MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has voiced her concern over fears that the Lib-Con government will loosen restrictions on tobacco advertising.

Tough new regulations introduced as part of the Health Act 2009 which would have banned displaying tobacco in shops as well as its sale from vending machines, are thought to be under threat.

“Is is a disgrace that the Lib-Cons appear to be caving in to the tobacco industry,” said Ms McKinnell, “Rolling back initiatives designed to stop the spread of this awful addiction, particularly amongst the young, would be unforgivable.

“The NHS has made enormous strides in combating smoking and through preventing new people taking up the habit, the UK has avoided an enormous human and financial cost in the future.

“The coalition has repeatedly claimed that public health is a priority but this claim will be seriously undermined if they prioritise the tobacco industry over the health of people vulnerable to advertising.”

MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has congratulated local students following another impressive year of A Level results. However, Ms McKinnell also voiced deep concern that through no fault of their own, more young people than ever today left school without a job or place at university.

‘Whilst I’m delighted for everyone who has worked hard and received their results today,’ said Ms McKinnell, ‘I am dismayed for the 200,000 students who now find themselves in school-leavers’ limbo. The dual problems of youth unemployment and university shortfall have been made infinitely worse by the short-sighted policies of the coalition government.

‘We all accept that the deficit should be cut but Labour would never have tried to achieve this goal at the expense of our young people. Since coming to power on 11 May, the coalition has cut 10,000 extra university places, abolished the Future Jobs Fund, axed 8,000 jobcentre staff, refused to renew the Young Persons’ Guarantee and slashed funding to the public sector; one of the largest recruiters of school-leavers and graduates.

‘It is impossible to see how this government can claim to be helping young people into work or education. Because of their decision to reduce university and employment spending faster and more severely than was needed, a generation of bright and capable youngsters will find it far harder than was ever necessary to leave school with optimism.’

Column References: 514 c220W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Local Government Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his definition is of an essential frontline service for local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Answering Department: Communities and Local Government

Member Answering Question: Stunell, Andrew

Answer: This is for local authorities to define. Local authorities, engaging their communities, must determine their local priorities and define the services needed to deliver them.

Question Number: 9006

Date Tabled: 13.07.2010

Date for Answer: 19.07.2010

Column References: 513 c882-3W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: One NorthEast

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many local authorities in the North East his Department consulted before the announcement of proposals to abolish One NorthEast.

Answering Department: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Member Answering Question: Prisk, Mark

Answer: The coalition programme set out the Government’s intention to support the creation of local enterprise partnerships to replace regional development agencies. The Government confirmed its intention to abolish all regional development agencies in the Budget on 22 June 2010. If it is the clear wish of business and civic leaders to establish a local enterprise partnership for a functional economic area that matches existing regional boundaries, we will not object.

Question Number: 9166

Date Tabled: 13.07.2010

Date for Answer: 15.07.2010

Column References: 513 c706-7W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Multiple Sclerosis: Medical Treatments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline on multiple sclerosis is updated to (a) reflect the changes to the evidence base for the best care for people living with multiple sclerosis and (b) take into account all new treatments and drugs for this condition.

Answering Department: Department of Health

Member Answering Question: Burns, Simon

Answer: We understand that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence routinely takes such factors into account when reviewing its clinical guidelines.

Question Number: 8048

Date Tabled: 08.07.2010

Date for Answer: 13.07.2010

Column References: 513 c706W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Medical Treatments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines are overdue for review; and what the reason is for the time taken to complete each such review.

Answering Department: Department of Health

Member Answering Question: Burns, Simon

Answer: The information requested is not held by the Department. I have asked the chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to write to the hon. Member with this information.

Question Number: 8049

Date Tabled: 08.07.2010

Date for Answer: 13.07.2010

Column References: 513 c706W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Medical Treatments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) process and (b) timeline is for review of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Answering Department: Department of Health

Member Answering Question: Burns, Simon

Answer: These are matters for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence as an independent body. Details of the Institute’s clinical guidelines review process are available here:

Question Number: 8047

Date Tabled: 08.07.2010

Date for Answer: 13.07.2010

Column References: 513 c521-2W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Housing Benefit

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of (a) pensioners, (b) persons of working age in work, (c) persons of working age and unemployed, (d) social sector tenants and (e) private sector tenants in receipt of housing benefit in Newcastle upon Tyne North constituency.

