Richard Burden MP | This week 2008

Previous weeks...

8TH - 15TH MAY 2009

Spoke on the panel of a discussion on “Frankley Forgotten” held by the BBC at Holly Hill Infant School
Chaired a meeting of the West Midlands Select Committee at which we took evidence from local businesses on the impact the current economic situation is having here in the West Midlands
Attended an event hosted by the Birmingham Post to discuss the motor industry in the West Midlands
Spoke at the Democracy Day event held in Birmingham last Saturday and held meetings with colleagues to discuss electoral reform and how to get people more engaged with politics
Met with other Birmingham MPs and the City Council to discuss a range of issues including the closure of day centres, Children’s Services, climate change, and plans to attract more jobs and investment to Birmingham
As Chair of the Britain-Palestine APPG, held meetings with charities involved in the Middle East and also joined a protest against the policies of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman who visited the UK this week
Took up the proposed closure of Collingwood Day Centre with the City Council (read more here)
As Chair of the West Midlands Select Committee, met with the Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands to discuss a range of regional issues
Visited the “Working Links” project to discuss their work in helping unemployed people back to work
Met with the consultants appointed by Birmingham City Council to prepare plans for Kings Norton Three Estates
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, benefits, Gurkhas, healthcare, pensions and climate change

EASTER WEEK 11TH - 17TH APRIL 2009

Met with representatives of banks, debt advisors and other consumer advice agencies in Northfield to discuss the effectiveness of help for local people during the economic downturn
Held a special advice session for constituents on dealing with the economic downturn, in conjunction with Birmingham City Council's debt advice team, Citizens Advice Bureau, CommuniSave credit union, Northfield Eco Centre and Northfield Town Centre Partnership
Held a meeting with Further Education Minister Sion Simon MP at Bournville College to discuss the relocation of the College to the former MG Rover site at Longbridge (read more about the College project here)
Attended a meeting of local agencies to monitor the constituency’s employment and skills plan
Addressed a meeting in the West Midlands about the situation in the Middle East and the recent parliamentary delegation I led to Gaza and the West Bank
Hosted a meeting of Labour members in the constituency with Jon Cruddas MP on tackling the economic downturn and the threat of the Far Right
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, employment, bailiff powers, animal welfare, health care and the economy

28TH FEBRUARY - 6TH MARCH 2009

Campaigned to secure the future of the Northfield Town Centre Partnership Shop – a local advice centre helping local people to deal with the impact of the recession
Hosted the launch of research on youth volunteering schemes by Youth Action Network in the House of Commons
Welcomed new Government funding for youth facilities in Birmingham
Spoke at meetings in the House of Commons about the recent UK Parliamentary which I led to Gaza and the West Bank
Participated in meetings of the International Development Committee to discuss our forthcoming report on China and take evidence for our Inquiry into sustainable development in a changing climate
Met with Ministers and union representatives to discuss initiatives to help the automotive industry
Attended the inauguration of the new Chief Minister at the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
Joined the launch of the new Eco centre in Northfield
Helped residents on the Middle Park estate make representations to Birmingham City Council over repair and maintenance work to their homes
Met with Birmingham’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families to discuss the future of education in Kings Norton and the regeneration of the Three Estates.
Held advice surgeries in Frankley, Northfield and Longbridge
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, child protection, violence against women, postal services, animal welfare, health care and the economy

18TH - 24TH OCTOBER 2008

Held an advice desk in Weoley Castle for constituents
Met with the Chief Officer of the West Midlands Probation Service to discuss the work of the probation service and other community safety issues
Gave evidence at the public examination of the development plan for the former Rover site in Longbridge
Met with the Environmental Agency and fellow local MPs Lynne Jones and Steve McCabe to discuss the impact of the recent flooding in Birmingham and what can be done to improve flood protection in our area
Attended an event in the House of Commons to celebrate Portrait of a Nation – a year-long programme of events that has seen young people explore their heritage and identity – and meet Shaun Tulloch, the Birmingham Youth Ambassador for the project
Met with the sub-postmaster of Middlemore Road Post Office, Northfield Councillors and the Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Local Services to discuss what can be done in the light of Post Office Ltd’s decision to proceed with the closure of the post office branch on Middlemore Road
Along with Labour colleagues from the region, met with Ian Austin and Lynda Waltho, the new Regional Minister and Deputy Minister for the West Midlands
Spoke at a meeting about the future of progressive politics in Britain
Distributed letters to residents updating them on proposed commercial developments in parts of the constituency
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, local library facilities, children in care, financial services, benefits, immigration, the environment and adult social care

