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Promoting responsible dog ownership

This week I joined Dogs Trust Merseyside at a local event offering free healthchecks, vaccinations, microchipping, and  flea and worm treatments to dogs. 

Attendees also received free neutering vouchers, and children were taught all about dog safety by a Dogs Trust Education Officer. 

Local councillors, members of the Dogs Trust team, as well as a number [...]

Tackling Crime in Partnership with the Police

Last week I met with Liverpool South Area Commander, Ngaire Waine to discuss issues of crime and anti-social behaviour in the constituency.

I meet regularly with representatives of Merseyside Police in order to keep in touch with their work, and also to raise the concerns that local people discuss with me. Whilst some of these issues are [...]

Meeting judo stars of the future

I was delighted to present a certificate to the AYAC Judo Club based at the Fairfield Centre in Wavertree, to recognise their national nomination as Judo Club of the Year.

The club has been nominated by the British Judo Association, one of only 25 in the country to receive the accolade, and the only club in [...]

Old Swan Job Centre – Shock new figures

I was hugely concerned to uncover figures this week that show unemployment rising in Old Swan ward. In the last month unemployment has risen by 3% . In light of these figures the proposal to close Old Swan Job Centre is a mistake.

I have written to the Employment Minister Chris Grayling to raise my concerns, [...]

Dangerous Dogs – update

I am pleased to see the Sentencing Council today outline tougher sentences for people prosecuted for dangerous dog offences.

Owners face stiffer sentences of up to 18 months in jail if their dog attacks people in public. The new guidelines for judges will help deal with those convicted of owning dangerously out of control dogs [...]

Olympic Swimming Heroes come to Wavertree

I’m delighted to see so much going on locally to celebrate the success of the Olympic Games, and encourage more people to take up sports as a result.

This weekend (18th and 19th August) the charity Join In are encouraging people to head down to local sports clubs and get involved.

This is a once [...]

Building an Olympic Legacy

Right from the start, the London 2012 Games surpassed all expectations. 

They have been a wonderful celebration of sport, culture, and teamwork; showcasing a vibrant, positive UK to the world. We did so well as a country in the overall medal table, especially considering our relative size. 

The games have also been a great success [...]

Old Swan Jobcentre

I am hugely disappointed and concerned to have received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions saying that the Old Swan job centre has once again been earmarked for permanent closure. 

12 months ago when this was first proposed, the community, Trade Unions and myself fought a campaign to prevent the closure, with [...]

Government incompetence has doubled food poverty in Liverpool

I was shocked to discover new figures from the Liverpool central foodbank which show that the number of people needing food vouchers has doubled in the past six months. 

Between January and June 2012 the foodbank fed 1,881 people, double what they saw in the previous 6 months (981 people during July-Dec ’11). 

This rise [...]

Parliamentary Committee criticises “Digital Divide”

A House of Lords committee has warned that the UK is in danger of creating a ‘digital divide’ between those with access to the latest internet technology, and those who have not.

The committee warned that the Government’s broadband strategy risked leaving many communities behind by focusing on speed over reach of service.

The Communications [...]