Answering Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Member Answering Question: Webb, Steve

Answer: The information is not available at the constituency level.The available information on housing benefit recipients is published at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/hbctb_release_jun10.xls An exercise is being undertaken to add other geographical areas to the housing benefit data: this will include parliamentary constituencies. It is hoped this exercise will be completed by early 2011.

Question Number: 7034

Date Tabled: 06.07.2010

Date for Answer: 12.07.2010

Column References: 513 c523-4W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Housing Benefit

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of non-dependants living in households where the main occupier is in receipt of housing benefit in Newcastle upon Tyne North constituency.

Answering Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Member Answering Question: Webb, Steve

Answer: The information is not available.

Question Number: 7035

Date Tabled: 06.07.2010

Date for Answer: 12.07.2010

Column References: 513 c439W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Jobseeker’s Allowance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in Newcastle Upon Tyne North constituency.

Answering Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Member Answering Question: Grayling, Chris

Answer: In April 2010 there were 65 lone parents claiming jobseeker’s allowance in Newcastle Upon Tyne North.”Note:” “The figure has been rounded to the nearest 5.”

Question Number: 6741

Date Tabled: 05.07.2010

Date for Answer: 08.07.2010

Column References: 513 c439W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Pensioners: Newcastle upon Tyne

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Newcastle Upon Tyne North constituency receive (a) the basic state pension and (b) pension credit.

Answering Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Member Answering Question: Webb, Steve

Answer: The information available is in the following table. Parliamentary constituency: Newcastle Upon Tyne North

Number

State pension recipients 18,600

Pension credit individual beneficiaries 6,490

Pension credit household recipients 5,240

Notes:

1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

2. State Pension figures are for the total state pension caseload. Around 1% of State Pension recipients are not in receipt of the basic State Pension, but are receiving additional State Pension only or graduated retirement benefit only.

3. Basic State Pension only figures are not available by current 2010 parliamentary constituencies.

4. Pension credit household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. Individual beneficiaries are the number of claimants in addition to the number of partners for whom they are claiming.

5. Parliamentary constituencies are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010.

Source:

DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data as at November 2009

Question Number: 6740

Date Tabled: 05.07.2010

Date for Answer: 08.07.2010

Column References: 513 c440W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Social Security Benefits: Disability

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are in receipt of (a) disability living allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) employment and support allowance in Newcastle Upon Tyne North constituency.

Answering Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Member Answering Question: Grayling, Chris

Answer: The information is provided in the following table:

Question Number: 6738

Date Tabled: 05.07.2010

Date for Answer: 08.07.2010

Column References: 513 c433-4W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Lone Parents: Newcastle upon Tyne

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many lone parents there were in Newcastle Upon Tyne North constituency in 2009-10.

Answering Department: Cabinet Office; United Kingdom Statistics Authority

Member Answering Question: Hurd, Nick

Answer: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated July 2010:”As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many lone parents there are in Newcastle Upon Tyne North constituency in 2009/10. (6739)”"The number and type of families in the UK can be estimated using the Annual Population Survey (APS). Estimates are provided for lone parent families which include at least one child aged under 16.”"The latest available figure is for 2008 and is shown in the table below. This is based on the 2008 parliamentary constituency boundary. Newcastle Upon Tyne North, as constituted in 2008, consisted of 13 electoral wards, four more than the current constituency. The breakdown of the data available is not sufficiently detailed to determine” whether the newly constituted parliamentary constituency contains the same estimated number of lone parents as the 2008 constituency.”Geographical area Number of lone parent families with at least one child under 16 (thousand)

Newcastle upon Tyne North constituency (2008) 3

Source: APS January to December 2008.

Question Number: 6739

Date Tabled: 05.07.2010

Date for Answer: 08.07.2010

Column References: 513 c284-5W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Asylum: Legal Aid and Assistance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will postpone decisions on applications for asylum in all cases where the applicants were receiving legal aid and assistance from Refugee and Migrant Justice until arrangements have been made for alternative legal aid and assistance to be provided to them; and if she will make a statement.

Answering Department: Home Office

Member Answering Question: Green, Damian

Answer: While the UK Border Agency will take every care to ensure that former Refugee and Migrant Justice clients are not unreasonably affected and will treat individual cases sensitively, we are unable to give a blanket assurance that no adverse immigration decisions will be taken on their former clients until a new legal representative has been appointed.

Question Number: 5086

Date Tabled: 28.06.2010

Date for Answer: 01.07.2010

Column References: 512 c552W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Bus Services: Newcastle upon Tyne

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the likely effects of proposed reductions in the transport budget on the quality of bus services in Newcastle-upon-Tyne North.

