Read Sharon's statement on Syria Air Strikes after a Parliamentary vote on 2nd December 2015.

On Wednesday 2^nd December, Parliament spent a considerable amount of time debating the Government’s motion to extend military intervention against the so-called Islamic State/Daesh (IS/Daesh) in Iraq into Syria as a way of degrading this death cult’s regional and global threat.

Over the past week, I have received hundreds of messages from constituents, through social media, email and phoning my office, asking for me to vote against the Government’s proposed air strikes on IS/Daesh.

No one, who has watched the scenes coming out of Iraq and Syria on our TV screens, can fail to be shocked and appalled by the actions of IS/Daesh towards ethnic and religious minorities in the lands that they have brutally overtaken, the women and LGBT people they have persecuted, crucified and beheaded or the Muslims they have silenced, tortured and executed just because they have been brave enough to stand up against IS’s hate-fuelled interpretation of Islam.

The decision to extend military action into Syria has been a hard decision, where both sides of the argument must be weighed carefully. All military action must be contemplated with the full facts, serious discussions and with decisions never to be taken lightly.

That is why I decided to vote against the Government’s motion to bomb IS/Daesh in Syria, as I felt the facts put before us by the Prime Minister were not convincing enough to enter into what is a very complicated situation in Syria.

By the time of the vote, concerns had still not been answered in regards to:

• the lack of an intervention with the full backing of, and led by, the United Nations which would bring together all the world’s powers, including regional powers in the Middle-East, to work towards ending the scourge of IS/Daesh;
• no clear or coherent strategy when it came to post-conflict reconstruction that would allow the millions of Syrian refugees who have fled their homeland in recent years to safely return and rebuild their lives under a free and democratic government, and;
• a lack of a comprehensive strategy that doesn’t focus primarily on bombing but also includes economic sanctions against IS/Daesh and those who collude with them.

It is clear that we should, and must, work towards ending the violence in Syria and the threat that IS/Daesh is to the region and the wider world; however, the military plan put before Parliament by the Prime Minister did not go far enough in addressing the many concerns Members of Parliament and the wider public had before decision could be taken on air strikes in Syria.

Though the Prime Minister has now received the Parliamentary approval to enter into the war in Syria, this does not mean that he can ignore the concerns that people have put forward in the lead up to the vote.

At each stage of military intervention, the Prime Minister must make sure that he considers the concerns of the public as a whole and makes sure that past military mistakes in the region do not go ignored and exacerbate any further the on-going problems we are currently seeing in this turbulent region.  

Sharon backs the launch of Labour’s campaign to remain in the European Union, "Labour In For Britain".

The Labour In For Britain Campaign was launched by the chair of the campaign, Alan Johnson MP, on Tuesday 1^st December in the Midlands and is backed by 213 Labour MPs, including Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn and the entire Shadow Cabinet.

Labour shares the aims and principles of the cross-party campaign, Britain Stronger in Europe, however Labour will be running its own distinct campaign that stresses Labour’s case for Britain’s continued EU membership.

Britain is a proud trading country with almost half of our exports going to EU countries, worth £227 billion last year to the UK’s economy. UK jobs and businesses, large and small, depend on trade with Europe.

The North-East is the only net exporter in the UK to the European Union with many businesses, including Nissan in Sunderland, relying upon the close trade links with the European Union.

The UK also receives on average £26.5 billion of investment every year from other EU countries and future EU trade could create 790,000 more jobs by 2030 by opening up new markets in Europe, for British businesses, like digital services, energy and tourism.

Labour is campaigning to stay in Europe on the basis that continued membership is good for British jobs and good for men and women working in those industries.

It was Labour who made sure that Britain’s EU membership gave British worker’s rights to minimum paid leave, rights for agency workers, paid maternity and paternity leave, equal pay, anti-discrimination laws, and protection for the workforce when companies change ownership.

Following the launch of the Labour In For Britain campaign, Sharon said:

“In the weeks and months ahead, it is important that the case for our continued membership of the European Union and the benefits this brings to working families here in Sunderland and the North-East is made.

“The North-East and the wider country’s economic future depends on trading with other EU countries as a key trading partner and receiving investment from businesses who want to work within the European Union, such as Nissan.

“That is why I am proud to support Labour’s In For Britain campaign to make the case for the UK’s future as part of the European Union.”

You can watch Labour's In For Britain campaign video below or find out more on the website here.

Sharon Hodgson has joined Shadow Business Secretary, Angela Eagle MP in celebrating the contribution of small business as part of this year’s Small Business Saturday (SBS) on December 5^th.

In the lead up to and on the day, shoppers are being encouraged to ‘shop small’ and celebrate the contribution of entrepreneurs and small firms this coming weekend.

