Sharon receives response from Rolton Kilbride - 7th Nov, 2017
Sharon receives response from Rolton Kilbride - 7th Nov, 2017
Sharon receives response from Rolton Kilbride - 7th Nov, 2017 Read more
Sharon Hodgson MP's report Oct-Nov 2017 number 98
News from Westminster
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2017 number 98
Sharon Hodgson MP's report Oct-Nov 2017 number 98 News from Westminster Read more
Read Sharon's other posts on this subject here: Rolton Kilbride
This week (1st Nov 2107), Sharon has written a letter to Sunderland City Council regarding the proposed Rolton Kilbride Gasification plant in Washington, on behalf of constituents, to register her objection to the planning application which was received on the 23rd October.
This follows concerns raised by many constituents who have written to Sharon over recent weeks and also from her research on the proposed plant, which included attending one of the public exhibitions put on for local residents by Rolton Kilbride.
After coming to an informed decision, Sharon believes that this plant would not be beneficial to the local people of Washington and Sunderland West and has set out her reasoning for opposing the plant in a letter to the Council (see below), including: the impact on traffic and congestion in the area; the impact on the environment and the emissions that will be released; the impact on jobs, and; the impact on local communities in the immediate vicinity of the plant and the wider area.
Sharon is encouraging as many local residents to submit their own comments on the planning application to ensure that the concerns of residents are registered fully and in numbers that show the wide-scale opposition to the plant. Local residents can submit their comments by going to Sunderland City Council's website and logging in to add their comments. This can be done here.
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OY9TXMBB00Q00
You can read Sharon's original letter to the Council by going to this link or viewing it below.
07/11/2017 - Read Rolton Kilbride's response here >
17/11/2017 - Read the response from Sunderland City Council here >
SHARON WRITES TO LOCAL COUNCIL ON ROLTON KILBRIDE PLANNING APPLICATION
Read Sharon's other posts on this subject here: Rolton KilbrideThis week (1st Nov 2107), Sharon has written a letter to Sunderland City Council regarding the proposed Rolton Kilbride Gasification plant... Read more
Sharon spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on vaping, and raised the Opposition's support for vaping products as part of the smoking cessation landscape but recognised the need for further long-term evidence to be collected on the impact of these devices along with ensuring that the wider package of smoking cessation on offer to smokers is maintained and not allowed to wither on the vine.
You can read the full debate here: Sharon Hodgson MP Vaping Westminster Hall Debate 01.11.17
You can read Sharon's contribution pasted below:
Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Sunderland West)
It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Howarth. I thank the hon. Member for Dartford (Gareth Johnson) for securing this debate. It is timely and important, especially because we have just seen the end of Stoptober, which vaping played a role in advertising. I thank all hon. Members for their thoughtful contributions, and I welcome the array of views and opinions they conveyed. It is clear that there is strong interest in the House in this topic. Although we are small in number here, the quality of the contributions made up for that.
E-cigarettes have been around since the mid-2000s, but in recent years we have seen them boom. Recent figures estimate that 2.9 million adults now use e-cigarettes, compared with only 700,000 in 2012. That increase is expected to grow as more people turn to e-cigarettes to reduce their tobacco consumption or to quit tobacco completely.
The interest in e-cigarettes can also been seen in the rapid growth in availability of such products and the advertising around them. In 2014, it was estimated that there were 460 brands and more than 7,500 flavour solutions. The BMJ highlighted that the advertising and promotion of the products had grown from £1.7 million in 2010 to £13.1 million in 2012—if we had the figures for 2017, they would obviously be a lot higher.
Labour Members welcome e-cigarettes as part of our drive towards a smoke-free society and because of the role they can play in the smoking-cessation landscape. What remains important, however, is that e-cigarettes are regulated correctly to ensure the health of our country is improved, not diminished—which, at the end of the day, is our main goal when it comes to smoking cessation. I will also use my contribution to this debate as an opportunity to further discuss smoking cessation, which is a crucial aspect of the debate around vaping, and the importance of continually looking at this market as we move towards a smoke-free society.
