Opinion
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ
Many people want to know Roberta's views on important matters affecting Durham and the country. Roberta has explained some of her opinions below which might be helpful. If you’d like more information on any of these areas or on anything else please get in touch.
A
Affordable Housing
Roberta's opinion:
We need more affordable housing in Durham both in the villages and the City Centre. I don’t believe the City Council has done enough to promote affordable housing or mixed developments and I have tried very hard to alter that. I would like to see the new unitary council, which takes over housing issues from the City Council in 2009, do more on this front.
At the moment it is too hard for lower- and moderate-income families to afford a decent family home in Durham, especially in the city centre area and this is partly due to the fact that the City Council has not used the tools at its disposal to encourage more building of these types of homes, and has not insisted on incorporating affordable units into large housing projects in the city centre, such as at Byland Lodge recently.
Afghanistan
Roberta's opinion:
I chair the Associate Parliamentary Group for Afghanistan. We hear from experts and professionals as well as representatives of community groups both in Afghanistan and here in the UK.Our presence in Afghanistan is vital. We are part of an international, UN-backed force to stabilise the country and remove the Taliban threat. For the first time girls are being educated alongside boys, healthcare is expanding across the country and ordinary people have more freedom. It is extremely important we do not let the Taliban gain control over any part of the country which is why our soldiers and others engaged in Afghanistan are doing such an important and heroic job.
Asylum
Roberta's opinion:
It is important that we maintain an asylum system for those genuinely fleeing persecution elsewhere in the world. We need a proper system based on criteria and that system needs to be properly enforced, however.
B
Buses
Roberta's opinion:
Good public transport links including buses are vital for our village communities. In some places bus services have been poor for many years, but I am hopeful that the Government’s new Local Transport Bill will help change that. The Bill will give local authorities (i.e. Durham County Council) more power to determine how services are delivered and they will be able to encourage more integration of services. In the meantime, I keep up a dialogue with Go North East and Arriva buses to raise important issues on behalf of my constituents and ensure that bus services in Durham are protected.
I have held public meetings to discuss local bus services and pushed for the Government to introduce changes to the way bus services are delivered which is happening through the Local Transport Bill. Community transport schemes can and do play an important part in the delivery of services.
C
Childcare
Roberta's opinion:
The Government’s 10 year strategy for childcare is a really positive step and I support it. Good quality, affordable childcare is important, but I believe we do have some way to go to fully achieving that
Concessionary Transport
Roberta's opinion:
Older and disabled people can now travel free on off-peak buses anywhere in the country, and I wholeheartedly support that Government initiative. I am campaigning with other MPs for free travel for young people too
Climate Change
Roberta's opinion:
This Government is the first in the world to put in place legally binding limits on carbon emissions through the Climate Change Bill. And although the economy grew by 25% between 1997 and 2005 greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7%. But we must do more to halt and reverse climate change.
I have supported amendments to the Climate Change Bill and Early Day Motions which support an 80% reduction, rather than a 60% reduction in carbon emissions, because I am convinced that this is the scale of reduction that is needed to combat this global challenge.
But we can do a lot individually and locally too, such as reduce the number of plastic carrier bags we use. In Durham I have joined the university and others to campaign for local shops and supermarkets to reduce the number of bags they use and to urge local people to use alternatives where possible.
Crime and Policing
Roberta's opinion:
The chances of you being the victim of a crime in the UK are lower than they have been for over 20 years. This is in part down to the 14,000 increase in the number of police officers (full-time equivalent). I have campaigned for and totally support the move towards real accessible neighbourhood policing teams which have now been introduced across Durham. Everyone should be able to contact their own community police team and I have provided some contact details for you in the advice section of this website.
Culture ( also see Lindisfarne Gospels)
Roberta's opinion:
Durham has a wonderful cultural heritage and a modern, vibrant cultural life. I am campaigning for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North, and I engage with various cultural projects in the city.We have some great cultural facilities such as the Gala Theatre which was delivered by the then Labour-controlled Durham City Council. If you’re involved in cultural events in Durham, or if you have ideas for new cultural events then please let me know.
