Good Evening john,

My newsletter includes reporting on Small Business Saturday, our 2023 Flood Forum, and record school ratings for local schools. 

To see more of what I have been up to this week, follow my Facebook page: Fb.com/guyopperman (or search Guy Opperman MP).

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

🏡 Small Business Saturday 

      
Guy presenting awards to The Coffee Tree in Wylam and My Oh My in Corbridge.

This weekend, it was Small Business Saturday. 

Over the past weeks I have been presenting Small Business Awards to brilliant local businesses, who you voted for because they make a real difference to our communities. 

We handed out over a dozen awards to small businesses, including The Coffee Tree in Wylam and My Oh My in Corbridge, started by a brilliant Ukrainian refugee! With thanks to June Atkinson from Ponteland Photography Society for the photos.

I regularly visit small businesses to find out how we can support them so our high streets thrive.

Local small businesses are the foundation of our communities across Tynedale and Ponteland, so please shop local!

🌧️ Flood Forum 

    
Guy's Flood Forum brought together key organisations to ensure families are protected from future flooding. 

This week, I held a Flood Forum to bring together key players, including the Environment Agency, Northumberland County Council, and Northumbrian Water, to ensure local residents and businesses are protected in the face of future weather events. 

I have been meeting with Government Ministers and other partners to campaign for more investment in Tynedale's flood defences.

And we have had some success. In September of this year, we delivered on a £6.5 million investment into flood defences in Hexham. 

I will continue working with government and the Environment Agency to ensure residents and businesses are protected. 

📚 Record School ratings

   
Guy secured the rebuild of both QE High School and Ponteland High School, after making the promise in 2015.

This week, two local schools, Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham and Ponteland High School, were rated the second and fourth top schools in the north east in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.

These ratings follow 94% of Northumberland schools being rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, up from just 76% under Labour. 

In 2015, I promised to secure the rebuild of both QE and Ponteland High School. Following over £40 million of investment, that promise has been delivered. We have also successfully fought for a fairer funding formula, meaning per pupil spending in Northumberland is at a record amount. 

As a result, young people from every background are equipped with the skills they need for high-paid employment. 

Guy Opperman MP

Member of Parliament for Tynedale and Ponteland