Officers from the Environment Agency have been on site since May 14, to help minimise the environmental impact of the fire – which is still burning.

Air quality monitoring equipment has been set up near the site to monitor the smoke from the fire. The incident has been declared as a major incident by the local authority.

I very much enjoyed a recent visit to Diamond Hall Junior Academy – where I talked to pupils about their worries over litter and fly-tipping in Sunderland.

The visit was arranged after I received almost 30 letters from pupils earlier this year. They raised several environmental concerns and I thought it would be a nice idea to pop in and discuss the issues in person.

It really was a most enjoyable visit. The pupils have an admirable respect for their environment and are very knowledgeable about a wide range of environmental issues and challenges. Many thanks for the invitation.

Below is a description of the visit published on the school's website:

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott visited Diamond Hall Junior Academy this month – after receiving almost 30 letters from enthusiastic pupils.

The pupils wrote to the MP with concerns about litter and fly-tipping in their local environment – in the hope of getting a response back from the top.

Little did they know that Ms Elliott would end up visiting them to discuss the matter in person.

The event included a meeting with the Rights Respecting School Steering Group, to hear about the work pupils had done to gain Level 1 of UNICEFs ‘Rights Respecting School Award’.

Ms Elliott also met with class 4DG and their teacher, Mr Guthrie, to discuss the hot topics that had drawn her to school.

The MP listened carefully to the children’s worries about litter and took the time to answer a question from every pupil.

She also explained how she became an MP and how proud and special she feels to serve the country and her constituency of Sunderland Central.

After admiring an art and writing installation on British politics, including an incredible replica of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament built by pupils, Ms Elliot left with a memento of the day, a drawing by Lilly in Year 6.

Kim Bennett, Executive Headteacher at Diamond Hall Junior Academy, said: “It was fantastic to have Julie in school today.

“Our pupils have listened intently to what she had to say, giving them a real insight into political life and the democratic process.

“What is most heartening is that, in line with our Rights Respecting ethos, pupil voice has been listened to, and their concerns over litter have been heard thanks to the positive action they took.”

I am delighted that the highest stake on fixed-odds betting terminals is to be cut from £100 to £2.

We know that bookmakers target those who can least afford it with these gambling machines.

The new stake limit will go some way to limit the damage, particularly to vulnerable people, that these machines can do.

Read more below - article from Sunderland Echo 18/05/18:

A Wearside MP has welcomed news that the highest stake on controversial fixed-odds betting machines is to be slashed.

The Government said it had chosen to ‘take a stand’ by cutting the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) – dubbed the “crack cocaine” of gambling – from £100 to £2.

Its decision goes further than the recommendations of a review carried out by the gambling regulator earlier this year, which recommended the maximum stake for FOBTs should be set at or below £30.

MPs across parties joined campaigners in welcoming the decision to crack down on the machines, which can lead to punters placing bets of up to £100 every 20 seconds.

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott said she was ‘delighted’ with the announcement. “This will go some way to limit the damage, particularly to vulnerable people, that these machines can do,” she said.

The Association of British Bookmakers has predicted more than 4,000 shops could close across the gambling sector, with the loss of 21,000 jobs.

Shares in gambling firms initially fell as firms estimated the extent of lost revenues and earnings, but were later clawed back.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said: “When faced with the choice of halfway measures or doing everything we can to protect vulnerable people, we have chosen to take a stand.

“These machines are a social blight and prey on some of the most vulnerable in society, and we are determined to put a stop to it.”