Wednesday, January 31, 2007
On Sunday, I spent the afternoon in Balham calling on local residents and listening to their priorities and concerns. The feedback from the doorstep was extremely positive. There was, however, a real anger at the Tory Council’s decision to make massive cuts to Battersea Art Centre, which could lead to it closing down, the threatened closure of Wandsworth Museum and cuts in Youth provision.
I am working with the Labour Group of Councillors, Martin Linton (MP for Battersea) and Wandsworth residents to try and make the Council think again. You can see the EDM I have sponsored with Martin by clicking HERE.
On Monday I held my walk in surgery at Balham Community Centre on Bedford Hill.
I then had a meeting in Parliament with a representative of RADAR, a national organisation run by disabled people for disabled people. The meeting was in reference to the accessibility of taxis for disabled people. Following this meeting I tabled an Early Day Motion entitled Transportation of Disabled Passengers – follow this link to read it. Within two days almost 50 MPs had signed it to show their support for my call to the Department for Transport to implement specific disability regulations, rather than adopting a voluntary code.
The Public Accounts Committee examined Sure Start Childrens Centres. The early years of a child's life can have a crucial impact on their future development. The birth of a child can also present parents with difficult decisions. Sure Start is a programme to help give the best start in life to every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. Children's centres are managed by local authorities. In Tooting we will be getting Childrens Centres in the very near future. £3.4 Billion is being invested by this Government to increase the number of Childrens centres to 3,500 by 2010. The evidence from the NAO was clear that Centres are providing a good service for children and making a huge positive impact on the children and parents who use them. A really useful discussion took place at the Committee; and a full transcript can be seen by clicking HERE.
On Tuesday I held a "Lets Talk" event where the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton MP came to the Furzedown Project in Tooting to have a coffee morning with 30 pensioners, local stakeholder groups and users of the Furzedown Project. The morning was really important as it gave pensioners the opportunity to discuss their concerns around pension reform, and for John to set out a full and comprehensive account of the background and context of the reform package. His honesty and candour was really appreciated by all who attended who were all really impressed by the fact that he addressed all the points they wanted to make. You can see some a picture of John taking questions from those in attendance click HERE
In the afternoon I met with Trade Union members, General Secretary of UNISON Dave Prentis and other MP's to discuss some of their concerns about Public Sector reform. The TUC public services lobby was called to highlight concerns that trade unionists have with the introduction of market mechanisms in the public services. The meeting was extremely useful and a number of the comments made will be passed on by me and other MP colleagues to the relevant Ministers.
On Wednesday I took part in the Adjournment Debate on Iraq and the Middle East. The debate was listed for the afternoon and there were a large number of MP's who wanted to take part in the Debate. Unfortunately, I was not able to make a substantial speech although I was able to ask the Foreign Secretary for reassurance about our policy towards Iran. You can see my contribution by clicking HERE.
I also had a chance to get my Body Mass Index checked at the Cancer Research UK desk in Portcullis House. Cancer Research UK run the "Reduce the Risk" campaign to raise awareness of the avoidable risks for cancer and the importance of early detection. Maintaining a healthy bodyweight is one of the best ways of reducing your risks against cancer.
The good news is that I am not obese, the bad news is that it was confirmed I am slightly overweight! To see a photo of me having my BMI checked click HERE
In the evening David Blunkett MP, former Secretary of State for Education, Home Office and Work and Pensions was the main speaker at our Tooting General Committee. He was really entertaining and talked about Public Sector reform as well as the challenges facing any Government in its tenth year. He has written an article for the New Statesmen. To view an extract, click HERE.
On Thursday I met with the National Probation Service of London. I also met with the Assistant Chief Officer for Wandsworth to discuss the local challenges facing the probation service. A great deal of good work is being done but this does not appear to be relayed to the public. The Council is now required to have a Crime and Disorder Partnership and works constructively with other agencies.
I attended Treasury Questions and asked the Chancellor, Gordon Brown MP a question which can be found by clicking HERE.
On Friday I visited the National Blood Centre which is based next door to St Georges Hospital. I discussed with them their plans to reconfigure their facilities to best utilise new technology and new buildings around the country. I am aware there is some concern amongst the 300 local staff about some of the reforms planned. Negotiations are continuing between the national trade unions and management to ensure that progress can be made addressing the concerns that have been raised. I shall continue to monitor this.
I also visited Springfield Hospital and met the new Chief Executive, Peter Houghton. We discussed his plans for the modernisation of the facilities at the hospital, recent high profile incidents and the Hospitals response to these, the financial position of the Trust (which is healthy) and plans for Henderson Hospital.
