News

Blackburne House consultation

I met a range of people with an interest in equality, diversity and the Third Sector at a consultation event for the Draft Legislative Programme in Blackburne House, Liverpool. This was a good opportunity to discuss the proposed Equality Blll and to hear views from those directly involved with implementing policy on the ground.

Stretford High School consultation

The debate with pupils, teachers, parents and governors at Stretford High School, as part of the consultation exercise, was lively and informative. Earlier in the year head girl Sana Sheikh spent some time with me as part of National Takeover day and I though this would be an opportunity to gain young people’s views on Government policy.

Capital of Culture volunteers

It’s good to see Capital of Culture events and I’m delighted to see that the legacy of 2008 will continue long after this year. Last month I met some of the volunteers involved in the Capital of Culture volunteer programme and heard first hand about the skills and confidence they have gained from the experience. Some felt they had increased their chances of getting a job. Others used volunteering to give something back to their community.

Teenage pregnancy conference

There have been some encouraging reductions in the figures for teenage pregnancies in Greater Manchester but the picture across the region is mixed. We need to learn from the good work that is being done and a regional conference highlighted the importance of the issue and ensured that it remains a priority for future action.

Big Drink Debate

The Big Drink Debate is the largest regional survey of its kind and looks at the use of alcohol and its impact on us as individuals, communities and society. The North West currently ranks bottom out of the English regions for harmful and hazardous drinking and this is the first step towards tackling this complex issue. The consultation runs until 17 August and I would urge as many people as possible to ‘complete the questionnaire and to visit the website.

Greater Manchester Challenge

Over the next three years the Greater Manchester Challenge will channel £50 million in raising standards in schools in some of the most deprived parts of the region. I was delighted to meet some of the children from the schools who directly benefit from this initiative at the launch in the City Manchester stadium.

Launch of the National Concessionary Bus Travel pass

Manju Ghosh from Bolton embarked on a 700 mile free bus journey from Berwick upon Tweed to Land’s End to mark the launch of the Government’s new National Bus Travel Concession Scheme.  This is a scheme which provides free bus travel to 11 million elderly and disabled people. I was there to see Manju and her travelling companion Christine Jackson off on their expedition and I’m delighted to say they both stayed the course and came home with plenty of tales to tell.

Queen’s Award for voluntary service

Eight North West organisations were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is a fantastic achievement by people who volunteer their own time to improve the quality of life and opportunity for individuals or other groups in the community.

Visit to Yew Tree Children’s Centre

Last month I visited the Yew Tree Children’s Centre in Liverpool. In 2005, Liverpool was selected as one of a small number of pilot authorities to extend the entitlement to 12 and a half hours free nursery education to two year olds. I had the opportunity to meet with parents and young people to discuss how the project is going. The project has been a huge success which is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of staff and parents at children’s centres like this.

Gun and Gangs Update

There has been some good progress in work to tackle the issue of guns and gangs in the region. Liverpool is one of 15 areas receiving funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families to address the issue of young people becoming involved in gun, gang and knife crime and a number of important initiatives are currently underway.