Smoking cessation is crucial. It improves the health of individuals and our nation significantly, and reduces the prevalence of cancer, lung disease and COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—diseases which we know are all too persistent. If smokers quit smoking when diagnosed with lung cancer, it is estimated that even at that late stage they will live nearly a year longer than if they continued to smoke. For those living with COPD, smoking cessation is the only treatment that can prevent the progression of the disease in smokers. It is also the most cost-effective one. The cost per QALY, or quality-adjusted life year, for smoking cessation in COPD patients is around £2,000 compared with between £7,000 and up to £187,000 per QALY for drugs to control the symptoms of COPD. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE, has estimated that for every £1 invested in specialist stop smoking services, a return of £2.37 will be generated in savings on smoking-related diseases and in ending loss of productivity.
I hope that such issues will be addressed as the Government implement their recently published tobacco control plan, and it is welcome that e-cigarettes have been included as part of that work. E-cigarettes, however, must never be seen as a silver bullet to achieve our vision of a smoke-free society. E-cigarettes are a crucial player in the cessation landscape, but they are not the only player. It is important that we maintain the position set out by research and evidence from the World Health Organisation and in the tobacco control plan that nicotine replacement therapy is four times more effective when prescribed by a doctor and monitored than when simply bought over the counter, which is how e-cigarettes are acquired.
It is important that smoking cessation is a wide-ranging package that reduces smoking in society. Sadly, however, I have to say that the Government’s actions are undermining that approach. As the King’s Fund and the Royal Society for Public Health have identified, public health cuts will reach £800 million in the five years to 2021 and, in 2017-18, spending on tobacco control services faces cuts of 30%. That is concerning, because ASH has identified that a growing number of local authorities no longer have a specialist stop smoking service accessible to all smokers.
Even across the wider health service, it is clear that there are failures to implement NICE guidance on smoking cessation. An audit by the British Thoracic Society of 146 hospitals found that 27% of hospital patients were not even asked if they smoked, and provision of NRT and other smoking cessation treatments in hospitals was classed as poor. Is the Minister aware of that and is he ensuring that action is taken?
What is the Minister doing to address those genuine concerns? I would also welcome knowing his thoughts on promoting vaping and other smoking cessation treatments for in-patients during their stay in hospital, which is championed by Professor John Britton and chimes well with the position set out in the tobacco control plan:
“Promote links to ‘stop smoking’ services across the health and care system and full implementation of all relevant NICE guidelines by 2022”—
I am sure the Minister knows the quote well, as he published the plan, which I am pleased about.
That all shows the serious concerns within the smoking cessation landscape, and the worries for its future and for our move towards a smoke-free society. It is important to include vaping as part of the landscape, but it cannot detract from the other treatments available, which we cannot allow to wither on the vine because something new and shiny has come along. That is partly because the evidence for the impact of e-cigarettes on our health is still not definitive. Public Health England’s review of vaping products showed that they were 95% less harmful than tobacco products—which is excellent—because of the lack of carbon monoxide being inhaled and the reduction in the many other health implications that come with smoking tobacco, but that does not mean there are not concerns or split opinions over the health, harm and safety of such products.
It is paramount that such views are continually looked at and that we review our positions on the products regularly. That is why it is welcome that Public Health England will publish its update on vaping research and evidence by the end of this year. Will the Minister also outline plans to evaluate heat not burn? Although not vaping, such products are something else on the market seen as a way of limiting and reducing harm from smoking. The impact of those devices needs further research.
Gareth Johnson
I did not mention the available heat-not-burn products simply because I could not find any independent information on whether they were beneficial for health or still dangerous. I would be grateful if the hon. Lady enlarged on any information that she has found out about those products, because I found it difficult to find anything.
Mrs Hodgson
I do not think that I know much more than the hon. Gentleman, which is why I mentioned heat not burn. I have asked some questions about it because some independent research is needed. The manufacturers of heat-not-burn products have done their own research and make quite strong claims that although they are still tobacco products, they are far less harmful, but we need independent research to back that up before anyone can substantiate the claims. Will the Minister update us on when research into vaping and perhaps heat not burn will be happening?
As we come to the end of the year, the Minister will be aware that if we see any delays in publishing reports or plans, I will of course be on his case. I welcome the Science and Technology Committee also looking into this matter, and I will keep a close eye on the developments of that inquiry while looking forward to its findings. It is important that we take a pragmatic approach to e-cigarettes, which is reflected in Public Health England’s 2016 statement, which had the support of 12 health charities:
“We all agree that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking…but we must continue to study the long term effects.”
The Opposition agree, as it is clear from the evidence so far that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than tobacco smoking, but the evidence remains inconclusive. That is why monitoring must be maintained to ensure that we fully understand the impact of such products in the short and long term.
