V for Volunteering

Last week, I went along to talk to local students taking part in the excellent V for Volunteering course in the House of Commons, organised by the Enfield Citizens Advice Bureau. The purpose of this course was for students to learn more about the history and law-giving functions of the two Houses of Parliament, as well as finding out about the CAB's vital national role as a lobbier of Parliament, and a supplier of statistics and arguments which have a major influence on the making of new laws.

MPs' experience of the Citizens' Advice Bureau varies, according to the type of constituency they represent. All I can say is that the CAB's Social Policy function, as a definer and defender of people's rights, is vital in my multicultural constituency of Edmonton. The CAB has championed a number of important issues: most recently it has argued that tenants' deposits need to be protected from unscrupulous landlords, and as a result we now have a national scheme which landlords can sign up to, which protects those deposits. Now it is highlighting the dearth of National Health dentists across the UK.

The CAB is one of the most important agencies maintaining the UK's social safety net, so I was happy to give this course my full support.

Below: A picture of us all on the day. In the picture are Enfield CAB Supervisor Marcia Cabey (back of picture), front left, David Tinline, a CAB Public Affairs Officer, Volunteer Development Manager Christine Arthur (centre), course organiser and Communications Consultant John Oakes (left) and , left to right, the students Pritish Katri, Mariam Ahmadzade (back row),Jamil Mohammed, Ewa Bienkowska, Farhan Farooqui and Laurentino Figueiras. Photo: Robin Humphreys

Pull Your Finger Out!

This week I joined Parmjit Dhanda, the Fire Minister, to promote a new Government campaign launched on 15 January. The stark message is to ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ and check your smoke alarm. Checking a smoke alarm only takes minutes but the reasons given for failing to take this simple precaution are disturbing, with general apathy stopping many people from being fire safe. Although 80% of homes in England have a smoke alarm, new survey results from the Fire Kills campaign show that four in five of those polled don’t follow advice to test their alarm every week. One in three smoke alarms fails to operate in fires, mainly due to missing of non-working batteries. Not checking smoke alarms regularly puts loved ones and homes at risk.



The ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ national advertising campaign, fronted by Julie Walters, will run in England from 15 January to early March.

If you want more information, here's a five-step plan:

Step 1 - Fit a smoke alarm on each level of the property. When a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to escape so an early warning is vital. Make sure you replace battery operated smoke alarm units after 10 years. Alternatively consider installing a 10-year battery smoke alarm or mains powered alarm.

Step 2 - Test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999.

Step 3 - Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.

Step 4 – Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area where most house fires start. It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off. Also, never
leave cooking unattended.

Step 5 – Ask the experts. Fire and Rescue Services in England offer free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. Find out more at www.fire.gov.uk.

Fires in the home are thankfully rare, but we can all help to ensure that we aren’t victims of tragedy by getting a smoke alarm and checking it weekly.

Asking Questions About F & G...

"What on earth are they?" I hear you ask. Well, since June, energy ratings (similar to those given to fridges) will have to be produced for every home bought and sold in England. The ratings are based on a home's energy efficiency and carbon emissions. They will inform residents of the current average costs for heating, hot water and lighting in their home as well as how to cut costs with energy efficiency measures.

Ratings F and G are the poorest, and therefore those who need the most help in improving their home. One in five of all homes in the country are rated F or G.

In Department for Communities and Local Government Questions yesterday, I asked what assistance those with F & G ratings were getting in improving their homes.

Here's the text of my question, and the answer I received, taken from theyworkforyou.com

Let's Get Involved in National Year of Reading!

I was delighted to see the launch of the National Year of Reading this week. I hope people in Edmonton will get involved with this important campaign. The scheme aims to encourage people to read in businesses, homes and communities and will help to improve access through schools and libraries.

I want local schools, colleges, libraries and employers to pledge to join in with the National Year of Reading by signing up online at www.yearofreading.org.uk

There has been a huge amount of attention recently on reading at school, and rightly so. Every child must be able to read and write confidently; and I believe this campaign will enable many more people in my constituency to gain access to books.

Great News for Enfield and Edmonton!

Local Government finance has a reputation for being complicated and difficult to understand, but the new finance settlement recently announced clearly sets out that Enfield will be a big beneficiary in Local Authority Finance in the future.

Enfield will receive a big increase in its local authority finance over the next three years. Indeed, the formula grant^ for Enfield is to be one of the largest in London, with a 4.8 % increase 08-09, 3.5 % increase 09-10 and 3.5 % increase 09-10.

The grants, set out in a three-year plan by the Department for Communities and Local Government, incorporate the Government’s decisions following the review of the formula grant distribution system and consultation carried out over the summer.


^ Comprises Revenue Support Grant*, redistributed business rates and where applicable, principal formula Police grant.

* A Government grant which can be used to finance revenue expenditure on any service.

Lolita is Safe!

I received some good news today, that my adopted humpback whale, Lolita, has received a temporary reprieve, as the government of Japan has removed 50 humpbacks from this year’s whale hunt.

However, it does concern me that Japan is pressing ahead with plans to take almost 1,000 other whales over the next three months. According to reports, Japan had agreed not to kill humpback whales this season. Today’s announcement follows months of public and diplomatic pressure on Japan, which launched its whaling fleet on November 18.

As you may remember, I adopted Lolita the humpback whale last month as part of the IFAW campaign to show my support for the greater protection of this species. Since the 1986 ban on commercial whaling, Japan has killed more than 10,000 whales, claiming its whaling is conducted for scientific research purposes. Little science has been produced, while the meat from these whales is put on sale in supermarkets and restaurants.

While I am very pleased to hear that Lolita is safe for the time being, we must not forget that Japan is still targeting many other whales, including endangered species. We must keep up the diplomatic pressure for an end to this cruel practice.

Lolita, the humpback whale. Trish Franklin ©The Oceania Project & iWhales.org

Happy New Year Everyone!

I can't believe that 2008 is upon us already. Where did the past year go?

Like any year, 2007 has seen many ups and downs for all of us. Here at Westminster it’s been a year of many changes, as we said goodbye to Tony after ten years as our leader and saw Gordon take up the reins of power. In my constituency, Edmonton Green is looking better than ever. The new shopping complex, bus terminus and leisure centre which opened this year have made a real difference to the area. When I went to see the Christmas lights being switched on recently, I was impressed by the improvements that have taken place. And there is still more to come, with a new ASDA and the redevelopment of North Square.

Of course, there remains much to be done. The recent announcement of cuts in funding of the voluntary sector is disappointing. Many of the most deprived and excluded in our community will be adversely affected. However, I believe that we must continue to work together, to ensure 2008 will bring much needed improvement for the whole community.

Have a happy and prosperous 2008!