Urging Northfield communities to apply for HLF funding to mark the Centenary of the First World War With a year to go until we mark the centenary of the UK entering the First World War, I am urging local residents and community groups in Northfield to consider applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for community projects to learn more about the First World War. HLF is making at least …
You may have heard that the Government has recently announced a £94 million new funding commitment to improve cycling in the UK. I strongly welcome the news that the Department for Transport will now be investing £10 a head for cycling infrastructure in 10 cities – including Birmingham. As action to ‘Get Britain Cycling’ is an issue that lots of constituents have contacted me about, I have been …
I have been contacted by a number of local people about the new Home Office attempts to address illegal immigration. Let's be clear - the "Go Home" advans and UK Border Office spot checks are little more than right wing propaganda. Instead of an evidence based approach to tackle immigration and improve integration, the Tories are using tax payer’s money to secure a headline and calm their party's …
In addition to granting us some beautiful weather, Summer 2013 has also shone a light on one of the brightest industries our country has to offer – motor. On 12 July 2013 ‘Driving Success’, the first ever comprehensive industrial strategy for UK automotive, was launched by Government and leading industry bodies.
Read my thoughts on the strategy in a new blog for Motortrades Insight here.
Today I am shocked to reveal the full scale of the cost of living crisis taking place under David Cameron and George Osborne. Analysis of historical figures from the Office for National Statistics shows that David Cameron has been in Downing Street for 36 months of falling real wages – more than any other Prime Minister on record. And no other Prime Minister has seen so many consecutive months …
It has been a busy month in Westminster before MP’s left Westminster for the Parliamentary recess. This July I have launched new project to tackle youth employment, been campaigning against the scandals of rip-off telephone rates and pay day loans, and revealing some shocking truths about the Government’s policy on arms exports. It was also a month that saw another development in the drama of MG …
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.