Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2019 number 122
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2019 number 122
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2019 number 122
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2019 number 122 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2019 number 122 Read more
You can read Sharon's latest Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website
There is no doubt that Brexit has divided some families, our communities and the nation.
The tension has been made all the more worse by the harmful language used by Prime Ministers May and Johnson, whose rhetoric has normalised words such as “betrayal”, “traitor” and “saboteurs”, directed at elected Members of Parliament and the judiciary; crucial pillars upholding our constitution and holding the Government to account on a host of issues, not just Brexit.
Such language has made it into my own inbox, and the inboxes of, mostly female, colleagues.
I am pleased to say that the majority of emails and messages I receive containing harmful language don’t pose a serious threat. Any that do are immediately reported to the police and Parliament’s security team.
However, when trying to work for the best of all of my constituents, whether that is speaking in debates, responding to letters, emails and calls or meeting with ministers, receiving such messages can be daunting, not only for me but for my family, friends and staff too.
No one should feel unsafe in their job, but I know that many MPs do.
The tragic murder of Jo Cox MP and the foiled plot by a neo-Nazi to murder Rosie Cooper MP serve as a reminder that words have serious consequences.
More locally, Billy Charlton - who appeared on the well circulated photograph from the Sunderland count of the EU referendum celebrating the leave result - was found guilty of inciting racial hatred and given a 21-month jail sentence.
It is this kind of behaviour and language that is making our society toxic.
Instead of encouraging debate, hostile language pushes people away from engaging in issues that affect them, leaving only the bullies standing tall.
If we want more women, young, working-class and BME people to engage in politics and current affairs, we must all take a moment to reflect on the consequences of our language.
Is it harmful and intimidating? Is it disenfranchising people from the debate? Could this encourage or influence others to act physically?
We all have a role to play in bridging the divide.
We are all human and our words have consequences.
ECHO COLUMN: Our words have consequences
You can read Sharon's latest Echo column below or on the Sunderland Echo website There is no doubt that Brexit has divided some families, our communities and the nation. The...
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2019 number 121
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2019 number 121
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2019 number 121
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2019 number 121Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Sep-Oct 2019 number 121 Read more
At the 2019 Labour Party Conference in Brighton, Sharon spoke on a panel at a fringe event titled “Meals for the Many: The Continuing Case for Extending Universal Infant Free School Meals”.
The event was co-hosted by the New Statesman, ISER and LACA. Also on the panel was: Steve Reed MP, Shadow Minister for Children and Families; Michael Hales, Immediate Past Chair of LACA; Dr Angus Holford, Research Fellow at ISER and Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group.
During the event, Sharon set out why school food was a lifeline to so many families up and down the country and the benefits it has to the health, wellbeing and development of children.
As the Shadow Minister for Public Health and the Chair of the APPG on School Food, Sharon believes that Universal Infant Free School Meals should be extended.
The Labour Party are committed to extending Universal Infant Free School Meals to all Primary Pupils and ensuring that all children in families receiving Universal Credit to be eligible for Free School Meals.
Sharon also said there is the case to look at extending Free School Meals to secondary school pupils, although this is not a Labour Party commitment.
If you would like to find out any further information about Sharon’s work on school food, please email: [email protected]
Sharon speaks at Labour Party Conference event on School Food
At the 2019 Labour Party Conference in Brighton, Sharon spoke on a panel at a fringe event titled “Meals for the Many: The Continuing Case for Extending Universal Infant Free...
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2019 number 120
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2019 number 120
News from Westminster
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2019 number 120
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2019 number 120 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Aug-Sep 2019 number 120News from Westminster Read more
The proposed gasification plant at Hillthorn Farm in Washington is at the next stage of the planning process. On 19th July 2019 at 4:30pm, the application will be referred to the Planning and Highways Committee at The Stadium of Light.
I share the concerns of my constituents about this plant and have applied to speak at the Committee hearing. If you are one of my constituents and would like to share your concerns with me please email me at [email protected]
To view the letter in full and find out how to apply to speak at the meeting, please click the image above
Update from Sunderland Council regarding the gasification plant in Washington: Committee Meeting
The proposed gasification plant at Hillthorn Farm in Washington is at the next stage of the planning process. On 19th July 2019 at 4:30pm, the application will be referred to...
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jun-Jul 2019 number 119
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jun-Jul 2019 number 119
News from Westminster - Jun-Jul 2019 number 119
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jun-Jul 2019 number 119 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jun-Jul 2019 number 119 Read more
Today, Sharon submitted a letter to Heather Wheeler MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to pass on evidence received from constituents who are owners of leasehold properties as part of a constituency-wide consultation.
You can read Sharon's letter by clicking the picture above
In November 2018, Sharon launched a consultation in the constituency and received 58 detailed responses highlighting the frustrations and problems that residents of Washington and Sunderland West have experienced.
It is estimated that 19% of sales in 2017 in Washington and Sunderland West involved leasehold property.
The letter provides and outline of numerous injustices surrounding the leasehold market that constituents detailed:
- Lack of consumer knowledge about leaseholds and lack of information provided by estate agents and solicitors on the implications of buying leasehold properties;
- A lack of transparency from the freeholder on the use of service charges;
- Constituents feeling stuck, being left without the option or financially unable to purchase the lease, at the point of sale or later when wanting to move homes, or extend the lease so that they can sell;
- Leases being sold on by the freeholder to third party companies without giving any notice given to the leaseholder
Sharon said:
"I’m grateful to my constituents who got in touch with me about their experiences and concerns about leasehold properties.
“From the responses that I have received it is clear that more steps should be taken towards preventing further injustices with leasehold properties, and that the Government should commit to immediate measures to right these wrongs.
“I look forward to the Government’s response to this letter, and will share this with my constituents who have written to me about leasehold too.”
ENDS
Sharon writes to Minister about leaseholds in Washington and Sunderland West
Today, Sharon submitted a letter to Heather Wheeler MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to pass on evidence received from constituents... Read more
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - May-Jun 2019 number 118
Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - May-Jun 2019 number 118
News from Westminster - May-Jun 2019 number 118
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - May-Jun 2019 number 118 Click on the picture above to read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - May-Jun 2019 number 118 Read more
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Apr-May 2019 number 117
News from Westminster - Apr-May 2019 number 117
Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Apr-May 2019 number 117 Click on the image above to download the file. Read more