D
Durham Light Infantry Museum
Roberta's opinion:
This is a wonderful institution which is supported by Durham County Council. The museum celebrates Durham’s military past and I urge all residents and visitors to go along
E
Economy
Roberta's opinion:
We have seen 10 years of strong economic growth and I believe our economy remains fundamentally strong. In fact, we have seen the longest period of growth on record. Of course, we are currently seeing some global economic difficulties and these are feeding their way down and people are feeling the pinch. Food and fuel prices, in particular, have increased a lot recently. However, I am confident that the Government will steer the country through this difficult time.
Education ( also see Science)
Roberta's opinion:
Education is the most important aspect of policy because to a large extent it dictates life chances. A good education is vital for all children.
I have supported the Government’s investment in education: a tripling between 1997 and 2007, Teachers’ pay has increased 40% and as a result exam results have improved. All of this is to be welcomed.Most parents really help and encourage their children with their education, and I would like to see more parents encouraged to get involved too. Facilities should be expanded to enable parents to address their own education needs too where appropriate.
We are investing in new schools in Durham. The Durham Johnston School is getting new buildings and we are moving towards a new university-backed academy for the Belmont and Gilesgate areas. Framwellgate School has benefited from its science specialism, and the addition of the extra science facilities including the investment in the new Science Campus on the site.
Economic Development
Roberta's opinion:
I want to see more economic development in the County and the City of Durham needs to be at the heart of that. We need to do what we can to benefit from the two City-Regions in the North East while being an important regional and national economic force of our own.
In the past the county’s effort has been too dissipated due to the existence of 7 district councils and 1 county council. I hope the new single unitary council for the country can effectively take the economic development of the county forward and represent its interests better regionally and nationally.
Environment
Roberta's opinion:
Globally, we have important work to do on climate change, but we can do a lot to affect our local environment too.Local councils have been given the powers to better tackle litter, graffiti, abandoned cars, fly-tipping, and other environmental concerns. Our beaches, rivers and drinking water are now at the best quality since the industrial revolution and I always encourage the use of brownfield rather than greenfield land for development. I want to see green spaces preserved wherever possible.
F
Free School Meals
Roberta's opinion:
I am working with other MPs to get the Government to commit to some properly funded universal free school meals pilots. There have been projects in Hull and Scotland where this has been trialled, and a similar system is in operation in Sweden, and the results have shown that children perform better and concentrate more when they have had a nutritious, balanced meal at lunch time.
You can find more details about this in the campaigns section of this website
G
Garden Grab ( also see Green Space)
Roberta's opinion:
I am against the categorisation of gardens as brownfield land for planning purposes. This means that at the moment you can build a house in the garden of another one with and it will not be treated as though you are building on green space, which of course, you are. I believe tight controls are needed to regulate this practice and I have signed EDMs on this issue in the past.
Green Space ( also see Environment )
Roberta's opinion:
The City Council has been selling off green land all over the city for development and I am very much opposed to that where it is inappropriate and especially where local residents are against it too.Green space makes living environments much more attractive and I want to see that preserved wherever possible
H
Heritage
Roberta's opinion:
Tourism is important for Durham and we should do what we can to encourage visitors to come to our wonderful city. Of course, tourism needs to be sensitive to our historic city, especially around the World Heritage Site.
I
J
Jobs
Roberta's opinion:
Unemployment is at its lowest level since 1975 and the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance has halved. Since 1997 there are 3 million new jobs in the country.
Government policies have and continue to encourage people into work where appropriate and schemes such as the New Deal for young people have helped 765,000 people into work. I am particularly pleased with the fact that there is virtually no long-term youth unemployment now compared to 1997 when a quarter of a million young people could not find a job.This is a record of success that I support and am proud of. But I want to see more good quality jobs coming to our region and our City.Those who are currently not able to work should be encourage, where appropriate, to return to work as jobs are important for health.
K
Knife Crime
Roberta's opinion:
This is a serious problem, especially in urban areas. The Government is committed to doing all it can to cub knife crime and I am very supportive of those measures. In particular, I am pleased that the Government has committed to reviewing the sentencing guidelines for knife crimes as I think deterrence is part of the package of measures which are needed.
L
Leamside Line
Roberta's opinion:
The Leamside Line is a disused railway line which runs through parts of Durham. The line was ‘mothballed’ in 1991 by British Rail, but I and others are campaigning for its re-opening.
Re-opening the line would relieve congestion on the East Coast Main Line, provide a good alternative route for passenger trains and freight, and would support the opening of a Rail Freight Depot at Tursdale. I have had many meetings about this issue with Ministers and others. We may be looking long term, but I am hopeful we will one day see this line back in service.
