Another busy week in Westminster last week, backed up by my Fitbit recording over 85,000 steps by the weekend! My week began with news of negative articles being published in national tabloids about Blyth town centre on the back of British Volt going into administration. I was incredibly disappointed on behalf of Blyth Valley. I am very proud to be MP for Blyth Valley and I cannot change 50 years of neglect overnight, but since I was elected we have secured billions of pounds for the constituency, had more ministerial visits than ever before, hosted job/apprenticeship fairs and we have just launched the Apprentice Award in partnership with Draeger. The landscape of the constituency is changing for the better but as always, these things take time.
I attended lots of interesting meetings over the next few days, including the Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Reception which tackled how the obstacles of electric cars can be levelled out and become accessible to all. I highlighted some of the issues we have in our area with badly lit charging points and issues with a lack of assistance if something goes wrong. I also attended a Rail Partners event, looking at how we drive the railway forward with efficiency and how we can utilise these methods for the Northumberland train line.
We also received fantastic news regarding a family whose two sons are stranded in Kabul. Working with their legal representatives, Northumberland County Council and our office – they have now received approval for their ARAP (Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy application. This means they can reunite with their family in Blyth Valley in the very near future. It’s brilliant news as this is an extremely difficult and complex process which can take a great deal of time to complete.
On Wednesday I had the pleasure to meet with two Blyth Valley constituents. Mr Forward had taken a guided tour of Westminster organised by our office and we had a good chat in the Portcullis over a cup of coffee afterwards. I then met with MD of Weir Insurance, Karen Weir and she informed me that the business celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and is planning an expansion for its premises in Blyth. It is great to see businesses thriving in the area.
In the evening I was asked by Ian Lavery MP to speak in the House of Commons with him about British Volt. I was encouraged by the statement of support in the debate for the site and the wider North East region by Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The site still remains the best in England and I remain optimistic that the project will proceed.
Back in the North East, I was delighted to be a guest to witness the official signing of the North East Combined Authority. As part of the Devolution deal, the agreement will set out to bring better regional decision-making, more money, new jobs, better skills opportunities, more housing and a highly improved transport system to our area.
I finished the week with a meal at Dhamaka Indian restaurant in the Brockwell centre which was recommended to me by Cramlington Town Mayor Lorraine DeSimone. It was fantastic and we will definitely be visiting again. As always if you want to get in touch just call the constituency office on 01670 338435 or email me at [email protected]
