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News from Westminster

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:09, Fri 17 July 2009:

420 BILLION FOOD AID CONFIMRED

The recent G8 summit has seen progress made on some of the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change and talks on the reduction of nuclear weapons. I know that many readers will also be delighted to learn that $20 billion has been pledged to help food supplies in developing countries. Much of the funding will be used to help countries improve their own agriculture. I am proud that the UK continues to be at the forefront of delivering aid to the world’s poorest people. Of course, there is still an enormous amount of work to do, but global agreements like this represent a very important step forward.

LOW CARBON STRATEGY LAUNCHED

I welcomed the launch this week of the Low Carbon Transition Plan - a national strategy for climate and energy – making us the first country in the world to set out a comprehensive plan to become a low carbon country. I was particular pleased to note that the South West will be developed as the UK’s first ‘Low Carbon Economic Area’. The proposals will make the UK cleaner, greener and more prosperous, with 1.2 million people in green jobs by 2015, and 40% of our electricity coming from low carbon sources by 2020. It’s essential that we move towards low carbon living as quickly as possible to prevent catastrophic climate change and I was pleased that the G8 and the major economies forum concluded last week that global temperatures should not rise by more than two degrees Celcius. We also need to push for an ambitious global deal when the world meets at the Copenhagen climate summit later this year. The Government has published ‘Road to Copenhagen’ – a document setting out the UK’s priorities ahead of the summit. More information is available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change website: www.decc.gov.uk

REFORMING FINANCIAL MARKETS

The origins of the global financial crisis lie in failures in the banking system around the world. We need to learn from this and better understand the risks that come from rapid globalisation of the financial services. Last week, the Government set out reform of the way in which banks are regulated, with more emphasis put on the risks financial firms can present to the economy and greater protections for consumers, including the creation of a new statutory Council for Financial Stability The Government is putting consumers first, to create a financial system that works for them.

CARE AND SUPPORT GREEN PAPER

Earlier this week, the Department of Health published its Social Care Green paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, which sets out a vision to build a new National Care Service. The document links with the ‘Big Care Debate’ where everyone is invited to give their views on the proposed radical reform of our care and support system in the face of societal changes and longer life expectancy. I would encourage you to take a look at the green paper and respond to consultation because the care system affects us all - even if we do not yet need care ourselves, we all know someone who does or we help pay for it through our taxes. For more information visit www.dh.gov.uk or contact my office.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARDS

The 2009 Awards for Community Involvement have been launched to celebrate and reward best practice in engaging and involving communities in planning decisions. The Awards are organised by South West Planning Aid and the Royal Town Planning Institute South West and there are three categories: developer; local authority or government agency; and community body. For an application form and further details please phone 0117 929 7292 or swadmin@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

BUILDING A SOCIETY FOR ALL AGES

On Monday, the Government launched its “Building a Society for All Ages” strategy. People are living longer - pensioners now outnumber school children - and we need to ensure we are prepared for the challenges and opportunities presented by these changing demographics. The strategy sets out new proposals to support people in their longer lives, including ‘Active at 60’ – a package to help people stay active later in life, and the creation of a new UK Advisory Forum on Ageing. More information about the strategy is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website: www.dwp.gov.uk

OPEN WEEKEND

The Government’s Aiming High programme has made nearly £6 million available for activities for young people in Bristol. The funding, which has been allocated from 2008-2011, lets young people arrange a range of activities. Open Weekend in Bristol helped celebrate the efforts of Bristol’s young people. Activities including football, drama, music and arts and crafts were provided to young people – completely free of charge – as part of this Department for Children, Schools and Families drive to ensure young people are able to do the things they want to. In Bristol South, activities provided included a music and band night, and football coaching at the Hareclive Youth Project.

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY SCHOOLS

The Government have published a White Paper which pledges far reaching measures to improve standards in schools. Key to these proposals is a brand new Pupil Guarantee and Parent Guarantee. Those pupils who need it will be given one-to-one and small group tuition, with extra support for those at risk of falling behind. They will be guaranteed education or training at 16 and 17, with the academically brightest students being offered stretching courses like triple science GCSE, and those with more vocational skills supported to pursue them. A guarantee of five hours PE a week and outside specialist help for health and social problems will ensure that children stay happy and healthy at school. Parents will be provided with clearer information about their child’s school. Report cards on individual schools will let parents make informed choices, and they will be provided with regular face-to-face and online information about their child’s attainment, progress, behaviour and attendance.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Email me at primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH. Alternatively, for more information on what’s happening in and around Bristol South, you can visit www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk.