|
|
Updated Claimant Count data was released this week, which shows that unemployment has increased in Newham by 7% since January 2011, whilst it has gone up by 4.2% nationally. Lyn Brown MP said: “These unemployment figures are further evidence that the Tory-led Government is cutting too far and too fast....
|
Shameful attack on the most vulnerable
|
Last week the Welfare Reform Bill got a stormy reception in the House of Lords, as the Government’s attack on the most vulnerable in our society went on. Of course, the Coalition like to claim that there is no alternative to their savage cuts. Nothing could be...
|
Lyn Brown MP supports calls for urgent action to prevent babies’ deaths.
|
 Lyn Brown attended a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons, organised by Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, for the launch of...
|
Use of military during 2012 Olympics
|
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond revealed on Thursday the extent and size of military involvement during the Olympic Games. The MOD will provide up to 13,500 military personnel to offer support to the police and other civil and Olympic authorities. Lyn Brown MP said: "I am pleased that the Government has...
|
|
|
 West Ham MP Lyn Brown is backing an art project at local shelter Anchor House. Newham artist Stephanie Lai has worked with 12 residents and ex-residents at Anchor House to create a painting visualising their dreams and aspirations. The painting is now being auctioned. Proceeds will go...
|
Focus on library closures
|
I was delighted to read last week that the House of Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport Committee has announced an inquiry into library services. The Committee – made up of backbench MPs – will be looking at the impact of library closures on local communities, as well as asking...
|
George Osborne’s Autumn Statement
|
Yesterday the Chancellor, George Osborne gave his Autumn Statement, and it is clear that the Government’s plans for the economy are collapsing around their ears. Let’s not mince words: the news is absolutely terrible. Unemployment – already at a 15 year high - looks set to rise to 8.7%...
|
The cost of Cameron’s NHS reorganisation
|
Cameron's NHS plans will cost £21,908,217 million in Newham Labour has today revealed the hidden cost of the Government’s wasteful NHS reorganisation in Newham. New guidelines will force the local NHS to put aside £21, 908, 217 to pay for a costly NHS restructure that David Cameron repeatedly ruled out....
|
Lyn Brown MP supports Afghan women’s rights ‘Kite’ initiative
|
 Lyn Brown MP is supporting an international campaign to press for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Lyn took part in an event in Parliament on Wednesday 23 November which saw a cross-party group of MPs and peers having their photograph taken in front of hundreds of handmade kites designed...
|
Lyn Brown MP supports Labour’s campaign for jobs and growth
|
 Lyn Brown MP is backing Labour’s campaign for jobs and growth to boost Britain’s economy. Growth in the UK has completely stalled, and job figures released this week show the highest unemployment level for 17 years, with the most women out of work since 1988. The number of young people...
|
Canning Town mum raises concerns about NHS cuts
|
Vicky Gray from Canning Town, East London met Lyn Brown MP at Bliss, the special care baby charity’s parliamentary event on Wednesday 9 November, where we launched our SOS campaign (Save our special care babies, Save our specialist nurses) and report on frontline cuts to nurses caring for babies born...
|
Lyn Brown MP backs the Giving Voice Campaign
|
Lyn Brown joined supporters of the Giving Voice campaign, including Newham resident and Chief Executive of the British Stammering Association, Norbert Lieckfeldt, to raise awareness about the cuts to Speech and Language Therapy. Across the UK, health authorities are being forced to reduce services as a result of the Government’s...
|
Pension changes that just aren't fair
|
We have just celebrated my husband John’s 50-something birthday, so it's not surprising the recent debate about pensions resonates with me personally, as well as politically. Pensions seem so remote when you are young, but, as you get older, you realise how crucial they are. You only have to switch...
|
Decisions that make no sense
|
We should be able to rely upon the Conservative Party to take a hard line on law and order. The Tories demand tough sentencing: a “be tough on crime; ignore the causes” approach. It’s standard fare. Why, then, did this Conservative-led Government pass a Bill that will stop...
|
|
|
It has been hard settling down to write my column, not just because I am tired following Labour Party Conference, nor because it’s a gorgeous day outside, but because, yesterday, I collected a new addition to my family. Her name is Cara. She is a beautiful, nine-week-old, Yorkshire Terrier,...
|
|
|
Personally, and politically, this year has been dominated by the NHS. After my fall down some stairs, the NHS put me back together again, managing my pain and recovery with efficiency and consideration. To the great people and exceptionally skilled surgeons of the NHS, I extend my sincere gratitude....
|
Cuts to our school budgets
|
Understandably, the Olympics have been in the news a lot lately. There is just one year to go till the opening ceremony in Stratford and the start of the biggest sporting event in the world. Visiting local schools, I see how the spirit of the games has reached and...
