A new report looking at what has happened to the workers who lost their jobs following the collapse of MG Rover in 2005 was launched in Parliament today. The collapse of MG Rover obviously had a huge impact on the Longbridge community. There was a significant danger that it would lead to large-scale, long-term unemployment in South West Birmingham. However, as this research shows, the way things...
Coping with the effects of flooding is difficult in any event and having your own home flooded can be devastating. Unfortunately, this is the experience which many of my constituents have had to go through following the recent heavy rains. And, for some, this is not the first time it has happened. Over the weekend I visited residents in Weoley and Frankley who have been affected by the floods...
Richard welcomes the announcement that Kings Norton Green Post Office will remain open Richard has today welcomed the decision by Post Office Ltd not to close the post office on The Green in Kings Norton. On 24 June Post Office Ltd published a review of the number of post offices in Birmingham, as part of a national programme called Network Change. This review proposed a number of post offices...
Fair Play – Border Busters Forum Consultation On Friday 18th July Richard attended a consultation event organised by the Border Busters Extended Schools cluster. A group of 10 year olds from across the Longbridge and Northfield areas discussed the questions in the Department for Children, Schools and Families ‘Fair Play’ consultation. Richard said: ‘The young people involved all came up with some...
On 5 July the NHS will be 60 years old. To mark this occasion – and the great achievements of the NHS over the last 60 years – Richard recently joined the Prime Minister and local volunteers at No 10. Read more below. Writing in his monthly Westminster Diary column Richard celebrates 60 years of the NHS and looks at its priorities as it moves towards its second 60 years. Read his article below...
On 4th July Richard helped to officially open the new Shenley Green Multi Use Games Area. The floodlit games area, on Green Meadow Road, has been developed by Bournville Village Trust (BVT) to provide an outdoor sport facility that will be used by the adjacent youth centre, GreenMeadowPrimary School and the local community. The project has cost nearly half a million pounds and has received...
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.