4TH - 17TH OCTOBER 2008

Met with Birmingham City Council, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water to discuss the recent flooding (more on flooding here)
Attended a meeting of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Members Council
Met with pensioners attending the Frankley Community Church project lunch club and took up a range of casework arising from the meeting
Visited Reaside Junior School in Frankley and met with the Headteacher to discuss issues and opportunities facing the school
Met with the Executive Director of Bromford Housing – who provide affordable housing in Birmingham – to discuss issues around neighbourhood management and community empowerment
Attended the funeral of former Lord Mayor, Marion Arnott-Job, and spoke at the funeral of former Solihull Labour Councillor Fred Allen
Attended the official opening of the Balaam’s Wood Local Nature Reserve
Presented an award at Shipley’s bingo club in Weoley Castle
Visited the Morgan car factory in Malvern to find out about their operations and discuss issues affecting small motor manufacturers in the UK
Spoke about the situation in the Middle East at St Dunstan’s Church in Kings Heath (more on the Middle East here)
Received a petition from local residents calling for better library facilities in West Heath
Held a constituency advice desk in Northfield Library
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including cases of homelessness, immigration, equality, the economy, international development, energy and local health services

27TH SEPTEMBER - 3RD OCTOBER 2008

Held a constituency advice desk in Longbridge
Gave evidence at the public examination of the development plan for the former Rover site in Longbridge
Visited Northfield Fire Station to see their learning centre which has been funded by the Union Learning Fund to help staff develop their skills
Held a meeting with Birmingham City Council to discuss the performance of their Business Transformation programme
Met with representatives of the Government to discuss responses to the Credit Crunch and attended debates in the House of Commons on this issue
Hosted the All Party Motor Group launch in Parliament of the motor industry’s Sustainability Report
Attended a meeting of the International Development Committee
During Foreign Office Question time in the Commons, asked the Foreign Secretary about settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank
At the invitation of the Hurndall family, attended the preview and discussion of the Channel 4 docu-drama ‘The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall’ whose case Richard has taken up in recent years
Assisted with the end of programme review of Community Network South West
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including cases of housing, planning, transportation, animal welfare, foreign affairs and health care

20TH - 26TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Held a constituency advice desk in Weoley
Joined people from the Allens Cross and Trsecott area at their Community Celebration day
Attended the Labour Party Conference in Manchester (read more here)
Joined marathon runner and charity fundraiser Dave Heeley for the opening of the new Pocklington Place in Northfield – Birmingham’s first extra care sheltered housing scheme for people with sight loss (read more here)
Attended a meeting of the Longbridge Regeneration Consultative Group
Submitted a response document to the public examination of the Longbridge Area Action Plan which will take place in October
Wrote my September Westminster Diary on the recent flooding (read the article here)
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, anti-social behaviour and the local environment

13TH - 19TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Visited the Kings Norton Nature Reserve Open Day
Met with the Northfield Community Support Board
Attended the Northfield Home-Start AGM in West Heath
Attended a meeting of the Constituency Committee to discuss various issues including the recent flooding (more on flooding here), constituency spending and plans for the regeneration of Longbridge
Met with the Northfield Constituency Strategic Partnership meeting
Launched the All Party Parliamentary Group on Electoral Reform’s report on the Government’s Review of Voting Systems (read more here)
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, flooding, waste collection, anti-social behaviour and health care

