Tuesday, December 19, 2006
On Monday morning I attended an assembly at Fircroft Primary School. I was able to award a runners-up certificate to Shaianne Meerun-Morgan in Year Five as well as giving certificates to all who entered the competition. I also took part in the unveiling ceremony of a plaque dedicated to all those who fought in the Spanish Civil War. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and I was pleased to see Billy Bragg and veteran Jack Jones at the PCS headquarter building in Clapham Junction for the ceremony.
I then met with a director of London Sustainable Exchange to discuss some work that I would like to do with them and local businesses in Tooting (more to follow in the New Year).
In the afternoon the Public Accounts Committee examined a report into PFI debt refinancing and the PFI equity market (click HERE to see a copy of the transcript).
On Tuesday I was a member of two separate standing committees. The first in relation to a statutory instrument, and the second in relation to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
Wednesday was the annual Westminster Kids Christmas Party. If you have been reading my blog since last Christmas you may recall Ed Balls MP dressing up as Father Christmas for the children. Well, Ed didn’t disappoint and showed up with his beard and belly to the delight of the children. This was a great afternoon enjoyed by everyone who attended.
I was also able to ask a question to Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (to see the transcript please click HERE).
I also took part in a Westminster Hall debate on Legal Aid (to read my contribution please click HERE).
On Thursday, in addition to my constituency duties, I was the guest speaker at the London Young Labour Christmas Dinner.
On Friday I visited the Royal Mail Wandsworth Delivery Office on Twilley Street. Although I was there from about 7am to 8:30am, the hard working staff had been there from 5am and were going to spend most of the day delivering our Christmas post. With over 2.1 BILLION cards and gifts passing through sorting offices across the country this Christmas, it takes a massive effort by all members of the Royal Mail to ensure our messages of goodwill are received in time for the 25th.
In the afternoon I met the Manager of Budgens store on Mitcham Road, Tej Daffu, who had recently won Newcomer of the Year in the prestigious annual Asian Trader Award in Park Lane. To receive this accolade a business must do more than make an impact in the short-term. Rather, it needs to lay the foundations to be part of the local community for many years henceforth Tej is a deserved winner - especially in view all of the good work he does for, and within, the Tooting community. For example, he offers free delivery to his elderly customers, and supports a local homeless charity.
In the evening I opened the Christmas fair at Fircroft Primary School.
On Saturday I held my normal appointment surgery at Tooting Library.
Sadiq
I then met with a director of London Sustainable Exchange to discuss some work that I would like to do with them and local businesses in Tooting (more to follow in the New Year).
In the afternoon the Public Accounts Committee examined a report into PFI debt refinancing and the PFI equity market (click HERE to see a copy of the transcript).
On Tuesday I was a member of two separate standing committees. The first in relation to a statutory instrument, and the second in relation to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.
Wednesday was the annual Westminster Kids Christmas Party. If you have been reading my blog since last Christmas you may recall Ed Balls MP dressing up as Father Christmas for the children. Well, Ed didn’t disappoint and showed up with his beard and belly to the delight of the children. This was a great afternoon enjoyed by everyone who attended.
I was also able to ask a question to Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (to see the transcript please click HERE).
I also took part in a Westminster Hall debate on Legal Aid (to read my contribution please click HERE).
On Thursday, in addition to my constituency duties, I was the guest speaker at the London Young Labour Christmas Dinner.
On Friday I visited the Royal Mail Wandsworth Delivery Office on Twilley Street. Although I was there from about 7am to 8:30am, the hard working staff had been there from 5am and were going to spend most of the day delivering our Christmas post. With over 2.1 BILLION cards and gifts passing through sorting offices across the country this Christmas, it takes a massive effort by all members of the Royal Mail to ensure our messages of goodwill are received in time for the 25th.
