Good evening john,

Parliament has broken for the summer, so it's great to be back in Northumberland and getting to visit every corner of Tynedale and Ponteland.

This week's newsletter includes more welcome news about the funding of our schools, presenting another Community Champion Award to a well deserved recipient and a visit to one of our brilliant pubs.

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

Funding boost for Tynedale and Ponteland schools

Since becoming our local MP in 2010, I have constantly campaigned for more money and better buildings for our local schools. 
 
The Fairer Funding Formula announced in 2017 has seen a huge boost to funding locally, ensuring our schools - especially those in rural areas - get a fair deal, with a funding boost of up to 10% for some of our local schools. 
 
Last week, there was more good news, with a further funding boost announced by the Department for Education. 
 
That means that our local schools will receive an average of £6,150 for every secondary school aged pupil, and £4,800 for every primary school aged pupil.

Furthermore, a £53m national fund is being made available to help small rural schools - many of which can be found in Northumberland.

It has been my mission to secure more money and better buildings for our local schools, and now, in addition to the school funding boost, every local high school has either been rebuilt or refurbished.  In Ponteland, our fantastic £48 million primary and secondary school complex opened last November, with state-of-the-art facilities to deliver the best for local pupils. 
 
This is levelling up in action and shows what can be achieved when the County Council, me as your local MP, and the government work together. 
 
 

Community Champion Award for Helping Hands!



Recently, I presented Pam Smith, branch manager of Hexham-based care provider Helping Hands and her amazing team with a Community Champion award.

Pam and her team were nominated for going above and beyond during the pandemic, continuing to provide home care, meals, essential shopping and overnight care to some of our local communities more vulnerable residents.

It was fantastic to recognise the brilliant work of Pam and the whole Helping Hands Team. Their work has helped to support the most vulnerable throughout this terrible pandemic

Support your local! 

Recently, I visited the Black Bull in Corbridge to meet Adrian and his team of staff. The visit was held in association with UKHospitality to discuss the challenges the industry has faced throughout the pandemic.

Our hospitality industry has been hard hit over the last year. I urge everyone to support our local hospitality venues, because if we don’t use them, we will lose them.

Get your jab 

After a week of most restrictions being eased, cases have been beginning to fall in our county and across the country.

Whilst, this is positive news we must continue to be cautious - the pandemic is not over and we cannot get complacent. I urge anyone who hasn't to come forward to get vaccinated to ensure the most vulnerable in our community are kept safe.

The team at the Hexham Mart Vaccination Centre are on hand to answer any questions you may have. These vaccines really are safe, effective and have already kept millions safe from this awful virus. 

Guy Opperman MP

Member of Parliament for Tynedale and Ponteland