6TH - 12TH SEPTEMBER 2008

Held constituency advice desks in Northfield and Longbridge
On Saturday night and Sunday morning, went out to parts of Frankley and Weoley most seriously affecting by flooding (read more here)
Secured further emergency flood action by Birmingham City Council and pressed for a review of existing City flood defence organisation
Met with the Prime Minister and other Ministers at the ICC to discuss the West Midlands economy (read more here)
Met with representatives of different Council departments and the police to review how anti social behaviour is being tackled in Northfield
Attended a community event hosted by South West Birmingham Community Association covering issues such as the establishment a local community development trust
Attended a meeting of the Kings Norton Housing Liaison Board to discuss the regeneration of the Three Estates
Presented an award to PCSO Laura Hurley on behalf of local community representatives for her commitment to helping local people in the Frankley and Rubery Rednal areas (read more here)
Met with City Council representatives to review the work of the Community Network South West project
Held a meeting to discuss support for those suffering domestic violence and how to improve coordination of voluntary groups in the Northfield area
Made various representations and took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, anti-social behaviour, local health services and international affairs

Please note - there was a gap in 'This week' entries whilst my website was being re-developed. Some of the read more links below may no longer work.

24 – 30 MARCH 2008

Met with the Birmingham City Council’s Head of Planning and Regeneration to discuss the redevelopment of the Longbridge site, regeneration of South West Birmingham as a whole and the prospects for creating Eco-Towns in Birmingham
Attended a showcase of MG Rover Projects held at Aston Villa Football Club
Held discussions with West Midlands Police about recent stabbings in Kings Norton and Frankley and also took up issues relating to emergency service responses with West Midlands Ambulance Service
Sat on the Delegated Legislation Committee for the Draft Town and Country Planning Regulations
Welcomed the announcement that Tata is to purchase Jaguar Land Rover (read more here)
Met with Parliamentary colleagues to discuss the role of motor sport in Labour sports policy
Asked the Foreign Secretary a question in the House of Commons about the political situation in Gaza (read more here)
Met with the Jordanian Ambassador to discuss relations between the UK and Jordan and progress on the Middle East Peace Process
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, regeneration, energy costs, gambling, temporary and agency workers, voluntary work, health care and international development

17 – 23 MARCH 2008

Met with the Northfield branch of the National Pensioners Convention to discuss a range of issues including pensions, Post Offices, the EU Treaty, mental health services in South Birmingham and the regeneration of Northfield
Spoke in the House of Commons debate on Post Offices (read the speech here)
Hosted the Annual All Party Parliamentary Motor Group Reception in the House of Commons to launch the SMMT report on CO2 and the automotive sector
Participated in the Parliamentary Classic Car Run in aid of Leukaemia Research and the Stroke Association
Attended a meeting on the launch of the new BBC Arabic channel
Met with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues to discuss the political situation in Gaza
Attended a meeting of the International Development Committee with the Vice President for Operations of the African Development Bank
Represented the International Development Committee on the joint House of Commons committee on arms export controls
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, human rights, foreign affairs, inheritance tax and pensions

10 – 16 MARCH 2008

Met with the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust to discuss progress with the building of the South Birmingham new hospital and other issues
Attended a meeting of the Northfield Constituency Strategic Partnership to discuss initiatives to tackle worklessness and other matters
Met with representatives of the Northfield Town Centre Partnership to discuss the regeneration of Northfield High Street area
Site visit with the Constituency Housing Manager to help resolve a housing problem
Attended a meeting to discuss the potential for a Community Development Trust in South West Birmingham
Attended the Annual General Meeting of the Northfield Constituency Labour Party
Listened to the Chancellor announce the 2008 Budget in the House of Commons (read more about Budget 2008 here)
Wrote in the Bromsgrove Standard about the Budget and Child Poverty (read the article here)
Attended a meeting of the International Development Committee on the World Food Programme
Attended a meeting of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group in discussion with Richard Makepeace, the British Consul-General to East Jerusalem
Asked the Secretary of State for International Development a question about fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza (read more here)
Held a constituency advice surgery in Weoley
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, climate change, Europe, Rover, regeneration and inheritance tax