In the afternoon I met the Manager of Budgens store on Mitcham Road, Tej Daffu, who had recently won Newcomer of the Year in the prestigious annual Asian Trader Award in Park Lane. To receive this accolade a business must do more than make an impact in the short-term. Rather, it needs to lay the foundations to be part of the local community for many years henceforth Tej is a deserved winner - especially in view all of the good work he does for, and within, the Tooting community. For example, he offers free delivery to his elderly customers, and supports a local homeless charity.
In the evening I opened the Christmas fair at Fircroft Primary School.
On Saturday I held my normal appointment surgery at Tooting Library.
Sadiq
Monday, December 18, 2006
On Monday I attended my Advice Surgery at Earlsfield Library.
On Tuesday I visited Ravenstone School to hand out a Runners Up certificate and Prize to Elisabeth Kisserwany of Year 2 for her excellent contribution to my Christmas Card Competition.
I then attended a meeting with Minister of State for Schools, Jim Knight MP, with Martin Linton MP for Battersea to lobby him for Wandsworth Secondary Schools to get some more Government Investment from the Building Schools for the Future Programme. The programme guarantees that all secondary schools in England will be refurbished or remodelled within the next 15 years. It promises that schools will be attractive, flexible learning environments with high-quality facilities to help to meet the needs, interests and aptitudes of every child. (You can see a photo of Martin and me meeting Jim Knight HERE).
The highlight of the afternoon was a meeting with Howard Dean, Head of the Democratic National Convention, who masterminded the highly successful Democratic campaign in the Mid Term elections in the USA last month and was previously a contender for the Democratic nomination in the last Presidential election. He shared some of the techniques, themes, policies and messages that were used by the Democrats in the USA recently.
On Wednesday I visited Smallwood Primary School. I was able to use the opportunity to give Andreia Moura, one of the Runners Up to my Christmas Card Competition, her prize as well as giving all the children who entered a certificate. The visit also gave me a chance to congratulate the Head and the School on the excellent announcement that Smallwood Primary School would receive massive Government funding to provide a Children’s Centre to serve local families and children. Building works to adapt some of the facilities should start soon. (More details of this in future entries!).
The Public Accounts Committee examined the use of Temporary nursing staff in NHS Acute and Foundation Trusts. This is an issue of major concern to me, in the context of our own major Acute Hospital St George's. Temporary nurses are employed across the NHS to meet fluctuations in activity levels and cover vacancies or short term staff absences. Excessive levels of use can be costly. This may also demonstrate poor management and can have a negative impact on patient care and satisfaction. You can find a transcript of the hearing by clicking HERE.
On Thursday I visited Swaffield Primary School. The school has been made famous locally as the former school of ex-Boxing World Champion Frank Bruno. I was able to give to Joshua Oakley a Runners Up certificate and Prize as well to all the children who entered the competition. In the afternoon I tried to take part in the debate on Affordable Housing on the floor of the House. Despite my best efforts I was not called to make a speech in the debate although I did manage to make a number of interventions. You can find my interventions by clicking HERE. I was very pleased that the Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper MP, agreed to meet with local Councillors in the Labour Group and Martin Linton MP to discuss particular concerns we have about the Tory Council's Housing Policy.
In the evening I attended a dinner in Wembley organised by Keith Vaz MP where Gordon Brown MP, the Chancellor, was the main speaker and presented a life time achievement award to Dionne Warwick.
On Friday I attended my regular meeting with senior management at St Georges NHS Trust.
For personal reasons the previous Chief Executive Peter Homa left the organisation this summer. This meeting provided me with the first chance to meet the new Chief Executive David Astley. We had a full and frank meeting and discussed many of the achievements of the hospital over the last few months and years as well as some of the challenges ahead. The Trust is confident they will continue to make savings to reduce the deficit whilst maintaining clinical excellence.
In the afternoon I attended two separate primary schools. The choir at Eardley Primary School performed superbly. I was able to award a runners-up certificate to Megan Tullis in Year Four for my Christmas Card Completion as well as giving certificates to all who entered. I then rushed over to Franciscan Primary School where the reception and nursery classes were holding a nativity play. I was able to award a certificate to Heena Shariff in Year Four as well as all those who entered my competition.
