Barry Sheerman

As June draws to a close, the country is once again gripped by industrial action on a scale not seen on the railways for over 30 years. The Conservative Government is paralysed by its own internal division, its only means of survival is to create more discord in society, and then feed off the chaos. This is exactly what we’re witnessing with the rail strikes. The Government refuses to come to the table and broker a solution and then fans the flame of the conflict by laying all blame at the feet of the RMT and Labour. These are the disgraceful tactics of a government out of ideas and out of fuel. Its single mission has become to protect Boris Johnson at all costs. In Parliament, I have been urging all sides to get back around the table and negotiate a solution. The country needs leadership that only Labour can provide.

The PM not only lacks support from his MPs, but the moral authority demanded by the office. The resignation of the Government’s ethics advisor speaks volumes about the culture and misconduct at the heart of Downing Street. I raised this in the House just a few weeks ago. Whilst there is much to be disheartened about, Labour is providing a strong opposition and is increasingly looking like a government in waiting.

Earlier this month, we all came together to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Like many, I particularly enjoyed watching the celebrations and joining in with street-parties across Huddersfield. It was a privilege to be able to speak in Parliament on this historic occasion. The Jubilee celebrations demonstrated that we have more in common than what divides us, people from all backgrounds were able to come together and enjoy the weekend as one community. This is in stark contrast to a Tory Government that is sowing the seeds of more division in our society. It’s important that as a local Labour Party, we remember the importance of fraternity and investing in our community ties. On June 16^th we remembered the life of Jo Cox, the former MP for Batley & Spen. Jo’s legacy is one of hope: we are far more united and have far more in common that that which divides us. I remember with pain, but pride, a unique talent, a good friend, neighbour and comrade.

The international situation in Ukraine is looking increasingly fraught. We are seeing slow, but increasing, Russian gains in the Donbass. We were all horrified by the indiscriminate bombing of a shopping centre in Kremenchuk. At this stage in the conflict, we must resist fatigue and recommit to arming and supplying the Ukrainian people with the military and humanitarian aid they so desperately need. The new head of the Army has warned us all of the threat Russia poses. This is a key reminder for those in Parliament of the imperative to forge an Army capable of defending the UK and our allies. For years, I have been warning successive Governments of the short-sightedness of cuts to our Armed Forces. Earlier this month, I reiterated my concerns about Government cuts.

As many of you know, I am a passionate campaigner for clean air. It was a pleasure to attend the Parliamentary event for Clean Air Day 2022. Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK and its disastrous impact effects families and communities across our urban areas. This Clean Air Day, I reiterated my call for the Government to take decisive action to reduce levels of toxic air pollution by implementing emissions testing for DPF filters.

As always, please provide me with your thoughts, views and concerns. You can reach me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk.

 We have all been shocked by the horrific scenes emanating out of Ukraine over the last two weeks. President Putin’s cowardly and illegal war surmounts to war crimes. His attacks against innocent civilians are depraved and we all mourn the loss of life brought about by Putin’s senseless aggression. The images of nurseries and hospitals after being bombed are tragic and deserve the utmost condemnation and urgent diplomatic action.  

In the face of such evil, I have been overwhelmed by the strength, resolve and bravery of the Ukrainian people. In the fight against tyranny and autocracy they have been unbroken in their desire for freedom, democracy, and self-determination. Standing beside the people of Ukraine is more important now than ever before. I have also been deeply moved by the spirit and love shown across the UK, as communities in Huddersfield and beyond have mobilised to provide aid to those in need in Ukraine. I was proud to attend a fundraiser this weekend in Huddersfield. 

The hardest possible sanctions must be taken against all those linked to Putin and against the Russian government’s interests, working in a coordinated and unified way with our allies to ensure the Putin regime faces the severest possible consequences. Russia must be cut out of the global economic system. The sanctions package announced by the Government contains measures that are good in principle, but the words must match the reality as we scrutinise the details, and I believe we must go further. There are some glaring omissions in the banking sanctions, and individual asset freeze designations against Putin’s oligarchs are moving too slowly. I believe there is more that can be done on export controls and to strengthen the Economic Crime Bill.  

This sort of humanitarian crisis has not been seen since the Second World War. Over two million people have fled their homes. The British people have a long and proud history of providing refuge for those fleeing conflict and tyranny. The Kindertransport from 1938-1940 brought thousands of Jewish children to the UK from Nazi Germany, proving refuge and sanctuary. This is a legacy all of us can be proud of. Despite this, the Conservative’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been chaotic and disorganised. The current system for family visas is far too restrictive and there has been complete confusion with refugees being unable to process their applications in Calais. People need a simple and safe route to sanctuary right now and the UK must play its part. The Labour Party and I are calling for emergency protection visas for those fleeing Ukraine who want to reach the UK. It would lift normal visa conditions, other than biometrics and security checks, which can be done swiftly en-route. This would provide a quick, simple, and safe route for sanctuary for all who need it.  

