The assembly for parents of Year 3 pupils took the theme of the importance of plants, with the children presenting all they have learnt this term about the different ways in which we use the plants around us. In keeping with the theme, Catherine was then presented with a bunch of flowers by pupils Georgia Young and Jack Angles.

After the assembly, headteacher Lynn Rae gave Catherine a tour of the newly refurbished school which was closed for just over twelve months from December 2010 after heavy snow caused its roof to collapse.  She later joined parents for their regular Friday coffee morning.

Catherine said:

“It was such a pleasure to visit Milecastle Primary last week, and I was just so impressed by the school’s new facilities following its refurbishment. The building is absolutely beautiful, and I was keen to tell the pupils how lucky they are to be able to learn in this environment.

“The Year 3 assembly was one of the best I’ve ever been to, and I certainly learnt a lot about all things botanical from them!

“It is clear that this school is a real community, with pupils, staff and parents all dedicated to achieving the very best for local children.”

Headteacher Lynn Rae said:

“Catherine contacted us way back in 2010 directly after the ‘roof incident’, offering help and support. It was a pleasure to welcome Catherine to Milecastle so she could see for herself the fantastic new building and grounds we’re enjoying working in.”

The event is one of her regular coffee mornings around the constituency, and will take place at The Lemington Centre on Tyne View, Lemington from 10.30am to 12noon.

Catherine said:

“This informal coffee morning is open to any Newcastle North residents who have an issue they want to raise with me, or just want to pop by for a chat.”

Alternatively, Catherine and her constituency-based team will be happy to help residents of Newcastle North at any time – they should email catherine.mckinnell.mp@parliament.uk or telephone 0191 229 0352.

The concept of ‘employee shareholder shares’ was introduced by the Government’s Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. In return for paying no income tax or National Insurance contributions on the first £2,000 of any shares issued under an ‘employee shareholder agreement’, and being exempted from capital gains tax on the first £50,000, employees will be expected to give up  several fundamental employment rights.

These include the right not to be unfairly dismissed, the right to a redundancy payment, the right to request flexible working and right to leave for study or training, and they will have to give 16 weeks’ notice rather than the usual 8 before returning to work from maternity or adoption leave.   As a consequence, this policy has become known as ‘shares for rights’ and has been widely criticised across the political spectrum because of its impact on employment rights, but also the opportunity for tax avoidance it presents.

Tabling an amendment to the Finance Bill during its Committee stage this week, Catherine commented:

“We very much oppose [the shares for rights policy] because we object to the notion of linking the concept of employee ownership, which we support, with employees being expected to give up their basic rights in the workplace…

“Many concerns have been expressed by many business organisations about this risible idea…few companies or business organisations understand the rationale for the measure or what the Government hope to achieve with it.”

She went on to argue:

“It is bad enough that the policy is divisive and damaging and undermines the notion of employee ownership, but it could cost the Exchequer up to £1 billion, with a quarter of that arising from tax planning or tax avoidance activity. How will the Government ensure that the measure benefits ordinary workers and not just those senior employees and executives at the top?”

Speaking after the debate, Catherine said:

“Hardly anyone, even many on the Conservative benches, understands what the aim of this policy is.

“The Employee Ownership Association states that there is absolutely no need to dilute workers’ rights in order to grow employee ownership, and former Tory Employment Minister Lord Forsyth described the proposal as having ‘the trappings of something that was thought up by someone in the bath.’ Indeed, fewer than five of the 200+ organisations that responded to the Government’s limited consultation backed the idea, but they ploughed ahead anyway.

“The independent IFS has described the policy – which could cost up to £1billion – as ‘pretty questionable’ with ‘all the hallmarks of another avoidance opportunity’. So, at a time when we are hearing much tough talk from Ministers on tackling tax avoidance, it is frankly unbelievable that they have decided to press ahead with this idea that virtually nobody wants.  My amendment therefore urged the Government to closely monitor its impact on tax avoidance, as well as on employment rights, but sadly every Government member of the Committee voted it down.”

by backing a call from Diabetes UK for improved healthcare for children and young people living with the condition.

Catherine recently attended an event hosted by Diabetes UK in Parliament, held to help launch the charity’s ‘Type 1 Essentials’ campaign, which highlights the essential care and support that every child living with Type 1 diabetes needs.

