Latest News

Last week I attended an exhibition at the House of Commons on the appalling practice of modern-day slavery.

Two lives were tragically lost to Carbon Monoxide poisoning over the Easter weekend in Windermere.  The victims were a 36-year-old woman, a 10-year-old girl, and a man who has received treatment at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.  I send my deepest condolences to those who were affected by this tragedy.

My speech to the House in response to the Budget.

Snow and icy conditions hit Huddersfield

People across Huddersfield raise money for Comic Relief

This week has been the 6^th annual National Apprenticeships Week celebrating the successes and positive impact of apprenticeships across the country.

Ending the Death Penalty in India

Michael Gove as Education Secretary has, it seems, been given a free rein by David Cameron and Nick Clegg to make merry.  Gove in response has decreed that it’s the best elements of the education of the past that will take education and our economy into the future.  I would ask – where’s the evidence?

Cancer Research UK has launched www.cellslider.net to help accelerate groundbreaking research.

A significant number of new mothers suffer from postnatal depression in the weeks and months that follow childbirth. These women deserve access to the highest quality treatment and support but in all too many cases this does not happen.

Barry Sheerman calls for a statue of Harold Wilson to stand in Parliament

For the UK to truly thrive, we need all of the regions to be humming with jobs and opportunities. We should simply sit back and let the focus of Government and policy-making drift back to London and the South East to the detriment of the rest of the country.

Does this Government really think that a railway, High Speed 2, that will only be completed in 20 years is adequate investment to breathe life back into our economy?

Barry Sheerman MP has committed to working with patients and the local NHS to ensure high quality and safe care is secured for all bowel cancer patients in Huddersfield.

Barry sets out his views on same-sex marriage in the context of tomorrow's debate

Westminster Hall Debate

On 29^th January, Barry secured an important Westminster Hall Debate on youth unemployment and raising the school and training participation age.

Barry Sheerman MP stands up to prejudice by signing Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment

Barry Sheerman's call to save one of Huddersfield's most historic buildings

Barry's view on the Castle Hill controversy, as seen in the Huddersfield Examiner

As climate change continues worldwide, energy bills are soaring in this country, so what better time to recall the huge efficiencies and other benefits of sustainable, green energy solutions?

Addressing high student turnover

Another shining success for Huddersfield's annual celebration

Barry attends a Hope and Homes exhibition

The Chancellor is not unreasonable in wanting to ‘drive down the deficit’ – particularly  as there is an attractive logic to making a national budget sound like a household budget.  But the reality is more complicated.

Barry Sheerman calls for improvements in services for ovarian cancer patients

New interest in this debate.

Barry's views on reducing the voting age.

Barry Sheerman MP has visited Royal Mail’s Huddersfield delivery office to pass on Christmas wishes and encouragement to the postmen and women at their busiest time of year.

Barry Sheerman helps representatives of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and The Veolia Environmental Trust to celebrate the start of work to create the ‘Cre8 Barn’ at Huddersfield’s Stirley Community Farm.

I believe that our manufacturing sector is vital if we are going to rebalance our economy geographically, away from an overreliance on London and the South East, and by sector, away from an overdependence on too few industries.

If you ask most social workers what they would wish for, it might be the ability to see into the future.

When a social worker begins working with a child and his or her family they are hoping against hope that the parent or parents will be able to take the necessary steps to prove that they are able to care for the child.

Barry Sheerman MP for Huddersfield is backing the fight against breast cancer by taking part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s award winning fundraiser, wear it pink day – and wants constituents to join him.

Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield this week met Alex Smith a parent whose child’s heart condition went undiagnosed for over two years and has now backed a new campaign which seeks to increase early diagnosis of children’s heart conditions.

The education sector has long been plagued with trying to understand how best to assess and measure children and young people’s attainment.  How do we measure how much information this person knows?  How do we measure how effectively a school or college has made information available to young people through teaching?

In my role as Chair of the Education and Skills Select Committee, and as a long-standing parliamentarian, I have visited hundreds of schools and colleges and met, through that process, hundreds of extraordinarily dedicated and talented Headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and governors.