On Sunday I spoke at a Labour Students Council meeting in Victoria. There were more than 100 Labour students present. Their commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm for Labour Party politics was both impressive and inspiring.
In the afternoon I joined local members canvassing in Nightingale Ward.
Sadiq
On Tuesday I visited Ravenstone School to hand out a Runners Up certificate and Prize to Elisabeth Kisserwany of Year 2 for her excellent contribution to my Christmas Card Competition.
I then attended a meeting with Minister of State for Schools, Jim Knight MP, with Martin Linton MP for Battersea to lobby him for Wandsworth Secondary Schools to get some more Government Investment from the Building Schools for the Future Programme. The programme guarantees that all secondary schools in England will be refurbished or remodelled within the next 15 years. It promises that schools will be attractive, flexible learning environments with high-quality facilities to help to meet the needs, interests and aptitudes of every child. (You can see a photo of Martin and me meeting Jim Knight HERE).
The highlight of the afternoon was a meeting with Howard Dean, Head of the Democratic National Convention, who masterminded the highly successful Democratic campaign in the Mid Term elections in the USA last month and was previously a contender for the Democratic nomination in the last Presidential election. He shared some of the techniques, themes, policies and messages that were used by the Democrats in the USA recently.
On Wednesday I visited Smallwood Primary School. I was able to use the opportunity to give Andreia Moura, one of the Runners Up to my Christmas Card Competition, her prize as well as giving all the children who entered a certificate. The visit also gave me a chance to congratulate the Head and the School on the excellent announcement that Smallwood Primary School would receive massive Government funding to provide a Children’s Centre to serve local families and children. Building works to adapt some of the facilities should start soon. (More details of this in future entries!).
The Public Accounts Committee examined the use of Temporary nursing staff in NHS Acute and Foundation Trusts. This is an issue of major concern to me, in the context of our own major Acute Hospital St George's. Temporary nurses are employed across the NHS to meet fluctuations in activity levels and cover vacancies or short term staff absences. Excessive levels of use can be costly. This may also demonstrate poor management and can have a negative impact on patient care and satisfaction. You can find a transcript of the hearing by clicking HERE.
On Thursday I visited Swaffield Primary School. The school has been made famous locally as the former school of ex-Boxing World Champion Frank Bruno. I was able to give to Joshua Oakley a Runners Up certificate and Prize as well to all the children who entered the competition. In the afternoon I tried to take part in the debate on Affordable Housing on the floor of the House. Despite my best efforts I was not called to make a speech in the debate although I did manage to make a number of interventions. You can find my interventions by clicking HERE. I was very pleased that the Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper MP, agreed to meet with local Councillors in the Labour Group and Martin Linton MP to discuss particular concerns we have about the Tory Council's Housing Policy.
In the evening I attended a dinner in Wembley organised by Keith Vaz MP where Gordon Brown MP, the Chancellor, was the main speaker and presented a life time achievement award to Dionne Warwick.
On Friday I attended my regular meeting with senior management at St Georges NHS Trust.
For personal reasons the previous Chief Executive Peter Homa left the organisation this summer. This meeting provided me with the first chance to meet the new Chief Executive David Astley. We had a full and frank meeting and discussed many of the achievements of the hospital over the last few months and years as well as some of the challenges ahead. The Trust is confident they will continue to make savings to reduce the deficit whilst maintaining clinical excellence.
In the afternoon I attended two separate primary schools. The choir at Eardley Primary School performed superbly. I was able to award a runners-up certificate to Megan Tullis in Year Four for my Christmas Card Completion as well as giving certificates to all who entered. I then rushed over to Franciscan Primary School where the reception and nursery classes were holding a nativity play. I was able to award a certificate to Heena Shariff in Year Four as well as all those who entered my competition.
On Sunday I spoke at a Labour Students Council meeting in Victoria. There were more than 100 Labour students present. Their commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm for Labour Party politics was both impressive and inspiring.