Answering Department: Department for Transport

Member Answering Question: Baker, Norman

Answer: It is for local authorities to decide where their priorities and opportunities for efficiencies lie across the totality of their responsibilities, in order to protect front line services. The fact that certain grants have been chosen for reduction over others does not indicate that Government are imposing a national view on the relative importance of different areas. Nor do the Government expect there to be a direct correlation between grant reductions and local authority budget changes.

Question Number: 3605

Date Tabled: 16.06.2010

Date for Answer: 21.06.2010

Column References: 512 c507W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Working Tax Credit

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in (a) Newcastle North constituency and (b) the UK are in receipt of the child care element of tax credits; and how many of those earn a joint household income of (a) less than £20,000, (b) between £20,000 and £24,999, (c) between £25,000 and £29,999, (d) between £30,000 and £34,999, (e) between £35,000 and £39,999 and (f) £40,000 or more.

Answering Department: Treasury

Member Answering Question: Gauke, David

Answer: The information requested is shown in the following table.

The income bands over £30,000 have been combined because the numbers in the individual categories would be disclosive.

These estimates are based on provisional information on families receiving tax credits as at April 2010. Further details about this data can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication “Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010”, available at:”http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm”

Question Number: 4714

Date Tabled: 24.06.2010

Date for Answer: 29.06.2010

Column References: 512 c497-8W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Child Tax Credit

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are in receipt of the baby element of tax credits (a) nationally and (b) in Newcastle North constituency.

Answering Department: Treasury

Member Answering Question: Gauke, David

Answer: The information requested is shown in the following table.

These estimates are based on provisional information on families receiving Tax Credits as at April 2010. Further details about this data can be found in the HMRC snapshot publication “Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2010”, available at:”http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm”

Question Number: 4735

Date Tabled: 24.06.2010

Date for Answer: 29.06.2010

Column References: 512 c538W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: One NorthEast

Question: (2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the proposed abolition of One NorthEast on the North East Productivity Alliance project.

Answering Department: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Member Answering Question: Prisk, Mark

Answer: We have invited local authority and business leaders to work together and consider forming local enterprise partnerships to replace regional development agencies. Local enterprise partnerships will provide the strategic leadership in their areas and set out local economic priorities. It will be for local enterprise partnerships to decide which initiatives to support. The Government will publish a White Paper later in the summer setting out plans for a new approach to sub-national growth.

Question Number: 4712

Date Tabled: 24.06.2010

Date for Answer: 28.06.2010

Column References: 512 c538W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: One NorthEast

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of the proposed abolition of One NorthEast on the Passionate People Passionate Places campaign;

Answering Department: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Member Answering Question: Prisk, Mark

Answer: We have invited local authority and business leaders to work together and consider forming local enterprise partnerships to replace regional development agencies. Local enterprise partnerships will provide the strategic leadership in their areas and set out local economic priorities. It will be for local enterprise partnerships to decide which initiatives to support.The Government will publish a White Paper later in the summer setting out plans for a new approach to sub-national growth.

Question Number: 4711

Date Tabled: 24.06.2010

Date for Answer: 28.06.2010

Column References: 512 c239W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Taxation: Aviation

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake an economic impact assessment of the proposed adoption of a per-plane tax on regional airports.

Answering Department: Treasury

Member Answering Question: Greening, Justine

Answer: The Government will explore changes to aviation tax, including switching from a per-passenger to a per-plane duty. Major changes will be subject to consultation.

Question Number: 3604

Date Tabled: 16.06.2010

Date for Answer: 21.06.2010

Column References: 511 c559W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Tyne and Wear Metro

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to proceed with the proposed upgrade of the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Answering Department: Department for Transport

Member Answering Question: Baker, Norman

Answer: The Tyne and Wear Metro upgrade has been re-examined following the announcement by the Chief Secretary on 17 May to review spending approval granted since 1 January this year.

Question Number: 2726

Date Tabled: 14.06.2010

Date for Answer: 17.06.2010

Column References: 510 c100W

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Capital Allowances: Manufacturing Industries

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future level of investment allowances for manufacturing businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Answering Department: Treasury

Member Answering Question: Gauke, David

Answer: The Coalition Agreement sets out the Government’s aim to:” “reform the corporate tax system by simplifying reliefs and allowances, and tackling avoidance, in order to reduce headline rates. Our aim is to create the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20, while protecting manufacturing industries.”"The Chancellor of the Exchequer will make a further statement at the emergency Budget on 22 June 2010.