The Minister has had a lot to think about during this short debate, and I am sure that in his response he will address each and every one of the points made. I implore him in that response to remember the wider smoking-cessation landscape and how important it is to ensure that vaping is included as part of that wider package, which is sustainable and effective in reducing smoking in society and thereby improving the health of the nation.
Vaping Westminster Hall Debate 01.11.17
Sharon spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on vaping, and raised the Opposition's support for vaping products as part of the smoking cessation landscape but recognised the need for further...
On 31st October, Sharon attended the Living Wage Foundation’s reception and pledged to encourage local businesses to become living wage employers.
The real living wage, which is calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, is £8.45 across the UK and £9.75 in London.
Unlike the national minimum wage, the real living wage is calculated according to the cost of living.
The real living wage is a voluntary scheme, but there are 3,592 accredited living wage employers nationally, including well known household brands such as Nationwide, British Gas and Nestle.
In Washington and Sunderland West, 12% of workers earn less than the real living wage. This means that they are paid much less than necessary to keep up with the ever increasing cost of living.
Currently, 26.1% of children in Washington and Sunderland West are growing up in poverty. Paying employees, the real living wage could help lift working families out of poverty.
Following the event, Sharon said:
“In-work poverty and poor pay are becoming ever-more endemic in our society. This is why I am a supporter of the real living wage. It is important that employers recognise the benefits of paying the real living wage, not only for their employees but also for their business and wider society. That is why I support the Living Wag Foundation’s campaign to ensure that employees get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and have pledged to encourage as many businesses in the constituency as possible to become living wage employers.”
SHARON ENCOURAGES LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BECOME LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS
On 31st October, Sharon attended the Living Wage Foundation’s reception and pledged to encourage local businesses to become living wage employers. The real living wage, which is calculated annually by...
Sharon has criticised the Government’s failures to bring down the maximum allowed stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from £100 to £2.
Sharon and other Labour MPs have campaigned for many years to tighten control on FOBTs gaming machines which have been described as the “crack cocaine of gambling” and have caused huge damages to families and communities across the country.
FOBTs machines allow users to gamble up to £100 every 20 seconds, which can lead to huge losses, wider societal issues and family breakdown. British gambles lost a total of £1.7 billion on FOBTs in 2015, and 11.5% of all FOBTs users are serious gambling addicts.
Following a much delayed review, and sustained pressure from the Labour Party and gambling campaigners, the Government have announced a further consultation on the maximum stake allowed on FOBTs, rather than take firm action to curb addictive machines.
Restrictions on the machines would have a huge positive impact on the local area. Figures compiled for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling estimate that there are 51 FOBTs in Washington and Sunderland West alone, with local residents losing £1,602,254 between 2015-16 and a total of £10,855,045 between 2008 and 2016.
Sharon said:
“It is a deeply disappointing move from the Government, who appear unaware to the concerns raised by campaigners and others who have been telling the Government for years that they must do something about these highly addictive machines.
“Families across the country, and here in Washington and Sunderland West, have been devastated by the effects of gambling addiction which is too often accompanied by theft and drug and alcohol abuse.
“Reducing the maximum stake on FOBTs from £100 to £2 will make all our communities safer and better off and it’s now up to the Government to reconsider its approach and take firm action now.”
SHARON CALLS OUT GOVERNMENT'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GAMBLING SAFER
Sharon has criticised the Government’s failures to bring down the maximum allowed stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from £100 to £2. Sharon and other Labour MPs have campaigned for...
Sharon has lent her support to a Private Members Bill which will reduce the voting age from 18 to 16.
On Friday 3rd November, the Bill – presented to Parliament by Jim McMahon MP - will have its Second Reading and will place a requirement on Returning Officers to ensure reasonable steps are taken to register new voters and a requirement on schools to provide education on democracy and citizenship to improve our democracy.
By reducing the voting age to 16, an extra 1.5 million people will be able to vote, therefore giving young people the ability to influence politicians on the issues that affect their lives. It is estimated that 1,390 16 and 17 year olds in Washington and Sunderland West would be affected by this change.
The Bill has cross-party support and is backed by the Votes at 16 Coalition, a campaign group made up of over 60 organisations including the British Youth Council, National Union of Students and the Electoral Reform Society.
