Alex Cunningham Mp

School visits in Parliament and Stockton North, taking on the Government over funding to free breakfast clubs and replacement to EU funding - which is hugely important to our region, and various meetings in the constituency office.
It's been another busy week!

Enjoyed my visit to Northfield School and Sports College this afternoon.
I met with Katie, Ruby and Ben to discuss their role as Sports Leaders - ambassadors who promote physical education across various primary schools.
I also took the opportunity to show off my running skills at the school sports day!

Today I have signed up as an LGBT Labour Solidarity Member, pledging my support to be an ally to the LGBT community.
There are challenges ahead and it is important that solidarity is shown wherever possible.

I've written to ASDA CEO, Roger Burnley, asking for clarity about their proposed "Contract 6" changes.
A lot of employees, many in Stockton North, are worried that these changes might negatively impact their pay, in-work benefits and workplace rights.
They deserve answers.

Had a great morning with pupils from Wynyard CofE Primary, who were visiting Parliament today.
They quizzed me on everything from the Tory leadership to the proposed Wynyard Secondary School.
A real pleasure to spend time with them - I’ll be at their assembly on Friday too!

A Simple Yes/No Question.
Will the Government continue to fund the National School Breakfast Programme after April?
Unfortunately, the Minister couldn't tell me if they would or not.
... The NSBP is active in 1,775 schools nationwide - 7 of them in Stockton North - and provide a free, nutritious breakfast to some of our most disadvantaged children.
Research shows clear that a nutritious breakfast reduce educational attainment gaps between pupils and support children to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
Without a guarantee of funding, children in our most disadvantaged areas will lose out – not just when it comes to breakfast, but when it comes to ensuring they can achieve their own unique potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
I'll continue to press the Government to guarantee funding to this hugely important programme.
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Another Busy Week in Parliament and Stockton North.
This week I was on the Front Bench, calling on the Government to prioritise hosuing for survivors of domestic abuse - I was also a speaker at an event organised by the homelessness charity, Crisis, where I pledged Labour's commitment to repeal the cruel Vagrancy Act.
I also called on the PM and her Government to show some compassion when dealing with refugees following a tragic constituency case.
... Today I've been out and about in Stockton North, visiting Crooksbarn and the Glebe primary schools, as well as meeting with the FBU to talk about the pressures our firefighters are under.
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Supporting rough sleepers, not criminalising them.
At an event organised by Crisis last night I set out Labour's commitment to scrap the outdated 1824 Vagrancy Act, and eradicate rough sleeping within five years of a Labour Government.
With a 165% increase in rough sleeping since 2010, it's clear we need to provide support - and homes - for people sleeping rough, not criminalise vulnerable people.

I asked our Prime Minister to show some compassion in a case which could see a young woman refugee who, thanks to the Government's refusal to provide support, is not at only being made homeless, but also being put at risk of prostitution and trafficking.
This is tragic case which could see a young, extremely vulnerable woman, being forced on the streets and into the hands of traffickers and others seeking to abuse her vulnerability. It could be avoided had the Government only shown some compassion when dealing with asylum cases.
I’m pleased the Home Secretary will look at my constituent’s case, but it is clear the process needs root-branch reform to ensure cases are dealt with sensitively.

Pledging to be a "Youth Friendly MP".
Before I became MP for Stockton North I was a councillor and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People on Stockton Council. I'm passionate about ensuring young people have a voice in their communities and access to good quality education and career development opportunities.
That's why I'm delighted to support the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Youth Work's "Youth Friendly Charter", which promotes the principles of youth employment ...and help young people in Stockton North reach their full potential.
As a Youth Friendly MP, I will continue to lead the charge for increasing opportunities for youth employment and development, and work with the Council and other organisations to ensure Stockton-on-Tees is a place where all young people can succeed.
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We're at a turning point in Multiple Sclerosis research.
The MS Society was showcasing it's latest exhibition in Parliament last week - and I was pleased to be able to pop in and show my support.
My mother-in-law lived with multiple sclerosis and I saw first hand what a debilitating condition MS can be. I know she would be amazed with the progress the charity has made in not only ensuring treatment is available for everyone - but in stopping MS for good.

I'm back in Stockton North after a busy week in Parliament - and looking forward to a busy day in the constituency tomorrow

With the River Tees and a large coastal strip in my Stockton North constituency, I'm delighted to support the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Drowning Prevention Week, to raise awareness on how to stay safe in and around water.
You can find more about their campaign here: https://www.rlss.org.uk/

Calling for a safe home for domestic abuse survivors.
As Shadow Minister for Housing I led for the Opposition in a Westminster Hall Debate on the need to provide domestic abuse survivors a safe and settled home.
People fleeing domestic abuse are incredibly vulnerable, and many others do not leave abusive relationships because they simply have nowhere else to go. Councils need to treat them as top priority for being given a safe and secure home.
... We must make sure that there is the housing - and the support - available to people fleeing domestic abuse.
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I asked the Industry Minister what they were doing to ensure that seafarers are being paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
I’m pleased the law will change as a result.

It is an outrage that that while one Tory leadership contender is proposing a tax cut for the highest earners, this Tory Government has announced it will scrap free TV licences for 3,920 older people in Stockton North.
Thousands of elderly and isolated people will lose out because of this callous move. We should be doing more to tackle social isolation, not enacting welfare cuts that could see this crisis grow.
I, alongside my Labour colleagues, will be fighting this annou...ncement to make sure some of the most vulnerable people in our communities are not penalised further by ruthless Tory cuts.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment- arts-48583487
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Great to be working with Boro legend Jamie Pollock and Paul Dolan, both of Billingham Synthonis FC, to bring the club back to where it belongs - Billingham!
I’ve been working with them for a while now to identify possible locations for their return.
We’ve made some more progress today, and my office will be making contact with various people and organisations to see if we can make Billingham Synthonia’s dream of returning back to a ground in Billingham, a reality.

People fleeing domestic abuse are incredibly vulnerable, and we should be making sure that Councils treat them as top priority for being given a safe and secure home. For many people, it is a matter of life or death and leaving such a situation where they are being abused by their partner can be an incredibly hard action for them to take – so we must make sure that local authorities are helping them rebuild their lives.
It is a truly awful situation that some people do not le...ave abusive relationships because they simply have nowhere else to go. This report and its recommendations will make a big difference to those people.
But we must also make sure that there is the housing available. Waiting lists for homes are incredibly long, and in order to really address the problem we need to build more housing stock. As the Shadow Housing Minister, I will be leading for the opposition in a debate on this next week.
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