Questions and answers

I receive many questions from Hackney South residents. Here are a number of those questions along with my responses.

The government proposes to raise the education leaving age to 18. Does this mean young people will have to stay in school?

No, the education bill seeks to raise the age young people participate in education or training to 18. This is not about staying in school longer. The aim is for everyone to continue some form of learning post 16. This could be:

– full-time education such as in school or in college; – work-based learning such as apprenticeships or – part-time education or training if employed or volunteering more than 20 hours a week.

The bill will ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure all young people have access to the right courses. Apprenticeships will be available to all suitably qualified young people and there will be three new diplomas in science, humanities and languages. There will also be information for parents on what’s available.

Q: What is the government doing to tackle climate change and reduce the UK’s emissions?

A climate change bill was announced in this year’s queen’s speech. This bill is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and will make the UK the first country to have legally-binding, long term targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The draft bill was published for review in March and following public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny the government will now review the 2050 goal to see if it should be stronger still and look at the implications of bringing other greenhouse gases and emissions from international aviation and shipping into the target.

The government is establishing the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) as an independent body that will advise both the UK and devolved governments (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) on how to achieve their 2050 target. To ensure that the government is held to account every year on its progress towards all its reduction targets, the CCC will provide an independent progress report to which the government must respond.

As part of the Kyoto protocol the UK can ‘buy’ international carbon credits to use towards our emission reduction targets. Only countries which prove their domestic efforts to tackle climate change whilst encouraging countries to work together on issues such as investment in low carbon technologies in developing countries will be able to buy credits. The CCC will also set out its views on the balance between domestic effort and international credits in the government’s effort towards meeting its targets. The government will be required to take this into account.

The climate change bill provides an overall framework for tackling climate change and in tandem with the proposals in the forthcoming energy bill and the English planning bill, forms a package of action to tackle the challenge of climate change.

Q:What is the government doing about the situation in Burma?

The government has strongly and repeatedly condemned the violence against peaceful demonstration.

From the outset the British government has moved to galvanise regional and international pressure. On 2nd October the UN passed a resolution with strong British support requesting that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Sergio Pinheiro, to be allowed into the country.

On 11th October the UN Security Council adopted its first ever statement on Burma deploring the use of violence against peaceful protest, calling for the release of political prisoners and for the Burmese government to open up a dialogue with all parties and ethnic groups. It had the support of all member nations including China.

European foreign ministers have agreed to impose tighter economic measures by targeting the sectors in the economic interests of the regime, namely gems, precious metals and timber.

The government has also worked with the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to build pressure on the Burmese regime.

If there is a process of change in Burma’s regime, Britain (as well as the international community) is ready to help Burma with aid and support. Britain is already the third largest donor to Burma and has increased its aid package to £9 billion a year.

Q: I am against proposed changes to the Highway Code which will make it compulsory for cyclists to use cycle lanes even when they are not the safest option. Will you support EDM 1433 against this proposition?

As Parliamentary Private Secretary to a Government minister, I am not able to sign Early Day Motions (EDMs) but I share your concerns about any proposals to force cyclists to use cycle lanes which unfortunately in some cases are not fit for purpose. I know that Transport for London constantly reviews the location and safety of these lanes but I agree that cyclists should be allowed to use their judgement and experience.

I recently contacted the Secretary of State for Transport highlighting the concerns around these proposals.
Following representation and discussions with the cycling organisation CTC, the Department for Transport have announced changes to the code. The new draft code now includes under cycle lanes and cycle facilities guidance ‘Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer’.

I welcome these changes but I would also like to see improvements in the cycle facilities available. As chair of the transport working group at Finsbury Park station, I ensured that the second secure bicycle park in London was included in plans for the redevelopment and refurbishment of the station. I am also currently a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling.

Q: What is happening to funding for ESOL classes?

Funding for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses has tripled over the last four years but current demand for classes has meant that the government has been reviewing how the money is being used, suggesting that some learners pay a fee towards the total cost of their lessons.

I have been concerned that the many Hackney residents (34 per cent of all Hackney residents were born outside the UK) do not lose out.

I have written to various ministers and raised my concerns with the minister for lifelong learning, Bill Rammell in the House of Commons. Ian Ashman, principal of Hackney Community College and I subsequently met with him to discuss our concerns in detail.

The Government has been keen for employers to pay for staff to learn English but in Hackney with over 90 per cent of business employing fewer than six people this is not likely to become a reality.

The minister has announced welcome measures to protect the most vulnerable learners. Asylum seekers who have not received a decision on their application after six months and failed asylum seekers who are unable to leave the country through no fault of their own will now be eligible for free classes; low paid workers will receive support. Dependant spouses will be helped by an additional £4.6 million to the Learner Support Hardship Fund and priority will be given to young asylum seekers.

Contrary to reports, funding for ESOL is not being cut. Funding to the London Learning and Skills council increased 5.6 per cent for adult learners. I will be raising concerns about the balance of funding with the LSC and its priorities.

Q: How did you vote on proposals to reform the House of Lords and what was the outcome?

MPs voted on a range of options on a free vote to reform the House of Lords.

There were majorities to maintain a bi-cameral (two chamber) Parliament; to remove the remaining hereditary peers as quickly as possible and for both an 80 per cent elected/ 20 per cent appointed chamber and for a 100 per cent elected chamber. Several cabinet and senior ministers voted all the way up to 100 per cent elected. I voted for each option from 50 per cent elected to a fully elected chamber.

The Lords have rejected the Commons decisions by 361 votes to 121.

Legislation is, however, likely in the next Parliament (after the next General Election). A cross party committee continues to discuss the way forward in light of the votes. The Lords cannot ultimately block the House of Commons decision, but any changes introduced will take some time to come into effect.