Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jan-Feb 2017 number 92

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Jan-Feb 2017 number 92

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Jan 2017 number 91

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Jan 2017 number 91

Sharon has launched a Brexit Listening Exercise ahead of the triggering of Article 50 later this year.

The listening exercise will include two public hearings: one at Harraton Community Centre on the 21^st January and one at South Hylton’s Tansy Centre on Saturday 25^th February.

The exercise will also include a questionnaire, as to allow those who cannot attend the public meetings to still have their thoughts fed into Sharon Hodgson MP’s work as the local Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West as she continues to scrutinise the Government’s approach to Brexit.

Following the launch of the listening exercise, Sharon said:

“Brexit is the most momentous constitutional, economic and diplomatic issue facing our country at the moment and it is important that we get it right.

“It is now six months since the referendum result, and three months out from when the Prime Minister has proposed to trigger Article 50, yet still we are none the wiser about what Brexit will look like.

“The voices of local people must be heard as these negotiations begin and that is why I am launching this listening exercise so that residents from Washington and Sunderland West can help inform my work as their local Member of Parliament when scrutinising the Government’s approach to Brexit.

Further information about the Brexit Listening Exercise:

1. Constituents can contact Sharon's constituency office to RSVP and register for either of the two public meetings, by emailing [email protected] or calling 417 2000, and can also request the Brexit questionnaire be posted out to them.
2. Due to capacity of the venues, constituents of Washington and Sunderland West must RSVP and register for one of the two public meetings well in advance and will receive a confirmation letter letting them know further details.

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Nov-Dec 2016 number 90

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Nov-Dec 2016 number 90

Sharon met with ex-service men and women volunteer poppy sellers, who are giving up their time this month once again, to raise money and awareness, for this year’s appeal.  2214 (Usworth) Squadron, Air Training Corps Cadet volunteers were also out in good force to help make sure the appeal is a big success.

(pictured above) Sharon with the volunteer poppy sellers - the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion and the 2214 (Usworth) ATC Cadets - at ASDA in the Galleries, Washington

Sharon Hodgson MP's report - Oct-Nov 2016 number 89

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - Oct-Nov 2016 number 89

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 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 Hodgson MP's report - July-Oct 2016 number 88

Read Sharon Hodgson MP's report - News from Westminster - July-Oct 2016 number 88

Ahead of LACA's National School Meals Week, Sharon has invited school chef, Audrey Chappell of Albany Primary School, to come to Parliament to cook for top politicians on Wednesday 2nd November. 

Audrey has made great contributions to school meals over the years, going the extra mile to make lunchtime a healthy and fun experience and encouraging food to be a part of the school curriculum. The trip to Westminster in November will be a just reward for her years of service and dedication to the job.

National School Meals Week is a year-round initiative that promotes pupils taking up school meals and showcasing the improvements seen in school food provision over the last decade.

The initiative culminates in a week of celebrations and activities across the country and will be taking place this year from the 31st October to 4th November, which will include celebrations in Parliament, such as the two school chefs rolling up their sleeves in the kitchens of Parliament to cook and serve food to top politicians, along with MPs getting the chance to try a sample menu of school food and see first-hand how much school food has improved since they were at school.

Following meeting Audrey and formally inviting her to come cook in Parliament, Sharon said:

“School cooks and the catering staff in our schools make up a total which is greater than that of the British Navy, and it is only right that we celebrate the hard work school chefs do to feed our children throughout the school term.

“The standard of food in our schools, along with the skills and knowledge from school cooks, has never been higher, that is why it is important that we recognise all of their contributions to the health and education of our children.

“This is why I am supporting National School Meals Week again this year, and I am delighted to see one of the local school chefs from my constituency given the opportunity to come to Parliament and cook for some of the most senior politicians in the country.”

You can find out more about LACA’s National School Meals Week by following this link: http://thegreatschoollunch.co.uk/