Visit to GB Bank

It was an absolute pleasure to visit GB Bank in 2 Centre Square recently and meet the people behind this specialist, socially driven bank. GB Bank will provide easy access to property development loans with incentives for sustainable and zero carbon developments and rewards for developers committed to creating local…

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Work continues at former Tollesby shops parade

Work is progressing on the former Tollesby shops parade and it was great to visit with Sheila Dean, Labour councillor for Acklam Ward to hear from site managers working there. There have been some delays in work due to unforeseen cabling issues but the team on site are working apace…

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Visiting Zizus Day Care and Learning Centre

Being invited to visit organisations, businesses and charities is such a privilege and I love being out and about in the constituency. This week I visited Zizus Day Care and Learning Centre and met owner Maaz Rahman and operations director Nicola Knight. It was wonderful to see all the children…

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Support for people experiencing domestic abuse

My visit today to meet Zareen Smith, Local Director at HSBC Bank in Middlesbrough town centre was fascinating. They have launched Safe Spaces in all their branches so anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse can walk into the branch and seek specialist support and advice. We know the levels of…

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The people of Teesside donate £225,000 to help those in need in Ukraine

The people of Teesside have donated over £225,000 to help those in need in Ukraine. It will be used by the Disasters Emergency Committee. The presentation was made ahead of Boro’s home game against Fulham and was made by representatives of supporter groups including Middlesbrough Supporters Forum, Middlesbrough Supporters Club…

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Boro to donate gate share to Ukraine

I have been in discussions with Steve Gibson and Middlesbrough Football Club over recent days regarding this very significant and immensely generous donation of Middlesbrough’s share of the gate receipts from the Chelsea FA cup tie. This is very much an expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine who…

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International Women’s Day 2022

On International Women’s Day I send my solidarity and support to women across the world. Thoughts are obviously with women in Ukraine who are fighting against Russian aggression. We know women have been forced to flee from their homes and life is unthinkably hard for them. Today, and every day,…

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Book of Solidarity for Ukraine

It is my privilege to sign the Book of Solidarity for Ukraine, whose people simply seek to live in peace and freedom.

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International Cochlear Implant Day

Today is International Cochlear Implant Day which aims to raise awareness of cochlear implants across the world and I was delighted to visit the North East Regional Cochlear Implant Programme (NERCIP) based out of Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital. It has been running for 32 years, implanting its first adult patient…

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BEIS Select Committee visit to Brussels

As a relatively new member of the House of Commons Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, together with committee colleagues I travelled to Brussels recently as part of our inquiry into competition policy and state aid. Our conversations with witnesses to our inquiry also covered Horizon Europe – the…

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