Local MP calls for more help for women in developing countries affected by HIV and AIDS

Local MP John McDonnell has signed a motion in Parliament calling on the UK Government to help women affected by HIV and AIDS in the developing world. The Women Matter campaign, which is spearheaded by leading international development charity VSO is asking the UK's Department for International Development to put women at the heart of its new global HIV and AIDS strategy and to use its influence to encourage other international agencies to do likewise.

Local MP John McDonnell said: "When several of my constituents contacted me about VSO's Women Matter campaign, I was shocked at what I learnt. Because of violence, discrimination and inequality, women in Sub-Saharan Africa are more likely to become infected with HIV than men. I believe it is the responsibility of the UK to show leadership on this issue and make the world sit up and listen to what's happening. I will be working hard in Parliament to ensure that this issue is given the attention it so urgently needs."

Judith Brodie, Director of VSO UK said: "Until concrete action is taken to tackle women's inequality, HIV and AIDS will continue to claim the lives of millions of women in the developing world. We are pleased to see so many MPs are getting behind this issue and hope that the time has now come for real action."

To find out more about the campaign and how you can support it visit www.vso.org.uk/womenmatter

World Development Movement commend local MP John McDonnell’s position on climate

John McDonnell MP has been commended by the World Development Movement for supporting attempts to strengthen the climate change bill.

John McDonnell has joined over 200 MPs who have signed the Early Day Motion 736 - a parliamentary petition - calling for the climate change bill to include carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from international aviation and for a tougher target for cutting CO2 by more than 80 per cent by 2050.

There is growing pressure to strengthen the bill’s proposals in line with the latest science. Warnings are coming from campaigners, scientists, the UN and MPs that the bill must be tougher in order to successfully tackle climate change. Top of the list of improvements needed are toughening the overall target from a 60 per cent to an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2050; and making sure that international flights are included in the bill.

Benedict Southworth, Director of the World Development Movement said:

“We are delighted that John McDonnell is supporting calls for a tougher climate change bill. If this law is really going to have any chance of helping to prevent dangerous climate change we have to reduce our carbon emissions in the UK by more than 80 per cent and include international flights in the target. The government must take leadership on tackling climate change and help to prevent the loss of livelihoods and lives of millions in the developing world.”

Local MP John McDonnell said:
“My constituents have told me they’re worried about climate change and the climate change bill is a bold and innovative move to address those worries. However, we must ensure the bill reflects the latest science and listens to the advice of the UN to include carbon emissions from all sectors. We must reduce our emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050 and include international aviation and shipping to show strong international leadership, giving the people of Hayes and Harlington and people across the world the chance of a sustainable future.”

Planning Association report on Third Runway Consultation criticises the consultation process and opposes expansion

Local MP John McDonnell today highlighted the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)’s comprehensive and critical response to the Department for Transport’s report Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA, http://www.tcpa.org.uk/ ) campaigns for the reform of the UK’s planning system to make it more responsive to people’s needs and aspirations and to promote sustainable development.

Their response to the Government and BAA’s consultation process on the expansion of Heathrow is highly critical of both the consultation process and the effects expansion will have on our local community.

Please find attached a copy of the TCPA report. The report criticises the consultation process for being “highly technical”, “(providing) no alternative data to allow comparison” and not allowing “for any other alternatives to be considered”.

The report goes on to provide specific answers to the 11 questions asked in the consultation document, and delivers a strong, informed and effective argument against the expansion of Heathrow.

Local MP John McDonnell said “This report provides a decisive and comprehensive rebuttal across the board of the Government’s and BAA’s arguments for the expansion of Heathrow. Yet again the TCPA has done the community a great service”.

TEENAGERS RUSH FOR CITIZENCARD ID AS LOCAL SHOPS EXPAND ‘NO ID NO SALE’ POLICY

Dozens of teenagers throughout Hayes & Harlington have started to apply for CitizenCards, the credit-card size ID cards that allow them to prove their age. The rush is on because Hayes & Harlington’s supermarkets, newsagents and convenience stores have teamed up to promote a stringent ‘No ID No Sale’ message. Supported by Trading Standards and the Police the message is designed to prevent illegal sale of tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets, solvents and other age-restricted goods to teenagers who are too young. The legal age for selling alcohol, solvents and fireworks is 18. For lottery tickets it is 16. And on 1st October the tobacco age rose from 16 to 18.

At Hari News, 17 Station Road, Hayes Middlesex UB3 4BD, owner Dixit Patel welcomes the No ID No sale policy, adding that his staff often suffer abuse when refusing a sale:

“We often get youngsters trying to buy alcohol or cigarettes. It’s very difficult to tell their real age so we have to ask for ID. Unfortunately, customers without ID often become abusive so to prevent this we hand out a CitizenCard application form and tell them to get a card.”

Local MP for Hayes & Harlington John McDonnell strongly supports the No ID No Sale message and urges all local shops to add their support:

“It’s important that the laws on alcohol and tobacco are upheld, and I’m pleased the legal age for alcohol and tobacco is now 18. There are stiff fines for shops that are caught selling to children. But I understand how difficult a No ID No Sale policy can be to implement, and I welcome the opportunity for all youngsters here in Hayes & Harlington to get a CitizenCard. This will make their lives easier and in turn will help shop staff to stay within the law.”

Andrew Chevis, CitizenCard’s Chief Executive, added that CitizenCards are available for anyone in the population who needs to get a valid form of ID or proof-of-age:

“In the Hayes & Harlington area we already have more than 3,750 cardholders. The card is all about what people can do, not what they can’t. But we live in a world where you need to prove who you are, or how old you are. We are distributing application forms to as many shops in Hayes & Harlington as we can, but the public can also phone us for a form or they can apply online at citizencard.com”

Local MP John McDonnell calls on Porton Down veterans to come forward

Ministerial statement extends deadlines for Porton Down veterans to bring claims

Local MP John McDonnell today highlighted a ministerial statement which extended the deadline for Porton Down veterans to bring claims against the Ministry of Defence. The deadline has now been extended to 30th June 2008.

From the 1940s to the 1980s servicemen working at the MoD’s Chemical Laboratories in Porton Down were exposed to various chemical agents, including sarin and mustard gas. The veterans state that they were not informed about the nature of the chemical agents to which they were subjected before participating in the experiments, nor the health risks associated with them. Many believed they were assisting in the quest to find a cure for the common cold. It has only been over the last decade that the veterans have learned of the chemical agents to which they have been exposed.

Solicitors representing a group claim brought by 359 servicemen or their families reached a deal with the MoD in January. The solicitors instructed by a second group of 220 servicemen have begun discussions with the MoD on another group claim.

The MoD decided to extend the limitation period to allow the first group claim to brought. The department has now made the decision to further extend the limitation period to 30th June 2008 in order to allow other veterans to bring claims.

Local MP John McDonnell said “I am calling upon all veterans of Porton Down in my constituency to come forward. If you or a member of your family were affected by these experiments I urge you to take action before 30th June this year”.