It has been extremely busy in the constituency with a range of meetings with local organisations, businesses and constituents.

I spent the best of five hours visiting the Wansbeck General Hospital. During my visit I had the opportunity to meet and discuss a number of issues with patients, staff, members of the executive management team and representatives of the trades unions at the hospital, which included Unison and the Royal College of Midwives.

The importance of the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter and power station to its employees and their families and to the economy of Wansbeck and South East Northumberland cannot be overestimated.

It is no secret that Rio Tinto are conducting a wide ranging review and considering all the options open to them, and this has caused considerable speculation over its future.
During the last few months I have raised the importance of the smelter and the power station with ministers and on the floor of the House of Commons.

I have also had discussions with both management and the trades unions and they are aware that I will do anything I can to try and secure the future of the smelter and power station.

I have long argued that the Government's proposals to cut police officers, police staff and police budgets is wrong and will have a detrimental effect on the ability of our police forces to operate effectively and efficiently.

The appalling riots in London and in other parts of the UK have demonstrated the Government needs to urgently rethink the cuts they are implementing. It is worth remembering the proposals will result in 627 fewer police officers in the Northumbria force area and 16,222 fewer across England and Wales.

I was advised this week that prompt action from the Environment Agency and the county council averted some unwelcome avoidable flooding in the heart of Morpeth.

The flooding threat arose due to a blockage in the Cotting Burn culvert that was caused by a 15ft tree that got wedged under the water pipe trapping other debris that naturally floats downstream.

It appears that the limbs of the tree had been deliberately cut and the tree disposed of in the water.

It has been extremely busy in the constituency as I have taken the opportunity to meet with a number of community groups, local authorities, businesses, and individuals.

These have included a meeting with senior officers at Northumberland County Council, when we discussed a range of issues which included proposals for a replacement leisure and community centre in Ashington, and also the Morpeth bypass.

I have also had meetings with representatives of Ashington Town Council to discuss a number of issues relating to the regeneration of the town.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery writes for the Ashington & Morpeth Extra

Last Thursday evening I spoke at a very well attended meeting organised by the Northern Public Services Alliance and the Hardest Hit Campaign.

The Northern Public Services Alliance is the trade union campaign to defend public services and campaign for fairer alternatives to savage spending cuts.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery's column in the Morpeth & Ashington Extra

I was pleased to be able to accept an invitation from Bernicia to attend and participate in an event to mark the start of work on the £7.4m Bedlington Supported Housing Project.

This new project, which will see the delivery of 21 bungalows and 39 units of retirement housing, is an excellent example of Bernicia's ongoing commitment to communities throughout South East Northumberland.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery's weekly column from the Ashington & Morpeth Extra newspaper

People in Wansbeck are going to be hit by huge, unfair bills for heating and electricity this summer, unless something is done to bring the out-of-control energy companies to heel.

Following Scottish Power's unfair decision to hike bills by a fifth, I am backing Labour's calls for tough action to ensure fair prices, and increased transparency over the way bills are calculated. I am firmly on the side of the consumer on this - people in Wansbeck are already being squeezed by the global downturn, and the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government cuts to jobs and services.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery's weekly column from the Ashington & Morpeth Extra newspaper

Last week I met with representatives and members of the Northumberland Disability and Deaf Network. Like many other credible organisations representing people with disabilities, they are extremely worried and concerned at this coalition government's attack on sick and disabled people.

One particular concern relates to disability living allowance (DLA) and the proposed cut of 20% to DLA.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery's weekly column from the Ashington & Morpeth Extra newspaper

This week Parliament has been in recess and I took the opportunity to get out and about and meet individuals, community groups and businesses in the constituency.

I had great pleasure in attending the Newbiggin Ladies Club, which meets in Newbiggin Central Club.

The meeting provided me with an opportunity to meet the members, listen to their views and concerns and respond to the questions they posed.