There are, however, people who work in education who believe that schools are there to serve their needs primarily, and not those of the next generation of scientists, entrepreneurs, and indeed, teachers.

I recently tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on children’s summer holiday reading and attended an excellent Storylab event managed by The Reading Agency and supported by Arts Council England.

In signing the EDM, parliamentary colleagues joined me in recognising that there is an inarguable link between literacy and reading skills developed in early childhood and people’s long-term life chances.

How will we ever forgive ourselves if we do nothing to help young people coming out of school, college, and university, to find a job?

On 10th July, 2012, Barry Sheerman spoke out in favour of a radical reform of British politics during Parliament's heated debate on the future of the House of Lords.

The battle continues over the campaign to prevent the closure of the Children’s Heart Unit in Leeds, after the Government announced plans to push ahead with the closure in spite of widespread public opposition.

Up to 350,000 children could lose their free school meals, in a government move which could see children from the poorest families hit hard. Barry spoke out in parliament yesterday to ask for a debate on the matter.

Barry has recently attended the launch of the 'No ID, No Sale!' campaign which aims to prevent the sale of age-restricted goods, such as cigarettes and alcohol, to children.

In an article for Materials Recycling World magazine, Barry Sheerman offers his thoughts on recycling and sustainability for small and medium sized enterprises.

New figures reveal that in Huddersfield, 6,700 homes are entitled to some form of assistance with their fuel bills.That help is worth an average of £250 per household and a free helpline is available for more information.

November 24 2011

MORE than 8,600 small businesses in Kirklees could be eligible for a tax break if they take on extra workers, MP Barry Sheerman believes.

On 24 November 2011, Barry Sheerman MP, took part in a debate on UK manufacturing noting that manufacturing has been in decline for the past thirty years, standing at 8.8% of employment in the UK. Barry also stressed the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in revitalising the UK’s manufacturing sector. Barry made particular reference to his own constituency, Huddersfield.

Barry Sheerman MP has pledged to support Asthma UK’s campaign on inhalers for emergencies in schools in Huddersfield and across the rest of the UK.

During the Opposition Day debate on youth unemployment, Barry Sheerman MP, former Chair of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee voiced his concerns about newly published figures which state that under the coalition government that youth unemployment has risen to over one million.

By Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Nov 5 2011

HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman savaged the “Goliath” Tesco at a planning inquiry.

On Tuesday 1st November, Barry Sheerman MP attended a Young People's Trust Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons hosted by X-Factor presenter and Young People's Trust for the Environment President Dermot O'Leary.

On 2 November 2011, following on from the Launch of the All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group's "Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" launch, Barry Sheerman MP, Co-Chair of the APPGSG, initiated a Debate in Westminster Hall to discuss the Report's recommendations and to impress upon the Minister for Gas Safety, Chris Grayling, the urgent need to do more to prevent injuries and fatalities from carbon monoxide.

Over 4,000 people a year are poisoned by carbon monoxide. A colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, carbon monoxide can prove fatal in our homes, our workplace, or even the great outdoors.

The result of a six month parliamentary inquiry, a report launched today examines how we can mitigate the toll carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning takes on our health, our lives and the NHS budget.

On 25 October 2011, Barry asked the Government what it is doing to encourage Local Authorities to provide more land for allotments and how long the average waiting time for an application to rent an allotment .

After a recent conversation with a constituent about the callous thieves who pulled down the steeple at St John’s in Birkby in 2008, on 13 October 2011 Barry Sheerman MP raised the issue of metal theft from churches in Parliament.

Please note  that we have now moved to:

 

Office F18

The Media Centre

7 Northumberland Street

Huddersfield

HD1 1RL

 

On 13 September 2011, Barry Sheerman MP, former Chair of the Education Select Committee made a contribution to an debate on careers advice services and the Government’s proposed changes.

I would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all my constituents who are celebrating the end of Ramadan.

