Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or find the published column on the Sunderland Echo website.
Last week saw Nissan solidify its relationship with Sunderland and the North East further when the company announced that their two new car models, the new Qashqai and the X-Trail SUV, would be built here in Sunderland.
The news which was expected later this month, was brought forward and definitely lifted a weight off the shoulders of those who work at the Sunderland plant and within the supply chain, here in the North East and across the country.
It is not surprising that many people were apprehensive about the impending decision, especially after comments by Chief Executive, Carlos Ghosn, on future investment here in Sunderland due to Brexit. But what this news has done is allowed families who depend on Nissan for their jobs and livelihoods to plan for the future, now that they are secure.
It is only right that we celebrate the good fortune our City and the wider North East region received last week, and recognise the sigh of relief for the many tens of thousands of families, rather than dampen the jubilant mood felt across the region with scepticism. There will be time to discuss what deal was struck and the content of the letter, but for now, this is good news and that should not be forgotten.
+ This week saw LACA’s National School Meals Week return.
National School Meals Week is a year-round initiative which promotes pupils taking up school meals and showcases the improvement seen over the years. Our school catering workforce is larger than the British Navy but can often be overlooked when it comes to celebrating the improvements we have seen in school food over the last decade.
That is why it is important that we recognise all of their contributions to the health, education and well-being of our children.
It was for this reason that I was delighted to invite Audrey Chappell of Albany Primary School to come down to London and cook in Parliament’s kitchens, and for me to go along and see her in action and hear about her day’s experiences. It was lovely to hear about everything Audrey got up to on her visit and how it would not be an experience she will forget.
ECHO COLUMN: Right to be jubilant over the Nissan deal
Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or find the published column on the Sunderland Echo website. Last week saw Nissan solidify its relationship with Sunderland and the North East...
On Thursday 27th October, Sharon attended the launch of the Sunderland Cultural Partnership at Ryhope’s Engine Museum as part of Sunderland’s City of Culture 2021 Bid.
The Sunderland Cultural Partnership is a collaboration led by the University of Sunderland, Sunderland City Council and Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust, with support from Arts Council England. The aim of the partnership is to coordinate a cultural vision for the City, along with promoting joint planning and facilitating better engagement between partners across Sunderland.
Following the launch, Sharon said:
“It was wonderful to attend the launch of the Sunderland Cultural Partnership at Ryhope’s Engine Museum and see what Sunderland has to offer culturally being showcased, bringing together our industrial heritage and the vibrant culture which flourishes here in Sunderland.
“The Partnership will be an important way for everyone to get involved, from businesses to young people to the wider community, and come together to show exactly what Sunderland has to offer as we bid for UK City of Culture 2021. I look forward to seeing more from the Partnership in the coming weeks and months, ahead of our formal bid next year.
“Sunderland has so much to offer culturally to the country, but also to the world, and winning the City of Culture bid in 2021 will help put Sunderland on the cultural map and will have such a positive impact on our City’s economic, social and cultural future, Wearsiders and the wider North-East. It is a win-win situation.”
You can find out more about the Sunderland Cultural Partnership here.
Sharon attends launch of the Sunderland Cultural Partnership as part of City of Culture 2021 Bid
On Thursday 27th October, Sharon attended the launch of the Sunderland Cultural Partnership at Ryhope’s Engine Museum as part of Sunderland’s City of Culture 2021 Bid. The Sunderland Cultural...
Read below Sharon's reaction to the announcement on 27.10.16 that Nissan will be building their new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV at the Nissan Sunderland factory in her constituency:
“The announcement today that Nissan has decided to base the production of their new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV here in Sunderland is fantastic news and shows that not only have Nissan got confidence to continue investing in our region but most importantly, reinforces Nissan’s continued faith in the skilled and highly capable workforce based at the plant.
“Credit must go to the workforce at the Nissan factory for their continued hard work in producing such high-quality cars, where nearly 80% of the cars rolling off the production line in Sunderland are exported across the globe. The talent and skill of Sunderland’s workforce is showcased across the world and puts Sunderland very squarely on the map as somewhere for businesses to come and invest.
“It is welcome that this announcement will secure 7,000 jobs at the plant and it is up to the Government to ensure that this news is not squandered by jeopardising it with an unclear Brexit strategy. Clarity is still very much needed on what will happen to our automotive industry as we continue down the path of exiting the European Union.
“Nissan is such a vital contributor to our regional economy but also our national economy, along with supporting such a large workforce totalling over 48,000 employees by Nissan directly and in the supply chain. This news should be welcomed by all and is a moment for the North East to celebrate some good news for our region’s much-needed economic growth and job creation.”
ENDS
Sharon reacts to announcement on new Qashqai & X-Trail SUV being built at Nissan's Sunderland factory
Read below Sharon's reaction to the announcement on 27.10.16 that Nissan will be building their new Qashqai and X-Trail SUV at the Nissan Sunderland factory in her constituency: “The announcement...
Read Sharon's reaction to the Government's decision to expand Heathrow below:
“Now that the Government has finally got their act together and announced their decision on a third runway at Heathrow Airport, it is important that they now deliver on this important transport infrastructure programme which will have a clear and positive impact on the North East.
