Tuesday, May 23, 2006
On Monday 15th, I spent the morning at Reed Elsevier as part of the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) scheme. The IPT is a non partisan charity that exists to forge a greater mutual understanding between the worlds of business and politics. I am taking part in the scheme through a fellowship at Reed Elsevier – Europe’s largest media company, that employs 36,000 people in over 200 locations worldwide. Ed Vaizey, Conservative MP for Wantage is also part of the programme with Elsevier. It is an amazing opportunity to be taking part in this fellowship and the meetings so far have been very useful in
On Monday, I also met with representative from the Bolivian Embassy to discuss the investigation into the murder of a Bolivian citizen in Tooting.
In addition to my commitments on the Standing Committee of the Finance Bill on Tuesday I attended the grand final of the Tiffin Cup 2006. A restaurant from Tooting (Mirch Masala) was one of the shortlisted restaurants in the quest to find the best South Asian restaurant in the UK. More details here and a photo here. I was pleased that local Tooting boy and now famous chef Ainsley Harriott was one of the judges.
Thursday was mainly taken up my commitments on the Finance Bill Standing Committee.
I have also spent a considerable amount of time in the last week considering the Standing Committee stage of the Education and Inspections Bill. I have regularly met with Ministers and advisors working on the Bill to obtain further clarification of points and concerns raised to me by local residents. The Bill returns to the House of Commons this week for its Report Stage and Third Reading.
On Saturday, I had my usual appointment surgery at Tooting Library. In the evening I attended a party in Graveney ward to celebrate the election of Councillor Billi Randall, Councillor Rex Osborn and the re-election of Councillor Andy Gibbons at the recent council election.
Sadiq
On Monday, I also met with representative from the Bolivian Embassy to discuss the investigation into the murder of a Bolivian citizen in Tooting.
In addition to my commitments on the Standing Committee of the Finance Bill on Tuesday I attended the grand final of the Tiffin Cup 2006. A restaurant from Tooting (Mirch Masala) was one of the shortlisted restaurants in the quest to find the best South Asian restaurant in the UK. More details here and a photo here. I was pleased that local Tooting boy and now famous chef Ainsley Harriott was one of the judges.
Thursday was mainly taken up my commitments on the Finance Bill Standing Committee.
I have also spent a considerable amount of time in the last week considering the Standing Committee stage of the Education and Inspections Bill. I have regularly met with Ministers and advisors working on the Bill to obtain further clarification of points and concerns raised to me by local residents. The Bill returns to the House of Commons this week for its Report Stage and Third Reading.
On Saturday, I had my usual appointment surgery at Tooting Library. In the evening I attended a party in Graveney ward to celebrate the election of Councillor Billi Randall, Councillor Rex Osborn and the re-election of Councillor Andy Gibbons at the recent council election.
Sadiq
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Last week I was appointed to the Standing Committee of the Finance Bill. This is a committee that examines the Budget and goes through each part of the Bill clause by clause! There are many clauses in the Bill and the committee is not expected to finish before the 20th June 2006! We are meeting four times a week so a considerable amount of my time will continue to be taken up by this.
On Monday 8th I had my normal drop in surgery at Earlsfield Library.
Last week, I spent a day and a half on a delegation to France. We visited Clicy sous Bois in Paris where the riots began six months ago. The area is overwhelmingly non white, and unemployment is in excess of 50%. Although things in the UK are by no means perfect, it is worth reminding ourselves that we have had racial discrimination laws here for more than 40 years. There is some hope for the future in areas like Clicy sous Bois in France as community groups are beginning to be set up to work more closely on the estates, and a Minister for Equality of Opportunity has been appointed. It was a fascinating but brief visit.
On Friday 12th I held my inaugural pensioners advice morning focused on helping people find out if they are claiming their rightful benefits and whether they are entitled to grants for heating insulation. It was organised with the Eaga partnership who manage the Warm Front scheme on behalf of DEFRA. Eaga was only one of the nine organizations who were at the event giving information and advice. The local police, fire brigade, Community Safety Department from Wandsworth Council, the South West London Energy Advice Centre, Energy Watch, Age Concern, the Pension Service and the Home Improvement Agency were also present. The event was a huge success, with more than 50 local pensioners attending. I hope to hold another such event in autumn.