Question Number: 781

Date Tabled: 27.05.2010

Date for Answer: 03.06.2010

Column References: 511 c1015

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Topical Questions

Question: Will the Minister reassure us that in considering any spending review relating to funds for the Tyne and Wear metro, he will take account of the need to preserve an existing structure which—unlike many other capital projects—is more than 30 years old, desperately requires reinvigoration, and is vital to the community in Newcastle and throughout the north-east?

Answering Department: Department for Transport

Member Answering Question: Baker, Norman

Answer:  As I said a moment ago to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr Hepburn), we understand the importance of the Tyne and Wear metro to the area. I suggest that the hon. Lady wait for the statement that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will make later this morning. As I said a moment ago to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr Hepburn), we understand the importance of the Tyne and Wear metro to the area. I suggest that the hon. Lady wait for the statement that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will make later this morning.

Date of Answer: 03.06.2010

Column References: 510 c560

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Regulation

Question: With reference to the Minister’s desire to help small businesses, it has to be accepted that some effort needs to be made to create the right environment for manufacturing businesses. Will he therefore please explain the Government’s plans to remove the annual investment allowance, which helps thousands of manufacturing businesses, hundreds of which are in my constituency?

Answering Department: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Member Answering Question: Prisk, Mark

Answer:  The hon. Lady is right to point out the importance of manufacturing; it is a crucial part of our economy. Sadly, it became imbalanced when her party was in power, and we need to change that. On the tax measure in question, and the representation that she made, she will understand that we are in the period running up to Budget purdah and need to be careful not to get ahead of what I think the Chancellor’s ambitions will be, but at the CBI dinner he made it very clear that, as regards corporation tax changes, we will not act in any way that impugns manufacturing in any form. The hon. Lady is right to point out the importance of manufacturing; it is a crucial part of our economy. Sadly, it became imbalanced when her party was in power, and we need to change that. On the tax measure in question, and the representation that she made, she will understand that we are in the period running up to Budget purdah and need to be careful not to get ahead of what I think the Chancellor’s ambitions will be, but at the CBI dinner he made it very clear that, as regards corporation tax changes, we will not act in any way that impugns manufacturing in any form.

Urgent Question

Date of Answer: 27.05.2010

Column References: 510 c291

Member Tabling Question: McKinnell, Catherine

Topic: Business of the House

Question: May I draw the Leader of the House’s attention to early-day motion 75? [That this House applauds the work of One North East in promoting sustainable economic growth across the North East of England since 1999; recognises the role One North East has played in regeneration and job creation in the region over the last 11 years; understands the importance of the support it gave over 4,000 businesses during the recent recession; supports its vision for a future North East economy that ensures the people of the region benefit from improved prosperity; and calls on the Government to strengthen the support given to the North East economy through One North East.] One NorthEast, the regional development agency based in my constituency of Newcastle upon Tyne North, has brought great benefits throughout the north-east region. In the light of the recent announcement of cuts to regional development agencies, and the concern that that is causing throughout the region, will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on that extremely important issue?

Answering Department: Leader of the House of Commons

Member Answering Question: Young, George

Answer:  The hon. Lady puts forcefully the concern in her constituency. May I suggest that she apply for an Adjournment debate or a debate in Westminster Hall, where the issues she has raised can be tackled in more detail and she can get a response from Ministers? She may have heard what the Chief Secretary announced yesterday, when he outlined his commitment to laying the foundations for recovery by getting the deficit under control—a huge deficit, which we inherited from the outgoing Government.

MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has expressed concern following the publication of new unemployment statistics from the charity, Age UK.

The figures show that the number of over-50s seeking employment has risen by 50% over the past year – the highest proportion for a decade. ‘This is a worrying trend for older workers’ commented Ms McKinnell.

‘The fact that the number of unemployed in this group has increased so drastically means that 170,000 over-50s have been unemployed for 12 months or more. During these difficult times people often focus only on the problems facing the young but the issue of unemployment impacts everyone, whatever their age.’

Catherine McKinnell is MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North and entered Parliament in the 2010 General Election.

MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has responded to news that the Bank of England has cut its growth forecast for the UK economy.

The figures, released today, show that there has been a sharp increase in long-term unemployment and increased speculation that the country will enter a ‘double-dip’ recession.

Ms McKinnell said ’the writing has been on the wall since the first coalition Budget. These figures are evidence that the misguided Lib-Con policy of reckless cuts are undermining the recovery put in place by the last Labour government. This is only the tip of the iceberg.’

