News Releases
If you would like to be kept up to date with the latest news from Alan Whitehead's office, please email
news@alan-whitehead.org.uk
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2010
February 5th: Justice reinvestment and cutting crime
As part of Alan's work on the Justice Committee, he lays out plans for cutting crime and prison numbers through the greater use of community courts, probation and youth courts, and other measures. Read Alan's article here.
February 4th: Would a council tax freeze lead to higher council tax rises later?
In Local Government questions, Alan analysed what the Tory proposals for a three year council tax freeze really mean. Read his question here.
February 3rd: Alan calls for early use of new HMO powers
Alan today used Prime Minister's Questions to press for the early use of new powers to regulate HMOs in cities like Southampton.
February 1st: Extracts from Alan's diary this week...
- Monday- Meeting with Ed Miliband at the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Meeting with the construction firm, Willmott Dixon, regarding their position paper, ‘A Low Carbon Built Environment’. All Party Parliamentary Environment Group meeting entitled ‘Beyond carbon: an industrial strategy for a resource efficient economy’. Chamber of Shipping event.
- Tuesday- Justice Select Committee meeting. Campaign for Better Transport event regarding train fare increases. Chartered Institute of Housing South East event. International Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration.
- Wednesday- Two Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meetings. PMQs. Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers’ Low Carbon Performance Awards.
- Thursday- Speaking on resource efficiency and recycling at the London Remade Conference
- Friday- First constituency surgery of the month. On panel at the New Forest Business Partnership Question Time.
- Saturday- Second constituency surgery of the month.
- Sunday- Meeting residents in Millbrook.
January 27th: Long campaign to protect family housing pays off!
The government today announced they would implement a change in planning rules to protect family homes in areas like Portswood, thanks in part to a long campaign by Alan Whitehead. Alan has welcomed the fantastic news. More information.
January 27th: Don't take economic recovery for granted
Alan Whitehead and John Denham have welcomed the news that Britain is out of recession, but warned there is absolutely no room for complacency if the recovery is to last. More information
January 23rd: Monthly Activity Report online
Alan's first Montly Activity Report for 2010 is now online. This report covers his proposed amendment to get a referendum on changing the voting system; his work on fuel poverty; schools; the HMO review; and other issues.
Read Alan's January report here.
Jan 18th: Extracts Alan's diary this week
- Monday Meeting with a DEFRA Special Adviser regarding waste as a resource.
- Tuesday- Standard and Privileges Select Committee and Justice Select Committee meetings. Two Energy Bill Committee meetings. On panel at an Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group conference entitled ‘A strategic approach towards a resource efficient economy’. Labour Friends of Poland meeting.
- Wednesday- Two Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meetings. PMQs. Electoral Commission Advisory Board meeting. Launch of the National Housing Federation’s ‘In Your Lifetime’ Report. Chairing a Sustainable Waste Forum dinner.
- Thursday- Two Energy Bill Committee meetings. Southampton Labour all-members meeting.
- Friday- Visiting Paediatric Services at the General Hospital. Meeting with the Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship Charity. Fourth constituency surgery of the month.
- Saturday- Fifth constituency surgery of the month. Saints v Swindon Town at home.
- Sunday- Meeting residents in Bevois.
Jan 13th: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- Interview with Southampton University student regarding voter turnout at local elections. Meeting regarding review of Higher Education fees.
- Tuesday- Justice Select Committee meeting. Two Energy Bill Committee meetings. Meeting on incentives to encourage local community ‘buy-in’ for new waste management infrastructure. Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group meeting. Electoral Reform Society event.
- Wednesday- Two Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meetings. PMQs. Meeting with the Chamber of Shipping regarding issues affecting shipping in Southampton. Labour Friends of Palestine event.
- Thursday- Two Energy Bill Committee meetings. Home visit to constituent in Southampton. Speaking at the Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council meeting.
- Friday- Meeting with Business Southampton.
- Saturday- Third constituency surgery of the month. Meeting residents in Millbrook. Southampton Malayalee Association event.
January 12th: Victory in family homes campaign
Last year Alan pressed the government to invest more in sustainable council homes for families. Now, the government has announced Southampton will get nearly £1 million to build new council homes to just those specifications. More information.
January 11th: Help to stay warm this winter
Both Alan and John Denham are encouraging vulnerable people in Southampton to not be afraid to keep their heating up this winter, due to the extra help with heating being made available by the government.
Find out about the help available in Southampton here.
January 4th: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
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Monday- casework & correspondence catch-up
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Tuesday- Standards and Privileges Select Committee meeting and Justice Select Committee meeting. Energy Bill Committee, which meets for the first time today. Meeting with E:ON regarding carbon capture and storage and the mandatory price support elements of the Energy Bill.
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Wednesday- Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meeting. PMQs.
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Thursday- Energy Bill Committee meeting. Doing Q&A about parliamentary procedures with 6th form students from Taunton’s College.