The charity says too many children with Type 1 diabetes are not getting the essential checks and services they need to manage their condition, which is reflected in the fact that 85% of children with Type 1 diabetes have poor blood glucose control. This puts them at increased risk of devastating health complications later in life such as blindness, amputations and stroke.

As part of the campaign, the charity is calling on NHS leaders and commissioners to commit to ensuring the right resources and services are place so that children and young people living with Type 1 diabetes have access to good healthcare.  

To help make parents, health leaders and commissioners aware of what good care for children with diabetes looks like, the charity has also produced a Type 1 essentials for children and young people guide, which sets out the 10 things every child with Type 1 diabetes should receive. This includes care from a specialist diabetes team; regular checks and the right treatments; support in school; and a young person’s right to have say in the treatment they receive.

Catherine said:

“With a number of family members with Type 1 diabetes, I know at firsthand how important it is for children and young people to receive the right care and support to manage their condition.

“If diabetes is not managed well in early life it can lead to devastating complications later on. I would strongly urge all parents, health leaders and commissioners to back this new guide, and ensure that young people with Type 1 diabetes in Newcastle are getting the checks and services they need.”

Raising the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions, Catherine highlighted recently published figures which indicate that, of the 6,700 households in Newcastle hit by the Bedroom Tax, 60% have already fallen into rent arrears just six weeks after the policy’s introduction.

Catherine pointed out to David Cameron that this means rent arrears in Newcastle have increased by over £550,000 since the Bedroom Tax was introduced, and the policy therefore risks costing more than it saves.

Speaking after Prime Minister’s Questions, Catherine said:

“The Prime Minister’s response to my question was unbelievably complacent and dismissive.

“I know from the number of people contacting me on this issue, that many people across Newcastle are facing serious financial difficulties as a result of the Bedroom Tax. It is only serving to push people already on very low incomes further into poverty, yet there is nothing most can do about it as there simply aren’t the smaller properties for them to move to.  Many of those affected have disabilities and require an extra room for this reason.

“This policy is already having a social and economic cost, but the Prime Minister appears oblivious to this issue.”

“The continued delay in a decision on this issue is extremely disappointing.

“It’s almost two years since I expressed my concerns in the Commons that this matter should be resolved once and for all, and as quickly as possible.

“This is necessary if we are to end the continued and damaging uncertainty around this issue, and – most importantly of all – to secure the safety of children who require cardiac treatment.

“The safety of these children must be absolutely paramount in this process, and any decisions should therefore be based entirely on clinical competence and expertise, and on that alone. On that basis, I believe there is no argument for ending children’s heart surgery at the Freeman, which is recognised globally for its standards and pioneering work.” 

Invited to join in with the week’s events by children from Year 3, Catherine was asked to read from her favourite children’s story. She chose a chapter from Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’, ‘Bean’s Secret Cider Cellar’.

Dressed as various book characters, including Harry Potter and Charlie Bucket, the Year 3 pupils then grilled Catherine on her work as an MP before telling her about the work of their School Council, and what they would do to improve Newcastle.

Catherine said:

“I was delighted to visit Grange First School for Storytelling Week today, having received the most beautiful handwritten letters from Year 3 pupils asking me to do so. They clearly share my love of Roald Dahl books, and it was great to be able to read from one of my favourite stories growing up.

“Just as important was discussing my role of standing up for Newcastle in Parliament, and that listening to their concerns is an important part of being able to do that properly.”

Grange First School Headteacher, Matt Ward said:

“The children of Grange First have had a fantastic reading week filling our school with wonderful stories and gifted storytellers. The visit from their MP was a very exciting end to the week and, as well as enjoying the stories, they relished the chance to quiz her about life in politics.”

Smiles Engineering is a specialist in repowering buses to make them greener and more fuel-efficient. The company also refurbishes and remanufactures engines with its own Newcastle-based team carrying out the work and making many of the new parts on-site.

Smiles Engineering moved from their previous premises in Byker to its new home on the Brunswick Park Industrial Estate a year and a half ago. Since the move, turnover has grown by 300%.

Managing director Gordon Mockett said: “We now have better facilities and the larger workshops we needed to meet demand”.

“We work with bus companies from all over the UK to repower engines and replace emissions control systems to make them greener and more efficient. By improving the engines’ emissions, it gives the bus a new lease of life, so the bus operating companies don’t have to buy new vehicles. We can repower the engines of five buses for the price of one new bus.

