Labour's got a record to be proud of when it comes to helping the elderly.

Of course our senior citizens deserve the best, and we need to do more. I'm the first to admit that. But the Labour Party values pensioners when the Conservatives see them as a cost to be cut.

Recently I visited Hedworth Lane Primary School in Boldon Colliery to take part in their Sports Relief day and on Monday Schools Minister Vernon Coaker called into Bedewell School in Hebburn to see what good work is going on there as well. This Friday I have the honour of officially opening the new Jarrow School which I attended as a young lad. All of these visits allow us to see first hand what a fantastic job is being done by staff, parents, the Council and the Government in improving the educational well being of our Borough.

Gazette readers need few reminders about the true nature of pleural plaques and how big an issue it is here in South Tyneside. As you know, I worked long and hard with fellow MPs, unions and solicitors for a fair deal for those with pleural plaques by overturning the ridiculous Law Lords ruling of 2007 which stopped compensation claims.