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Friday- Meeting with Southampton Community Healthcare, PCT regarding the new service. Visit from an E:ON energy efficiency adviser. First constituency surgery of the month.
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Saturday- Second constituency surgery of the month. Saints v Huddersfield at home.
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Sunday- Meeting residents in Bevois.
2009
December 22nd: Monthly Activity Report now online- and merry Christmas!
Even when Parliament is in recess, Alan still works full-time for constituents in Southampton. His Monthly Activity Report for December 2009 is now online. You can read it here.
This should be this website's last update until the New Year, so Merry Christmas to all constituents in Southampton Test!
December 18th: Winter Report published
Alan's regular Winter Newsletter has now been published and is currently being delivered to all households across Southampton Test.
This report covers Alan's recent work on energy pricing, economic help for the city, the Marine Bill, help for unemplloyed people, the future of Lordshill, and other issues.
If you have not yet received your copy, you can also download a copy here.
December 17th: Windfarm Supergrid Success!
Alan has hailed a landmark agreement between Britain and 8 other European countries to develop a 'supergrid' of windfarms in the North Sea. Alan has been lobbying for such an agreement for a number of years. More information.
December 15th: A Fair Road to Recovery?
In a joint article, Alan Whitehead and John Denham analyse the pre-budget report, what it means for Southampton, and ask: who should pay for the costs of economic recovery?
December 14th: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- Visit to Royal Mail Delivery Office, Shirley Road. Meeting regarding the Houses in Multiple Occupation Consultation with the Chair of Highfield Residents’ Association. Telephone meeting with a programme director, Climate Parliament regarding the European Supergrid. Chairing a Sustain meeting regarding the government’s inter-departmental carbon budgets.
- Tuesday- Standards and Privileges Select Committee meeting and Justice Select Committee meeting. Meeting with the Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group Coordinator. Meeting with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology regarding renewable heating and cooling. Event at Number 10. Socialist Environment and Resources Association event.
- Wednesday- Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meeting. PMQs. Roundtable regarding a progressive localist agenda at Number 10.
- Thursday- meeting Southampton Labour Party members; constituency correspondence.
- Friday- constituency correspondence & casework catchup
December 10th: Warm Homes for Southampton Campaign
Alan has backed the Warm Homes campaign to help people in Southampton get the help they are entitled to with cutting their energy bills.
December 9th: What the Pre-Budget Report means for Southampton
Alan has welcomed moves to combat fuel poverty and help Southampton businesses in the pre-budget report. Find out more about what the report means for Southampton.
December 8th: Speech on fuel poverty, energy supply, and the massive holes in Tory green policy
Alan spoke yesterday on the debate on the new Energy Bill currently going through Parliament. His main focus was how to get more practical help to people in fuel poverty; he also pulled apart many of the dangerous contradictions in Conservative energy policy.
December 7th: Alan talks microgeneration on the Politics Show
Alan was interviewed on the Politics Show this Sunday, where he talked about how he's been putting green principles into practice in his own home, and also the bigger challenges facing all of us in the lead up to Copenhagen.
Alan's interview starts at 33.40 into the broadcast- watch it here.
December 4th: Alan wins top Parliamentary environment award
On Wednesday Alan was presented with a surprise award from the top Parliamentary group on renewable and sustainable energy. More information.
November 30th: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- Warm Homes event at Newtown Health Clinic, Bevois
- Tuesday- Launch of Socialist Environment and Resources Association Copenhagen pamphlet.
- Wednesday- Launch of Rethink report on increasing political awareness and participation of people affected by mental illness
- Thursday- Visit to Remploy factory on West Quay Road, Southampton as part of International Day of Disabled People.
- Friday- Talking to residents of Chapter 1, Kingsley House (housing scheme for young people) about facilities for young people.
- Saturday- Seventh constituency surgery of the month.
- Sunday- Meeting residents in Redbridge.
Read Alan's full diary for this week
November 29th: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's Monthly Activity Report is now online. The report covers Alan's work on the Marine Act, fox-hunting, student fees, Lordshill, and other matters.
Read previous monthly reports.
November 26th: Pressing the PM for a strong deal at Copenhagen
Alan Whitehead MP yesterday asked Gordon Brown to work with other world leaders for a strong agreement on climate change at the UN summit in Copenhagen this December.
November 17th: Alan calls for Solent Marine Conservation Zones
Alan Whitehead has called for new powers in the Marine Act to be used to create Marine Conservation Zones in the Solent.
November 9th: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- Meeting on sustained capital investment in infrastructure. Britain – Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group event. Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management event.
- Tuesday- Standards and Privileges, Energy and Climate Change & Justice Select Committee meetings. Meeting regarding Bricks and Bread Sustainable Living Centres. Meeting with Kingspan regarding improvement of the sustainability of buildings. Electoral Commission event. ABB talk on smart grids.
