JILL MORTIMER: Improving maritime industries could help provide jobs boost

The past week I have been in meetings which discussed the potential of the industries of our town – improving maritime industries for our coastal communities is just one of the ways in which we can provide jobs for local people.

I have also met with Scandinavian officials to discuss their leading approach to green steel production.

The production of de- carbonised steel could revolutionise local industries, providing not only environmentally sustainable materials but new and sustainable career paths for our young people.

Championing the people of Hartlepool is at the forefront of my role, and so I was pleased to speak with the Leader of the House in Westminster this week, to share these ideas on how we can deliver on investment and jobs in the town.

Having spent only a matter of weeks as your Member of Parliament, it is clear to me that Hartlepool is a community which places its most vulnerable people at its heart.

It is for this reason that I was not at all surprised to see the support shown to a local boy and his mum, who are currently fighting for him to receive surgery for Pectus Excavatum.

I too was moved by this effort and have begun the process of lobbying, alongside my colleague Simon Clark MP, for surgeries such as these to be provided, and the commissioning process on procedures categorised as "cosmetic” to be reviewed.

It is as ever my ambition to help the people of Hartlepool in any way that my position allows.

I will be following the progression of this case and the review of the commissioning policy for Pectus surgery over the coming months.

With this in mind, I am very much looking forward to meeting more local people in my second surgery this week.

I would encourage anyone who feels I may be able to help them to get in contact with my office to make an appointment for future surgeries – [email protected]