Author Archives:
North East Unemployment Continues To Rise
The rising tide of unemployment in the North East is extremely worrying Figures show that unemployment in our region has climbed by 6,000 in the past month, which is profoundly unnerving given that the region already has the high levels of unemployment in the country. The North East is sinking still further into a quagmire [...]
Response To The Queens Speech
The government’s measures in the queen’s speech offer no change and no hope for the people of the North East. This is a lacklustre agenda from an out of touch government. The Tory led coalition offer no credible proposals to deliver growth and jobs for the region. Making easier to hire and fire people is [...]
Marks and Spencer Petition
Removing the M and S store to an out of town development would deprive the town centre of an important focal point that attracts trade and customers to the area. The recent success in securing the Zurbaran paintings and the redevelopment work to transform Auckland Castle into a vibrant tourist destination promises to bring significant [...]
Double Dip Recession
Recent GDP figures provide clear evidence that you can’ trust the Tories on the economy. The economy has shrunk by -0.2% plunging the UK back into the depths of recession. Contrary to George Osborne’s arrogant boasts at taking the UK out of the danger zone, he has imperilled the nation’s finances with his bungled mishandling [...]
VAT On Listed Buildings
The Chancellor’s decision to slap VAT charges on listed building alterations has sent the cost of maintaining a number of historic buildings in my constituency through the roof. An example of this is the grade II listed St Paul’s Church in Evenwood, which will be stung for an extra £24,000 in VAT charges to foot [...]