Licensing ( including dance club licensing)
Roberta's opinion:
Durham City and the surrounding villages are home to a number of licensed premises. The challenge of licensing law is to ensure that people are safe to enjoy such establishments and that there is no unacceptable adverse impact on local residents.
Licensing law is comprised of both national and local policies. At the national level the 2003 Licensing Act sets out the overarching policies. This is supplemented by Guidance under section 152 which further clarifies national policy. At the local level every local authority has to produce a statement of licensing policy which has to be reviewed every three years. Durham City Council recently reviewed their Statement of Licensing Policy in 2007.
I have been heavily involved in licensing issues in the City and am particularly keen to see an appropriate balance achieved that allows the best of Durham to be seen.
In 2007 an application was submitted by Vimac Leisure to convert the Loft nightclub on North Road into a lap dancing club. Residents were deeply concerned that such a venue in the proposed location would be detrimental to the City particularly by contravening the four licensing objectives as set out in the 2003 Licensing Act. Despite this the City Council Licensing Committee approved the application and so residents, with my support, decided to launch an appeal to the Magistrates Court. I was one of the interested parties to give evidence at the Court hearing in December 2007. The Magistrates subsequently found that the City Council had been wrong in approving the application and reversed the decision.
Since then I have been active in Westminster as a key member of the Object Campaign which has been lobbying for small changes in legislation to allow local authorities more powers in considering applications for sex encounter establishments.
M
Museums
Roberta's opinion:
I am a strong supporter of the Government’s continued policy to have free access to national museums.
N
Nursing
Roberta's opinion:
I believe nurses are the backbone of the NHS. I support their campaigns for fair pay and good training and have spent some time on local wards with nurses to see their work first hand
North East
Roberta's opinion:
Ours is a diverse and exciting region with great international presence and potential. I want to see Durham playing its full part in the region, and for the region to gain even more prominence. I work closely with the regional development agency, One North East, to promote our region.
O
P
Park and Ride
Roberta's opinion:
There are too many cars in our city centre causing congestion. The Park & Ride scheme, and the congestion charge on the peninsular have brought about some improvement. I support the Park & Ride scheme and the bus lanes which make the service possible. There are always improvements to be made and I am happy to press the County Council for them.
Prisons
Roberta's opinion:
There are three prisons in my constituency. Prison officers do a very important and very difficult job in challenging circumstances. I believe they deserve good pay and conditions, but I reluctantly support the Government’s position that the POA shouldn’t be able to strike due to the vital nature of the work they do. This is difficult because I think the right to strike is pretty fundamental, but sometimes, as with police officers, the greater importance of public safety has to take precedence.
Post Offices
Roberta's opinion:
Post offices are important community assets and I am pleased that most of our village communities have one. However, fewer and fewer people are choosing to use a post office regularly and so the network is losing £3.5 million per week – that’s over £180 million per year. And because the post office is a public company it’s tax-payers’ money which is funding that deficit. Clearly, that is unsustainable. That is why the Government has decided to allow the Post Office to close some branches where there are alternatives close by. In Durham, Gilesgate and Brancepeth branches are to close. I am holding talks with shops and the post office to see what can be done to mitigate the effects of these closures on the local people.
Planning
Roberta's opinion:
Durham is a unique and historic city and as such it is all the more important that new developments are appropriate to their surroundings. This does not mean that developments cannot be innovative and imaginative but instead that they should add to and enhance the special character that Durham has.
Planning is therefore vital to Durham and Roberta has been and is involved in a large number of cases across the City and surrounding villages. Some high profile examples include the Government call-in of proposals to redevelop the former ice rink site and the proposed development of Elvet Waterside.
Planning legislation consists of range of different policies ranging from national Planning Policy Statements and the Town and Country Planning Act, to the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Plans produced by Local Planning Authorities. Local Authorities are also in the process of producing Local Development Frameworks which will replace Local Plans.
It is the aim of the Government that Local Planning Authorities be given the authority to determine the majority of planning applications. Local Planning Authorities therefore have the power to determine applications that are not controversial via a system of delegated powers whereby planning officers can approve applications. In other cases which may have received objections an application will often go before the Development Control Committee, which is composed of local councillors, for a decision.
Roberta is keen to ensure that the planning process is as inclusive, transparent and democratic as possible. She has therefore been actively involved in working with residents and groups in order to make sure their opinions are heard.