“With Brexit showing that the future of our economy is unclear, it is vital that investment into national transport infrastructure benefits the regions of the UK, especially regions such as the North East where we need to see more growth and investment, in order that we can deliver on the untapped economic potential our region holds.
“The expansion of Heathrow and building the third runway at this important international hub will benefit the North East greatly by allowing our region’s airports, at Newcastle and Durham-Tees Valley, to become important commercial hubs which serve not only the needs of major conurbations in the North but also other regions in the UK and the rest of the world with improved connectivity.
“This is an absolute imperative when the North East’s export performance, as the only net exporter in the country, shows we have far more to be offered to our country’s economic future. Instead of squandering this potential, the Government must recognise and harness it so that it not only benefits our region’s economic development, but also the whole country’s.
“We still have a long way to go before the runway is built, but it is important our region is not being left behind as this strategically important infrastructure programme goes ahead. Dithering by the Government on such a nationally significant issue cannot continue; they must now get on with the task at hand.”
ENDS
Sharon reacts to Government's decision on Heathrow Expansion
Read Sharon's reaction to the Government's decision to expand Heathrow below: “Now that the Government has finally got their act together and announced their decision on a third runway at...
Sharon speaking in the Arthritis Awareness Week Westminster Hall Debate 20.10.16
Image Copyright Parliamentary Recording Unit 2016
As Shadow Minister for Public Health, Sharon responded to a debate on Arthritis Awareness Week. In her speech, Sharon raised the concerns that more and more people would be diagnosed with this health condition, and the need for preventative measures to be considered whilst also looking at the false economy around cuts to public health grants, and for better awareness of symptoms and treatments.
You can read Sharon's speech in Hansard here: Sharon Hodgson MP Arthritis Awareness Week Westminster Hall Debate 20.10.16
Speech pasted below:
Arthritis Awareness Week Westminster Hall Debate 20.10.16
Sharon speaking in the Arthritis Awareness Week Westminster Hall Debate 20.10.16 Image Copyright Parliamentary Recording Unit 2016 As Shadow Minister for Public Health, Sharon responded to a debate on Arthritis...
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, was presented with the Educatering Mag Special Award for her work on Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM), specifically her integral role in committing the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, to protect funding for UIFSM at the Despatch Box after it was revealed that the scheme was going to be scrapped ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2015.
Sharon Hodgson MP received her award from Jamie Robbins, Managing Director of H2O Publishing and Hilary Hadley, Business Development Manager at Nestle Professional.
Before the award was presented, a citation was read out which said:
"This year’s winner is a real champion of school meals.
She [Sharon Hodgson MP] is a brilliant ambassador and supporter of all those that work in our industry. She has used her public position to promote and raise the profile and importance of feeding children healthy, nutritious and tasty meals at school.
Our winner set up the All Party Parliamentary Group on School Food which she chairs.
This forum gives the opportunity for all the interested organisations and individuals involved with school food to discuss the issues, put forward ideas and highlight concerns.
Importantly, the group ensures a route for the industry to influence Government policy and decisions.
As we were all very aware, this was never more vital than this time last year, when the recipient of tonight’s award played the most important card in the campaign to Save Universal Free School meals for our youngest customers.
The then Secretary of State for Education seemed to be determined to abolish these free meals. Following much lobbying and a petition which had some 42,000 signatures, Universal Free School meals was finally saved by her asking this question at Prime Ministers Question Time in Parliament to Mr Cameron.
She said: “Will you guarantee now not to scrap universal infant free school meals so you don't go down in history as Dave the dinner snatcher?"
This action saved Universal Free school meals, and we all owe her a huge thank you for all that she does to support us.
I have much pleasure in announcing that the winner of the EDUcatering Special Award 2016 is shadow health minister Sharon Hodgson MP."
After receiving her award, Sharon said:
“It is a real honour to have received this EDUcatering Mag award and have my work to ensure all children are eating a hot and healthy school meal, especially one that is free, recognised. The work that I have done over the years has been supported and formed by the commitment and passion shown by the school food sector, and it is wonderful that they have bestowed this special award on me.
“This award is a testament to the work we have done together which has seen so many improvements in school food in the last decade. There is still a lot more that we can and must do to improve school food, and the access to healthy and nutritious food all year round for children, and I will continue to work hard on this important matter.”
Pat Fellows, former Chair of the Lead Association for Education Catering (LACA), who has worked in the school meals service for 44 years, and who nominated Sharon Hodgson MP for the EDUcatering Mag special award, said:
“Sharon’s work on school food was never more vital than this time last year, when she played the most important card in the campaign to Save Universal Free School Meals for our youngest customers when the then Secretary of State for Education seemed to be determined to abolish these free meals.
“Following much lobbying and a petition in excess of 42,000 signatures, UIFSM was finally saved by Sharon asking Mr Cameron at Prime Ministers Question Time in Parliament if he would guarantee then not to scrap universal infant free school meals so he wouldn’t go down in history as ‘Dave the Dinner Snatcher?’.
