It has been said before that ‘there is no such thing as society’. We know this not true. The Millions of children and parents supported by the Sure Start programme know this not true. So too do the millions of teenagers and young people helped into work by the new deal. These projects show society at work from the top of government down through to the individuals everyday life. 

But no one knows that society exists better than those who are not able to play a part in it. For many of us I’m sure our role in society is taken for granted, we live our lives in regular contact with the institutions of society and feel able to contribute something and shape the way in which we live our lives. It is important to remember that this is a privileged position. 

After nearly ten years of a Labour Government we have achieved an awful lot.  In my constituency the number of people claiming the jobseekers allowance has almost halved since 1997. Thousands of young people, single parents and over 50’s have been helped into work by the new deal. Incapacity benefit claims are falling. Over 15, 000 people were lifted out of potential energy poverty by the winter fuel payments and thousands of pensioners are able to claim their pension credits. As well as all of this we can now say that over 100,000 pensioners and children have been lifted out of relative poverty in the North East since 1997. Whilst it is important to reflect on the fantastic work done by the government the job does not stop. We are now in a position where we can reach the very most excluded people in our society. As the work goes on and we start to get to the core of social exclusion the nature of the job changes.  

We need to seek new approaches to dealing with families and individuals whose exclusion is long term and deep seated. There remain too many places where there is little expectation of ever having the opportunity to contribute. Social exclusion is a waste, in many ways the worst kind of waste, it causes chances to be limited and leaves talent by the wayside. It is vital that we do not rest on our laurels. That is why I am delighted at the launch of the Governments new Social Exclusion  Action Plan.

I know that early intervention makes a massive difference for children at risk of social exclusion and welcome the renewed focus on involving children in society as early as possible. Beyond this the approach to breaking down cycles of deprivation must look at all stages of life and develop a nuanced approach to understanding the different circumstances that lead to prolonged social exclusion.   In my constituency we are well placed to push forward the fight against social exclusion.

There are hundreds of people who through their own initiative and  hard work are really making a difference in combating the causes of social exclusion from childhood to Old Age. I want to take this opportunity to inform the House of some of the work which is being done in my constituency. 

I was recently given the privilege of accompanying Gateshead Young Womens Outreach Project to the Phillip Lawrence awards.   In Sunderland the Sure Start to later life encourages older people to remain active and involved in society and is supported excellently by the Older People’s Champions who work with local authorities and and ensure health and social care is delivered to fit the needs of those who need it most. Also in Sunderland the council has effectively implemented ICT tools to promote social inclusion. They have been so successful that they will now be entering into the governments ‘Digital Challenges’ this is a fitting reward and recognises the innovative approach taken by Sunderland council in taking technology out into the community. Without these opportunities lives would remain unchanged. I was delighted to hear of a 78 year old who thanks to these services can stay in touch with her family around the world and help administer a local charity. She was full of praise for the ICT programme and said that she would have regretted not coming.

I’m sure the 24 other pensioners who regularly get out of the house to meet and use the computers would agree as they sit playing with their digital cameras, hunting for cheap flights and catching up on the latest local news. It is this sort of project which enables people to feel included in society and should continue to be supported. 

We should also support our youth parliaments in getting young people involved with political society. Gateshead Youth Assembly and Sunderland Youth Parliament both have a strong track record here.  I will continue to press for the swift introduction of the Youth Opportunity Cards pilot in Sunderland as another way of getting young people involved.  

 Although we usually understand social exclusion to be something which affects individuals and families there are numerous ways in which swathes of people can become excluded from the full benefits of society.  

This power is part of the Town and Country Planning order passed under a Conservative government in 1995.  For everyone to have a full opportunity to get the most out of British Society it is vital as our pace of life shifts that everyone in Britain has a sufficient level of connectivity.  It is vital for the future of Washington that it is fully integrated with the wider North East.

The Leamside Line should not be sat there rotting. It should be used to open access to opportunity for the people of Washington. I hope that in the discussions that will follow the Eddington report of late last year  we see the North East take steps towards becoming fully integrated and not partially excluded from the British Transport Network. The further investment this will bring to the region can only help us prosper and open up new opportunities to end social exclusion in the North East. 

The party opposite has done little to help us in our fight against social exclusion. They have opposed all of the measures introduced, measures which have brought aspiration and opportunity to millions of people across the country.  

It was under a Conservative government that many people in the North East were excluded from society and it is thanks to this government that the North East is back on the map. I look forward to continuing the fight to end social exclusion,  the Social Exclusion Action Plan is another step in that fight and I believe it will make a real difference. But most importantly it should renew our commitment and give us a new impetus to ensure that every person in Britain is aware that there is indeed, such a thing as society.