Last week was Dyslexia Awareness Week.
During that week, the Data and Marketing Association published an online Dyslexia Employer Guide which can help employers understand dyslexia, and make their workplaces more inclusive.
You can access the guide by clicking on this link >
DMA publishes online Dyslexia Employer Guide
Last week was Dyslexia Awareness Week.During that week, the Data and Marketing Association published an online Dyslexia Employer Guide which can help employers understand dyslexia, and make their workplaces more inclusive....
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2020 number 132
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2020 number 132
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2020 number 132
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2020 number 132 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2020 number 132 Read more
You can read Sharon's recent Echo Column below or on the Sunderland Echo website.
Many families in our area have already been hit hard financially by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Yet, as they have done so often during this crisis, the Government recently overlooked the needs of working families in our region. Local lockdown measures were implemented at short notice, which effectively put an end to informal childcare arrangements.
This left parents who rely on support from grandparents, friends and family facing a choice between staying at home to care for their children and potentially losing their job, or finding formal childcare with no notice and no budget to pay for it.
Many constituents wrote to me to share their worries and anxieties. Families who were already often on low pay, particularly women and single parents, were left facing severe hardship. I wrote to Matt Hancock to raise their concerns, and asked the Government to reconsider.
Thankfully, Ministers relented, and have now said that informal childcare arrangements for those aged under 14 can continue, ensuring those who rely on them are not left under even more financial strain as we adjust to new local restrictions.
But whilst this decision has provided some relief to working parents, I know that for many of us the next few weeks will continue to be challenging. Local lockdown will keep friends and families apart, and businesses face renewed financial pressures.
Nobody wants to see any more restrictions on our daily life, but the concerning growth of this virus cannot be ignored.
I would therefore urge everyone to continue to follow local lockdown measures, which remain in place alongside the additional measures announced by Government. Please avoid visiting other people, only socialise with members of your own household, and only take essential journeys.
As ever, if any of my constituents have any concerns about these measures, please do email [email protected] and I will do all I can to help you.
Our region has felt the impact of Covid-19 more severely than many others. We must now do everything we can to slow the rate of infection, and protect the NHS, our most vulnerable, and the health of those around us.
ECHO COLUMN: The next few weeks will continue to be challenging
You can read Sharon's recent Echo Column below or on the Sunderland Echo website. Many families in our area have already been hit hard financially by the Coronavirus pandemic....
Update on Coronavirus – September 2020
- As at 24 Sept 2020.
New measures have been introduced across the North East, including in our constituency, to try and bring down the rising number of Coronavirus cases. New nationwide guidance has also been introduced, but please note the local measures override those.
Update on Coronavirus – September 2020
Update on Coronavirus – September 2020 - As at 24 Sept 2020.New measures have been introduced across the North East, including in our constituency, to try and bring down the rising... Read more
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington & and Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Veterans has welcomed the new measures in Washington and Sunderland West and across the North East, aimed at curbing the rising cases of Coronavirus.
(Clicking on the above image will take you to guidance provided by the Government on the new restrictions)
Sharon is calling on all constituents to follow the measures, in order to keep everyone safe and ensure that our NHS is not overwhelmed.
Full guidance from the Government can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/north-east-of-england-local-restrictions
Information from Sunderland City Council, including FAQs, can be found here:
https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/17375/New-Covid-19-restrictions-for-our-region-17-September
Sharon said:
‘’I welcome the new measures being introduced, as the rise in cases of coronavirus in recent days has been concerning. The Government must now provide any additional support that our Local Authority needs for improved testing and to support people where necessary.
‘’It is vitally important that everyone follows the new measures, in order to keep us all safe, and protect our NHS.
‘’This will be a challenging time for many people, but I know that we can work together and bring the cases down in the coming days and weeks.’’
Sharon Hodgson MP welcomes new measures in Washington and Sunderland West to curb rising cases of Coronavirus
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington & and Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Veterans has welcomed the new measures in Washington and Sunderland West and across the North... Read more
You can read Sharon's latest Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website
The last Labour Government aimed to spread power and opportunity to all, to ensure that the next generation were not held back by their background.
That is why, in 2004, Labour launched the Child Trust Fund (CTF) scheme. This bold policy ensured that every child would have access to savings at the start of their adult life, no matter their background. For every young person born after the 1st September 2002, Labour invested at least £250 in a fund, from which only that young person can draw money.
This month, the first generation to benefit from CTFs turn 18, and can access this fund for the first time. Over the next 9 years, 50,000 young people across the country each month will come of age and be able to access their fund.
In Washington and Sunderland West, 8,700 young people have a CTF and will see the difference a Labour Government can make to their lives.
The contrast with the Tories’ mishandling of young people’s futures couldn’t be clearer. Students have faced a summer of chaos following the Government’s A-Level results fiasco, which follows a series of failures for young people, be it on school funding, university fees, or public health.
