Good Evening john,

My newsletter includes reporting on improving post-16 education in Tynedale, my recent surgery with the National Farmers Union, my upcoming Christmas card competition, and a bumper week for AI. 

As ever, if you have an issue you would like to raise with me as your local Member of Parliament, please email: [email protected].

📚 Improving post-16 education

     
Guy delivered on his election promise to secure the rebuild or refurbishment of every high school across Tynedale and Ponteland through £98 million of investment.

Last week, I visited Haydon Bridge High School with Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, County Council Cabinet Member for Child services. 
 
We are working to improve the offer of post-16 education in both Haydon Bridge and Hexham. This includes widening the number of practical qualifications on offer in order to equip our young people with the skills they need for high-paid employment and offer alternative routes to university.
 
Since elected, every high school across Tynedale and Ponteland has undergone a rebuild or full refurbishment, including a £4.5 million investment into Haydon Bridge High, providing our young people with the best start in life. 

🚜 Nation Farmers Union surgery 

   
Guy worked to secure £240,000 from the Farming Investment Fund to support Tynedale's rural economy.

Last week, I met with the National Farmers Union and local farmers at Hexham Mart to listen to concerns and provide assistance. 
 
Farming is the backbone of communities across rural Tynedale. In September, we secured £240,000 of grants for equipment and technology, benefitting farmers across Tynedale and supporting our rural economy. 
 
If you couldn’t make the surgery but would like to raise an issue, please email [email protected]

🎅 Christmas card competition

    
Guy sends the winning card to the Prime Minister, so make sure to take part!

My annual Christmas card competition is back! Anyone in school years 1-6 from across Tynedale and Ponteland can participate. 
 
The winning design will be turned into my constituency Christmas card and presented directly to the Prime Minister, and sent to other members of the Cabinet, local businesses, and residents.
 
If you would like to participate, post entries to Guy Opperman MP, Suite 2, St Matthew’s House, Haugh Lane, Hexham, NE46 3PU. The final deadline for entries is Friday 17^th December. 
 
If you are interested, please send in your designs. Past competition winners were excellent, and I am expecting high quality festive entries this year!

💻 A bumper week for AI 

  
The UK held the first ever AI Safety Summit this week in Bletchley.

This week, the Prime Minister held the world's first AI Safety Summit, bringing together world leaders and AI experts. As a result, the landmark Bletchley Declaration was agreed on Wednesday, embracing the enormous opportunities of AI and making the long-term decisions to keep us all safe. We also launched our new AI Safety Institute, which will act as a global hub on AI safety.  

We are harnessing the capacity of AI to improve public services, like our NHS, whilst addressing the risks and challenges to keep us safe.

Guy Opperman MP

Member of Parliament for Tynedale and Ponteland