In the afternoon I joined local members canvassing in Nightingale Ward.
Sadiq
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
On Monday I attended the CRE Race Convention 2006: A Catalyst for Change. I spoke in a debate with Boris Johnson MP and Sarah Teather MP, which was chaired superbly by Sunder Katwala, who is General Secretary of the Fabian Society. Our discussion was titled: Britishness-Does it matter? You can find a short BBC report of the debate by clicking HERE.
In the evening I had the pleasure of welcoming Jodie Mottley, a year 6 pupil from Furzedown Primary School, who was the winner of my Christmas Card Competition to the House of Commons. More than 800 pupils entered my competition this year. You can read about the competition HERE. I mentioned my competition to the Prime Minister who was keen to meet the winner of the competition. Not only did Jodie, her mum and the Head Teacher of Furzedown Primary School get a chance to meet the Prime Minister (to see a photo click HERE), they also get a tour of Number 10 Downing Street!
On Tuesday I attended a meeting with Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss issues affecting cancer patients in the area. You can find out a bit more about the most recent campaign by clicking HERE and to see a photo, click HERE.
During Health Questions I was able to ask Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State for Health, a question about the dissemination of research undertaken about patients attitudes to the NHS. You can see my Question and the answer by clicking HERE.
I also attended the launch by "End Violence Against Women" of the Second Annual analysis of Government initiatives on violence against women. Alan Johnson MP, the Secretary of State for Education, was the keynote speaker. There has been huge progress in this very important area but unfortunately, there is still much more to do.
I attended a meeting with Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint MP, to discuss the Healthy Start Scheme which was be introduced in Tooting and the rest of the UK on 27th November. Healthy Start will provide eligible pregnant women, including all pregnant under-18 year olds, and children under the age of four with vouchers to spend on milk, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula. This will be an invaluable service to many new parents and mothers.
I was also at meeting as a Member of a Standing Committee looking into Water and Sewage in Northern Ireland!
On Wednesday, in addition to my usual duties, I sat on the Public Accounts Committee which examined the BBC's outsourcing of the contract between the BBC and Siemens Business Services. You can find a transcript of the hearing HERE.
On Thursday I gave an assembly at Furzedown Primary School where I was able to give an award to the runners up of my Christmas card Competition and certificates to all who entered.
I then rushed to the Oval for the launch of the British Heart Foundation’s Campaign called ‘Doubt Kills’ to emphasise the importance of calling an ambulance if one begins to suffer chest pains. It was extremely insightful and useful to know how important it is to be aware of your body’s signals that something is wrong. I hope that this campaign will save many lives.
In the evening I hosted the inaugural reception for Trade Unionists who live in Tooting from the GMB, UNISON and CWU in the House of Commons. The evening was a huge success and had some extremely inspirational speakers. Dennis Skinner MP spoke to all those who came, reminding everyone that the Trade Union movement was the foundations of the Labour Party. He spoke of the need and importance of workers having a voice in parliament and inspired many people. Jon Cruddas MP and Harriet Harman MP also spoke. We were extremely pleased to have as our guest and speaker Geraldine Ferraro. Geraldine is the first and (so far) the only woman to be nominated to run for either President or Vice President of the United States and it was great to hear her take on the recent Mid-Term elections in which the Democratic Party re-took control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. She was notably impressed to see such a gathering of trade unionists.
It was also great to be joined by my neighbouring MPs, Battersea MP Martin Linton, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhan McDonough and Streatham MP Keith Hill.
On Friday I attended a wonderful "twinning ceremony" at Trinity St Marys School where Trinity St Marys twinned with the Iskra-Nduenga School, a school in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. This also gave me a chance to give out a Runner up certificate to Tamara Daley for my Christmas card competition and certificates to all the children who had entered.
I then went to St Nicholas Church on Church Lane, for the opening of the Christmas Tree Lights. Unfortunately the very heavy rain spoiled the running order of things but the children of Franciscan Primary School cheered us all up with their wonderful singing of Christmas Carols inside the Church hall.