Buses that have been through Smiles’ workshop use less fuel, something that is about to become even more important as the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is reducing. Bus Operating companies claimed a 50% fuel subsidy up to April 2012, but that has reduced to 30% and it’s future existence could be doubtful.

Gordon, who has been with the business for three years, said: “From an operators point of view, repowering the engine can improve fuel consumption by between 20% and 100%, depending on the original engine.

“Along with saving fuel, it is also about improving air quality and there are potentially huge EU fines for non-achievement of specified the air quality and target emission levels.

“As the average bus can last for 25 years, it makes sense to keep it running efficiently as long as possible.”

The cost of a new bus is a major capital outlay for the bus operator, especially those vehicles that are compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. These special buses have low steps and internal features to help the disabled traveller. The work carried out at Smiles Engineering enables bus operators to keep their vehicles running longer and more efficiently.

As part of the expansion, Smiles recruited General Manager, Rob Pease in September last year. The company now has 27 employees; it has taken on a number of apprentices and has future plans to add more technical apprentices to the operation.

Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell recently enjoyed a tour of the site and a visit to the workshop.

She said: ““The great thing about Smiles Engineering is that it is a North East company employing time-served engineers, who know their job, whilst also training the engineers of the future. 

“Public transport is a vital service and ensuring bus operators meet their environmental obligations is a big, but important, job. I’ve really enjoyed visiting Smiles to see how they are helping the bus companies to achieve this.”

Gordon said: “The Government needs to encourage bus companies to reinvest in their current fleets, rather than buying new, and allow us the access to funding to help them refurbish their engines.

“Repowering old engines is lot more cost effective and better for the environment than buying new vehicles.”

Sophie and Aidan were dressed in Roman togas having recently studied this period of history, and they and their classmates were in celebratory mood having just completed their SATs.

During her tour, Catherine saw pupils across all ages at work in the open-plan school, and was particularly impressed by the younger pupils’ work following a recent visit to Beamish.  Catherine also heard about the school’s special provision for children from across Newcastle with complex physical disabilities and medical conditions.

After her tour of the school, Catherine spoke with members of the School Council about her role in Parliament and how it mirrors that of the School Council in representing their fellow pupils.

Catherine said:

“Kingston Park Primary is a fantastic school, tucked away in its own little corner of Newcastle in beautiful natural surroundings. I even got to hear about the deer which lives in the school’s grounds, but sadly didn’t get to see it during my visit.

“Sophie and Aidan were so enthusiastic about their school and the work they do, and make really impressive Ambassadors.  The standard of work being undertaken during my visit was incredibly high, with each child totally immersed in and thoroughly enjoying their activities.

“It was also a real pleasure to meet with the School Council, and hear about their work – and we came up with a plan for their next campaign: better rainy day toys!”

“I was particularly keen to hear about the school’s provision for children with physical disabilities and medical conditions, and agree that they need greater support for this important work which is something I’ll be taking up following my visit.”

Headteacher Jayne De Ivey said:

‘We were pleased  that Catherine took time out of her hectic schedule to visit us today. It demonstrates not only her passion for the constituents, but  her detailed knowledge of the community.

‘We were  delighted  that Catherine recognised the outstanding practice and standards in our school which we achieve through a strong whole school ethos of ‘Together we’re better’.

The Bee Cause campaign is also helping individuals to make changes in their gardens and communities to help bees – and has seen over 2,757 different actions taken in the North East, such as planting bee-friendly seeds, signing petitions and building ‘bee hotel’s to replace lost natural habitat. A recent report by the University of Reading has identified parts of the North East as being of key importance to the Bilberry Bumblebee and highlighted the issue of habitat loss in the decline of bees across the region.

Catherine heard about this work, and pledged her support to The Bee Cause campaign, during a recent event organised in the House of Commons by Friends of the Earth. She has also previously written to the Environment Secretary urging him to back an EU-wide ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which research by Newcastle University has recently found damage bees’ brains.

Catherine said:

“Protecting our biodiversity is absolutely critical, and bees play such a vital role in our food supply, green spaces and economy.  The decline in the bee population is therefore very disturbing, and I believe the Government should be doing everything within its power to arrest this.

“It’s really encouraging that so many people across the region are doing their bit to save bumblebees, but we really need the Government to act on this important issue.”