We need to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine as a prerogative, medical supplies, sanitary products, and other limited items are in dire shortage. I have made a cash donation to this cause, and I urge people to help in any way they can. 

The illegal invasion of Ukraine is a global catastrophe. It is an act of unprovoked aggression against a democratic and peaceful nation. The days, weeks and months ahead will be dark, but I firmly believe that the Ukrainian people will live under the light of peace and freedom once again, under their own Government, free from the horrors of war.    

Does each one of us possess an inalienable right to breathe clean air? Or do we settle for a poisonous alternative, an alternative whereby each one of us is subjected to harmful emissions, with devasting implications for our health and wellbeing? This is a question that I have been posing to each one of my colleagues in Parliament over the last few months. 

As Chair of the Westminster Commission for Road and Air Quality, I was shocked to come across evidence that shows how 36,000 people die each year from causes related to air pollution. It is estimated that those who die prematurely in the UK are losing on average six months of life due to exposure to harmful emissions. In London, the figure is closer to ten-years. What has been the Governments response? The Conservatives have continually voted against implementing stricter air pollution targets that would bring us in line with World Heath Organisation recommendations. Is this just laziness, or is it because the Government know that levels of air pollution would break every legal limit. If we believe that each one of us possesses an inalienable right to breathe clean air, then there is certainly a great distance between our beliefs and the reality we are living in.  

I certainly believe that each one of us possesses this right and have made it my mission to push for greater action in Parliament. That is why in the last month, I have presented two Bills that would reduce air pollution.  

1. Air Pollution (Local Authority Audits) Bill 

This Bill would ensure that local authorities conduct annual audits of air pollution in their local areas. This would ensure that polluters are identified, and actions can be taken to reduce levels of harmful emissions. The Secretary of State would be required to report annually on the result of these audits, meaning MPs could properly scrutinise air pollution levels in the UK. Good policy requires good evidence. This Bill would give us a Domesday Book of air pollution, identifying all the emitters and hotspots, meaning we can make evidence-based decisions to tackle the problem.  

2. Motor Vehicle Tests (Diesel Particulate Filters) Bill 

Diesel exhaust is a class 1 carcinogen. This means it’s one of the most dangerous types of particulates emitted into the atmosphere. The World Health Organisation have made clear the dangerous impact on the body, with particulates penetrating deep into the respiratory system. My Bill calls for the Government to update the MOT test to include an efficiency test for DPF filters with an emission limit set at 250,000 particles per cm^3. This would identify dangerous filters and ensure that they are taken off the road and fixed. The policies and frameworks are there, all the Government needs to do is update the law.   

If you would like to watch the full footage of my speech in the House of Commons, you can do so here.  

These two Bills could be quick wins for the Government. They’re easy to implement, the frameworks are there, and they would make a huge difference. They are both coming back to Parliament on Friday 18^th March 2022. Let’s see if the Government will do the right thing and back my Bills to ensure the inalienable right to breathe clean air. 

What is levelling up? Like many, this is a question I’ve pondered over the last two years since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister. With Michael Gove promising to finally release his long-delayed white paper on levelling up this month, the meaning of this catchword has come into question again.

We’ve had a bundle of separate fundus announced, including the Levelling Up Fund, Towns Fund and High Streets Fund (a lot of which went to local councils of Tory ministers…). We’ve heard the announcement of the UK Infrastructure Bank that will invest in a green industrial revolution. Disappointingly, we have also witnessed the scaling back of Northern Powerhouse Rail and seeming intent of the Government acquiesce to the possible privatisation of Channel 4, risking the new base in Leeds. Levelling up? We seem to be scaling back. The potential for our region is limitless – if only Government’s matched our ambition with action.

I don’t intend to be overtly political about levelling up. There is potential for meaningful, beneficial change for towns like Huddersfield, but levelling up can only be achieved with substantial bold action and a long-term commitment to provide the necessary funding. Levelling up must also be part of a broader environmental strategy to decarbonise the UK economy and gain an international advantage when it comes to the green industries of the future. Pontificating about Medici-style ‘renaissance towns’ from Michael Gove will not help the North or address the climate crisis; rather we he must recognise that the solutions to climate change and a failure to devolve real power and investment to the regions are the same.

Levelling up must be sustainable. It can form part of a new integrated approach to the environment and economy that puts sustainable development at the heart. The more we wake up to the realities of climate change, the greater action we realise we must take to combat this serious and alarming threat. But with challenge, there is opportunity, and it is one which the Government to take. The opportunity is to develop our towns, cities, and communities sustainably.

