Alongside 17 other Midlands MPs from across all parties, I signed a letter calling for George Osborne to use next week's spending review to announce major new funding for regional development. Coined the 'single pot' by Lord Heseltine in his No Stone Unturned report on growth last year, the fund aims to revive regional economies in places such as the West Midlands.
Yesterday in parliament we debated the importance of the arts and creative industries - not only for the economy but for people's lives. I called on the government to invest and harness Birmingham's innovation and talent - especially by ensuring the BBC has a real and long term presence in our region. We need more programmes produced here, and more representation of local people on the TV screens …
Welcomed local @unibirmingham students Claire and Becky to Parliament today for 2nd stage of their #Parliamentors programme placement
— Richard Burden MP (@RichardBurdenMP) June 18, 2013
Health for Life event – children from Forestdale and Fisher schools on course for healthy future pic.twitter.com/Bjx20XFNNo
— Richard Burden MP (@RichardBurdenMP) June 18, 2013
Yesterday I celebrated a really exciting new project – Health for Life in Schools – that aims to provide primary schools children in South Birmingham will the skills to lead a healthy and active lifestyle for life. It was an excellent event – Forestdale and St John Fisher schools from my Northfield constituency were there, showcasing the work of staff and pupils to grow vegetables, encourage …
On Saturday (15 May) I joined over 250 protestors outside Birmingham Council House to campaign against the bedroom tax. People receiving housing benefit, who live in council or housing association homes with a spare bedroom, face a choice between paying £600 more a year or moving home. But as I know all to well from my constituents, there often just isn’t a choice. The truth is there aren’t …
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.