Pensions
Roberta's opinion:
The Government has introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee for all pensioners, the Winter Fuel Allowance and free TV Licenses for over 75s. These are all very positive policies which I fully support.
The Pensions Act 2006 will link the basic state pension to earnings with means that it will be worth twice as much by 2050 than it would otherwise have been.
Overall, the average pensioner is £1,500 better off in real terms compared to 1997, while the poorest are £2,200 better off. Of course, there is still much to be done to help older people, especially in terms of facilities, accommodation and housing. I would very much welcome your views on this important area of Government policy
Q
R
Railway ( See also Leamside Line)
Roberta's opinion:
We are quite lucky in that our Durham – London service is good quality and well served. However, local trains are not as good. I would like to see regional services from Durham increase in frequency and quality and I have written to Northern Trains in the past urging them to look at this. I am supportive of a High Speed Rail Link to our region and Scotland which would be a real alternative to flying and make polluting domestic flights, which are sometimes necessary at the moment, almost redundant.
Recycling
Roberta's opinion:
We need to recycle more to play our part in tackling climate change. The City Council’s recycling schemes are not as good as in other parts of the country and I have tried to get them to improve them. This is unlikely to happen now, but I will continue to push for improvements when the unitary council takes over these issues from April 2009.
Riverbanks
Roberta's opinion:
Our riverbanks in Durham are beautiful and vital to our tourism industry. There are plans to preserve, protect and enhance the riverbanks and to revive the gardens which once straddled the river through the City. This is being taken forward by Durham City Council in partnership with the County Council, the University, the Cathedral and others. The Riverbanks Management Group is charged with looking after the riverbanks and this is formed of similar groups
S
Science
Roberta's opinion:
Durham University’s science departments are among the best in the world and I would like to see their contribution to science fields recognised by Durham becoming a Science City.Plans are well under way to develop a science campus at Framwellgate School, which is a science specialist school. And we have a new Science Learning Centre already in place on Front Street in Pity Me where children can take part in interactive science lessons and teachers can get new science-based training
Students
Roberta's opinion:
Students are part of Durham’s city centre community and they make Durham what it is. Their contribution to Durham life is positive and I enjoy taking part in the many university-based events I am asked to do with them.
I chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Balanced and Sustainable Housing which looks at ways of getting a good mixture of student and family housing in university towns and cities like ours. Students wish to live in balanced communities rather than areas only populated by fellow students and I have been looking at ways of allowing this to happen more easilyT
Tourism
Roberta's opinion:
Tourism is important for Durham and we should do what we can to encourage visitors to come to our wonderful city. Of course, tourism needs to be sensitive to our historic city, especially around the World Heritage Site.
U
Unadopted Roads
Roberta's opinion:
This is a real problem in certain areas of the City. Roads which are unadopted are not maintained by the County Council and are often in very bad states of repair. I have had meetings with Ministers and County Council officials about this, and the matter is still on-going. If you have poor roads in your area do let me know so that I can keep an updated file of problem areas.
University ( also see Science)
Roberta's opinion:
Durham University is not only an extremely successful and important educational institution, but also a key City employer and of great strategic importance to our future. I have close links with the University and meet regularly with the senior staff including the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor.
United Nations
Roberta's opinion:
I am a strong believer the United Nations. I would like to see it become more relevant and responsive to important global problems. I led a debate on UN reform in the House of Commons and I play an active role in Parliament in an effort to reform the UN.
V
Volunteering
Roberta's opinion:
Volunteers play a really important part in many community facilities and activities and I champion their work. The Government is doing a lot to encourage volunteering including establishing the Office of the Third Sector to support volunteers.
W
Women
Roberta's opinion:
Women are of course interested in and affected by all policies, but there are some, such as maternity leave, which affect women more than men.
On maternity leave I have strongly supported the Government in increasing the paid period to 39 weeks and the aim to increase it to a full year. Women who commit crimes need to be held accountable for their actions, but I am concerned at the treatment and the effect on children of women being in prison. I have worked with several organisations to look at this in detail and to investigate alternatives to prison in appropriate circumstances such as for non-violent offences. The Government commissioned the Corston Report (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/corston-report/) to look into these matters and I have taken part in debates on the report’s findings. I am generally very supportive of the report’s conclusion. I took part in a debate on this recently in the House of Commons
X
Y
Z
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