- Wednesday- Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meeting. Launch of National Housing Federation’s South East Home Truths Report. PM’s Question Time.
- Thursday- Voting throughout the day. Updating constituency correpsondence. South-east Labour event in the evening.
- Friday- Site visit to Selex Galileo and meeting with Covers and Linings in Millbrook. Speaking to a Bursledon group about the Marine Bill. Meeting with private sector landlords in Southampton.
- Saturday- Third constituency surgery of the month. Opening of Freemantle Community Centre.
- Sunday- interview with Waterfront Church. Q&A with Tearfund. Saints v Brighton at home.
November 5th: Alan clashes with Tories opposed to climate change deal
Alan spoke yesterday in the Commons debate on climate change and Copenhagen. In addition to his main speech, he also clashed with Tory MPs opposed to a climate change deal.
2nd November: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- meeting with Principal, Taunton’s College. Chairing seminar on the Renewable Energy Strategy.
- Tuesday- Standards and Privileges Select Committee and Justice Select Committee meetings. Universities UK launch of ‘Economic Impact of UK Higher Education Institutions ‘09’ report.
- Wednesday- Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meeting. British Electrotechnical Industry Association update on climate change campaign. Meeting with the Southampton Amnesty International group. National Energy Action event. Chairing seminar on smart grids. Meeting regarding the Severn Barrage and wind and tidal energy.
- Thursday- meeting with the Alliance of Beverage Cartons for the Environment regarding packaging and the environment. Debate on Copenhagen talks in the Commons.
- Friday- meeting with Eco-Power regarding energy efficient street lighting. Meeting with John Denham MP and Chief Superintendent Matthew Greening (Commander in charge of policing in Southampton). Sixth constituency surgery of the month.
- Saturday- seventh constituency surgery of the month. Southampton Solent University Graduation event.
- Sunday- remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, Southampton. Meeting residents in Bevois ward.
October 30th: Strengthening regulations on credit cards
Alan is supporting new plans to toughen up regulations on credit card companies, inclkuding stopping the practice of increasing your credit limit without your consent. More information.
October 28th: Alan's speech on offshore wind farm planning
Alan spoke again on the Marine Bill yesterday, this time focusing on the importance of an effective planning regime for offshore wind farms.
October 27th: Alan's speech on coastal pathways
Alan spoke yesterday during the debate on the Marine Bill currently going through Parliament. Alan has tabled an amendment to the Bill which would help guarantee real coastal access to as much of the British coastline as possible.
23rd October: Respect for shopworkers
Last week Alan put himself in the shoes of a shopworker trying to decide whether a young person is old enough to buy alcohol.
21st October: Alan signs up to 10:10
Alan Whitehead MP has signed up to the 10:10 campaign to cut our country’s carbon emissions by 10% in 2010. More information
20th October: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for October is now online. This month's report covers Alan's work on supporting the port, progress made with Alan's 'Pay as you save' energy policy, voting on banning cigarette vending machines, Southampton's 2nd Energy Workshop, and more!
19th October: Extracts from Alan's diary this week
- Monday- Meetings on the Solent Maritime Development Forum; sustainable fishing; nuclear power and energy networks
- Tuesday- Select Committee meetings for Justice, and Standards & Privileges; several APPG AGMs
- Wednesday- Energy & Climate Change Select Committee meeting; meeting with British Metal Recycling Association; Nat Housing Federation Manifesto launch
- Thursday- Homecoming Parade for the Royal Logistic Corps and medal presentation by the Princess Royal and the Mayor at the Civic Centre, Southampton
- Friday- UN Day Ceremony at the Civic Centre, Southampton
- Saturday- Fifth constituency surgery of the month followed by meeting residents in Coxford.
See Alan's full diary for this week
19th October 2009: Windfall for anti-knife crime project
The Community Cashback Fund- set up by Labour to use the proceeds seized from criminals to fund community projects- will give over £13,000 to an anti-knife crime project in Southampton. More information
17th October: End 'poor must pay more' energy charges
Alan is backing a Private Members Bill in Parliament which could force energy companies to drop an extra premium they currently charge to many of their poorest customers.
12th- 18th October 2009: Back in Parliament
Alan has been hard at work in Southampton over the Parliamentary Recess, and is now back working in Parliament. Here are some of the things he will be doing, in Parliament and in Southampton, over the next seven days:
- Monday- Voting throughout the day & evening. Committee on Climate Change’s ‘2009 Progress Report’ launch event. Meeting with Active Energy regarding voltage optimisation.
- Tuesday- Voting throughout the day & evening. DEFRA ‘World Without Waste’ event, Justice Select Committee meeting. Energy Saving Trust’s launch of Energy Saving Week.
- Wednesday- Voting throughout the day & evening. Energy and Climate Change Select Committee meeting, USDAW’s ‘Respect for Shopworkers’ event. Save the Children’s launch of film made by children regarding child poverty in the UK. Meeting regarding carbon capture and storage.
