I was very pleased to be able to officially open the Tiling Training School at Durham Marble & Ceramic Tiles Ltd in Jarrow recently. I visited Durham Marble & Ceramic Tiles Ltd, based in King’s Court in Jarrow, following the company’s relocation into Jarrow in March this year.

This past year has posed some big challenges for our Government. For example, rising prices for food, or even the cost of filling up the car, have had a real impact on many peoples’ lives. If you turn on the TV or switch on the radio, the global credit crunch has dominated our news and it is easy to see why. Like the rest of the country and the rest of the world, families in our area and UK economy have faced, and will continue to face, more challenging times in the months ahead.  

In my role as MP, I have been honoured to meet with many wonderful individuals who are carers. People from all walks of lives and backgrounds are carers. Currently, there are six million carers in the UK and 1,600 people who claim Carer’s Allowance in South Tyneside. However, there are many unpaid carers that juggle paid work with caring responsibilities at home. Some carers provide just a few hours care a week, but many often provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These people are a wonderful example to all since they so frequently give their time, energy and devotion with little thought of consequences for themselves.