The Third Reading of Mark Lazarowic's Private Members Bill on Climate Change was also on Friday. I’ve supported this Bill in its passage through the Commons, and it will now be sent to the Lords. More information in a previous entry here.
On Saturday, I spent the most of the day watching mighty Liverpool defeat West Ham in this year’s FA cup final. The match was superb. I had given up hope of Liverpool equalising and then came Stevie Gerrard in the 90th minute… Things bode well for the World Cup Finals in Germany, even without Wayne Rooney.
I also attended a BBQ at the home of the newly elected labour Councillor in Furzedown, Cllr Judy Gasser. One of the highlights for Labour in Wandsworth was the Labour gain in Furzedown in the recent Council elections.
Sadiq
On Monday 8th I had my normal drop in surgery at Earlsfield Library.
Last week, I spent a day and a half on a delegation to France. We visited Clicy sous Bois in Paris where the riots began six months ago. The area is overwhelmingly non white, and unemployment is in excess of 50%. Although things in the UK are by no means perfect, it is worth reminding ourselves that we have had racial discrimination laws here for more than 40 years. There is some hope for the future in areas like Clicy sous Bois in France as community groups are beginning to be set up to work more closely on the estates, and a Minister for Equality of Opportunity has been appointed. It was a fascinating but brief visit.
On Friday 12th I held my inaugural pensioners advice morning focused on helping people find out if they are claiming their rightful benefits and whether they are entitled to grants for heating insulation. It was organised with the Eaga partnership who manage the Warm Front scheme on behalf of DEFRA. Eaga was only one of the nine organizations who were at the event giving information and advice. The local police, fire brigade, Community Safety Department from Wandsworth Council, the South West London Energy Advice Centre, Energy Watch, Age Concern, the Pension Service and the Home Improvement Agency were also present. The event was a huge success, with more than 50 local pensioners attending. I hope to hold another such event in autumn.
The Third Reading of Mark Lazarowic's Private Members Bill on Climate Change was also on Friday. I’ve supported this Bill in its passage through the Commons, and it will now be sent to the Lords. More information in a previous entry here.
On Saturday, I spent the most of the day watching mighty Liverpool defeat West Ham in this year’s FA cup final. The match was superb. I had given up hope of Liverpool equalising and then came Stevie Gerrard in the 90th minute… Things bode well for the World Cup Finals in Germany, even without Wayne Rooney.
I also attended a BBQ at the home of the newly elected labour Councillor in Furzedown, Cllr Judy Gasser. One of the highlights for Labour in Wandsworth was the Labour gain in Furzedown in the recent Council elections.
Sadiq
Monday, May 08, 2006
The last two weeks have been taken over by campaigning around Tooting in the lead up to the council elections held on Thursday 4th May. In Furzedown, we added an additional Labour councillor. Cllr Judi Gasser joins Cllr John Farebrother in the ward. Unfortunately, Cllr Stuart King lost his seat in Tooting ward to the Conservatives. The number of Labour councillors in Tooting falls from 7 to 6. Although the results locally are disappointing with excellent Labour councillors and candidates not winning, there can be little doubt that events nationally had a disproportionate effect on voting intentions locally. The results in London were mixed, but Labour did gain control of Lambeth, and made significant advances in Islington and Southwark, as well as holding on to Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Newham, Barking and Haringey.
I have attended two separate meetings with senior police officers in relation to the murders of Hayder and Mohammed Ali. The police are continuing to investigate these murders. Eight separate people have been charged and the police are calling for more witnesses to come forward to help them with their enquiries. I have met with the bereaved family at their home who have demonstrated a remarkable amount of dignity at what must be a horrendous time. In addition to meeting local residents and retailers, I addressed a public meeting at Tooting Islamic Centre, and I have been in regular contact with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who will be conducting their own enquiries into the horrific events of 21st and 22nd April.
I held my usual surgeries over the last two weeks at Balham Community centre, Earlsfield Library and Tooting Library.
The Public Accounts Committee has examined two separate areas over the last fortnight. We looked at enhancing urban green space. Good quality green space plays a vital role in improving the quality of urban life and contributes to wider government objectives such as improved health, more sustainable neighbourhood renewal and better community cohesion, especially in more deprived communities. Neglected parks attract anti social behaviour and have the potential to undermine the regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods.