I attended Tooting Islamic Centre for Friday prayers after which I went to the BBC TV studio to pre-record a debate with former Tory Foreign Secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP.
I am working with the Labour Group of Councillors, Martin Linton (MP for Battersea) and Wandsworth residents to try and make the Council think again. You can see the EDM I have sponsored with Martin by clicking HERE.
On Monday I held my walk in surgery at Balham Community Centre on Bedford Hill.
I then had a meeting in Parliament with a representative of RADAR, a national organisation run by disabled people for disabled people. The meeting was in reference to the accessibility of taxis for disabled people. Following this meeting I tabled an Early Day Motion entitled Transportation of Disabled Passengers – follow this link to read it. Within two days almost 50 MPs had signed it to show their support for my call to the Department for Transport to implement specific disability regulations, rather than adopting a voluntary code.
The Public Accounts Committee examined Sure Start Childrens Centres. The early years of a child's life can have a crucial impact on their future development. The birth of a child can also present parents with difficult decisions. Sure Start is a programme to help give the best start in life to every child by bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support. Children's centres are managed by local authorities. In Tooting we will be getting Childrens Centres in the very near future. £3.4 Billion is being invested by this Government to increase the number of Childrens centres to 3,500 by 2010. The evidence from the NAO was clear that Centres are providing a good service for children and making a huge positive impact on the children and parents who use them. A really useful discussion took place at the Committee; and a full transcript can be seen by clicking HERE.
On Tuesday I held a "Lets Talk" event where the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton MP came to the Furzedown Project in Tooting to have a coffee morning with 30 pensioners, local stakeholder groups and users of the Furzedown Project. The morning was really important as it gave pensioners the opportunity to discuss their concerns around pension reform, and for John to set out a full and comprehensive account of the background and context of the reform package. His honesty and candour was really appreciated by all who attended who were all really impressed by the fact that he addressed all the points they wanted to make. You can see some a picture of John taking questions from those in attendance click HERE
In the afternoon I met with Trade Union members, General Secretary of UNISON Dave Prentis and other MP's to discuss some of their concerns about Public Sector reform. The TUC public services lobby was called to highlight concerns that trade unionists have with the introduction of market mechanisms in the public services. The meeting was extremely useful and a number of the comments made will be passed on by me and other MP colleagues to the relevant Ministers.
On Wednesday I took part in the Adjournment Debate on Iraq and the Middle East. The debate was listed for the afternoon and there were a large number of MP's who wanted to take part in the Debate. Unfortunately, I was not able to make a substantial speech although I was able to ask the Foreign Secretary for reassurance about our policy towards Iran. You can see my contribution by clicking HERE.
I also had a chance to get my Body Mass Index checked at the Cancer Research UK desk in Portcullis House. Cancer Research UK run the "Reduce the Risk" campaign to raise awareness of the avoidable risks for cancer and the importance of early detection. Maintaining a healthy bodyweight is one of the best ways of reducing your risks against cancer.
The good news is that I am not obese, the bad news is that it was confirmed I am slightly overweight! To see a photo of me having my BMI checked click HERE
In the evening David Blunkett MP, former Secretary of State for Education, Home Office and Work and Pensions was the main speaker at our Tooting General Committee. He was really entertaining and talked about Public Sector reform as well as the challenges facing any Government in its tenth year. He has written an article for the New Statesmen. To view an extract, click HERE.
On Thursday I met with the National Probation Service of London. I also met with the Assistant Chief Officer for Wandsworth to discuss the local challenges facing the probation service. A great deal of good work is being done but this does not appear to be relayed to the public. The Council is now required to have a Crime and Disorder Partnership and works constructively with other agencies.
I attended Treasury Questions and asked the Chancellor, Gordon Brown MP a question which can be found by clicking HERE.
On Friday I visited the National Blood Centre which is based next door to St Georges Hospital. I discussed with them their plans to reconfigure their facilities to best utilise new technology and new buildings around the country. I am aware there is some concern amongst the 300 local staff about some of the reforms planned. Negotiations are continuing between the national trade unions and management to ensure that progress can be made addressing the concerns that have been raised. I shall continue to monitor this.
I also visited Springfield Hospital and met the new Chief Executive, Peter Houghton. We discussed his plans for the modernisation of the facilities at the hospital, recent high profile incidents and the Hospitals response to these, the financial position of the Trust (which is healthy) and plans for Henderson Hospital.
I attended Tooting Islamic Centre for Friday prayers after which I went to the BBC TV studio to pre-record a debate with former Tory Foreign Secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP.
