Tuesday, November 15, 2005
The last seven days have been, arguably, the most ‘interesting’ during my time as a Member of Parliament. As you will know, I voted against the Government on the clause of the Terrorism Bill that would have extended the period of detention without charge from 14 days to 90 days. Details of my 28 day amendment and the vote can be found here. The defeat of the clause in relation to detaining people without charge for 90 days to 28 days received a great deal of publicity, but there were other aspects of the Bill that did not receive any coverage.At the Report Stage of the Terrorism Bill, huge improvements were made to the Bill. For example, new offences in relation to acts of preparatory to terrorism, reviewing the definition of terrorism as set out in the 2000 Act, a requirement for there to be ‘intention’ for the glorification offence and a sunset clause.
Wednesday was also important in that the House of Lords accepted an amendment in the Equality Bill which would outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. At the moment, it is perfectly lawful for a local authority, or hospital for example, to discriminate against people on the grounds of their religion or belief, or on the grounds of their sexual orientation. The draft Equality Bill outlawed discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief but not in relation to sexual orientation. I signed an EDM expressing concern about this: EDM 710 and I am pleased that the Government in the Lords have now accepted an amendment to address this anomaly. The Equality Bill will lead to a new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (addressing discrimination under various strands including race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion) and also promote human rights. The Commission will soon draft a Single Equality Act which will take care of the current hierarchy of rights which exist. It is noteworthy and a reason to be proud to be Labour that all major equality legislation was passed by Labour Governments.
On Thursday, I accepted an invitation to attend the Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year awards. I was extremely pleased and flattered to receive the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award from Boris Johnson and Charles Kennedy.
On Friday, parliament discussed a matter that is of concern to many residents in Tooting – climate change. Two Private Members Bills were being debated. Mark Lazarowicz's Bill, 'The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill' places a requirement on the Government to report to Parliament on a yearly basis and aims to promote renewable energy sources, including microgeneration and renewable heat, and this was backed. I very much welcome the proposals contained within this Bill. It is essential that climate change is subject to a regular debate in Parliament and it is equally important that steps are made to increase the production of energy through efficient, renewable means. The significance of climate change cannot be lost amongst other prominent issues on the Government’s agenda.
After the Climate Change debate, I moved an adjournment debate on the South Asian earthquake. You can read more details about this here.
On Saturday, I attended a fundraising event at the Bina Hall Banqueting Centre on Upper Tooting Road, organised by local residents and the charity ‘Muslim Hands’. This was to raise funds for victims of the earthquake.
On Sunday, I went canvassing in Furzedown ward. The response on the doorstep was extremely positive towards the reform programme of the Labour Government. There were some concerns raised about anti social behaviour, general litter, and street cleaning which Cllr John Farebrother (Furzedown councillor) and myself are taking up.
On Monday, along with my other parliamentary duties, I had a meeting with Shelter – the charity that is fighting to end homelessness and campaigning against bad housing. At the meeting, we discuss overcrowding and in particular how this affects families. Shelter have recently published a report, Full House? How overcrowded housing affects families, which reveals the shocking realities of living in overcrowded housing. I shall be working with the Government to ensure that further affordable, family sized homes are provided to try and alleviate some of the problems that the report identified.
I also attended a Public Accounts Committee meeting where we investigated the filing of income tax self assessment returns. HM Revenue and Customs collects £16 billion a year from income tax self assessment and sends income tax self assessment forms to around 10 million tax payers. Getting tax returns in on time is important as it allows timely assessment and collection of tax, as well as minimising the cost of chasing late returns. As of July 2004, some £1.1 billion of income tax was outstanding from 1.1 million overdue returns. Similarly, around 1.1 million returns were overdue in July 2005.
Sadiq
Wednesday was also important in that the House of Lords accepted an amendment in the Equality Bill which would outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation. At the moment, it is perfectly lawful for a local authority, or hospital for example, to discriminate against people on the grounds of their religion or belief, or on the grounds of their sexual orientation. The draft Equality Bill outlawed discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief but not in relation to sexual orientation. I signed an EDM expressing concern about this: EDM 710 and I am pleased that the Government in the Lords have now accepted an amendment to address this anomaly. The Equality Bill will lead to a new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights (addressing discrimination under various strands including race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion) and also promote human rights. The Commission will soon draft a Single Equality Act which will take care of the current hierarchy of rights which exist. It is noteworthy and a reason to be proud to be Labour that all major equality legislation was passed by Labour Governments.
On Thursday, I accepted an invitation to attend the Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year awards. I was extremely pleased and flattered to receive the ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award from Boris Johnson and Charles Kennedy.
On Friday, parliament discussed a matter that is of concern to many residents in Tooting – climate change. Two Private Members Bills were being debated. Mark Lazarowicz's Bill, 'The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill' places a requirement on the Government to report to Parliament on a yearly basis and aims to promote renewable energy sources, including microgeneration and renewable heat, and this was backed. I very much welcome the proposals contained within this Bill. It is essential that climate change is subject to a regular debate in Parliament and it is equally important that steps are made to increase the production of energy through efficient, renewable means. The significance of climate change cannot be lost amongst other prominent issues on the Government’s agenda.
After the Climate Change debate, I moved an adjournment debate on the South Asian earthquake. You can read more details about this here.
On Saturday, I attended a fundraising event at the Bina Hall Banqueting Centre on Upper Tooting Road, organised by local residents and the charity ‘Muslim Hands’. This was to raise funds for victims of the earthquake.
On Sunday, I went canvassing in Furzedown ward. The response on the doorstep was extremely positive towards the reform programme of the Labour Government. There were some concerns raised about anti social behaviour, general litter, and street cleaning which Cllr John Farebrother (Furzedown councillor) and myself are taking up.
On Monday, along with my other parliamentary duties, I had a meeting with Shelter – the charity that is fighting to end homelessness and campaigning against bad housing. At the meeting, we discuss overcrowding and in particular how this affects families. Shelter have recently published a report, Full House? How overcrowded housing affects families, which reveals the shocking realities of living in overcrowded housing. I shall be working with the Government to ensure that further affordable, family sized homes are provided to try and alleviate some of the problems that the report identified.
I also attended a Public Accounts Committee meeting where we investigated the filing of income tax self assessment returns. HM Revenue and Customs collects £16 billion a year from income tax self assessment and sends income tax self assessment forms to around 10 million tax payers. Getting tax returns in on time is important as it allows timely assessment and collection of tax, as well as minimising the cost of chasing late returns. As of July 2004, some £1.1 billion of income tax was outstanding from 1.1 million overdue returns. Similarly, around 1.1 million returns were overdue in July 2005.
Sadiq
