Blog Week ending 19th November
Early Monday morning, I caught the train to London for the Youth Work Summit in Westminster, where I had the chance to speak to experts about our achievements and challenges of our young people in Blyth Valley. I then attended an event in Parliament to mark #WorldDiabetesDay and hear from clinicians and young people living with diabetes. Diabetes runs through my family and I have it myself, I am proud to raise awareness for diabetes and represent all my constituents living with diabetes.
I cannot write up the beginning of my week without mentioning the cabinet reshuffle that took place, Rishi Sunak put together a new team to deliver for the long-term changes our country needs for a brighter future. After the announcements I went to a private meeting with the MOD before attending the Climate & Security dinner. This was quite a hard-hitting evening discussing the very prominent topic of climate change and what we can all do to make a difference for future generations.
Tuesday morning, I had a meeting with the Minister of State for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston for an update on the Government’s trade negotiations and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The next event in my diary was a drop in for Islamophobia Awareness Month. I had a lovely conversation with Zara Mohammed from the Muslim Council of Britain and discussed my visit to our local mosque and the Muslim community we have in Blyth Valley. Islamophobia has no place in our society and it’s vital we come together to raise awareness so that we can stamp it out for good.
I then had a virtual meeting with JDR cables for a catch up on projects at the port and it was great to see the construction of the site is developing so much. Towards the end of the meeting, I was called into the chamber to support the Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps as part of my role as his PPS. Once my duty was fulfilled, my next appointment of the day was very important as earlier this year I had the pleasure to nominate Ade Keogh from the Heart of Blyth for the Levelling Up Champions reception at Number 10. Ade is employed by Northumberland County Council and a large part of Ade’s role is to help local community groups access funding and signpost them to where they can get support. She has had huge success with this and has made a real change to Blyth. After a tour of parliament with Ade, I met with the Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt, I wanted to discuss the A19 and Moor Farm roundabout and how vital it is that we get the investment to upgrade the road. I also spoke to Penny about increasing the police presence in Cramlington and Blyth. I came away from this meeting feeling very positive and that the voices of my constituents had been heard by the Leader of the House.
The following day I had a meeting with the chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement to thank him for his efforts in supporting Blyth Valley. I discussed the Northumberland Line and other exciting projects coming to fruition in the constituency. Although I have secured almost £400million investment, there is still more to be done and I will continue to push for great things in Blyth Valley. I spoke specifically about more funding needed in adult social care and special educational needs. It was then time for PMQ’s, this was the first PMQs after the reshuffle and was also just after the Rwanda asylum plan was ruled unlawful. I support our government in doing whatever it takes to stop the boats. This is about being fair and I will continue to vote on legislation that will strengthen our borders, stop illegal migration and in turn protect families who are risking their lives and giving up everything they own to be trafficked in extremely dangerous conditions. From here I then attended the M&S Say Pants To The Tax Campaign. I gained an insight to the campaign on period products that are specifically designed to reduce plastic waste. I am proud of the fact that in 2021 our government took the decision to remove VAT for period products, supporting tens of millions of women up and down the country. The campaign was a success and now this underwear is exempt from VAT. I then had a tearoom surgery with Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride to discuss a constituent’s casework. From there I attended the Environmental Audit Committee followed by the 1922 committee for a briefing on migration. There were 33 meeting scheduled in my Westminster diary for this week as it is a very busy time of year.
I jumped on a train back up north on Thursday morning, then in the afternoon I had the pleasure to visit the ‘Crofton Mill Pit, Remembered’ exhibition at Headway Arts. I was amazed at the amount of local history available and the knowledge of the volunteers who were managing the exhibition. It was great to have a reminder of our heritage and move forward to 2023 where we are working towards our net zero targets. I had an hour in the office before popping to True Potential in Newburn as they kindly donated some refurbished laptops to the TA centre in Blyth. Their family charity the Harrison Foundation supports organisations that tackle child poverty, homelessness and support employability and social mobility. Cadet forces across Blyth Valley support our young people developing skills to help in later life such as communication, team building, leadership and decision making. These laptops will help SSI O’Brien and the other dedicated volunteers to carry on their first-class training at the Cowpen Detachment.
On Friday morning I had a catch up with my constituency office manager regarding casework then I drove to Seaton Sluice Middle School to meet with Executive Headteacher John Barnes, headteacher Karen McSparron and Business Director of the Seaton Valley Federation, Ben Watson. We had a discussion about the new high school which will be replacing Astley High School and Whytrig Middle School. After our catch up, we then had a tour of the school, I had visited Seaton Sluice Middle School around 18 months ago and recognised that a lot of work needed to be done and that the school felt dated and left behind. On this visit there was a completely different atmosphere. Karen told me she has seen a huge boost in morale since the school, with their government funding, they have repainted, have new changing rooms, a new mobile classroom complete with disabled access facilities and a renovated SEN bungalow which has classrooms and its own sensory area. The school also received funding for new sports equipment via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme (2022 to 2023). It was also great to see children in the classrooms I helped paint last summer and saw what a huge difference it has made in giving the children a sense of pride in their environment. I then had face to face constituency surgeries back at the office before travelling back to Seaton Valley to visit Arrighi's Crescent Café to celebrate Family Business Week. I had the absolute pleasure to meet with two generations of the family who have owned this business for almost 100 years. You can watch the video of my visit on my social media platforms.
At the weekend I welcomed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer MP to Blyth Valley. We had a tour of National Trust Seaton Delaval Hall and discussed the Heritage Lottery funding investment ‘The Curtain Rises’ which saw the addition of the woodland play area, mirror structures, new planting in the grounds, the café/seating areas and the overall renovations of this fantastic, historical building. It was a great experience to welcome another Minister to Blyth Valley and to showcase our fantastic area.
As always, should you wish to contact me please email ian.levy.parliament.uk or call 01670338435.