- Thursday- Aldersgate Group’s launch of ‘Financing the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.’
- Friday- Meeting regarding drive to encourage people to rent Christmas trees. Interview with student journalist. Third constituency surgery of the month.
- Saturday- Fourth constituency surgery of the month.
- Sunday- Meeting residents in Millbrook & Freemantle.
12th October: Why tackling climate change must be considered a 'front line' service
In his latest article for Progress, Alan Whitehead argues that investment in reducing our carbon emissions is not an optional add-on for good times- it is essential for keeping the lights on in the years ahead.
Alan writes:
"...the climate change emergency that we all fervently hope will be addressed at last substantively in the Copenhagen summit will not wait for economic recovery to fix it: the imperative of action and massive green investment over the next 10 years remains exactly as it did before the global credit crunch, and the price of not putting in that investment remains just as high."
9th October: Autumn Report Published
Alan has published his latest Parliamentary Report, which is currently being distributed to all homes in Southampton Test.
The report covers Alan's work on education, HMOs, the Royal Mail, Vestas, as well as local Southampton-based campaigns for green housing and to protect the city's leisure centres and art collection.
Read more of Alan's Autumn Report
7th October: Alan's 2nd Energy Saving Workshop
Alan will be running Southampton's 2nd Energy Saving Workshop THIS SATURDAY in the Lordshill Community Centre on Andromeda Road.
The workshop is free and open to all Southampton residents looking to get expert advice on how to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint.
Find out more about the workshop
September 28th: Alan's Packed Conference Week Diary
- Monday- meetings on housing, nuclear decomissioning, water, Ford, mental health, and Poland. Speaking at Fabian events on renewable energy and at the fringe Climate Clinic.
- Tuesday- meetings on housing, transport & green tax reform. More Climate Clinic. Watching Gordon Brown's speech at 2pm.
- Wednesday- Unlock Democracy Roundtable; discussion on a British Bill of Rights. Meetings with the Energy Savings Trust, the WWF, National Express & the NUS.
- Thursday- back in Southampton for the launch of Black History Month at the art gallery.
- Friday- first surgery of the month
- Saturday- second surgery of the month; speaking at Low Carbon Living Conference at Avenue St Andrew's Church.
- Sunday- speaking at Southampton Labour Party policy forum on the 2010 Manifesto for Southampton
More detail about Alan's conference week.
September 24th: Alan backs alternative to art sell-off
Southampton's Labour Group of Councillors has put forward an alternative way to fund the city's proposed new heritage centre, which does not involve selling off the gems of the city's art gallery.
Read about the alternative proposals and why Alan backs them.
September 24th: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for September 2009 is now online. It includes information on his campaigning on the quays and the art gallery, new funding for council homes, and other constituency visits. Read Alan's report here.
Alan's Diary for September 21st-27th: HMOs, the port, Standards & Privileges Committee
- Monday- Special Needs Play Forum; interviewed on Awaaz 87.7 FM about work in the community; speaking in the evening at a Friends of the Earth public meeting on renewable energy.
- Tuesday- Standards and Privileges Select Committee meeting; meeting on establishing an All Party Parliamentary Group on the European Supergrid.
- Wednesday- constituency correspondence
- Thursday- in Belfast with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Balanced and Sustainable Communities to see the methods the Belfast City Council Planning Section are using to regulate houses in multiple occupation.
- Friday- Port City Futures meeting.
- Saturday- fifth constituency surgery of the month; meeting residents in Shirley.
- Sunday- traveling to Brighton for the Labour Party Conference.
September 18th: Carnival at the Pickles Coppice Children's Centre!
As part of national Sure Start Week, yesterday Alan attended a carnival workshop organised by the Pickles Coppice children's centre. More information
Alan's Diary for September 14th-20th: Sure Start, Save the Quays, and Daddy Cool Dad's Club
- Monday- South East regional select committee meeting; meeting residents in Coxford
- Tuesday- visits the Southampton Boat Show and meetign representatives from the British Marine Federation.
- Wednesday- visiting five constituents in their homes in an extension of his constituency surgery.
- Thursday-visit Sure Start Centre in Millbrook; Save the Quays campaigning; and reporting to a meeting of Southampton Labour Party members.
- Friday- business open day at Regus, Southampton Airport; then more Save the Quays campaigning; third constituency surgery of the month.
- Saturday- visiting Sure Start in Millbrook for the 'Daddy Cool' Dads' Club; fourth constituency surgery of the month; then watch the Saints v Yeovil Town match!
September 9th: The largest Council home building programme for 20 years
John Denham and Alan Whitehead, have welcomed today’s announcement that the government will invest an extra £1.7 million in Southampton to build new, low carbon council homes. More information
September 9th: Save the Quays!
Alan was today out with volunteers campaigning against the Conservative Council's plans to privatise the award winning Quays swimming and diving complex.