|
Failing to invest in our young
|
I’m sure many parents sighed with relief: the waiting over, envelopes opened. We know whether our children’s grades secured the University, College or career of choice. Maria, my niece, worried about her grades, fluctuating wildly between hope and despair . Her heart is set on a degree...
|
Great examples of the Good Society
|
Over the summer, when I have a little more time to myself, I spend it with my niece, Aimee. Like most six-year-olds, she loves being active and playing sport, (and post offices), and currently is particularly taken with tennis, attending a ‘tennis camp’. Tennis camp involves lots of chasing...
|
|
|
Up till now, this year has been truly awful. I am so looking forward to a break, to re-charge my batteries and come back refreshed for the new term. I hope to spend my time away from Parliament sitting in the sun, reading a book and listening to some...
|
Education changes will create more hurdles
|
Last week, Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, and good woman, opened the new building at Sarah Bonnell School. Its build was funded by our previous Labour Government and provides fabulous new language, drama and music facilities. I listened to excited students talk about the improved facilities and it brought...
|
Government out of touch with public and its own backbenchers
|
Sometimes, in Parliament, an eagerly anticipated debate produces drama, seemingly from nowhere. So it was last week. On Wednesday, it was Ed Balls versus George Osborne. The atmosphere was electric. The Labour benches were packed. We wanted Ed to hold the Government to account. He did, battering...
|
Pension Changes will Impact Badly On women
|
In the House of Commons, it is stories about real people’s lives that bring a hush to the Chamber. So it was last week. Yvette Cooper spoke about the impact of Government policies upon women. She described Michelle, a single parent and Open University student, working part time in...
|
Lyn Brown MP attends 'Smile One More Day'
|
Lyn Brown MP attends 'Smile One More Day' charity event Last Tuesday, Lyn Brown MP attended 'Smile One More Day', a charity event held at Hudson's Youth Project to raise money for Richard House Children's Hospice. Young people gave up their time to fundraise for the hospice as part of...
|
Lyn welcomes the launch of the London-wide nhSOS campaign
|
Lyn Brown MP has welcomed the launch of the nhSOS campaign by London Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone. The campaign aims to recognise and co-ordinate local action against the Tory-Led Government’s radical proposals to reform the NHS. With planned closures to A & E, maternity and other vital NHS services...
|
Lyn Brown MP is delighted to send her support to Carers Week
|
Lyn Brown MP is delighted to send her support to Carers Week. She said: ‘Carers Week is vitally important to ensure that we recognise the thousands of devoted carers up and down the country.’ ‘Carers have to juggle looking after their loved ones with their own lives, and we must...
|
Lyn calls for VAT rise on fuel to be reversed
|
LYN BROWN MP CALLS FOR VAT RISE ON FUEL TO BE REVERSED Lyn is calling on the Chancellor George Osborne to reverse the Government’s VAT rise on fuel. The hike in VAT to 20% in January has added nearly 3p to the price of a litre of petrol. The...
|
Lyn welcomes the continuation of the London 2012 Get Ahead School Leavers Programme
|
Lyn welcomes the continuation of the London 2012 Get Ahead School Leavers Programme Lyn Brown MP has welcomed the news that the London 2012 Get Ahead School Leavers Programme will continue to run for a fourth consecutive year. The programme, which is run by the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG),...
|
Lyn warns 'Safety at risk' over cuts to police
|
Cuts in funding to police will jeopardise safety in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, says West Ham MP Lyn Brown. Lyn has spoken out about cuts planned by the Coalition Government to Metropolitan Police.. Lyn said a new analysis of the Coalition’s cuts by the House...
|
Lyn Brown MP attacks Government plans to sell off Royal Mail
|
Lyn Brown MP has hit out at the Coalition Government’s plans to privatise the Royal Mail. The plans will jeopardise the future of Post Offices across the Borough as there will no longer be a guarantee of Royal Mail business. Royal Mail provides up to a third of income for...
|
Lyn backs Campaign for faster diagnosis of Bowel Cancer
|
Approximately one in 20 people will develop bowel cancer during their lifetime. It is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Over 16,000 people die from bowel cancer each year. This doesn’t have to be the case however....
|
Time to pay our carers more says MP
|
West Ham MP Lyn Brown has backed a call for more help to be given to working carers who provide support to relatives and friends with long-term disabilities and illnesses. USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributed and Allied Workers has called on the government to increase the amount of money...
|
Lyn campaigns to make sure hard-working families get the help they are entitled to
|
 Lyn Brown MP is campaigning to make sure working parents and carers claim the help they are entitled to. Lyn met with leading representatives from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) as part of their Supporting Parents and Carers Spotlight campaign. This...
|
Lyn visits sixth formers at St Bon's in Forest Gate
|
 Lyn Brown MP has been debating the election and politics in West Ham with some of our politicians of the future during a visit to St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate. She took questions from an A-Level Politics class on a wide range of subjects including her role as...