Sharon Hodgson MP said:
“Through-out my time in Parliament, I have been a supporter of votes at 16, understanding that young people are concerned about the issues that affect them and want to have their voices heard on policies that will impact their lives and I always enjoy meeting young people to discuss democracy and the importance of voting.
“It is time for the Government to recognise the importance of listening to the voices of young people and allow them to participate, contribute and engage in our democratic processes. The time has come for votes at 16 and I am glad to be supporting Jim McMahon’s Bill.”
SHARON SAYS THE TIME HAS COME FOR VOTES AT 16
Sharon has lent her support to a Private Members Bill which will reduce the voting age from 18 to 16. On Friday 3rd November, the Bill – presented to Parliament...
As Honorary President of the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), Sharon helps the RBL and the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) launch their poppy appeal for 2017, at Sainsbury's and ASDA at the Galleries in Washington.
Sharon joined ex-service men and women volunteer poppy sellers, who are giving up their time this month once again, to raise money and awareness, for this year’s appeal.
Sharon helps RBL and DLI launch poppy appeal 2017
As Honorary President of the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), Sharon helps the RBL and the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) launch their poppy appeal for 2017, at... Read more
Sharon met firefighters in Westminster this week to recognise and celebrate the invaluable work they do keeping our communities safe.
“Love Your Firefighters”, hosted by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), was attended by more than 70 MPs who met firefighters and union officials.
MPs were asked to support investment into the fire and rescue service by the FBU General Secretary, Matt Wrack. He urged MPs to take the message back to their constituents that the maintenance of a world class, professional fire and rescue service is something that all political parties should support.
At the event, two films were shown. ‘Operator’ (bit.ly/2dtilVA) won the Bafta short film award last year (2016) for its depiction of a control room operator taking an emergency fire call. ‘The Firefighters’ Dilemma’ (bit.ly/2sek2dr) was made this year to convey the stress fire crews are under when they turn out to a fire and have to wait for a second fire engine before entering the premises.
Following the event, Sharon said:
“It was a privilege to meet and support some of our country’s firefighters when they came to Parliament and recognise the invaluable, challenging and brave work that they do every day to keep us safe.
“This was clearly seen at the beginning of the summer when we saw firefighters responding to the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, where their training and professionalism was tested to the limit, yet they did all that they could to save those caught in the fire. I am proud to support my local firefighters, in the interest of both the public’s and firefighter’s safety.”
SHARON SUPPORTS FIREFIGHTERS IN WESTMINSTER
Sharon met firefighters in Westminster this week to recognise and celebrate the invaluable work they do keeping our communities safe. “Love Your Firefighters”, hosted by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU),...
Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website.
There are a lot of issues going on in Parliament at the moment, but one of the biggest is the serious flaws around Universal Credit – the Tories’ flag-ship reforms to the welfare system.
Labour support the original proposal of Universal Credit and making the system simpler, yet, the reality has led to serious concerns about how the system is working.
It has been estimated that where Universal Credit is in operation that one in four new claims are not meeting the six-week payment period, which is driving up debt, arrears and in some cases, evictions.
This is backed by 42% of families who are on Universal Credit saying that they are only in arrears because of the flaws of the system; from waiting times to receive their payments, support being delayed or stopped or administrative errors in the system.
Even in Newcastle where this policy is being trialled, a report by the council has shown serious problems emerge, including £1.2 million rise in rent arrears and the Leader of the Council saying that Universal Credit is returning the city to the days of Cathy Come Home.
The evidence stacks up and shows just how flawed this policy is.
This is even more concerning when the Government have begun to push ahead with their roll-out of these plans, which has seen a rapid increase in the number of Jobcentres brought under the programme to 50 a month – Sunderland will start using Universal Credit for all claimants in May 2018.
This is why last week the Labour Party forced a vote to pause and fix Universal Credit to ensure that it doesn’t push more and more people into poverty and sticks to its original intentions to support people when they face hardship and help them back into work.
Unfortunately, when it came to voting on this issue the Tories couldn’t be bothered to show up and instead abstained on the vote; ignoring the many campaigners who are concerned about this policy and their constituents who will be suffering under this badly-developed policy.
It is time that the Tories pulled their heads out of the sand and realise just how serious this issue is becoming and fix it before more people are pushed into poverty.
ECHO COLUMN: Universal Credit will cause more poverty if not fixed
Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website. There are a lot of issues going on in Parliament at the moment, but one of the...