Category: Economy
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Liz writes May 2021
Today, you will have your say on your next local councillor and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner. And for readers in North Tyneside, the Elected Mayor is also on the ballot. The real choice on most ballot papers is between a Labour Party committed to a better future – improving local services after a…
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Liz writes February 2021
Shop workers, particularly those in supermarkets and other food stores, have been on the frontline during this pandemic, supplying us with the essentials of life and keeping the nation fed. Unlike many of us, they do not have the option of working from home and play an essential role in society and the economy as…
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Liz writes December 2020
For many of us, Advent is a time of hope, preparation and anticipation in the run up to Christmas. And this Advent has started like no other. Yesterday’s announcement that the United Kingdom is the first country in the world to approve the use of a vaccine is a welcome step in what has been…
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Liz writes July 2020
Local lockdowns may now be part of the “new normal”, with Leicester becoming the first city to shut down. We know parts of Tyne and Wear have previously experienced high numbers of coronavirus cases, therefore it’s crucial we continue follow the guidelines as more businesses and public spaces begin to reopen. The reopening – and…
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Liz writes June 2020
I’m back in Wesminster, but contrary to the Government’s rhetoric that MPs are finally “back to work” in Westminster, I have been as busy as ever during the lockdown. My team and I have been working through a huge volume of casework, writing letters to government ministers on behalf of local business owners and working…
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Liz writes October 2019
“People before privilege” was the theme of last week’s Labour Party Conference in Brighton. We announced bold new policies including putting the final say on Brexit back to the people, rolling out a new national living wage that extends to young people aged 16 plus, and a radical green new deal for Britain, so we…
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Liz visits Brightsparks Nursery in Crawcrook
I visited Brightsparks Nursery in Crawcrook last weekend, and was delighted to see all the fantastic work staff there are doing to make it an “Outstanding” rated Nursery. Unfortunately, maintaining this standard is now going to be very difficult. The Government’s new funding regime has created a major shortfall for many nurseries -Brightsparks included-…
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This month’s column in The Journal – The “Nothing Has Changed” Budget
“Two weeks on from the Autumn Statement we’re still no clearer about some of the big issues that the Chancellor has failed to tackle in our region. Of course, we are all delighted that following hard-headed negotiations from across Tyne and Wear we heard the announcement of funding for a much-needed update to the Metro…
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The sums do not add up
You can watch and read Liz’s contribution to the Budget debate below. Liz said: “I declare an interest as an elected member of Gateshead Council. I want to speak about what is not in this Budget, because those things are important to my constituents in Blaydon, many of whom are struggling to cope with daily…
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Liz speaks in Universal Credit debate
I spoke in the Universal Credit debate last night. Universal Credit is being rolled out for most of Blaydon Constituency on the 1st November. We know from experience that Universal Credit is causing real problems including increased debt and more reliance on Gateshead Foodbank as people wait at least 6 weeks for their first payment.…