Working hard at Westminster - delivering

When I'm out and about talking and listening to people in Hall Green I make sure that I tell people what is going on at Westminster as it affects all of our lives.  You may not guess it from some of the coverage that Parliament gets, but very real work goes on in Parliament day in day out. 

This is being done here on your behalf and you have a right to know about it.

FREE NATIONAL BUS

On 1 April 2008, everyone who is disabled or over the age of 60 will be entitled to free off-peak bus travel anywhere in the country.   I want everyone in <<INSERT AREA>> over the age of 60 or disabled to sign up for free bus travel.

The Labour Government has listened to what older and disabled people want, and is extending free bus travel to those of 60 and those who are disabled in every area of the country.

This means that pass-holders visiting Birmingham can use our buses too, and that people from Birmingham can use their pass if they are visiting relatives or on holiday in other areas of the country. I want to make sure that every one of the 178 000 eligible in Birmingham gets their new bus pass.

If you are over 60 or registered disabled, and want to find out how to get your new bus pass, contact Birmingham City Council

Securing Britain's borders

I have supported moves to bring forward new laws to modernise our out-dated immigration system

The following measures come into effect on April 1st;

? UK Border Agency: The new UK Border Agency comes into effect. The Agency will combine the work of the Border and Immigration Agency, UK visas and the border related work of HM Revenue and Customs to strengthen border controls

? Points Based System:  This will ensure that the UK attracts only people with the skills it needs.

? General Grounds for Refusal: We are introducing a new paragraph into the Rules, providing for people who have previously breached UK immigration law to have any applications to come back refused for between one and ten years, depending on how they left the UK following their breach.  We will not apply this new rule to anyone presently in the UK who goes home voluntarily before 1 October.

Greener buildings

From 7 April Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will for the first time be required for commercial buildings when you construct, sell or rent them out.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give detailed information about the energy efficiency of premises, helping cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.

A new style of policing for our area

Labour's neighbourhood policing plan for Hall Green

Crime and anti-social behaviour can make people’s lives a misery; crime can leave us feeling powerless and afraid. That’s why I believe we need to continue to take the tough action necessary to tackle crime and take on the thugs and criminals.

I believe that the decent, law-abiding majority have a fundamental right to feel safe in their homes and on their streets.

We know that people want more say about their community and a police service that is visible, responsive and deals with local problems.
That's why from April you will have a dedicated neighbourhood police team in your area. 

Bobbies on the beat in our streets make all of us feel safer and neighbourhood police teams will provide local policing based around your priorities.

These police teams, dedicated to your area and listening to you, will be able to deal with local problems and tackle anti-social behaviour like vandalism, littering and graffiti.

And they will be easy to get hold of because local police forces will publish their details, such as names and phone numbers, so they can easily hear from local people and get to know their neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood policing gives local people power over how their areas are policed. It is a new style of policing to address local priorities, improve public confidence and make neighbourhoods safer. 

For more info go to www.neighbourhoodpolicing.co.uk