In-school Counselling, Commons Chamber on 9th November 2021.



Sharon Hodgson MP spoke in a debate in the the House of Commons Chamber, brought by The Rt. Hon Nick Brown MP, on school-based counselling services provision.

A silent epidemic is sweeping through our schoolchildren in poor mental health.  For some children, school is a solace from difficulties at home.

In-school counselling services help children cope with a broad range of emotional pressures and reduce chronic mental health problems.  Only around 61% of schools in the UK benefit from a counselling service, a sad deficit which the Tory Government must address.

Watch Sharon's speech during this debate >

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2021 number 144

Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2021 number 144

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

On climate change, we need Britain to lead by example.

The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, will take place this month in Scotland.

It will be the largest summit ever hosted by the United Kingdom, with over 30,000 delegates. After the 2015 Paris Agreement established that we must limit climate change to an increase of 1.5°C, COP26 attendees in Glasgow will look to establish ‘how’ we achieve that limit, perhaps over haggis, neeps and tatties.

They will have a lot to consider.

Sharon holds public meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuiness at the Tansy centre in South Hylton.

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2021 number 143

Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2021 number 143

Sharon Hodgson MP is proud to join Oxfam this September in taking a stand against the 'fast fashion' industry.

Caption: Sharon Hodgson MP and Dawn Butler MP, wearing personal second-hand items in support for Oxfam's Second-Hand September. (Photo Credit: Oxfam, 2021)

Sharon Hodgson MP speaks in the Legacy of Jo Cox debate - 09/09/2021

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

Britain’s social care system is on its knees

A decade of Conservative and Lib-Dem rule has seen a generation of older people struggle to access the care they both need and deserve.  Years of neglect have brought about high employee turnover, low pay and chronic funding shortages which plague the sector.  It is no exaggeration to say that the Conservatives are the party of levelling down.

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2021 number 142

Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2021 number 142

Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food, recently visited the ‘Wear Here 4 Summer’ programme at Rickleton Cricket Club, Washington.

The ‘Wear Here 4 Summer’ programme, which is funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme, has been supporting children and young people with a range of fun activities and food throughout the summer holidays.

The ‘Wear Here 4 Summer’ bus has been travelling around Sunderland bringing different activities to different areas across the city.

On Wednesday when Sharon visited, the children were taking part in a huge range of activities including smoothie making, boxing, boot camp and circus skills. There was also lots of hot and healthy food available.

The Holiday Activity and Food Programme was announced in 2020 by the Department for Education. It provides funding to Local Authorities. The funding covers Easter, summer and Christmas holidays in 2021 only.

Speaking at the ‘Wear Here 4 Summer’ bus, Sharon said:

“It was great to see the children and young people enjoying the Wear Here 4 Summer programme. They’ve had some fantastic activities and delicious food over the school holidays.

“As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on School Food, I have been campaigning for many years for the Government to introduce funding for food and activities for children on the approximately 170 days a year when the school gates are shut.

“This programme will no doubt have had a positive impact on children across Sunderland this summer. That is why I believe the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme should be available for all school holidays during the pandemic and beyond.”

ENDS