Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, has this week been appointed by the new Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer MP, to his shadow ministerial team. 

Sharon will be serving in the Shadow Defence team as Shadow Minister for Veterans, led by John Healey MP, the new Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. 

Sharon had previously served for 4.5 years as the Shadow Minister for Public Health under Jonathan Ashworth MP. 

Sharon said:

"I'm delighted to be asked to serve in Keir Starmer's shadow ministerial team as the Shadow Minister for Veterans. 

"The North East has a rich military history and I am looking forward to representing our communities from the Opposition front bench."

Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“I'm delighted Sharon is part of Labour's new shadow defence team. She's one of the best campaigning MPs in the House of Commons and she'll now lead our Labour crusade for veterans. Sharon will be a major asset for our front bench team."

ENDS

Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Public Health, is supporting a callout for the Second World War generation

(image deleted)

In order to mark the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, on the 8th May and 15th August respectively, veterans of the Second World War, both military and civilian, are being asked to register to be part of the nation’s commemorations.

Veterans can be of British, Commonwealth or Allied origin and all costs for their attendance will be met by The Royal British Legion and its partners.

Sharon said:

‘I’m delighted to be supporting the callout for these important anniversaries.

‘I take great pride in the fact that members of my own family served in the Armed Forces, including my father in the Royal Navy, Uncle in the Army and cousin in the Royal Marines.

‘It is so important that we recognise the sacrifice and dedication of the Armed Forces community, the British and Commonwealth veterans, the Allies that fought alongside us and the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.’

Further information can be found here: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events 

Registration closes for VE Day veterans on 17 February and for VJ Day veterans on 31 March.

As Honorary President of the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), Sharon helps the RBL and the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) launch their poppy appeal for 2017, at Sainsbury's and ASDA at the Galleries in Washington.

Sharon joined 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.

Ahead of Armed Forces Day on the 24^th June, Sharon has called on the Government to give our Armed Forces a better deal.

Labour believes there should be a better deal for hardworking men and women who serve in the Regulars and the Reserves, as well as service families and those in the wider Forces community, especially on better pay, better housing and better support for veterans.

Labour would address these three key issues by:

• Scrapping the public sector pay cap and allow the Armed Forces Pay Review Body to make recommendations on pay rises without any restrictions;
• Ensure access to high standard Service Family Accommodation at a reasonable cost, drive up standards and take action where private companies have failed to deliver;
• Introduce measures to support veterans transitioning back into civilian life, by encouraging local businesses and community groups to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, launch the Homes Fit for Heroes initiative which will offer free home insulation for disabled veterans, roll out the Veteran’s Interview Programme which helps to guarantee an interview for ex-service personnel
• Introduce an Armed Forces (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill to outlaw discrimination against or abuse of members of the Armed Forces.

Sharon said:

“Armed Forces Day is an important day to support our Forces, from serving personnel to veterans and their families, and recognise the important contribution these men and women make to defend our country.

“It is wonderful that for over the last 10 years we have had a day dedicated to recognising the hard work and bravery of the forces community, along with other occasions such as Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, but this does not mean we cannot offer support the whole year round.

“That is why it is important to ensure our brave men and women get a good deal on pay, welfare, housing and services that recognises their sacrifices to defend our country. Nothing will be enough to thank them for everything they do, but we can ensure we do everything we can to repay them.”

Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Defence said:

“Our servicemen and women stand up for us every day, it’s especially important that we stand up for them on Armed Forces Day.

“Satisfaction with Service life has dropped every year since 2009 and the number of personnel leaving the Forces is worryingly high. It’s time the Tories show our personnel they are valued and invest in them. The Government needs to get a grip of this problem and take action now.”

• Armed Forces Day is held the last Saturday of June every year to celebrate the work of our Armed Forces and their families, more information here: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

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

Sharon was privileged once again to join the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland at this years' Remembrance Service at Washington Village.

Out in force were local residents, The Royal British Legion, current Active and Ex-Serving Men and Women of the Armed Forces, Cadet Forces, Local Sunderland City Councillors, Full-time and Voluntary Emergency Services Organisations, Clergy , Charity and Voluntary Community Groups, Local Trades, Local Heritage Societies, Miners’ Banner Groups, and Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies.

Along with placing a wreath to represent our national Parliament, Sharon was doubly-honoured to be asked to give a short speech at the beginning of the service in her capacity as Honorary President of the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Sharon joined ex-service men and women volunteer poppy sellers, who are giving up their time this month to raise money and awareness, for this year’s appeal, as well as representatives from The Rotary Club of Washington and Washington Athletic FC.

Washington Athletic FC are affiliated with the Washington Branch of the Royal British Legion along with Usworth Army Cadets.