [its ok I know I am not Robert Redford!]. The classic line is after he wins the California senate race, and is in his hotel room, exhausted and elated, when he turns to the mates who have been helping him and asks:
"OK ..what do we do now?"
If you have not seen it - watch it. It will change your life - it did mine.
Here are some of the declared choices, courtesy of a Times poll:
- All the Presidents Men: David Cameron and Ed Milliband
- The Godfather [had no idea this was a political film!]: Dianne Abbott, Boris Johnson and lots more - you have to worry!
- Bob Roberts: Danny Alexander
- The Lion King: Anne Widdecombe
- Advice and Consent: Ken Livingstone [there are multiple jokes in that choice but I won't go there]
Honourable mentions to The Lives of Others, Charley Wilsons War, Julius Caesar and Frost / Nixon
- Nick Clegg - apparently could not make a choice...
For me my most favourite political movie will always be the 1972 Classic "The Candidate", if only because it is about an idealistic liberal lawyer who decides to run for office [its ok I know I am not Robert Redford!]. The classic line is after he wins the California senate race, and is in his hotel room, exhausted and elated, when he turns to the mates who have been helping him and asks:
"OK ..what do we do now?"
If you have not seen it - watch it. It will change your life - it did mine.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
BBC Meetings in the House of Commons - what should the BBC spend our licence fee on?
Had the chance on Thursday to question Mark Thompson and Lord Patten, the leaders of the BBC and put constituents views to them concerning what the BBC spends our money upon:
The taxpayer spends £145.50 a year on the licence fee and the BBC is doing a review of how it spends this money on BBC output.
I have had many representations from constituents, and also talked with my colleague, Esther McVey, the Wirral MP and former BBC and ITV presenter. We both agree that the BBC should be looking to safeguard certain key local facilites like Local Radio and TV, which are extremely popular with viewers for a multitude of reasons, and cutting back on BBC TV channels like BBC3 and BBC4 - that cost a fortune and very few people watch. Mark Thompson was very sniffy when I suggested that instead of salami slicing he should focus on what his audience wants [he cited the importance of screening every night of the Proms concerts from the Albert Hall as a justification for BBC 3 and 4].
One thing is very clear - all the MPs I met at this meeting [and previous ones] made cross party representations attacking the BBC chiefs for seeking to cut local services, as opposed to expensive TV.
You can help by writing in yourself to the BBC before the December 21st deadline. Apparently the Proms lovers are writing to Mark so get your friends to give him the local view.
The taxpayer spends £145.50 a year on the licence fee and the BBC is doing a review of how it spends this money on BBC output.
I have had many representations from constituents, and also talked with my colleague, Esther McVey, the Wirral MP and former BBC and ITV presenter. We both agree that the BBC should be looking to safeguard certain key local facilites like Local Radio and TV, which are extremely popular with viewers for a multitude of reasons, and cutting back on BBC TV channels like BBC3 and BBC4 - that cost a fortune and very few people watch. Mark Thompson was very sniffy when I suggested that instead of salami slicing he should focus on what his audience wants [he cited the importance of screening every night of the Proms concerts from the Albert Hall as a justification for BBC 3 and 4].
One thing is very clear - all the MPs I met at this meeting [and previous ones] made cross party representations attacking the BBC chiefs for seeking to cut local services, as opposed to expensive TV.
You can help by writing in yourself to the BBC before the December 21st deadline. Apparently the Proms lovers are writing to Mark so get your friends to give him the local view.
The Olympics are coming to Northumberland - Get Excited! 265 Days to go..
Tracey Emins artwork to inspire for the Olympics265 DAYS TO GO!!
The Olympics are coming
On Monday we will see published the route of the Olympic torch - I know its coming through Northumberland but exact details are hush hush till Monday
So much to get excited about
- Lots of British companies involved in the construction [for example, the seats are from Luton, the paving from Northampton]
- 20.12% discounts on multiple staycations throughout the UK
- Lots of our schools are signing up to the Junior Olympics
- I hope to have the Olympics Ministers in the North East before too long and
Best of all is the East Tynedale Olympics - a truly amazing get together of local communities around Wylam and Prudhoe who are hoping to stage multiple events next summer
Am inspired and now off on a run!
Friday, 4 November 2011
Bill Gates in the House of Commons and International Aid
The great Bill Gates came to the House of Commons yesterday and met with Andrew Mitchell, MP, the International Development Minister, and MPs who were discussing foreign aid in the House yesterday. Sadly I had to be in a meeting with the BBC chiefs and could not go. Apparently Gates was amazing but sadly his own computer temporarily crashed when he gave a powerpoint demo - we have all been there!
The serious point was their discussion of international aid and just how it is transforming the worlds efforts to combat disease and hunger.