Find out more about the campaign
Sign the petition opposing privatisation of the Quays
September 7th: Alan's work this week
- Monday- representing the Energy & Climate Change Committee at a Climate Change Conference in Stockholm.
- Tuesday- meeting about future of the port, followed by Sedbergh Tenants & Residents Association meeting
- Wednesday- attending launch of new freight company in Nursling
- Thursday- presenting junior school children with Schools & Clubs equipment vouchers at Tebourba Way Tescos; meeting residents in Coxford in the evening.
- Friday- speaking to A-Level students as part of the Discover Parliament Programme; on panel of Federation of Small Business Question Time
- Sunday- speaking at the Ramadan dinner at the Fellowship Dialogue Society, Southampton.
September 5th: Opening of new Lordshill Community Centre
Alan spoke at the opening of the new Lordshill Community Centre on Saturday. He said that when the original centre closed many people assumed 'that was it' and the building would never be replaced, so the building of the new centre was a real tribute to the hard work of local campaigners. It was a fantastic day- thanks again for all who attended! More information
September 1st: Key events this week
Alan is working full time over the Parliamentary recess- here is a selection from Alan's diary this week:
- Tuesday- meeting residents in Millbrook & Freemantle
- Wednesday- constituency correpsondence catch-up
- Thursday- meetings with Parliarmentary green groups
- Friday- first surgery of the month
- Saturday- opening of the new Lordshill Community Centre
- Sunday- Climate Change Conference
August 20th: A new foundation for Council homes?
Read Alan's analysis of the government's new financial settlement for funding council housing. Alan says:
[This settlement] opens up a golden opportunity for councils like Southampton to build a new generation of council homes, secure in the knowledge that any revenue derived from those homes in the future would always be there. This will give councils a much more secure foundation of revenue from which to invest in both new and existing council housing stock.
August 10th: It's our art gallery, and our heritage
In today's Daily Echo, you can find Alan's latest article in which he lays out the problems with the Conservative Council's plans to sell off some of the city's art collection. Alan writes:
"All of us, particularly those in authority in the city, are just stewards for now of what we have. If we really care about the worth of Southampton, our duty is to defend it and pass it on."
August 10th: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's latest monthly activity report is now online. It covers his work on Vestas, new recycling, the campaign to save the Quays, the Low Carbon Transiation Plan, and more.
(left- at the Channel Islands 40th Anniversary Party, having just gone up their climbing wall!)
August 7th: Partial victory on Test Lane Depot campaign
Alan has welcomed the City Council’s indications that the Town Depot waste services will not be relocated to a residential area near Test Lane. More information
August 6th: Long awaited progress on the Civil Service Sports Ground
Alan Whitehead MP has welcomed the news that the City Council has finally moved to purchase the former Civil Service sports ground.
August 4th: Funding boost for school leavers
Southampton will receive £20,000 extra to fund 169 extra college and sixth-form places this year. Every 16 and 17 year old in Southampton will now have a guaranteed place in school, college, training or an apprenticeship this September and next September. More information
July 29th: More young people in Southampton staying on in education or training
New figures published today show an 11% rise in young people staying on in education or training since 2001. More information.
July 28th: A recycling revolution waiting to happen?
Alan today visited the Closed Loop Recycling Plant, and called on the UK food industry- particularly the milk industry- to improve the levels of recycled materials it uses in its products.
July 27th: Not on holiday!
Although Parliament has risen for the summer, Alan continues to work full time as the MP for Southampton Test. Some key events in his diary this week include:
- Monday- attending a debate run by SERA, the Socialist Environment & Resources Association
- Tuesday- visiting the Closed Loop recycling plant to discuss ways to encourage more commercial recycling
- Wednesday- catching up with constituency correspondence
- Thursday- meeting with a local residents association, and then knocking on doors with local activists in Coxford
- Friday- seventh constituency surgery of the month
- Saturday- eighth constituency surgery of the month
- Sunday- attending 40th Anniversary of the Channel Islands estate, and meeting residents in Bevois ward.
July 21st: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for July 2009 is now online. The report covers Alan's work on the Marine & Coastal Access Bill, new funding for council homes, the future of Lordshill, and other engagements. Read the report.
July 20th: Have your say on the future of Lordshill
Alan Whitehead MP is encouraging Lordshill residents to have their say on the future of their area.
Read the news release about the Lordshill survey
July 20th: Key events this week
Some key events from Alan's diary this week include...
- Monday- voting on the Child Poverty Bill
- Tuesday- meeting microgeneration industry representatives
- Wednesday- Southampton Environment Centre board meeting
- Thursday- meet with chair of Highfield Residents Association
- Friday- Business Southampton meeting on Maritime Integration Support
- Saturday- roving surgery in Coxford
More from Alan's diary this week.
July 16th: Alan challenges Council over City Patrol cuts
Alan has written to the Cabinet Member responsible city safety outlining his concerns over the proposals to effectively abolish City Patrol and compensate by giving new powers to parking attendants. Read Alan's letter.
