Monthly Report for January 2007

Below is a summary of my work in Parliament and in Southampton for the month of January 2007. Click here to read previous reports.

If you'd like to know more about any of the work I've been doing, or if you think there is another issue you think I should be acting on, you can always contact my office.

• Work in Parliament
• Work in Southmapton

Work in Parliament

Parliamentary business

Parliament reconvened on January 8th after the Christmas recess. We had the second reading of the Pensions Bill on Tuesday of the first week back, and of the Planning Gain Supplement (preparations)  Bill on Monday last. This former will begin to implement the recommendations of the Turner report on the long term future of pensions, and the latter will pave the way for the introduction of a levy on the hope value of development land when previously undeveloped sites obtin planning permission.

Parliament also debated the second reading of a Bill on the future independence of the Statistical service, and agreed numbers and definitions of national statistics. Whilst rather obscure, this represents an imprtant departure in the transparency and reliability of Government statistics, and should amoing other things ensure that future Governments will not be able to fiddle the stats and definitions on unemployment. I spoke in the debate, and concentrated particularly on the reporting and accountability mechanisms of such a new service to Parliament.

Variable charging for waste

I have asked oral questions on progress towards enabling legislation that would allow Local Authorities to levy variable charges(or rewards) for waste collection/recycling. At present, Local Authorities have to collect whatever is placed outside the house except for very bulky items, regardless of the degree to which the waste has been recycled or sorted. I hope proposals to allow this to happen will be contained in the forthcoming Waste Review, and I have met the Minister Coincerned to discuss possible proposals.

• Read my interview with the Daily Echo
• Read my speech in the Commons

Rented Housing

Both John Denham and I have been looking at whether mechanisms can be introduced in the planning regime which makes it possible to provide for positive planning permission to be obtained prior to a house being converted for multiple occupation. Northern Ireland Legislation defines HMOs as a separate planning category from other forms of domestic property permission, and it may be possible to introduce such 'use clauses' in England and Wales. I am pursuing this possible line of legislation with the Minister responsible, Yvette Cooper.

Party funding

I have played a substantial role in the production of a constitutional Affairs Select committee Report on future Party funding. The report propses an overall cap on spending during the entire election cycle, which prevents abuses of the national funding system such as the supply of covert funds for local campaigns. I have also met twice with the Leader of the House Jack Straw, who is leading on the proposals for the Government.

• Read my pamphlet, published last year, on the future of party funding

In Southampton

Green issues

At the end of 2006 I published my progress on meeting the ‘25/5 Challenge’ to reduce my personal carbon footprint by 25% over 5 years.  The report gathered quite a lot of media interest.  Sky News reported on my efforts as part of their Climate Change Week, and Meridian interviewed me about both my personal efforts and my work as leader of the City Council to build the UK’s first geothermal power plant.

• Learn more about the 25/5 challenge

Redbridge School

I visited Redbridge School to see how their Creative Partnership was working in practice and then went to Shirley Junior School to discuss my role as an MP and how Parliament works.