We have also investigated the Department for Work and Pensions support for disabled people gaining and retaining employment. Between 1979 and 1997, the numbers in receipt of incapacity benefits rose from 700,000 to 2.5 million, and has currently stabilised at around 2.6 million. These benefits cost £12bn per year. We looked at the Department’s Employment programmes for disabled people, finding and retaining work, the quality and accessibility of support and the cost effectiveness of the schemes.
I also attended Roshni House which is sheltered accommodation for elderly people in Graveney ward. Cllr Billi Randell attended with me. A number of issues were raised – in particular the extension of a bus route through Longley Road, the condition of pavements, interpreting services at the GP surgery and local policing. I am making representations on behalf of the residents on these issues.
I attended the inaugural annual ball of the Hindu Forum of Britain. The evening was enjoyable and gave me the opportunity to boast about the vibrant Hindu community that we have in Tooting.
I sat on the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
I also had an opportunity to ask questions to the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to passenger safety. Details here.
I spent two days campaigning in Newcastle in the lead up to the council elections. The BNP put up six candidates in the city, and there was a real concern that they would make gains. I met residents of all backgrounds, committed to fighting the far right, and avoiding divisions in the community caused by some of the BNP vitriol. Fortunately, no BNP councillors were elected in the city.
On Sunday, I played for the parliamentary football team in a charity match against the Cystic Fibrosis Eleven. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease which affects vital organs in the body, especially the lungs and digestive system. It is the most common life-threatening inherited disease, and affects 7,500 babies, children and young adults in the UK. There is no known cure at present. Details from the football match are here.
Sadiq
I have attended two separate meetings with senior police officers in relation to the murders of Hayder and Mohammed Ali. The police are continuing to investigate these murders. Eight separate people have been charged and the police are calling for more witnesses to come forward to help them with their enquiries. I have met with the bereaved family at their home who have demonstrated a remarkable amount of dignity at what must be a horrendous time. In addition to meeting local residents and retailers, I addressed a public meeting at Tooting Islamic Centre, and I have been in regular contact with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who will be conducting their own enquiries into the horrific events of 21st and 22nd April.
I held my usual surgeries over the last two weeks at Balham Community centre, Earlsfield Library and Tooting Library.
The Public Accounts Committee has examined two separate areas over the last fortnight. We looked at enhancing urban green space. Good quality green space plays a vital role in improving the quality of urban life and contributes to wider government objectives such as improved health, more sustainable neighbourhood renewal and better community cohesion, especially in more deprived communities. Neglected parks attract anti social behaviour and have the potential to undermine the regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods.
We have also investigated the Department for Work and Pensions support for disabled people gaining and retaining employment. Between 1979 and 1997, the numbers in receipt of incapacity benefits rose from 700,000 to 2.5 million, and has currently stabilised at around 2.6 million. These benefits cost £12bn per year. We looked at the Department’s Employment programmes for disabled people, finding and retaining work, the quality and accessibility of support and the cost effectiveness of the schemes.
I also attended Roshni House which is sheltered accommodation for elderly people in Graveney ward. Cllr Billi Randell attended with me. A number of issues were raised – in particular the extension of a bus route through Longley Road, the condition of pavements, interpreting services at the GP surgery and local policing. I am making representations on behalf of the residents on these issues.
I attended the inaugural annual ball of the Hindu Forum of Britain. The evening was enjoyable and gave me the opportunity to boast about the vibrant Hindu community that we have in Tooting.
I sat on the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
I also had an opportunity to ask questions to the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to passenger safety. Details here.
I spent two days campaigning in Newcastle in the lead up to the council elections. The BNP put up six candidates in the city, and there was a real concern that they would make gains. I met residents of all backgrounds, committed to fighting the far right, and avoiding divisions in the community caused by some of the BNP vitriol. Fortunately, no BNP councillors were elected in the city.
On Sunday, I played for the parliamentary football team in a charity match against the Cystic Fibrosis Eleven. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease which affects vital organs in the body, especially the lungs and digestive system. It is the most common life-threatening inherited disease, and affects 7,500 babies, children and young adults in the UK. There is no known cure at present. Details from the football match are here.
Sadiq