July 15th: Protecting the Solent- how the Marine Bill will help
Alan's latest article is now online. This article covers his work on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, and its implications for both protecting the environment, and for access to coastal areas in and around Southampton. Read it here.
July 13th: Key events this week
Some key events from Alan's diary this week include...
- Monday- speaking at the Port City Futures Annual Conference
- Tuesday- Marine Bill Committee
- Wednesday- AGM of the Debt & Personal Finance AGM
- Thursday- panel discussion on environmental tax reform
- Friday- Hampshire Constabulary meeting
- Saturday- Mela festival
July 9th: Southampton must seize this opportunity to build more sustainable homes
Alan Whitehead yesterday welcomed government plans to allow councils to retain rents and money from newly built properties, and called on Southampton City Council to make use of the new rules and start building homes in Southampton.
July 6th : The week ahead
Some key events from Alan's diary this week include...
- Monday- visit to Southampton General Hospital
- Tuesday- Marine & Coastal Access Bill Committee
- Wednesday- Energy & Climate Change Committee
- Thursday- meeting with Obama climate change advisor
- Friday- DECC Committee appraisal of gas storage facility
- Saturday- roving surgery in Millbrook
July 1st: Strong Schools Plan for Southampton
Alan has welcomed the new rights for children, parents and teachers set out in the Schools White Paper. The new measures include a right to one-to-one tuition for all who need it. More information.
June 29th: The week ahead
Some key events from Alan's diary this week include...
- Monday- meeting with Principal of Tauntons
- Tuesday- Select Committees- Justice, and Standards & Privileges
- Wednesday- Wind Forum
- Thursday- roundtable on sustainable building
- Friday- visit to Southampton Family Centre
- Saturday- constituency surgery
June 22nd: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for June is now online. It includes information on his many questions in Parliament, meeting with the head of Southampton PCT over health services in the city; and his new Private Members Bill on Fuel Poverty.
June 22nd: The week ahead
Some key events from Alan's diary this week include...
- Monday- meeting on fuel poverty private members' bill
- Tuesday- 2nd reading of Marine & Coastal Access Bill
- Wednesday- Green Energy Bill Committee
- Friday- meeting re: Lordshill & the new Academy
- Saturday- 2nd surgery
June 18th: Alan secures commitment on green spending
Yesterday Alan pressed the Prime Minister to reaffirm his commitment to maintain and enhance spending on combating climate change... and also asked what the consequences would be if spending on these measures were to be cut by 10%
June 16th: Alan joins Redbridge school students on Uni taster day
Alan today joined Redbridge Community School students on a visit to the University of Southampton, as part of an art taster day designed to encourage more young people to think about going to university.
June 15th: May Activity Report now online
Alan's May Activity Report is now online. Apologies for the delay in getting this posted to the website- this was down to the webmaster being on leave!
Alan's May report covers national issues including MPs' expenses, the budget and smart meters, and local work including speaking to the Royal Mail workers,trades unionists and local residents. Read the report
June 12th: We can protect Britain's security without building Trident
In his latest article, Alan lays out how we could replace Britain's aging nuclear weapons system with something much more appropriate for the post-cold war world, and at a third of the cost of replacing Trident. Read the article.
June 1st: Speech on the Local Democracy Bill
Alan spoke on the second reading of the Local Democracy Bill today. You can read his full speech here.
"It is fair to say that regardless of Government, for many years we in this country have made a real pig's ear of working out where in sub-national government things should be dealt with. The truth of the matter is that local government, as we call it, is not just a number of local authorities, the boundaries of which have been determined by the local government boundary committee or, in the case of county councils, largely by the Plantagenets."
May 27th: Obama's fuel efficiency targets may be historic, but are they groundbreaking?
In his latest article for Progress, Alan argues that President Obama's proposals on fuel efficiency, while historic, still leave the US with much to do to catch up with Europe and meet their obligations on climate change. Read Alan's article.
May 18th: Alan's speech opposing Royal Mail privatisation
You can now watch Alan's speech to Royal Mail workers opposing the proposed part-privatisation of the Royal Mail. More information.
Part 1:
Part 2:
May 14th: Speaking at Royal Mail rally in Southampton this Saturday
Alan will be speaking this Saturday in Southampton at a rally opposing the potential part-privatisation of the Royal Mail.
May 13th: All Alan's expense receipts published early
Alan Whitehead has published early all his MP expense receipts since the last election. View all of Alan's receipts, and a summary of what Alan has claimed.
May 13th: Dump Test Lane Depot plan, Whitehead tells Council
Alan Whitehead has written to the City Council Environment & Transport Cabinet Member calling on him to scrap plans for moving the Town Depot Waste Services to Test Lane. More information
Foyes Corner Festival on 17th May
Alan will be at the Foyes Corner Festival on Sunday the 17th May- for details of the event, click on the poster to the left.