For example, the UK Infrastructure Bank has a mandate to tackle climate change and level up, what potential this has to kickstart investment in green industries across the North. From investment in hydrogen fuel and storage to carbon capture, with targeted support and real commitment, the UK could be at the cutting edge of developing the new industries of the future. We can also level-up our natural environment, by investing in nature recovery networks and rewilding, simultaneously tackling the biodiversity crisis, and boosting health, wellbeing and quality of life for all those across our communities.

The Government must follow through on its plans to level-up, not just to follow through on a ‘commitment’ they’ve made, but because missing the opportunities of sustainable development would be mad. Towns like Huddersfield could be at the forefront of these new industries, creating jobs for thousands across the whole North. The reality is that if the Government misses this opportunity, those jobs will go elsewhere, leaving our country worse off than before.

I’m calling for the Government to commit to levelling-up our towns and cities sustainably, and to take the opportunity that transitioning to a green economy provides. I have written to Michael Gove asking for a commitment to make levelling-up sustainable to ensure that our regions benefit as we transition to a greener way of life. The opportunities are there. My question to the Government is – are you bold enough to take them?

On the first Prime Ministers Questions of the year, Angela Rayner caught Boris Johnson off-guard by grilling him on the latest inflation figures. Angela’s pointed questions come off the back of worrying rises in inflation, with some economists expecting levels to reach 7%, not seen since the 1990’s. Whilst I welcome the low unemployment rate, it is imperative that the Government gets a grip on the rising levels of inflation and to mitigate a further squeeze in living standards for working people. Shop prices rose by the fastest rate in almost three years in the run-up to Christmas amid the highest rate of inflation for fresh food in almost a decade. Retailers will be unable to absorb the entire rise in inflation and it will by reason be passed onto the consumer. Angela rightly pointed out this is a crisis of Boris Johnson’s own making. He failed to get a grip on the HGV driver shortage, which pushed up food prices, he failed to tackle the energy crisis, with 27 companies having gone bust last year, and he has failed to put more money in the pockets of working people. 

Like my constituents in Huddersfield, I want the Government to take firm action to get a grip on the inflation crisis. Alongside colleagues in the Labour Party, I am calling on the Government to commit to three actions that would help ease the burden on working families. 

1. Reverse the planned hike in National Insurance 

Last year the Government voted to hike up National Insurance by 1.25%, breaking a promise and putting Britain on course for the highest overall tax burden since 1950. A cost-of-living iceberg is looming, and this tax rise will take more money from the payslips of the poorest in society. The truth is that this Government is shielding the richest and most privileged. Instead of asking private landlords owning and renting multiple properties to pay their fair share, they have picked on the most vulnerable.

• Cut VAT on energy bills 

The number of UK households living in fuel poverty could climb to the highest level on record this spring unless the Government acts. Energy bills were already too high for most families, even before the October price cap hike. Therefore, Labour and I are calling for the Government to cut VAT on energy bills. Boris Johnson promised during the Brexit campaign that VAT on energy bills would be cut after Britain left the EU. Why is he now so hesitant to take this step? VAT is currently 5% on energy bills and if it was removed, it would make an enormous financial difference to the average household. 

• Reverse the £20 cut in Universal Credit 

The Government must reverse its dangerous and damaging cut to universal credit that is costing six million families over £1000 a year. The Labour Party and I have been campaigning throughout the last six months on this and have repeatedly asked the Conservatives to reverse this ill-conceived and political decision. The £20 cut will hurt households’ finances and must be reversed to support people through the current cost of living crisis. 

As Parliament breaks for Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity to update my constituents on what I have been working on over the last month. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. 

As some of you may have seen, I have announced that I will not be standing again at the next general election. It has been an utmost honour to have represented Huddersfield for the last 41 years in Parliament. In the meantime, I will continue to work as hard as ever to represent you in Parliament and campaign for the Labour Government that our country needs. You can watch my standing down statement here. 

The Pandemic 

Like me, I am sure many of you are worried about the rise of the Omicron variant and the implications this will have on Christmas plans. I want to make sure that everyone in Huddersfield can enjoy Christmas with their families and friends this year. I also want to make sure we protect our NHS – which is already under severe strain from a Tory-induced staffing shortage and chronic underfunding. By acting now, we can try to prevent a worsening situation and the need for further restrictions.

This is why I voted for the Government’s Plan B measures, including the requirement for Covid passes demonstrating vaccination status or proof of a negative test for entry to large venues and mass gatherings. Watch my question to the Secretary of State for Health here. I also voted for other common-sense measures such as mask wearing in indoor spaces. 

The best thing we can all do to protect ourselves and loved ones is to get a booster jabs. I was pleased to make a statement to my constituents outlining the importance of getting vaccinated and I urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their jab yet to come forward now. 

