Motion· Early Day MotionEDM 706open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 14 December 2022
That this House is shocked and angered by the treatment of workers made redundant at Orchard House Food’s Gateshead factory; notes that the company - which supplies companies such as Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and Pret a Manger - remains a going concern with some workers offered the chance to relocate to the Midlands; understands that the majority have been unable to relocate and were initially promised redundancy payments within two weeks of receiving their final pay slip, in most cases on 9 December; is outraged to learn that the workers have since been informed that there will be a delay in processing these redundancy payments until the New Year; is concerned about the impact on families now facing the prospect of Christmas without an income and yet to receive a penny of support from the company, leaving many worried about heating their homes or feeding their children; and calls on the management of Orchard House Foods to ensure that all redundancy payments are received in full prior to Christmas.
Motion· Early Day MotionEDM 648open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 17 December 2014
That this House recognises that properly qualified supply teachers are an essential resource for schools which wish to deliver the same quality learning experience for pupils when a class's regular teacher is absent; notes that supply teachers are increasingly employed by agencies which siphon off significant amounts of public funding for education into their profits; is concerned that agencies are unable to offer supply teachers membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme and are driving down their pay, with a recent survey by the National Union of Teachers finding that 40 per cent of supply teachers are getting lower, or significantly lower, pay than three years ago; further notes the uncertainty and disquiet about umbrella companies which increasingly employ supply teachers; and calls on the Government to encourage schools to employ supply teachers directly or through the local authority, rather than using agencies, to ensure supply teachers are paid fairly and have access to pension rights on an equal basis to other teachers.
Motion· Early Day MotionEDM 647open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 17 December 2014
That this House recognises Cardinal Hume School's latest achievement in being highlighted yet again by Ofsted in its document which highlights schools that provide excellent solutions with regard to Closing the Gap; recalls that Cardinal Hume Catholic School is a secondary converter academy in Gateshead that serves a largely white British community with above average levels of deprivation; notes that in this school all students, regardless of background, make outstanding progress and end up with GCSE results well above the national average; further notes that a large number of children are eligible for the pupil premium but there is little difference between their attainment and that of other students; welcomes the fact that the school achieved outstanding in every category in its 2014 inspection and has been repeatedly highlighted by Ofsted for its highly successful initiatives in raising standards through a focus on reading, speaking and listening, and writing; further recalls the school has been at the forefront of raising achievement for white working class children and the disadvantaged and disengaged for many years and has had considerable success in this area; and further notes that in addition the school has been highlighted by Ofsted as a school of good practice for the teaching of Literacy (Raising Standards through Literacy, Cardinal Hume Catholic School 2013) and that this work has led to members of the senior staff touring England, visiting some of the most challenging areas in the country in order to support others in their quest to raise standards and tackle underachievement.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill)Bill 1417open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 2 July 2014
A Bill to limit the use of zero-hours contracts; and for connected purposes.
Bill· Private Members' Bill (under the Ten Minute Rule)Bill 1307open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 30 October 2013
A Bill to require police forces to register hate crimes committed against people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities including autism; and for connected purposes.
Motion· Early Day MotionEDM 1207open
United Kingdom · UK Parliament · 15 December 2010
That this House recognises the economic and social importance of the work of the citizens advice bureaux, including the Gateshead Advice Centre, whose legally-aided advice and representation on welfare benefits, debt, community care, housing, family and employment are vital for many constituents; further recognises that in 2009 the Gateshead service advised 14,000 people on 34,000 issues, obtained 14 million of financial benefit for clients, contributed over 10 million through its debt work and secured 9 million worth of benefits; believes that without legal aid the Centre could only reach a fraction of the community and not take on full casework; is concerned that this will drive people towards unscrupulous private organisations that claim they can help people but which often fleece them; and endorses the Centre's view that proposals to cut legal aid represent a sharp break from the long-standing bipartisan consensus that effective access to justice is essential to underpin the rule of law.