3 – 9 MARCH 2008

In Birmingham

Held a number of meetings to discuss regeneration issues affecting Longbridge and the surrounding area with CENTRO, Nanjing and Regen WM
Welcomed the launch of the Northfield Energy Efficiency Partnership (read more here)
Attended a meeting of the Rover Community Action Trust
Met with Birmingham City Council and other Birmingham MPs to discuss a range of issues including worklessness, climate change and housing repairs
Met with local Labour councillors to discuss community issues in the constituency
Attended a meeting of the Members Council of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield
Took part in a community video project with students from local schools at the Technology Innovation Centre in Millennium Point
Held a constituency advice surgery in Northfield

In Parliament

Met with the Health Secretary to discuss funding for Primary Care Trusts and the need to tackle health inequalities
Met with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury to discuss vehicle excise duty
Attended the launch of ‘earthdreams’, the environmental programme of the Honda F1 racing team
Tabled a Parliamentary Motion on the situation in Gaza calling on the international community to take immediate action (read more here) and attended a vigil on the issue
Visited the Palestinian Trade Fair held at the Arab British Chamber of Commerce
Attended a meeting of the International Development Committee on aid effectiveness and co-ordination
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, the European Union Treaty, health care, climate change and temporary and agency workers

18 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH 2008

Met with the JobCentre Plus Regional Manager to discuss ways of supporting people into work and the provision of services across Northfield, Weoley, Longbridge and Kings Norton
Joined local police community support officers on a tour of the Kings Norton Three Estates
Met with representatives of St Modwens and Bournville College to discuss the progress of regeneration plans in Longbridge and the relocation of Bournville College
Met with the Kings Norton Housing Liaison Board to discuss housing issues in the local area
Helped plant a tree to create a new boundary for the Balaam’s Wood Local Nature Reserve as part of the Birmingham Trees for Life campaign
Attended the Birmingham Post 150th Anniversary Dinner where I was one of three nominees short-listed for the first Birmingham ‘Politician of the Year’ award
Attended three meetings of the International Development Committee and, with other members of the Committee, published a report on Maternal Health (read more here)
Voted in the House of Commons for the Private Members Bill on temporary and agency workers
Met with other members of the Labour Manifesto Group to discuss developing policies on the third sector including voluntary and community groups
Attended an adjournment debate on the Middle East peace process and spoke at a meeting on the emergency situation in Gaza
Wrote an article on the reference to Israel’s WMD in the Iraq dossier
Attended the Labour Party Spring Conference at the ICC in Birmingham and spoke at a fringe event on electoral reform
Held a constituency advice surgery at Colmers Farm in Longbridge
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, anti-social behaviour, the European Union, pensions and employment

11 – 17 FEBRUARY 2008

Published an article about tackling poor housing and homelessness in Birmingham (read the article here)
Held a constituency advice surgery in Weoley
Met with consultants looking at the potential for establishing community enterprises in South West Birmingham
With other members of the International Development Committee, published a report on Afghanistan (read more here)
Published a report in response to ‘Vibrant urban villages’, the Birmingham Green Paper on neighbourhood working (read more here)
Met with staff from the Birmingham University Business School and Bournville College to discuss projects on MG Rover
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, police pay and climate change

4 – 10 FEBRUARY 2008

Visited the Northfield Job Centre Plus Office to discuss employment advice and support to constituents
Accompanied John Denham, the Secretary of State for Skills and Innovation, on a visit to Birmingham City University’s Technology and Innovation Centre
Held a meeting with David Blunkett MP and voluntary and community organisations to discuss future policies towards the third sector
Helped launch a campaign in Birmingham City Centre to help combat climate change with Oxfam, RSPB, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Practical Action (read more here)
Attended meetings of the International Development Select Committee to discuss the Committee’s enquiries on Afghanistan and Maternal Health
Hosted the Annual Reception of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group in the House of Commons with the Palestinian General Delegate to the UK (read more here)
Attended a parliamentary legislation committee on local government reorganisation
Chaired a meeting of the All Party Motor Group in discussion with Professor Stephen Glaister to discuss road transport policy
Met with a representative of Jaguar Land Rover to discuss issues affecting the motor industry
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, nuclear power, police pay, education funding and human rights

