The demise of coal mining was a big blow to the North East. Losing one of our great industries which the North East was built upon left many families devastated. Our mining industry was disgracefully wiped out by the Tories and in the years that passed we have seen mining communities shattered and thousands of livelihoods lost. Against this background and on the 25^th anniversary of the Miners Strike our communities are certainly a poorer place without them and their contribution will never be forgotten.

I am pleased that thousands of people in my constituency will benefit from the smart meter roll-out that comes a step closer. The government has set out the options for installing the revolutionary kit in homes across Great Britain and on what the smart meters should be capable of doing.

I welcomed the announcement that graduates who want to boost their skills for employment will get real help through the new 'Graduate Talent Pool', the next stage in our graduate internship initiative.

I have voiced my concerns to the Government over the delays faced by South Tyneside College on its proposed multi-million pound redevelopment project.