In fact, it was the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition Government which scrapped the innovative CTF scheme in 2011.
Given the time that has passed since the CTF scheme was launched and now with the significant impact of the pandemic, I am worried that many 18-year olds and their parents may be unaware, or have forgotten, that an account exists for them. I don’t want any young person to miss out on money that is rightfully theirs.
To find out more about this scheme, or to find your fund, visit https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/
If you know anyone who is about to turn 18, make sure that they’re aware that they have money that is theirs to manage.
Every trust fund, and every choice it enables, is a reminder of the difference a Labour government can make. Today’s young adults will be the beneficiaries of Labour’s determination to make lives better and society fairer.
ECHO COLUMN: Child Trust Fund scheme is a reminder of the difference a Labour government can make
You can read Sharon's latest Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website The last Labour Government aimed to spread power and opportunity to all, to ensure that the...
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2020 number 131
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2020 number 131
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2020 number 131
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2020 number 131 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2020 number 131 Read more
22% of the workforce in Washington and Sunderland West constituency work in the automotive industry. Accounting for 10,000 jobs, that makes Sharon Hodgson MP’s constituency the Parliamentary seat with the highest proportion of automotive jobs in the country.
These figures come as Labour call for Government action to protect the UK’s world leading automotive sector, as the impact of coronavirus threatens jobs and businesses in the sector.
The automotive sector has been one of the worst affected by coronavirus, with production down an astonishing 99.7% in April.
Without urgent action, the Conservative Government risks turning its back on communities and workers in seats they promised to protect across the North, Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales where three in four automotive jobs are found.
Labour is calling for targeted support for the industry and its supply chain. It is urging the Government to explore the possibility of fast tracking measures from the Automotive Sector Deal or Road to Zero strategy, with a focus on creating green jobs and ensuring the UK leads the way in the decarbonisation challenge at the pace and scale the climate emergency demands.
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, said:
“I’m proud to represent the constituency with, proportionally, the most automotive jobs in the country.
“The automotive industry is a valuable employer across the country and the Government must do more to support the sector and protect workers.
“I’ll continue to work with those in the automotive sector, Trade Unions and workers to campaign to protect our constituency’s biggest employers.”
Lucy Powell, Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, said:
“The UK’s world-leading automotive industry has been rocked by coronavirus and livelihoods are on the line. But Ministers won’t listen to reason and are refusing to recognise some sectors have been hit harder than others.
“They must urgently target support at the sectors that need it with a focus on creating skilled, green jobs - and do right by the communities across the UK they promised to protect.
“Anything less would be a betrayal of many communities which helped get Boris Johnson elected.”
ENDS
Washington and Sunderland West named constituency with highest proportion of automotive jobs
22% of the workforce in Washington and Sunderland West constituency work in the automotive industry. Accounting for 10,000 jobs, that makes Sharon Hodgson MP’s constituency the Parliamentary seat with the...
Sharon welcomes withdrawal of the planning application for an incineration plant at Hillthorn Park & announcement of new £60m regeneration scheme.
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington & Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Veterans has today welcomed the withdrawal by Rolton Kilbride, of the application for an incineration plant at Hillthorn Park and the announcement of new £60m regeneration scheme.
Welcomed by local businesses and educational leaders, this development is expected to create 1,600 new jobs and nine new commercial buildings that will be built by 2024.
Sharon said:
“The announcement that the planning application for an incineration plant at Hillthorn Park has been withdrawn is to be welcomed.
“This announcement follows years of campaigning and effort by the local community and campaign groups who delivered leaflets, gathered thousands of signatures and attended public meetings to ask pressing questions to figures of authority.
“I have been proud to campaign alongside, and represent in Parliament, passionate and knowledgeable groups like UKWIN, No Monster Incinerator in Washington and Washington and Wearside Against Gasification Group.
‘’I am pleased that in place of the incineration plant, a new regeneration scheme will be delivered, in which Legal & General have agreed a deal with Sunderland City Council to invest £60m. At a time when our region is suffering due to the economic shock from the Coronavirus pandemic, this investment is fantastic news.
‘’Welcomed by local businesses and educational leaders, this development is expected to create 1,600 new jobs and nine new commercial buildings that will be built by 2024. As with all major developments, I will monitor progress closely – and be sure to represent any concerns constituents may have as we move forward.’’
ENDS
Sharon welcomes withdrawal of the planning application for an incineration plant at Hillthorn Park
Sharon welcomes withdrawal of the planning application for an incineration plant at Hillthorn Park & announcement of new £60m regeneration scheme. Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington & Sunderland...
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jul-Aug 2020 number 130
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jul-Aug 2020 number 130
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jul-Aug 2020 number 130
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jul-Aug 2020 number 130 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jul-Aug 2020 number 130 Read more