The flagship and most popular part of Britain’s aid budget is David Cameron’s commitment to the initiative of worldwide vaccination of children from diseases like malaria - working in partnership with Bill Gates and other philanthropists. The estimation is that the British taxpayer will save four million lives during this parliament alone! This is done by using this hard-headed initiative that works hand in hand with the private sector.
The PM recently said - “What greater value for money can there be [than that]?"
Aid is a difficult topic.
The debate shouldn’t be about aid or no aid, but about what kind of aid works best? I have spoken on several occasions on this issue in Hexham over the last few years, and in my view the issue for this governement to try and achieve is whether our money is used wisely and with intelligence or given randomly and without thought. That should be the test.
UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT
In Westminster with Andrew Elliott, North East organiser, Nathan Van Doorn (Hexham)and Tom Brookes (Morpeth).
Today I attended the House of Commons and listened in the chamber to the annual sitting of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP). UKYP has been going for the last ten years, giving a voice to young people across the UK. It consists of 600 members aged 11-18 representing all regions of the UK. Members are elected annually across the UK with over one million young people voting in the last two years. It gives its members the chance to organise events and run campaigns affecting the youth of today, whilst influencing key decision makers.
John Bercow MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons presided over debates on various issues including Tuition Fees, Bullying in Schools, Transport, Child Poverty and Green Issues.I know that Tom and Nathan really enjoyed the experience.
To his credit the Speaker ran the debate really well: there is no doubt that the UK Youth Parliament has shown that it is here to stay, and with very good reason!
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Prime Minister welcomes Prudhoe School Bid
We have officially taken the bid to rebuild Prudhoe High School to the very top today when at PMQ's I was able to raise issue with Prime Minister David Cameron.
At today's Prime Minister's Questions I highlighted the lack of funding for Northumberland's High Schools in previous years and asked Mr Cameron to welcome bids for extra funding. The Prime Minister reassured me that the schools budget would be rising and told the Commons he 'will certainly welcome the bid" from the County Council to replace Prudhoe High School.
It follows us raising the matter with Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, and Schools Minister Nick Gibb.
If successful the bid would mean a brand new high school for Prudhoe as well as freeing up extra cash for the maintenance capital programme which could also see repairs to Haydon Bridge, QEHS and Ponteland High. The money could pay for new heating, replace windows, repair wiring and many crucial improvements.
I am very pleased to have the Prime Minister back the bid and recognise the importance of funding our high schools in Northumberland.
We await the final decision, and I will continue to do all I can to lobby in the bid's favour.
At today's Prime Minister's Questions I highlighted the lack of funding for Northumberland's High Schools in previous years and asked Mr Cameron to welcome bids for extra funding. The Prime Minister reassured me that the schools budget would be rising and told the Commons he 'will certainly welcome the bid" from the County Council to replace Prudhoe High School.
It follows us raising the matter with Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, and Schools Minister Nick Gibb.
If successful the bid would mean a brand new high school for Prudhoe as well as freeing up extra cash for the maintenance capital programme which could also see repairs to Haydon Bridge, QEHS and Ponteland High. The money could pay for new heating, replace windows, repair wiring and many crucial improvements.
I am very pleased to have the Prime Minister back the bid and recognise the importance of funding our high schools in Northumberland.
We await the final decision, and I will continue to do all I can to lobby in the bid's favour.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Prime Ministers Question Time
It is great to be back on my feet in the House and tomorrow I am down to speak at PMQs - I am number 14 on the list so unlikely to be called much before the end. I will be all for short Questions and Answers from the PM and Mr Milliband!
If given the chance I will be raising the case for updating Prudhoe Community High School...tune in to the Daily Politics on BBC2 tomorrow to see if we make the cut.
If given the chance I will be raising the case for updating Prudhoe Community High School...tune in to the Daily Politics on BBC2 tomorrow to see if we make the cut.
Newcastle go third!
It's a good time to be a Newcastle United fan at the minute - so happy we are suffering from vertigo!
I regret to say that I missed the game last night, but the highlights showed a great perfomance to beat Stoke away from home.
Whilst I was in the Commons speaking on the Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill, Ba scored a hat trick and sent us 3 points clear of Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal.
Statistically we have the best defensive record in the top tier.
And whisper it softly but the team look a really settled side. There is a lot to be said for consistency of selection. Best of all, when Ben Arfa is fully fit we will give the Manchester teams a real hurry up.
Good article here on Newcastle's revival
I regret to say that I missed the game last night, but the highlights showed a great perfomance to beat Stoke away from home.
Whilst I was in the Commons speaking on the Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill, Ba scored a hat trick and sent us 3 points clear of Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal.
Statistically we have the best defensive record in the top tier.
And whisper it softly but the team look a really settled side. There is a lot to be said for consistency of selection. Best of all, when Ben Arfa is fully fit we will give the Manchester teams a real hurry up.
Good article here on Newcastle's revival