May 11: A smart energy meter in every home by 2020
Alan has welcomed today's government announcement that every home in the country will be equipped with a smart energy meter by 2020. More information
May 1st: The Darwin Initiative (and spidermonkeys)
Alan spoke last night on the little-known DEFRA project, the Darwin Initiative, and its particularly important achievements in protecting and promoting biodiversty.
It is possible that, every day, we exterminate a number of species that we will never, ever know about because we have not discovered them yet, and so have not even decided whether they should be protected, placed on the endangered list, or made the subject of other measures that are used in relation to known species.
April 28th: CHP tax break will cut carbon by 3.2 million tonnes
A less-reported, but very significant element of the budget, was the announcement of tax breaks for Combined Heat and Power generation, which Alan has been pushing for for some time. More information.
April 22nd: Alan welcomes budget focus on child & fuel poverty
Alan has welcomed measures announced in the 2009, particularly the continued focus on addressing both child poverty, fuel poverty and reducing our carbon emissions. Read Alan's statement and some key information on the budget.
April 22nd: Environmental campaigners thank Alan
The Sustainable Energy Partnership has thanked Alan for his support for green energy measures currently being debated in Parliament. More information.
April 21st: Alan welcomes Council suspension of Care UK
Alan has welcomed the Council's decision to suspend new care placements with domiciliary care provider Care UK. More information
April 20: Alan backs Tearfund sanitation campaign
Alan was recently contacted by a local church member about an important Tearfund campaign to help the 2.6 billion people in the world without access to proper sanitation facilities. More information
April 19th: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for April is now online. Read it here.
April 8th: Tougher regulations for wheel clamping companies
Alan has backed plans to crack down on rogue wheel clamping companies, who charge over the odds and impound cars unreasonably quickly. More information
April 7th: Support for Saints
Alan today made a joint call along with John Denham and Southampton's Labour Councillors for the City Council to take a leadership role in saving Southampton Football Club. More information
April 7th: What Alan would do as a dictator
In early Spring Alan did a long sit-down interview with the Wessex Chronicle. The interview covered the recession, regionalism, the bank bailout, housing, immigration, the EU, and what Alan would do if he were a dictator! Read the interview here.
April 6th: Why we need a green stimulus package
Alan has written a new article for the Progress website on why this year's Budget should stimulate the economy through investment in green measures. Read the article.
April 3rd: Alan will be at St Mary's this Saturday
Alan has made this statement about support for Saints at their game tomorrow:
"The club really is essential to the city. I have just had a knee operation after playing football for too many years, but I will be at St Mary's on Saturday no matter what it takes.
Even if they have to carry me in on a stretcher I will be there to show my support and hope everyone who can get there will do the same."
April 3rd: New cash for mums-to-be
From this month mums-to-be will get a new £190 grant from the government to help with the costs of setting up your home for a child. More information.
April 2nd: The Minimum Wage, 10 years on
Alan's latest In My View is now available on the website. In it Alan says:
"The minimum wage has not cost jobs- in fact over 2 million jobs were created after the minimum wage was introduced. And as we all now know, what has caused lasting damage to the world’s economy most recently was not fair pay for people at the bottom, but excessive and unregulated bonuses for people at the top."
April 1: Happy Birthday to the minimum wage
On Saturday Alan was out in Portswood, listening to residents and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the minimum wage. Portswood.Info has a short piece on the day- read it here.
March 30: Meeting with Transport Minister about port taxes
Alan has secured a meeting with Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick regarding the government's consultation on 'light dues'- the dues payed by ships entering the UK to help pay for the upkeep of our lighthouses. More information
March 28: 11th Annual Report published
Alan's 11th Annual report has now been published and is currently being delivered to all constituents in Southampton Test. This report covers Alan's work in Parliarment and in Southampton over the last 12 months, including his work to reduce energy bills in Southampton, his work on private rented housing, his work supporting Saints Football club, and more. You can now download Alan's report (warning- this is a large file, and requires a pdf viewer).
March 26: Shortest NHS waiting times ever for South Central
The South Central Strategic Health Authority, of which Southampton is part, reports NHS waiting times are at their lowest at any point in the NHS's history. More information.
March 20: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly Activity Report for March is now online. Read it here.
March 19: Flexible GP Opening Hours
More GPs in Southampton offer flexible working hours than the national average, thanks to a deal done between doctors and the Labour Government.
March 18: Redundancy Pay Private Members Bill
On Friday Alan was in the Commons to vote to for a Private Members Bill to improve statutory redundancy pay.
March 17: Southampton HMO Roundtable with Housing Minister
Yesterday Alan delivered a roundtable discussion between key community groups in Southampton Test, and housing minister Iain Wright,
March 4: Policing Pledge for Southampton
Alan is today helping spread the word about the new Policing Pledge for Southampton, which sets out clearly what communities can expect from their local police. More information.