Small Business Saturday was launched in 2013 after then Shadow Business Secretary, Chukka Umunna MP, saw the benefits of celebrating small businesses as was seen in the USA.

The day has become a celebration of local small businesses that crosses party-political lines and brings together shoppers, businesses and politicians to celebrate the contributions of small businesses to the UK’s economy.

Small Business Saturday has brought a boost to local high streets across the country and in 2014, 16.5 million people visited local independent stores – 2.7 million more than on SBS in 2013.

Sharon  is backing local businesses to take advantage of the campaign on a key shopping day in the year in the run-up to Christmas and encouraging local people to shop locally in small firms as part of SBS. The day aims to give a long-term boost to trade and give a lift to our high streets.

In the lead up to the event, Sharon said:

“Small businesses here in Washington and Sunderland West are vital to our local economy. From the store owners at the Market Village in The Galleries to the many local independent shops on our high streets, they all provide the vibrancy and choice that local people want when going shopping, especially in the lead up to the holiday season.

“That is why I am backing Small Business Saturday and encouraging local people to shop locally and help raise awareness of the important value our small local businesses play and help to boost trade in our area.”

Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said:

“Small Business Saturday is growing bigger and better every year, it’s such an important day because it puts small businesses in the spotlight and encourages people to shop locally not only on one of the busiest shopping days of the year but also to encourage a long-term commitment. It provides a great opportunity to thank those who run Britain’s small firms.

“Labour wants to do more to help our risk takers and wealth creators, by helping businesses with the challenges they face on issues like access to finances and late payments. We’ll work in partnership with businesses, entrepreneurs and workers to create a stronger economy.”

For more on Small Business Saturday see https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Nov - Dec 2015 - number 80.

Welcome to my online monthly report - News from Westminster - which details some of the highlights from Westminster and the constituency.

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Nov-Dec 2015 - number 80

MO MONEY, NO PROBLEM!

Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, joined staff at Washington Components Ltd in Washington on Friday for a ceremonial shaving session to mark the end of their now annual fundraising drive for men's health charities.

Sharon pictured here with Mr Anthony Sutherland MD of Washington Components Ltd in Washington and staff, being shaved by Daccs stylists after their Movember marathon.

During the 2015 – 16 Parliamentary session, the APPG for Children’s Centres decided to undergo a formal inquiry titled ‘Children’s Centres: Fit for the Families of the Future’ with a particular focus on Children’s Centres’ potential development into ‘Hubs’ for local services.

This inquiry coincides with the Department for Education’s review into the future direction of Children’s Centres.

The inquiry is an opportunity for the APPG to engage with the consultation process set out by the Government and investigate the benefits of a Hub model and make key recommendations to the Department for Education on the future of these important local community services.

The inquiry has taken four distinct themes, which include:

• Health and development
• Employment support and childcare
• Relationship support
• Supporting families with complex needs

The APPG has now launched its call for evidence based on the APPG inquiry’s terms of reference which can be found here.

Submissions to the APPG’s consultation should be restricted to no more than 2,000 words.

Completed submissions should be emailed to [email protected] by 5.00pm on Friday 18^th December.

As Vice-Chair of the Children’s Centres APPG on the launch of the call for evidence, Sharon said:

“Many families in Washington and Sunderland West, just like across the country, rely on the vital services that Sure Start Children’s Centres provide and as a key part of the last Labour Government’s legacy it is important that evidence of best practice is highlighted wherever and whenever possible to protect these services into the future.

“I hope that many Centres, professionals and users of these services will submit evidence to the APPG Children’s Centres’ inquiry so that when it comes to presenting this work to the Department for Education they will receive a fuller picture of how much families rely upon these crucial local community services.”

Please Note: The Department for Education has announced that it will be consulting on the future direction of Children’s Centres before the end of the year. Please be aware that this call for evidence does not form part of the Department’s formal consultation process, although the Group does intend to submit the overall findings of its inquiry to the consultation.

**UPDATE 14.12.15: Please note that the APPG's call for evidence deadline has now been extended to 12noon on Monday 11th January. This is to allow as many people to contribute as possible. 

Read Sharon's latest Sunderland Echo column below or find the published column on the Sunderland Echo's website.

Cancer will sadly affect us all at one point in our life, may it be ourselves directly or a family member or friend.

That is why it is important that addressing cancer and improving services should always be at the top of any government’s agenda, as well as that of local NHS commissioners.

During my time as a Member of Parliament, I have campaigned for better access to treatment, screening and awareness of different cancers through my work as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ovarian Cancer and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Breast Cancer.

That is why I was concerned when news reached me that Sunderland Royal Hospital had ceased all breast cancer treatment services in the City.

This has meant women from Sunderland battling breast cancer now must travel further afield to places like Gateshead, Newcastle or Durham to receive their on-going treatment.