|
Lyn welcomes planning permission for the Olympic Village Polyclinic
|
Lyn Brown MP is delighted that planning permission has now been granted for the state-of-the-art Polyclinic to be built in the Olympic Village. Construction is due to start later this spring. The clinic is due to be completed in time for the Olympics when it will provide health facilities...
|
Lyn visits Curwen school to see how the new buildings are progressing
|
 Lyn Brown MP has been visiting Curwen School in Forest Gate to see how the new building is progressing. Lyn was shown around the new, eco-friendly building by Curwen’s school councillors, Year 5 students Sylvia Matipa and Yasin Appiah. The new building is being built with money from...
|
Lyn congratulates Newham teachers at Number 10
|
 Lyn Brown MP joined the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, in recognising the hard work and achievements of a few of Newham’s head teachers at a 10 Downing Street reception. The head teachers of Rokeby School, Hallsville School, Upton Cross...
|
Lyn welcomes big rise in the number of children having free school meals in Newham
|
Lyn Brown MP has welcomed a report revealing that the number of children having a free school meal in Newham primary schools has increased by 30%. The scheme is saving all families in Newham £8 a week per child. All primary schools in Newham have been taking part in...
|
Lyn urges everyone in Newham to get the most from the phone deal
|
Lyn has welcomed a new guide to mobile phone contracts which will help consumers in Newham save hundreds of pounds a year. The new guide gives tips on questions to ask before buying a phone and how to get the best deal and upgrade to suit their needs. The...
|
Lyn welcomes new deal between credit companies and the government
|
Lyn Brown MP has welcomed a new deal between the government and credit card companies which will give people more control over their finances. It is estimated the deal will save consumers almost £300 million a year. The new deal will mean that consumers will be able to pay...
|
Lyn Brown MP welcomes Newham scientist to Parliament
|
 Newham scientist, Ephraim Ansa-Addoe, joined Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, in Parliament this week to compete in the national scientific poster competition, SET for Britain.
SET for Britain is an exhibition of posters by research scientists, engineers and technologists who are at the start of their careers. The...
|
Lyn Brown MP backs free personal care for those in most need
|
Lyn Brown MP has backed the Government's guarantee of free personal care for those with the most need from October 2011.
The Personal Care at Home Bill is the Government's first step towards setting up a National Care Service. This will provide a fair and affordable care...
|
Lyn Brown MP visits Forest Gate School for Fair Trade Fortnight
|
 Lyn Brown MP visited Forest Gate Community School to talk to students and see what activities they have been doing as part of Fair Trade Fortnight (22nd February – 7th March). Lyn met young people from Godwin Primary School, who had popped in to make some amazing Fair Trade...
|
Lyn Brown MP welcomes fall in teenage pregnancies
|
Lyn Brown MP has welcomed a 20% fall in teenage pregnancies in Newham, to their lowest rate in 20 years. The Government has invested an additional £26.8 million nationwide in 2008 on promoting contraception. In Newham, improved sex and relationship education and programmes like C-Card, which...
|
Lyn Brown MP welcomes £11million for new homes
|
Lyn Brown MP has welcomed over £11million new funding from the Government to build 70 new homes in Newham. 10 of these will be built on London Road in Plaistow and the remaining 60 will be built at other sites around the Borough. This announcement is part...
|
Lyn welcomes the Prime Minister to Newham
|
 Lyn Brown MP was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to Newham this week. Lyn joined the Prime Minister and Phil Hope, the Care Services Minister, on a visit to the Community Resource Centre in...
|
Lyn signs up to votenhs.com campaign
|
Lyn Brown MP has signed up to the Government’s pledge at www.voteNHS.com to create a new NHS guarantee of cancer diagnosis within 1 week of GP referral. This will ensure that all NHS patients are tested for cancer and told their results in just 7 days. A...
|
Newham tenants to be better protected from unscrupulous landlords
|
New measures are to give private-sector tenants in Newham better protection from unscrupulous landlords. This is the result of a lengthy Government consultation and determined campaigning from Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham. Newham council is to be given new powers to manage the unplanned spread of shared houses...
|
Kick off for Kit For Kids campaign
|
Leading Newham charities have joined Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham, in Parliament to kick off this year’s Kit For Kids campaign. Kit For Kids is an exciting new initiative to help Newham parents recycle their kids old school clothes at the end of the school year. Events will...
|
Lyn Brown MP supports sunbed ban for under 18s
|
Lyn Brown MP has been in Parliament to back a Bill to introduce a ban on anyone under 18 being able to use sunbeds. Recent research by Cancer Research UK, commissioned by the Government, found that a quarter of a million, or 6%, of children aged 11 to 17 have...
|
|
