Every month our local MP reports back to party members on his activities. Ian Mearns’ Parliamentary Report from 12 January 2012 is now available on our website.
Topics covered this month include the launch of Virgin Money and the Government’s decision to slash Feed-In Tariffs for solar panels.
Feed-in Tariffs
Members will know of the decision taken by the Government to cut Feed-In Tariffs for solar PV installations. The Government is cut the tariff for solar PV installations with a capacity of 4kW or less by more than 50% – from 43p/kWh to 21p/kWh. This was enforced on 12 December 2011.
Following this decision I had a meeting with Carillion Energy Services based in Newcastle, who informed me that although they expected a reduction, they did not expect this radical reduction. Furthermore, it is actually worse than it appears as only properties in a certain category (ie, mainly new builds) will be entitled to the reduced rate of 21p/kWh; whereas all other properties will only receive a subsidy of 9p/kWh. One of the key issues I took from this meeting was that companies like Carillion are being asked to invest in the Green Deal; however, how are they meant to trust that the Government won’t pull the rug from under their feet in 18 months, as they have done with Solar PV.
The following week, I had a meeting with the Minister responsible for Solar PV and he left us with the view that there could be some potential for change. However, we have not, as of yet, seen any evidence of this, but I remain hopeful. As ever, I will continue to keep members up to date with the future of Feed-In Tariffs.
Industry and Parliament Trust
I have been taking part in the Industry and Parliament Trust fellowship programme. Fellowships consist of 18 days of placements with one or more host organisations over a period of around 18-24 moths. Programmes are bespoke to each parliamentarian’s learning objectives and are designed to fit around their schedule.
I have been focussed on SM Manufacturing Sector and have already attended a fellowship at the Sage this month. This was a great opportunity to see the valuable work that the Sage do for Gateshead and the tourism it brings to the area. I will also be returning to the Sage in the coming months.
I will be attending many different placements and this coming month I will be partaking in a fellowship at C2M, a company which supports inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs in the North East of England.
Tradecraft Visit
Traidcraft, a local company and significant employer on the Team Valley, invited me to visit their site. Traidcraft’s aim is to fight poverty through trade, practising and promoting approaches to trade that help poor people in developing countries transform their lives. I hope that through my role within the shadow DfID team I will be able to promote the work of Traidcraft.
Launch of Virgin Money
As I am sure everyone is aware, Virgin Money have taken over Northern Rock, and this week I was invited by the Chief Executive of Virgin Money, Jayne-Anne Gadhia, to attend the launch at Northern Rock House in Gosforth. This launch was attended by people from across the Northern Rock / Virgin Money spectrum including many Northern Rock staff, but also Sir Richard Branson.
I had the opportunity to chat to Sir Richard Branson for a considerable period of time. In fact, I spotted under his shirt that he seeded to have a black and white t-shirt on, and I proceeded to ask him whether he was wearing a Toon top, which of course he was with the new Virgin Money logo. We also talked about the Northern Rock Foundation and I hope I reinforced how important the foundation is to charities in the North East.
Visit to De La Rue
I was pleased to be invited by my colleague Dave Anderson MP to visit De La Rue on the Team Valley.
This was an opportunity to talk about the future of De La Rue and the changes which are currently taking pl;ace. I order to maintain the effectiveness of the factory there have recently been a job evaluation; and I must say I was extremely pleased to see the committment to their staff and their cooperation with the Trade Union.
Business Breakfast
On Friday 13 January I will be hosting a Business Breakfast with several local companies, with the aim of them taking on young, unemployed 18-24 year olds in a work experience role. In the North East we have the highest number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and our unemployment rate is extremely high. I hope this scheme will reduce these numbers.