CO Alarms included as part of the Green Deal

Barry challenged the Deputy Prime minister, Nick Clegg, on the Social Mobility Strategy

Barry supports petition efforts to save the Leeds Surgery Unit.

Barry pledged to support the Wildlife Trust, following funding of the Trust's projects by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Barry speaks out for EMA after recent visit to Kirklees college.

Barry Sheerman supports efforts of National Stalking Awareness Week.

On Friday, Barry Sheerman awarded prizes for the local Huddersfield Creative Arts Network photography competition.

With youth unemployment at its highest point since 1992, Barry believes more action needs to be taken by the government to improve the outlook for Britain's young people.

Barry Sheerman showed his support for people needing lifesaving transplants last week at an Anthony Nolan event in Parliament.

Barry Sheerman supports this year's No Smoking Day .

Barry recently visited the Leonard Cheshire Care Home in Huddersfield to discuss the importance of maintaining the mobility component of Disability Living Allowances.

During a House of Commons debate, Barry Sheerman argued against the Government's proposed cuts and changes to the Sure Start Children's Centres.

Barry Sheerman visited a National Day Nurseries Association to learn more about the organisation's work.

Barry Sheerman urges Yorkshire to foster creative development.

Mr Barry Sheerman challenged the government to include more cross-party discussion and research in the Education Bill.

Mr Barry Sheerman joins cross-bench coalition calling on government to cap the cost of credit.

Barry Sheerman challenged Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday on his plans to sell off  Forestry Commission public woodlands and forests.

Barry Sheerman urged the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence to look further into independent and direct offset agreements.

Mr Barry Sheerman asked a question to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning the Government's proposed cuts to the BBC World Service.

Mr Barry Sheerman argued on Tuesday against the Government's proposed changes to NHS.

Mr Barry Sheerman argued Wednesday 19th of January to improve higher education through measures that would support teacher training.

Mr Sheerman will visit Kirklees college Friday 21 January to speak with students affected by the government's halt of Educational Maintenance Allowances.

Mr Barry Sheerman argued against the government's plans to scrap the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme Wednesday in Parliament.

Barry Sheerman voted on 9th of December 2010 against the government's plans to raise tuition fees. He argued in the debate the legislation would hurt the university sector and "demoralise higher education".

Mr Barry Sheerman will support a planned demonstration at Kirklees College to protest a government proposal to axe EMAs (Educational Maintenance Allowance). He has called the proposal, set for January 2011, a "disgrace." 

Mr Barry Sheerman has announced he will support the May referendum to adopt an alternative vote (AV) system. He believes the new AV system will encourage voter turnout and provide better representation.

Barry Sheerman meets with a group of student ambassadors to discuss School Sports Partnerships.

Huddersfield MPs divided as education vote set to go ahead on Thursday.

On 2 December 2010, Barry Sheerman participated in a Backbench Business debate in the House of Commons about the Publication of Information about Complaints against Members.

During debate in the House of Commons on 2 December, Barry Sheerman asked the Leader of the House of commons, Sir George Young, about cuts to higher education.

During a debate in the House of Commons on 2 December 2010, Barry Sheerman raised a question to the Secretary of State for Transport about speed cameras.

During a debate in the House of Commons on 24 November 2010, Barry Sheerman raised a question to Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education.

On 17th November 2010, Barry Sheerman participated in an Opposition Day debate in the House of Commons regarding Funding and Schools Reform.

Barry Sheerman calling for banks and building societies to publish interest rates resulting in more awareness for Huddersfield savers.

Greenstreams one year anniversary celebration in Huddersfield brings large community support at Galpharm Stadium.

On 6 November 2010, Barry Sheerman delivered the 10th annual Caroline Benn Memorial Lecture at the Institute for Education London University.

Join Greenstreams on 6 November for a river cleanup from 10AM-2PM!

Barry Sheerman's comments on Mr Ian Craig's report criticising faith schools for discriminating against poort and immigrant children.

On 27 October 2010, Barry Sheerman participated in Silver Star's 50 Parliamentary Day Challenge to help raise awareness about Diabetes.