On Saturday I held my usual appointment surgery at Tooting Library. On Sunday I appeared on the Politics Show to discuss the Olympics.
Sadiq
In the evening I had the pleasure of welcoming Jodie Mottley, a year 6 pupil from Furzedown Primary School, who was the winner of my Christmas Card Competition to the House of Commons. More than 800 pupils entered my competition this year. You can read about the competition HERE. I mentioned my competition to the Prime Minister who was keen to meet the winner of the competition. Not only did Jodie, her mum and the Head Teacher of Furzedown Primary School get a chance to meet the Prime Minister (to see a photo click HERE), they also get a tour of Number 10 Downing Street!
On Tuesday I attended a meeting with Macmillan Cancer Support to discuss issues affecting cancer patients in the area. You can find out a bit more about the most recent campaign by clicking HERE and to see a photo, click HERE.
During Health Questions I was able to ask Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State for Health, a question about the dissemination of research undertaken about patients attitudes to the NHS. You can see my Question and the answer by clicking HERE.
I also attended the launch by "End Violence Against Women" of the Second Annual analysis of Government initiatives on violence against women. Alan Johnson MP, the Secretary of State for Education, was the keynote speaker. There has been huge progress in this very important area but unfortunately, there is still much more to do.
I attended a meeting with Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint MP, to discuss the Healthy Start Scheme which was be introduced in Tooting and the rest of the UK on 27th November. Healthy Start will provide eligible pregnant women, including all pregnant under-18 year olds, and children under the age of four with vouchers to spend on milk, fresh fruit and vegetables and infant formula. This will be an invaluable service to many new parents and mothers.
I was also at meeting as a Member of a Standing Committee looking into Water and Sewage in Northern Ireland!
On Wednesday, in addition to my usual duties, I sat on the Public Accounts Committee which examined the BBC's outsourcing of the contract between the BBC and Siemens Business Services. You can find a transcript of the hearing HERE.
On Thursday I gave an assembly at Furzedown Primary School where I was able to give an award to the runners up of my Christmas card Competition and certificates to all who entered.
I then rushed to the Oval for the launch of the British Heart Foundation’s Campaign called ‘Doubt Kills’ to emphasise the importance of calling an ambulance if one begins to suffer chest pains. It was extremely insightful and useful to know how important it is to be aware of your body’s signals that something is wrong. I hope that this campaign will save many lives.
In the evening I hosted the inaugural reception for Trade Unionists who live in Tooting from the GMB, UNISON and CWU in the House of Commons. The evening was a huge success and had some extremely inspirational speakers. Dennis Skinner MP spoke to all those who came, reminding everyone that the Trade Union movement was the foundations of the Labour Party. He spoke of the need and importance of workers having a voice in parliament and inspired many people. Jon Cruddas MP and Harriet Harman MP also spoke. We were extremely pleased to have as our guest and speaker Geraldine Ferraro. Geraldine is the first and (so far) the only woman to be nominated to run for either President or Vice President of the United States and it was great to hear her take on the recent Mid-Term elections in which the Democratic Party re-took control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. She was notably impressed to see such a gathering of trade unionists.
It was also great to be joined by my neighbouring MPs, Battersea MP Martin Linton, Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhan McDonough and Streatham MP Keith Hill.
On Friday I attended a wonderful "twinning ceremony" at Trinity St Marys School where Trinity St Marys twinned with the Iskra-Nduenga School, a school in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. This also gave me a chance to give out a Runner up certificate to Tamara Daley for my Christmas card competition and certificates to all the children who had entered.
I then went to St Nicholas Church on Church Lane, for the opening of the Christmas Tree Lights. Unfortunately the very heavy rain spoiled the running order of things but the children of Franciscan Primary School cheered us all up with their wonderful singing of Christmas Carols inside the Church hall.
On Saturday I held my usual appointment surgery at Tooting Library. On Sunday I appeared on the Politics Show to discuss the Olympics.
Sadiq
