AuthorRichard Burden

I was Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019 and a former Shadow Transport Minister. I now chair Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, and the West Midlands Board of Remembering Srebrenica. I also work as a public affairs consultant. I am an effective community advocate and stakeholder alliance builder with a passion for human rights. I am a trustee of the Balfour Project charity and of Citizens Advice Birmingham, and a former Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Climb Project – A New Pathway for Jobs and Growth

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As the economic landscape continues to look bleak, and long term unemployment continues to rise, today I’m outlining my plan to get people in the Northfield area back into work. Named “The Climb Project”, the initiative aims to develop a new economic vision for the area and drive action on jobs and growth today. The foundation of the Climb Project is a new local multi-sectoral partnership that …

Ask Me Anything: Put your questions to me live on Facebook & Twitter!

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Following the success of my first ‘Ask Me Anything’ session I am delighted to announce that my second AMA will take place between 5.30 – 6.30pm on Monday 15th July. For those of you who did not take part first time around, I will be online, waiting to give live answers from anyone who posts on my Facebook & Twitter Pages during the hour. As the title of the event suggests, I will take …

Calling for end to Government’s rip-off phone rates

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Opening a debate on the controversial use of 0845 and 087 numbers by ministerial departments this morning, I called for the government to end the use of high cost phone lines. I have been contacted by local people understandbly irate that calling government departments leaves them with sky high bills. After questioning government departments about their use of these numbers, I have been shocked …

Govt must take care on Care and Support proposals

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Today there are hundreds of thousands of disabled and older people who are not getting the social care support they need to live their lives with dignity and independence. What is more, carers up and down the country are not receiving the recognition or rewards they so thoroughly deserve. The need for a Care and Support Bill has been long overdue. So I am glad the Coalition has put forward …

Food Bank is Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year!

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Today I was at Sainsbury’s Northfield for the announcement that the Lifeline Food Bank is the store's Charity of the Year. The food bank will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support from the retailer. Joined by the founder of the food bank Pastor Stephen Merrick, local Labour councillors and Sainsbury's staff, we kicked off fundraising with a food donation drive in the store …

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Richard Burden

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I was Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019 and a former Shadow Transport Minister. I now chair Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, and the West Midlands Board of Remembering Srebrenica. I also work as a public affairs consultant. I am an effective community advocate and stakeholder alliance builder with a passion for human rights. I am a trustee of the Balfour Project charity and of Citizens Advice Birmingham, and a former Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Get in touch

You can reach me by email at richard@richardburden.com or use the form on the Contact page to send me a message.