You can read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo Column below, or on the Sunderland Echo website.

This week, some lockdown restrictions have been lifted. You can now spend time outdoors, in a group of up to six people from different households whilst maintaining social distancing; you can visit car showrooms and some children have returned to school.

I know that these changes will come with a mixture of both anxiety and relief. We all want to see our friends and family again and return to some sense of normality; but if we are to do that, we must do so safely.

Now is not the time for complacency, or for a drive to Barnard Castle to test your eyesight.

I know that the warm weather can be tempting and the fact that the Prime Minister’s own advisor was seen to be breaking lockdown rules makes it seem like the Government’s guidelines are advisory, rather than compulsory.

But if we do want to hug our friends and family again, if we want to attend large gatherings again and if we want to continue to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed, then we must continue to follow the Government’s guidelines strictly.

That means staying home as much as possible. Where you do go out, for business or leisure, you must stay 2 metres away from people who are not from your household, where possible.

By doing this, we will continue to protect ourselves and others.

I would like to thank everyone who has made unbelievable sacrifices to follow the Government’s lockdown guidance. My thoughts are with those who have missed out on key life milestones, missed out on spending time with friends and family, and tragically missed out on saying goodbye to loved ones.

Whilst it feels like we are beginning to gain back some freedom, please remember that the Coronavirus pandemic is not over yet.

We still all have a part to play in protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our NHS.

With that in mind, I continue to put pressure on the Government to safely lift lockdown restrictions, in a way that follows the science and the reality on the ground.

For example, the North East has the highest rate of Coronavirus infections in England, so to lift lockdown restrictions based on Coronavirus rates in the South West (which now has the lowest rate of infections) would be irresponsible.

I continue to make representations to the Government on these very important issues. My team and I are busy helping constituents navigate the guidance and the various furlough and support schemes that have been introduced and are helping constituents fight for their rights to access what they are entitled to.

If any of my constituents have any questions or concerns about the lockdown restrictions or anything else, then please do email [email protected] and I will do all that I can to help you.

Sunderland Echo website >

Due to Coronavirus, the dates regarding the appeal inquiry for a gasification plant to be built in Hillthorn Park have changed. The inquiry had been adjourned until June, but this has been extended.

Please see the dates below:
14 August 2020 - Deadline for completion of negotiations and confirmation to PINs of withdrawal or continuation of the appeal.
 
28 August 2020 - If required: Deadline for submission of:
Any updated evidence, although this must be exceptional;
Intended application for costs.
 
15 September 2020 - If required: Inquiry resumes.

 
15/18, 22-25 September 2020 - If required: Inquiry dates, to include an evening session.

Whilst MPs cannot get involved in the planning process, due to the great concern my constituents have raised about this gasification plant, I have represented the views of my constituents at every opportunity and I oppose this planning application.

You can see more of Sharon Hodgson work on Rolton Kilbride here >>

Further response from Highways England regarding noise levels on the A1(M) at Washington - between junctions 63 to 65 - query raised by constituents.

You can read Sharon's latest Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website.

Tomorrow (Friday 8th May), the nation will mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Like all events planned since March this year, tomorrow’s Victory in Europe: VE Day commemoration will be different to how it was initially planned; but the country will still come together to pay tribute to the Second World War generation and remember the sacrifices made by British, Commonwealth and Allied Forces.

Whilst the country is facing some of the most challenging times since the Second World War, we are united in awe at the spirit of Captain Tom Moore who has raised over £32 million for NHS Charities Together, after setting a target of £1,000.

But Captain Moore isn’t the only veteran who is raising money and continuing to serve his community.

Former service personnel across the country are joining charities and volunteers to provide: food packages to those in need, someone to talk to so that people don’t get lonely during the lockdown and a helping hand to anyone who needs it. Veterans in Crisis Sunderland are the perfect example of communities coming together, even during lockdown.

We are also seeing 20,000 serving personnel play their part in the fight against Coronavirus. Helping with the ambulance service, delivering personal protective equipment, setting up mobile testing sites and flying Brits home from their nightmare holiday situations are just a few examples of how our armed forces continue to adapt to serve us.

As the new Shadow Veterans’ Minister, I am proud of our armed service personnel, past and present, and believe that we should all share that pride, not just on a few days of the year, but every day.

Our armed forces do so much for us, and like all public services including the NHS, we need to do more than just thank them. We need to make sure that they are protected, and they have the support they need.

That is why one of my first tasks as Shadow Veterans’ Minister was to call on the Government to re-open the Veterans UK helpline, which provides valuable support to veterans but has closed due to Coronavirus. Other businesses and charities have been able to re-direct their helplines to a working from home setting, so there is no reason why the Government can’t do the same to support our veterans.

Tomorrow, like many across the country, I will be joining in with the VE Day commemoration and remembrance of those who served in World War II and will be giving thanks to our veterans and serving personnel, who continue to serve us and make us proud.

Sunderland Echo website >

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Apr 2020 number 127

Click on the image above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Apr 2020 number 127

DEFRA Response above - click on image to read letter



Highways England update response above - click on image to read letter

Read the Response from Highways England 07/04/2020 here >

Sharon has received a response to her letter to the Prime Minister regarding Nissan and Coronavirus, from Nadhim Zahawi MP, Minister for Business and Industry. 

You can read the letter by clicking on the image above 

You can read Sharon's original letter to the Prime Minister here > 

Sharon has received a response to her letter calling on Secretary of State for Transport to urgently support the Tyne and Wear Metro during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

You can read the letter by clicking on the image above 

Sharon also signed a letter alongside other North-East MPs to Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport on this issue.

The response to that letter can be read here > 

Both original letters sent to Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, can be read here > 

Regarding the news that a Nightingale Hospital will be developed at IAMP in Washington, Sharon said:

“The announcement that a temporary hospital will be developed at IAMP truly brings home the scale of the Coronavirus. It is a sobering thought that this facility will be needed and shows just how seriously individuals and businesses must take this issue.

“This dedicated Coronavirus facility will help save lives and will take some of the pressure off local hospitals, such as Sunderland Royal, South Tyneside District Hospital, the QE in Gateshead and Newcastle hospitals, and ensure that local people are cared for locally.

“My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, as well as other individuals who have contracted the virus. I pay tribute to all those working in the NHS who are treating and caring for those with Coronavirus. We all have a duty to help prevent the spread of the virus and that is why I urge everyone to stay at home if they are able to.”

ENDS

Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, has this week been appointed by the new Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer MP, to his shadow ministerial team. 

Sharon will be serving in the Shadow Defence team as Shadow Minister for Veterans, led by John Healey MP, the new Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. 

Sharon had previously served for 4.5 years as the Shadow Minister for Public Health under Jonathan Ashworth MP. 

Sharon said:

"I'm delighted to be asked to serve in Keir Starmer's shadow ministerial team as the Shadow Minister for Veterans. 

"The North East has a rich military history and I am looking forward to representing our communities from the Opposition front bench."

Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“I'm delighted Sharon is part of Labour's new shadow defence team. She's one of the best campaigning MPs in the House of Commons and she'll now lead our Labour crusade for veterans. Sharon will be a major asset for our front bench team."

ENDS