The reason given for the closure of this vital service by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Hospital was down to patient safety concerns after they were left with no consultants to lead the service and two breast cancer nurses left for new jobs at other hospitals.

I know that this is an issue that women in Sunderland who are battling breast cancer, or have won their fight, feel strongly about after the ‘Save Our Service’ group was created to put pressure on Sunderland’s CCG and Hospital to reinstate this important service.

As Sunderland is the largest urban authority in the North-East, I feel it is only right that women in Sunderland should have a local breast cancer service that they can rely upon.

I wrote to both the head of Sunderland’s Clinical Commissioning Group and chief executive of Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Board, and also met with the Minister for Cancer, to highlight my concerns for the future of this service.

It is now clear after pressure was put on the CCG and the Hospital, that the service will now be reinstated by April 2016.

I will work closely with the Save Our Service Group, my fellow Sunderland MPs, the Clinical Commissioning Group and Sunderland Royal Hospital, to make sure this service is reinstated when promised, so women here in Sunderland receive the best service possible when it comes to treating breast cancer.

Sharon reacts to figures that show women are hit three times harder than men in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

Following the Autumn Statement, Sharon reacts to Government’s public expenditure savings hitting women hardest.

Despite the Chancellor’s climb down on tax credit cuts, figures compiled by the House of Commons Library have shown that women will still be hit three times harder than men by Osborne’s announced changes to welfare spending and taxation in the Autumn Statement.

Of the £16 billion of savings expected to be raised in this Parliament, £12 billion will come directly from the pockets of women through changes to universal credit, childcare support and child benefit.

In reaction these figures, Sharon commented:

“It is clear that this Tory Government is continuing to fail women when it comes to their swinging cuts to public expenditure announced in yesterday’s Autumn Statement.

“Despite women making up 50 per cent of the country’s population, women still continue to be paid less than men and primarily work in lower paid sectors, yet the Chancellor’s savings have fallen mainly on the shoulders of women. More needs to be done to address this gender inequality so that women are supported with childcare costs, better employment opportunities and see pay parity with men.”

Sharon Hodgson MP has reacted to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Autumn Statement delivered to the House of Commons on 25.11.15

"Cuts to tax credits should never have been brought forward in the first place, but I am pleased that the pressures applied by the Labour Party and the ordinary working people of this country have paid off. The Chancellor has proved time and again that his plans simply don’t work, so it is good to see this one being reversed before it devastated the incomes of almost 6000 working families in my constituency. The real test, however, will be making sure these announcements are not simply more smoke and mirror tricks from this Chancellor, and that people do not lose out just as badly when they are eventually transferred to Universal Credit.  

"Our campaign to secure continued funding for universal infant free school meals was also successful, with the Chancellor announcing it will not be cut. This is hugely welcomed, however I will be making sure that the Government sticks to and builds upon this policy, which does so much good for children up and down the country.

"On so many other areas, sadly, things are not so hopeful. More damaging cuts to essential services will continue to hurt the most vulnerable in our society, and with the Chancellor missing target after target nobody can be confident that his ideological austerity policies will even do what he plans.

"We need a balanced economy, built on investment, not on constant cuts, and a Chancellor who understands the needs of working people, which this one simply does not."

Sharon Hodgson MP responds to recent concerns by constituents on the changes to Individual Electoral Registration (IER).

Electoral registration is a vital component of our democracy and it is essential that the public have confidence in the accuracy of the electoral register. It is also important that the register is as inclusive as possible so that everybody who is eligible to vote can have the opportunity to participate in elections.

I support the phased introduction of IER as I believe it can, if properly implemented, reduce electoral fraud and modernise how we carry out elections. However, I am extremely concerned at the reckless way this Government, and the previous Coalition Government, have gone about introducing IER. Both Governments have ignored repeated warnings that stripping out safeguards and speeding up the process of IER will risk millions of registered voters being disenfranchised. 

Indeed, as a number of charities have pointed out, up to 1.9 million people may fall off the register in December if the Government go ahead with their plans to end the transition period to IER a year earlier than previously proposed, and this is clearly very worrying. It is also particularly alarming that certain groups of voters - students, those living in private rented accommodation and those in sheltered housing - may be particularly likely to be disenfranchised by this timetable.

I believe the Government now urgently need to ensure that the move to IER does not leave millions unregistered or lead to constituencies that fail to take into account the people who live in them. That is why I support the block registration by universities and care homes. I would also be open to considering the idea of an automatic system of registration, and I think this should be explored further.

I hope the Government listen to these extremely serious concerns and the advice of the independent Electoral Commission, who have recently recommended that the transition period to IER should continue until December 2016.

Make sure that you are registered to vote. It only takes a few minutes and can be done online at the gov.uk website here.