Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Week ending 5 February 2010
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 10:56, Fri 5 February 2010:
Thought for the Week - A More Equal society
On Tuesday I asked a question on the floor of the House to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Against the context of risk taking and high salaries in the financial sector, I wanted to draw his attention to a book published last week - Spirit Level - which highlights research that shows a more equal society is a happier, more efficient and more effective society. You can read the exchange - and his response - here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-02-02a.147.3
My Week At A Glance
Defence Green Paper
On Wednesday the Government's published its Green Paper on the future of our armed forces. It poses some of the questions that will need to be answered by next year's Strategic Defence Review. Whilst committing to the Navy's two new aircraft carriers and an army of 100,000 or more, it questions whether the services will need to work more closely with each other and with our allies. By coincidence this Thursday I attended a fascinating briefing by a Royal Navy Admiral who serves at the MOD/Foreign office envoy on climate change and energy security. It is clear that climate change and globalisation will increasingly present challenges that our armed forces need to be able to respond to. With Plymouth's defence interests and our large number of marine and environnmental scientists, we have a lot to offer - and to gain - in responding to these challenges. I am already on the track to facilitate some links.
Drake Foundation
Are you aware of Plymouth's "Charity of Charities", the Drake Foundation? Every single penny goes straight to good causes - no charitable donations are consumed by overheads - www.drakefoundation.co.uk
Meeting with Ofwat
On Tuesday I met with Regina Finn, Chief Executive of water regulator Ofwat, to discuss taking forward proposals to deal with water affordability in the South West. Following the Walker Review, the Government wasted no time in asking the Ofwat to examine some of the different proposals. The purpose of Tuesday meeting was to gain an insight into Ofwat's early thinking to ensure that it chimes with what I have been seeking through my own campaign for lower bills - see www.lindagilroy.org.uk/water
Also this week I attended the report stage on the Flood and Water Management Bill, which takes forward further elements touched upon in the Walker Review. The debate included consideration of two new clauses introduced to the Bill during the committee stage on social tariffs and and named account holders.
Good News on Housing
I am pleased that the Government is to amend planning legislation in relation to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) as part of a range of new local powers to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords. In cities with large student populations like Plymouth it is particularly important that councils have the tools to enable them to maintain balance in their communities with a mix of rented and private housing. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Communities, of which I am an active member, has been pressing for these changes . Over all the years I have been an MP constituents living in Stonehouse, Mutley, Greenbank, Mount Gould and Lipson in particular have asked for some limits to the change home usage in their community to be put in place. These measures at long last recognise their pleas.
Proportional Representation
Lots of discussion this week on the merits of replacing our current system of first past the post with the Alternative Vote system, whereby candidates are ranked in order of preference. I've telephoned some constituents who I know have strong feelings on this subject, and I'm interested to learn what as many people think as possible. You can feed your views to me through my web forum at: http://www.lindagilroy.org.uk/proportional-representation
Marine Science Strategy
Thursday saw the long awaited publication of the Marine Science Strategy and accompanying delivery plan. They can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/science/mscc.htm I am particularly pleased at the emphasis this places on communication with the public. This is something we have great strengths on in Plymouth and I will look forward to hearing from the marine science community about this. A particular example of the way in which our scientists work with young people was the joint venture with Ridgeway School to produce an animation on ocean acidification - "The other CO2 problem". I am pressing the Marine Science Minister to visit Plymouth soon.
Friday Visitors
This morning Schools' Secretary Ed Balls is coming to Stoke Damerel Community College - one of the schools which will benefit from the £78 million of Government money that is going toward rebuilding Plymouth's schools. At lunchtime Housing Minister John Healey will be with me in Millbay to see the redevelopment that has been going on and the Kickstart programme which provides Government funding to relaunch stalled housing developments. Kerr Street has already benefited from this programme and other projects in the Plymouth are in the running for future waves. This evening I will be visiting a French warship that is docked in Devonport - and following this week's Green Paper on the future shape of our armed forces it will be interesting to discuss potential for defence cooperation.
Ford Park Cemetery
Also today I'm going to the reopening of the Victorian Chapel at Ford Park Cemetery. I am full of admiration for Dr Will and the Trust for the way they have turned what was a run-down, overgrown vandalised cemetery in liquidation into what it is today - an attractive, working cemetery. I am very pleased to have been involved with the project and will continue to give it my support. I would like to wish the Trust every success with the Memorialisation Appeal as I know how very important this is to many people in Plymouth who will have lost loved ones during the ‘Plymouth Blitz’ during World War II, and this is a fitting way for Plymouth to Honour its Civilian War dead.
Looking ahead
On Saturday if will be going to a debate hosted by Plymouth University Students' Union on the future of higher education funding. Highlights next week include an evidence session on motor neurone disease care provision and Defence Committee sessions where we will be quizzing Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth on the Green Paper (see above) and Afghanistan - I will be interested to see whether he shares my impressions following my recent visit - see www.lindagilroy.org.uk/afghanistan
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