Funding for the innovative learning scheme, Playing for Success, will only be available until the end of the financial year.

Charity dinner to support to relief effort in Pakistan.

Kirklees residents are being given the chance to buy tickets for a prestigious charity event on September 26 in aid of the Pakistani Flood Appeal.

Article from the Yorkshire Post published Friday 3rd September

Barry Sheerman MP asks about the 'death knell' of democratic educational participation.

Barry Sheerman calls for a debate on the role and duties of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Barry Sheerman questions the cuts facing universities.

Barry Sheerman raises the question of admissions policies in schools.

Free swimming to continue in Kirklees despite Government cuts.

Barry Sheerman calls for gas safety checks to be mandatory in all homes.

Barry Sheerman MP acts to protect local jobs, help fight climate change and reduce fuel bills.

Barry Sheerman makes a keynote speech at Kings College Cambridge

Barry Sheerman has nominated David Miliband to lead the Labour Party

Mr Sheerman argues that bureaucracies have an incredibly important role in eduacation.

Apprenticeships "an essential building block" for the country.

The Education debate.

Barry Sheerman argues that the state of the British economy has been blown out of proportion.

I am extremely Proud to have been re-elected for Huddersfield

Barry Sheerman MP highlights the prevalence of prostate disease in Huddersfield.

On Friday 8th January Barry Sheerman MP continued his series of walkabouts, this time visiting shopkeepers in the Moldgreen area of Huddersfield.

On Friday 8^th January Barry Sheerman MP paid visits to three Sure Start Children's Centres, Asbrow, Chestnut Centre and Birkby.

 

Our nation is in peril of being governed by a Conservative Party bereft of policies or principles, led by a man who lacks substance, vision or compass.
The election of such a Government would be disastrous, undermining our steady progress towards building a more equal, fair and successful modern Britain.

 

 

Our nation is in peril of being governed by a Conservative Party bereft of policies or principles, led by a man who lacks substance, vision or compass.
The election of such a Government would be disastrous, undermining our steady progress towards building a more equal, fair and successful modern Britain.

 

 

On Friday 20th November, Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman visited Marsh and spoke with local shopkeepers and local Pennine FM radio.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has called for urgent talks with Lloyds TSB senior management to discuss the proposed jobs cuts.
Full story to follow.

Huddersfield MP welcomes renationalisation of the East Coast Mainline

Actor Patrick Stewart has unveiled a new weather station at the John Clare Centre in Helpston.

The station will provide educational and environmental learning facilities for local schools and the community.

Barry Sheerman MP said "I am very happy to be here today to help launch this initiative aimed at young people, helping them to understand money and how it works."

It is centres such as this at Bradley Wood that really encourage young people to be active and lead a healthy life.

Local Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman is demanding to know if taxpayer funded bank Halifax is planning to make redundancies.

Making sure that people feel safe and secure in their communities in Huddersfield is high on my list of priorities.  I'm on the side of the decent, law abiding majority who play by the rules and want their community to be safe.

During this difficult economic time I want to do what I can to help local people manage their finances and cope with repaying their debts.

A report by the Children, Schools and Families Committee said too many teachers were suspended needlessly and some have had their careers ruined.

Parents are condemning their children to a toxic inheritance of ill health by allowing them to stay indoors this summer warns Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.

Local M.P. Barry Sheerman and local poet John Duffy recite John Clare's poems to raise awareness for the John Clare Trust.

On Friday 8th May, Ed Balls MP, Minister for Children, visited the National Children's Centre in Huddersfield together with local MP Barry Sheerman, to celebrate the opening of more than 3000 Sure Start Children's Centres across the country and he hailed the scheme a success.

Barry Sheerman MP supports ending child poverty.
Barry Sheerman MP has shown his support for helping the UK's poorest children in this year's Budget, at an event for the Campaign to End Child Poverty, in Westminster

I hold regular advice surgeries at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Barry wants to end late-nite drinking, as Sir Norman Bettison reveals that late-night rowdy behaviour is the biggest problem faced by police in Huddersfield.