Catherine McKinnell is MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North and entered Parliament in the 2010 General Election.

MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has become the first named sponsor of a Bill to fine companies whose pre-paid credit cards are used to download child porn.

The Bill, introduced by fellow MP, Geraint Davies, aims to close a loophole that currently allows those making purchases with pre-paid credit cards to do so anonymously. Typically costing around £100, pre-paid cards can easily be bought at supermarkets and service stations with no requirement for ID.

“It is very worrying that paedophiles can purchase a credit card, register anonymously and use it to pay for abusive images” commented Ms McKinnell. “The details of people using credit cards must be known in order to make sure that police can track and prosecute anybody involved in child pornography.”

“By allowing this situation to remain unchecked, credit card firms are complicit in the viewing of child pornography and should do far more to ensure that their products are not misused in this way.”

Local MP Catherine McKinnell has added her voice to the ‘Save our Schools’ campaign following the decision by the Lib-Con government to cancel hundreds of new school buildings across the country.

Ms McKinnell is urging as many people as possible to back the campaign and to sign a petition to reverse the cuts that have been threatened to this vital area.

Ms McKinnell, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, said: “The decision by the government to cancel planned renovations was a huge disappointment for parents, teachers and young people.

“I am determined to fight these unfair and unnecessary cuts which will not only damage the education of our children but will also cost further jobs in the construction industry and its varied supply chain. Although in the north east we were ironically fortunate in that most of our schools were already so dilapidated that they warranted early replacement, this does not mean that we have therefore forgotten those who remain in inadequate, out-of-date conditions.

“The Building Schools for the Future programme was a fundamental investment in the future of young people and it is shocking how willingly that this has been cruelly snatched away.

“That is why I’m asking everyone in the north east to back the campaign to Save our Schools by visiting the www.save-our-schools.org.uk website and signing the SoS petition.”

With hundreds of local young people leaving education this month, Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, has urged the LibCon government not to axe support for youth jobs.

“The Future Jobs Fund has created over 3,100 youth jobs in the north east” stated Ms McKinnell. “Why then is the government scrapping this scheme whilst also cutting university places and abolishing the guarantee of a job or training for any young person out of work for six months?

“Local young people should not be made to pay the price for this government’s unfair cuts and scrapping support for youth employment is wasting the talents of a generation. That’s why I believe there should be more opportunities for young people in our region to find work.”

Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said;

“These figures show exactly why it is so dangerous to cut support for jobs and the economy. May’s small fall in unemployment is welcome and reflects the extra support Labour put into the economy as it started to come out of recession.

“But there’s still little sign of private sector growth. Jobs in areas like construction were still being heavily hit even before the impact of the big spending cuts and the surge in young people leaving education this summer.

“In the 90s the Tories said that unemployment was a ‘price worth paying’ to cut inflation – now they clearly think the same about reducing the deficit.”

Catherine McKinnell is MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North and entered Parliament in the 2010 General Election.

The new Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, Catherine McKinnell, has launched a passionate defence of the region’s endangered development agency, ONE Northeast.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms McKinnell stated that it was ludicrous that the government has decided to push forward with abolition of the popular and respected agency.

“With massive cuts in funding for regional development, combined with the Lib-Con pledge to transfer its functions to unprepared local authorities, the government, after damaging indecision, has announced the abolition of ONE.

“The closure of the agency will remove a vital local driver for recovery and eliminate a key means of building a stronger northeast economy.

“Taken as a group, RDA achievements over the past decade are enormously impressive. They include training over 400,000 people, creating or protecting 850,000 jobs, helping to create 60,000 businesses, kick-starting and managing regional development and, in more recent times, providing vital support to recession-hit businesses. These benefits have been more obvious in the northeast than anywhere else in the country.

“The ill-thought-through ‘cut-and-shunt’ of these roles into already under-resourced local authorities would be totally unworkable and if forced through, would mean the loss of efficient, well-resourced and consistent services that are of fundamental importance to the region.

“Put simply, the loss of ONE would sound the death-knell of high-quality business support, regeneration work and regional promotion in the part of the country most desperately in need of these services. The agency has a strong record of success across the board and its abolition is unnecessary, unwanted and will disproportionately affect our recovery.

“I for one do not accept the argument of the 1980s and ‘90s that unemployment and extra financial hardship are prices worth paying by the most vulnerable in our society.”

Catherine McKinnell is MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne North and entered Parliament in the 2010 General Election.