“All of us involved in school meals are absolutely delighted that our “Champion” has won this prestigious award, so richly deserved”.
Sharon wins EDUcatering Mag Special Award for work on UIFSM
Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, was presented with the Educatering Mag Special Award for her work on Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM), specifically her...
Sharon visits Simpson Print Group as it celebrates a decade on Wearside.
Sharon pictured here with Mark Simpson, Chair of Simpson Group, alongside their new Col-Tec Smart Collator.
Sharon visits Simpson Print Group as it celebrates a decade on Wearside
Sharon visits Simpson Print Group as it celebrates a decade on Wearside. Sharon pictured here with Mark Simpson, Chair of Simpson Group, alongside their new Col-Tec Smart Collator. Read more
Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or find the published column on the Sunderland Echo website.
When the Prime Minister stood outside Downing Street earlier this year, she told the country that no one would be left behind.
Yet, in the months since her appointment, Theresa May has run roughshod over this promise and brought in plans which would take regressive steps back on improving the lives of many children and young people in our country with the introduction of Grammar Schools.
These plans, just like the Government’s plans to force all schools to become academies, have been met with opposition from across the political spectrum, including Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner and the former Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan.
Add to this the anger from education experts, teachers, trade unions and most importantly, the wider public, and it is clear that the Government is not listening to the people.
The evidence is clear, as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) showed last month, that where grammar schools are prevalent, such as in Kent, only 27% of pupils on free school meals achieved five good GCSEs.
The Government says that children on free school meals thrive in grammar schools, yet ignore the facts that the poorest children struggle in this form of education as shown by the IFS, and also that only 2.5% of grammar school entrants are entitled to free school meals.
It is absolutely paramount that we improve the education of children and young people in our country in order that the next generation have the skills and knowledge to achieve in the 21st century world of work.
However, deciding a child’s future prospects at the age of 11 is a highly damaging way of educating our children, which deserves to be left forgotten in the 1950s.
This is compounded when the financial means of more affluent families are used to help coach their children to excel and pass the 11+ exams, which disproportionately advantages their future education over that of children from families who do not have the means to have their child coached in this way.
This is why we should oppose these plans wherever possible.
Grammar schools are yet another example of how out of touch the Tories are with the public and the experts, and instead of stopping and listening to the evidence, are dragging us back to a failed educational system based on segregation. Instead the Government should be getting to work on the nuts and bolts issues facing our education system; ever-increasing class sizes and teacher shortages - not another bells and whistles restructuring of our schools which nobody wants or asked for.
ECHO COLUMN: Schools plan shows Tories out of touch
Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or find the published column on the Sunderland Echo website. When the Prime Minister stood outside Downing Street earlier this year, she told...
Sharon speaking in the Tobacco Control Plan Westminster Hall Debate 13.10.16
Image Copyright Parliamentary Recording Unit 2016
As Shadow Minister for Public Health, Sharon responded to a debate on Tobacco Control Plans. In her speech, Sharon discussed the issue of regional and socio-economic variations in smoking prevalence, along with the take-up of smoking amongst children and young people and smoking amongst pregnant women. Sharon also called on the Government to explain their delayed introduction of a new Tobacco Control Plan.
You can read Sharon's speechin Hansard here: Sharon Hodgson MP Tobacco Control Plan Westminster Hall Debate 13.10.16
Speech pasted below:
Tobacco Control Plan Westminster Hall Debate 13.10.16
Sharon speaking in the Tobacco Control Plan Westminster Hall Debate 13.10.16 Image Copyright Parliamentary Recording Unit 2016 As Shadow Minister for Public Health, Sharon responded to a debate on Tobacco...
Sharon last night presented petitions sent to her on behalf of WASPI women in her constituency and their friends and family to Parliament which called on the Government to put in place transitional arrangements to mitigate the impact of the equalisation of the State Pension Age.
Copyright Parliamentary Recording Unit 2016
Following her call for constituents to sign the petition, Sharon Hodgson MP received a total of over 400 signatures from constituents, and on the evening of the 11th October presented the petition on the floor of the House, alongside many of her Parliamentary colleagues from across the House of Commons.
The handing in of the petitions was led by Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles, and included MPs from across the Chamber who presented petitions on behalf of their constituents.
Following the presentation of the petition, Sharon said:
“It was wonderful to see so many constituents signing this petition to support the WASPI women, who have been so unfairly impacted by the Government’s botched job of equalising the State Pension Age.
“I want to thank the over 400 constituents who took the time to sign this petition, who all agreed that the Government can and should be doing more to bring in transitional arrangements for those women born in the 1950s who have been affected so much by these changes.
“I hope that this will be a game-changer and we will finally see some movement from the Government in addressing the concerns of the WASPI women, after so many attempts have been made in the past but have been sadly ignored by ministers. This cannot continue to go on and something must be done now, and the Government has the power to do just that.”
ENDS
Sharon present petition on behalf of WASPI women
Sharon last night presented petitions sent to her on behalf of WASPI women in her constituency and their friends and family to Parliament which called on the Government to put...