March 3: £2 million brought forward for Southampton schools
Southampton will get an extra £2 million this year in school refurbishment funding as part of the government's economic stimulus package. More information
March 2: HMO legislation- slow progress?
Read Alan's latest update on progress on increasing regulation on HMOs, originally published in the Highfield Residents' Association Newsletter.
March 1: Council tax reform- an impossible challenge?
How to reform funding for local government has been an issue that has plagued successive governments ever since the disastrous Poll Tax. In this article for Public Finance Magazine, Alan lays out a plan for reform. Read the proposals..
February 26: Why have a Renewable Content Obligation?
Alan today writes for epolitix about how to support the British recycling industry. Read the article.
February 25: Protecting British industry by recycling
Alan today put forward a Bill in Parliament to increase the amount of recycled materials in mass-produced products- and highlighted the economic benefits such a change would bring.
February 24: Energy workshop a big hit
Southampton's first energy saving workshop held last week served around 100 people throughout the day.
Due to high public interest in the event, more workshops will be organised in the run-up to next winter.
Feb 23rd: Southampton is 'leading Britain' in green energy, say Cabinet
Alan today showcased Southampton's pioneering geothermal power plant to Cabinet Ministers, as a blue-print for how Britain can move towards low-cost and low carbon energy.
February 22nd: Monthly Activity Report
Alan's monthly activity report for February 2009 is now online. It covers his position on the recent third runway vote, freedom of information for MPs' expenses, speaking at the launch of a Compass Southampton series of events, and more.
Read previous monthly activity reports
Feb 18: "Care in the Crunch" Report
Alan's latest MP's report is currently being distributed to constituents in Southampton Test. If you haven't already received yours, you should get it in a few weeks.
This report focuses on help for Southampton in getting through the credit crunch, and on our city's care services.
Download the report (large file, requires pdf viewer)
Feb 16: Congratulations to Southampton schools
Alan has written to two Southampton schools to congratulate them for being amongst the best in the country for raising standards. More information
Feb 14: Alan defends the minimum wage
Alan has slammed a proposal put forward by former Southampton Conservative MP Christopher Chope to abolish the minimum wage. More information.
February 9: Political appointees to the Electoral Commission
In the debate on appointees to the Electoral Commission, Alan today emphasised that even 'political' appointees from political parties must not seek to fight their own party's corner. Read Alan's speech.
February 5th: Energy Saving Workshop
Alan has set up the first ever Energy Saving Workshop for Southampton on Wednesday 18th February. All of Alan's constituents from Southampton Test are welcome to attend.
More information about the workshop (and download the poster)
February 4th: News for social housing tenants
A new powerful regulator is currently being set up to promote the rights of social housing tenants. You can submit your views on what it should cover here.
January 29: Bonus for 30,000 Southampton pensioners
Pensioners in Southampton are this month receiving a £60 cash bonus, in addition to increases in the state pension and Winter Fuel Payments. What does it all add up to?
January 28: The Southampton Test Energy Saver Handbook
Alan has today launched a new Energy Saver Handbook for constituents in Southampton Test, which gives comprehensive advice on the help available to reduce your fuel bills.
January 23rd: Freedom of Information for MPs' offices
Alan yesterday welcomed the announcement that the Freedom of Information Act would apply to MPs' offices, and called for a clear system of declarations for all MPs.
January 22: Free school meals for all city kids?
Southampton has the chance to offer school meals free to all children in the city as part of a government pilot scheme.
Should the Council take up the offer?
January 21: Monthly activity report
Alan's activity report for the Christmas period and January is now online, including Alan's statement on Gaza, meeting with Royal Mail workers and Pakistani representatives, and the last information on the help available to those who lose their jobs because of the credit crunch. Read the report.
January 20: A late Christmas gift!
Alan is working with the Woodland Trust to encourage more people in Southampton to recycle their christmas cards. Find out how here.
January 19: Alan nominated for new powerful committee on energy and climate change
Alan was today nominated to be a member of the new powerful select committee which will scrutinise the work of the Department for Energy and Climate Change. More information.
January 14: Supporting Ford is an 'investment in the future'
Alan spoke on South Today last night about the future of the Ford Plant. More information
January 12: The reality of Tory cuts- police
Alan Whitehead and John Denham lay out what Tory proposals to cut spending on law & order would mean for Southampton. More information
January 9: Renewable energy: 'The Problems of Success' speech
Late last year Alan spoke to the Renewable Energy Association about the future of renewable energy in the UK, speaking on the importance of renewables and what challenges still had to be overcome.
January 8: Free theatre tickets for young people
The Nuffield theatre has been awarded £30,000 by the government to enable it to offer free tickets to young people. More information
January 5: Stop the slaughter in Gaza
Alan has signed a joint statement calling for an immediate cessation of violence in Gaza. Read the statement in full
Press releases, articles and reports written by Alan are all reproduced on this page.