NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION

That this House notes the proposal made in the Newcastle Journal by Northern Rock Foundation Chair, Alastair Balls, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should allocate a reasonable and fair proportion of profits made by the Treasury from Northern Rock's former holdings to the work of the Northern Rock Foundation; further notes that the work of the Foundation has made a real difference to communities and individuals over many years through helping tackle issues such as domestic abuse, investing in the arts and supporting schemes to help disadvantaged people; and agrees with Vera Baird, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, that the Chancellor has a unique opportunity to ensure the long-term future of the Foundation.