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Monday 28 April
I
began the week at an event hosted by John
Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society at which
they launched their ‘Freedom to Live’ campaign looking at issues
faced by the severely disabled.
Unfortunately I was unable to be at the
Workers Memorial Day in Bradford
Centenary Square, but was pleased to learn that after constant
pressure from myself and others Bradford Council finally gave in
and agreed that the flag over City Hall should be flown at half
mast to honour all those who had died as a result of work-related
injuries.
In
the afternoon I attend the annual Vaisakhi reception in Parliament.
Tuesday 29 April
At
lunchtime I met with the Big Lottery
Fund to hear about all the different projects they are
funding in Yorkshire and Humberside. I was particularly interested
in the potential for getting more money for projects in
Bradford.
I
then had a meeting with representatives of the Every Disabled Child Matters Campaign. A
number of charities concerned with disabled children have come
together to make sure that disabled children don’t lose out on all
the excellent government initiatives outlined in the ‘Every Child
Matters’ White Paper.
I
attended a reception organised by Thomas
Cook and heard about their campaign for an additional bank
holiday. They think
that everyone should have an extra day off in the long four months
between the August Bank Holiday and Christmas and I am very happy
to support this campaign.
I
rounded off the day by attending a debate organised by the Fabian
Society at which Brendan Barber, the General Secretary of the TUC,
spoke on “How can we defend the Inheritance
Tax”. The points he raised echoed those I endorsed
when I recently signed a letter to the Guardian - see
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/apr/15/tax
.
Wednesday 30 April
At
the regular Wednesday meeting of the Select Committee we listened
to a presentation on the Department for Work and Pensions
three-year business plan and questioned the Secretary of
State.
In
the afternoon I met with a representative of the Employment Related Services Association to
discuss the DWP’s plans on contracting out employment
programmes.
Thursday 1 May
Election Day!
In
the afternoon I took a break from campaigning to meet with
representatives of Morrisons to
talk about their community involvement programme.
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Week beginning 28 April 2008
