WESTMINSTER UPDATE
I have certainly joined a busy department as a PPS in the Treasury!
We started on Monday last week, with the full ministerial team in Number 11 Downing Street, to discuss the Treasury Oral questions scheduled for Tuesday and the likely Urgent Question (UQ) on Wednesday. The Chancellor being scheduled to fly to the US for the G7 meeting meant the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, (CST) for whom I am PPS, would be taking the UQ.
The role of a PPS at this time is to support the Minister whilst he is answering the question, this is why you may have seen me sitting directly behind the CST when he took the questions directly after PMQs on Wednesday.
It continued to be a busy week for the Treasury, and I gave PPS support in both a Money Laundering Delegated Legislation (DL) on Terrorist Financing and then in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. The statutory instrument will enable the regulations to continue to work as effectively as possible to protect the UK financial system.
We also had the AGM for the Left Behind Neighbourhoods APPG which was well attended by members from all parties, it was good to see the continuing enthusiasm for our work. I was also able to catch up with Simon Clarke, Secretary of State for Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), to discuss funding pressures for our Local Councils and the Devolution program he is leading.
On Thursday I was able to ask a question in Transport Orals in the House of Commons, where I reminded the new Secretary of State of the need to make physical progress with infrastructure like Ferryhill Station.
Last Friday saw me back in the constituency.
After an interview with Radio Tees about a proposed solar farm in Brafferton, I then went to Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre. It was great to catch up with the Chair of Trustees and to see how their offer is developing again post Covid. They have excellent facilities and if you have a group looking for a venue, I am sure they would be able to help you. I also went to Admiral to listen to their thoughts regarding forthcoming gambling legislation.
Over the weekend I joined the Mayor of Sedgefield’s Civic Service at St John Fisher RC Church followed by lunch at the exceptional Dun Cow. Also thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Sedgefield Racecourse to meet the team and hear how their dynamic plans are developing.
Friday saw the dramatic developments of the Prime Minister sacking her first Chancellor and replacing him with Jeremy Hunt.
I have been very impressed with the way the new Chancellor has acted both in terms of what he has done and the manner of delivery. The Prime Minister clearly had difficult decisions to take, and she has held a number of meetings with colleagues to discuss these and she deserves credit for this.
Tuesday also saw me at a number of the campaigns in Westminster and in particular I would ask you to support the Royal British Legion (RBL) as we approach Poppy Day. If you have served and are struggling the RBL have their own grant scheme so please reach out to them.
If you need help reaching them, please contact us at [email protected] or ring 01325 790580 and we will direct you.