28 JANUARY – 3 FEBRUARY 2008

Met with the Prime Minister to discuss the regeneration of Longbridge
Published a report in response to ‘Vibrant urban villages’, the Birmingham Green Paper on neighbourhood working (read here)
Visited Colmers Farm Infants School to see their Forest School project
Met with Mike O’Brien, the Minister of State for Pensions, to discuss the implementation of the Financial Assistance Scheme (read more here)
Attended an event in Parliament with representatives from Northfield’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital to discuss challenges facing orthopaedic health services
Met with the Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Education to discuss local education issues
Visited the Department for International Development with the International Development Select Committee and attended an evidence session on Iraq
Asked the Secretary of State for Justice an oral parliamentary question on the Government’s review of voting systems (read more here)
Chaired a meeting of the Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group in discussion with Dr Michael Williams, the UK's Special Representative on the Middle East
Met with representatives from Unite and UNISON to discuss issues affecting the third sector
Held constituency advice surgeries in Northfield and Colmers Farm

21 – 27 JANUARY 2008

Met with the Chair and Chief Executive of the Kings Norton New Deal for Communities
Attended a meeting of the Northfield Constituency Strategic Partnership to discuss neighbourhood working
Attended a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in the Houses of Parliament (read more here)
Sat on the Health and Social Care Bill Committee (the Bill has now completed its Committee stage – find out more here)
Attended an International Development Select Committee evidence session on Iraq
Met with the Chief Executive of Jaguar Land Rover to discuss issues affecting the motor industry including new carbon emission targets and vehicle taxation
Spoke about the situation in Gaza in the Westminster Hall debate on Global Security in the Middle East (read more here)
Attended a seminar hosted by the Palestine Return Centre and met with a delegation of members of the Israeli Knesset
Took up a range of issues on behalf of constituents including housing, immigration, animal welfare, human rights, education funding and healthcare research

7 – 20 JANUARY 2008

In Birmingham

Attended a meeting on the Longbridge Area Action Plan
Met with Birmingham City Council and other Birmingham MPs to discuss a range of issues including education in Birmingham and the City Council’s actions on equal pay / single status for its staff
Visited Kings Norton Nursery School and delivered certificates for their Christmas card designs
Held a constituency advice surgery in Weoley

In Parliament

Spoke in the Commons debate on the Pensions Bill (read more here)
Produced a briefing on Longbridge for the Prime Minister’s visit to China
Sat on the Health and Social Care Bill Committee
Attended an International Development Select Committee evidence session on Afghanistan
Asked parliamentary questions to the Chancellor, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development on the situation in the Middle East (read more here)
Took up a range of issues including police pay, the review of post offices, the ongoing Rover enquiry and single status pay
Wrote in the Bromsgrove Standard about the Education and Skills Bill (read the article here)

10 – 16 DECEMBER 2007

In Birmingham

Attended opening of Longbridge Innovation Centre and launch of West Midlands Economic strategy.
Made early morning visit to Northfield Royal Mail Delivery Offices to say thank you to postal workers for their work at Christmas.
Spoke to students at ‘World of Work’ assembly at Turves Green Boys School.
Attended Northfield constituency Strategic Partnership meeting.
Held a constituency advice surgery in Northfield.
Helped constituents with a range of issues: immigration, housing, anti-social behaviour, benefits, child visitation rights, planning, road safety, hospital appointments, tax credits, sewage, and road markings

In Parliament

Met the Home Secretary to discuss the Government’s anti-terrorist proposals.
Spoke in Commons debate on the future of the motor industry.
Attended International Development Select Committee meeting on Development Assistance in Insecure Environments - Afghanistan.
Took up constituents’ queries on issues such as: police pay, Human Rights in North Korea and China, overseas visitors’ access to the NHS, funding for Higher Education funding.

