Issues

I was invited recently to write an article for the RMT. The RMT is the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and is Britain's fastest growing trade union. It has more than 80,000 members in almost every sector of the transport industry, from mainline and underground rail to shipping and offshore, buses and road-freight.

On Tuesday Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, called on members of the Women’s Institute to check if their local newspaper has adverts for women who may have been trafficked and forced in to prostitution.

David met Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary in Parliament this week to discuss progress in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. Ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1st, David urged Douglas to maintain the UK’s global leadership on this issue.

I have received several pieces of correspondence about a possible communications data database. The issue of how we deal with data and data security is an increasingly sensitive but nevertheless important for personal and national security.

David met with The Nationwide recently to find out about their research which reveals that parents and teachers are worried about the level of financial awareness children have. Nationwide wants children to leave school with a financial understanding that will hold them in good stead in later life and has launched an interactive online financial capability programme accessed through its Nationwide Education website.

David underwent a fracture risk assessment in Parliament this week to raise awareness amongst constituents of bone fractures and osteoporosis. These conditions are a major health concern in Stroud, as estimates show that between 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer a fracture after the age of 50[i].

David wants the Government to pass new legislation that would boost the roll out of small scale renewable energy systems such as wind and water turbines and solar panels.

My first representative role was as a Borough Councillor in Stevenage so I reckon to know a thing or two about new settlements.

David signs John Barrett's EDM 2229 'Global Hand Washing Day'

David along with MPs and Peers from all parties took up the offer of a flu vaccination, in line with Government recommendations, in a bid to encourage his constituents to be vaccinated against flu for this 2008/09 season.