Sustainability

One of my most important causes is the Sustainable Towns initiative. Two years ago, I set up the Sustainable Huddersfield initiative and I am now asking the Government to support similar initiatives across the country. I tabled an Early Day Motion which you can read here. I also had the opportunity to urge the Secretary of State to commit to 500 sustainable towns and communities across the country. Watch my question here.  

I believe that by championing sustainability initiatives in towns and cities across the country, we can implement the COP26 Glasgow Pact at a grassroots level, that empowers people in their local communities. In Huddersfield we are working with the Kirklees Climate Commission to advise the Council on how they can become more sustainable. We are bringing together businesses, community leaders and members of the public to come up with a roadmap to make Huddersfield a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place. 

Clean Air

Campaigning for better air quality is a longstanding passion of mine. This month I tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the Government to make provision for local authorities to take annual air quality audits to identify where and who is causing air pollution. If the Government committed to my idea, we would have body of evidence identifying air pollution hotspots ready and waiting to be used to direct policy. Good policy needs evidence, and this is what I am calling for. You can read my Early Day Motion here. I am also hoping to present a private Bill to Parliament on this issue in the new year. In addition, I will also be giving the first reading of my Ten-Minute Rule Bill on diesel particulate filters and MOT tests early next year.  

Integrated Rail Plan

Last month the Government published its Integrated Rail Plan, scrapping the eastern leg of HS2 and downgrading plans for ‘Northern Powerhouse Rail’. Whilst I welcome the planned upgrade of the line that runs through Huddersfield, I was disappointed that the plan lacked the ambition needed to truly ‘level up’ the North, as promised by consecutive Tory Governments and breaking several manifesto promises. I asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he would go back and re-consider his proposals. Watch here.

Return from November Recess

As Parliament broke for Recess this month, I thought it would be a good time to provide an update to my constituents on my latest work in the House of Commons in the week leading up to the November break.

Sir David Amess

As Parliament returned from Conference Recess in October, we were confronted with the tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP. Sir David was a dedicated Parliamentarian and one of the kindest colleagues I have had the pleasure to meet. Sir David was an outstanding MP, campaigner and colleague; all of us in Parliament will miss him dearly and cherish memories of him.

I wrote an article in the Yorkshire Post which outlines my views on how we can prevent a tragedy like this ever happening again. You can read it here.

The Environment and COP26

The news this month has been dominated by environmental issues and the importance of COP26 in delivering the meaningful action our planet desperately needs. I have been pleased to raise these issues several times with ministers over the last month.

On 2^nd November I held a Westminster Hall debate on the topic of COP26 and air pollution. As Chair of the Westminster Commission for Road and Air Quality I know the severe impacts air pollution has on the health and wellbeing of people all across the UK. I firmly believe any solutions to tackling climate change must also commit to reducing the toxic levels of air pollution that envelop our towns and cities. I challenged the Government to commit to real action at COP26 to reduce air pollution and commit to meaningful climate policies. You can watch my speech here.

The Environment Bill has also been making its way through the House of Commons this month. The Tories have repeatedly refused to make this Bill stronger by voting down every Labour amendment. Labour colleagues and I have been campaigning to hold water companies to account for leaking raw sewage into our waterways and for proper, World Health Organisation, air pollution limits. I asked the Minister why the Government’s approach was so glacially slow, you can watch here.

Only a few days after COP26 finished, I asked the Prime Minister what he was doing to materialize the Glasgow Pact in every town and city across the UK. For COP26 to be a success, I believe me must mobilize every town and city across the country with a new sustainable agenda. It will be through empowering communities that we make COP26 a success. Watch my question here.

Autism Diagnosis

I have a close, personal interest, in issues that affect autistic and the wider neuro-divergent community. As a result of this interest, alongside a cross-party, cross-sector group of Parliamentarians, autistic people, parents/carers, academics and health professionals, I set up the Westminster Commission on Autism in 2016. This month the Commission launched its latest report: “Support Surrounding Diagnosis: An inquiry into pre-and-post support for the Autism Diagnosis Pathway”. Our report brings together the latest research in the field and will go on to make a huge difference to the autism diagnosis pathway. You can catch up on the report launch here.

Questioning the Government

Over this last month I have been pleased to have several opportunities to hold different Government ministers to account. I raised the issue of sustainability with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and asked if they would commit to using the Sustainable Development Goals to put health and wellbeing at the heart of our communities. Watch here.

I also raised the issue of forensic science with the Ministry of Justice. There are many who are concerned about the quality of forensic science in our country, and as Chair of the All-Party Group for Miscarriages of Justice, I know that mistakes can have awful results for the individuals and families involved. I asked the Minister if he would work with us to put right the current flaws in the system. Watch here.

I am sure many of you are concerned about the escalating situation on the Poland – Belarus border, with Belarus, supported by Russia, using refugees as a weapon against the EU. I asked the minister what he was doing to work with NATO to stand up to Russian aggression. Watch here.