3 – 8 DECEMBER 2007

Raised issues affecting Birmingham with Ministers during a Commons Statement on Local Government Finance.
Worked with parliamentary colleagues on further development of Labour policies in support of the voluntary and community sectors.
Attended International Development Committee Inquiry meetings into UK policies on Afghanistan, Burma and Maternal Health.
Met with pupils from Frankley High School on education visit to Parliament.
Met with young people involved in “Learning Ambassador” schemes.
Met with Foreign Secretary to discuss Middle East Peace Process and with groups promoting Israeli/Palestinian dialogue.
Took up issues raised by constituents on Sudan, treatment of children in care in Bulgaria, higher education funding, patient confidentiality, school finances, AIDS, Northern Rock, pensions, Palestinian farmers, flooding, water management and public transport.

6 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2007

Judged schools’ Christmas carol competition held in Price’s Square, Northfield High Street
Attended Advent Sunday service of 50^th Anniversary at St John Baptist Parish Church.
Helped constituents with range of problems on housing, child tax credits, road surface improvements, anti-social behaviour, drains, immigration and pensions
Met with the Chair and Chief Executive of Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Spoke at Austin Ex-Apprentices Association Reunion Dinner.
Interviewed on ‘Politics Show’
Spoke at a meeting to promote a just peace in the Middle East
Met constituents at ‘End Israeli Occupation’ lobby.
Attended Pre-World AIDS Day lobby and exhibition.
Took up constituents’ queries on issues such as: the Gambling Act, effects of climate change, Northern Rock, pensions funds, disability referral procedures, cycling, obesity.

18 - 25 NOVEMBER 2007

Held meeting with Editor of Birmingham Mail and Government Minister on the petition for a Referendum for an elected Mayor for Birmingham.
Met with representatives of 'Make Votes Count' on motor industry issues.
Questioned the Foreign Secretary on Middle East policy during Question time in Parliament.
Held meetings in Parliament with Director of United Nations Relief Operations in Gaza and with an Israeli peace organization.
During Prime Minister's Question time brought up with the Prime Minister the importance of tackling climate change and boosting opportunities in the environmental industries`in places like Birmingham.
Met with representative of West Midlands Strategic Health Authority.
Attended International Development Committee Inquiry on the World Bank and improving Maternal Health.
Held meetings with representatives of voluntary sector organizations in Birmingham to promote development of voluntary and community organizations in my constituency

9 - 16 NOVEMBER 2007

In Birmingham

Addressed a local church group on community issues in South West Birmingham
Presented prizes at a school's slam poetry competition
Attended the annual conference of the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands
Read the lesson at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the British Legion in Northfield
Met with Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss issues of concern to Birmingham and the region
Held advice surgery in Weoley

In Parliament

Participated in a Commons International Development committee hearing on counter narcotics work in Afghanistan and met with Afhgan MPs visiting the UK
Met with Friends of the Earth to Discuss the Climate Change Bill
Presented a report in Parliament from a fact-finding visit to Israel and Palestine
Attended the Parliamentary launch of the Midlands United campaign to secure more investment in housing in the East and West Midlands

24 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER 2007

Took part in International Development Select Committee visit to Afghanistan.

Gained an overview of work of Department for International Development in Afghanistan.
Met Afghan Ministers, civil society leaders and visited development projects.
Had briefing with the Helmand Taskforce and met with British troops stationed there.

15 - 21 OCTOBER 2007

In Birmingham
• Attended Community Support Board meeting.
• Met with other Rover Community Action Trust trustees.
• Had meeting regarding housing in Birmingham.
• Held meeting with stakeholders regarding Longbridge.

In Parliament

• Attended International Development Select Committee meeting on Maternal Health.
• Attended Unite (new merged union formed from TGWU and Amicus) lobby day on manufacturing.
• Raised issue of skills in Treasury Questions

8 – 14 OCTOBER 2007

In Birmingham

Met with the Northfield Community Resource Information Centre.
Spoke at Amnesty International conference on ‘Terror, Security and Human Rights’.

In Parliament

Spoke in Foreign Office Questions.
Attended two International Development Select Committee Meetings.
Tabled written questions on house prices and stamp duty in Northfield.
Spoke at meeting of Design Engineering Group of Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders about current challenges for the automotive sector.

1 – 7 OCTOBER 2007