Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Test Centre on the Bede Industrial Estate

Jessica Taylor – House of Commons photographer

Jessica Taylor – House of Commons photographer

Kate Osborne MP for the Jarrow constituency has voiced her concerns at any potential moves to close the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Test Centre on the Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, and the proposed relocation of Examiners and test candidates to the Sunderland Test Centre. 

Following contact from constituents who had voiced concerns to Ms Osborne relating to the future of the DVSA Test Centre on the Bede Industrial Estate, the Jarrow Constituency MP received an official letter from the DVSA confirming the test centre was being evaluated.  The letter seems to contradict itself by saying “We have carried out a review of the local area to ensure that the provision of local services is satisfied, and the impact of any proposed closure is minimalised. A larger site in Sunderland is approximately 5/6 miles away and the examiners at South Shields will be working at Sunderland to ensure our local service delivery continues to maintain a high standard.”

The impact of this possible closure will have a devastating impact on South Tyneside and a large number of my constituents. Relocation of this valuable service will mean that longer lessons will be needed to travel to test areas with extra lesson costs to South Tyneside learners estimated at £512,000 per annum.

Furthermore, this possible closure would also increase waiting lists for Driving Instructors as well as waiting lists for Driving Tests which would also financially impact many of Kate’s constituents. This closure risks skilled Instructors and Examiners leaving the industry which will further exacerbate already long waiting times.

Kate strongly believes that any potential relocation of services from South Tyneside would have a devastating impact on the local community.

Kate Osborne MP said: “I strongly oppose any moves to remove any services from the DVSA Test Centre on the Bede Industrial Estate in Jarrow. This would have a devastating impact on learners, instructors and examiners.

“The Bede Industrial Estate site is a hugely important part of the local community and has been for decades.  Generations of families have passed their driving test there and it would be a devastating loss to the South Tyneside and our close-knit local community if this unnecessary and wholly unacceptable closure was allowed to happen.

“I have written to the DVSA and the Transport Minister about this issue as a matter of urgency.”

KATE OSBORNE MP BACKS CAMPAIGN FOR PAID MISCARRIAGE LEAVE

Jarrow MP Kate Osborne has added her support to the campaign to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, however, under current legislation, workers are only entitled to paid bereavement leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

As a result, families across the country are forced to rely on their employer’s good will or sick leave to allow them to grieve their loss.

Next month, a private members’ bill introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley which would see three days of paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks will receive its second reading in the House of Commons.

A petition has been launched calling for the UK Government to support the campaign and MPs from all parties have backed the bill.

Many parents have spoken of the stigma associated with miscarriage and this bill would finally close the gap in support.

Some companies have already gone further than the bill proposes and offer paid leave for between seven and 14 days for people who experience a miscarriage at any stage of the pregnancy.

Other countries, including New Zealand, have written similar provisions into law and in September Australia became the latest country to adopt paid miscarriage leave.

Commenting, Kate Osborne MP said:

“I know many parents in the Jarrow constituency have experienced miscarriage and too many of them have to rely on their employer’s good will or take sick leave when it happens.

“Miscarriage is no one’s fault yet the stigma associated can often put parents in a position where they are unable to properly grieve their loss.

“Countries like Australia and New Zealand have already taken the progressive step to ensure all parents affected by miscarriage are entitled to paid leave.

“It is time that the UK followed in their footsteps and I will be supporting this bill to provide the support grieving parents need and finally end the stigma associated with miscarriage.”

You can view the petition calling for the UK Government to support the campaign here

The petition can be viewed and signed at https://paidmiscarriageleave.co.uk/

Government Sleaze and Corruption

This Government is rotten to the core and always have been throughout their 11-plus years in office.  We will continue to keep exposing their shameful running of this country and put pressure on them to do the right thing, such as keeping the safeguards that protect us from corruption in public life.

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