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The Legislative Programme will build on the Pre-Budget Report announced last week and will help equip people to meet the economic challenges facing our country as a result of global downturn. This Government will go on taking urgent action now to give people real help to get through these difficult times. As we concentrate on bringing people through this as quickly as possible, we must also prepare for the future so Britain emerges from this downturn fairer and stronger than ever before. Our determination is that Britain is a country of fair chances where hard work is rewarded. So we will provide real help for communities with renewed investment in reformed public services to support the economy. Our commitment to a fair chance for all will be taken forward in bills to eradicate child poverty, to promote equality, to promote excellence in schools, and give our young people the skills and education to equip them for future challenges. A fairer future is built on communities where fair rules apply to all and where everyone can have a fair say. People need to know that there are clear rules in place which are seen to be fair, enforced and making a difference – on the streets and in the boardroom. Our package of laws will help promote fair rules with tough measures to punish and prevent crime. We will strengthen the border and ensure earned citizenship. This Labour Government has always represented the interests of the many, not…

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Gordon Brown and Labour Cabinet members today announced over 50 measures to strengthen communities and support hardworking people who play by the rules. On the eve of the Queen’s speech, the ‘Fair Rules for Strong Communities’ paper sets out a number of reforms to strengthen communities and contribute to dealing with the global economic downturn. Policy initiatives are outlined for: * welfare reform * crime and policing * children and young people * business rules * immigration * empowerment Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “We believe in providing real help for families and business now, when they need it. “But it also means taking action to ensure our communities are strong. Stronger communities, quite simply, will help our country come through these times faster and stronger. “So as government takes action, we expect people to play their part in return, with clear consequences for those who do not. In a fair society that is what people would expect. “In Britain, we have always believed there can never be one rule for some, and another rule for others. Rules must apply to individuals, communities and businesses alike.” Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: “People want to see fair rules that apply to everyone, and have a fair say in their communities. This is particularly true in tough economic times. We are - and will continue - to support people who really need our help. But, no-one should be in any doubt if you intend to take more out of the system then…

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David Hanson MP, Labour’s Justice Minister, writes exclusively for labour.org.uk - “When people break the law, they must face the consequences. For the most serious offenders – and the most persistent – that means a prison sentence. For other less serious offenders, community sentences are a very good alternative. Figures show that in terms of cutting re-offending, it is often better to send such offenders on a community punishment rather than a short spell in prison. Labour has done a lot to make these sentences even more effective and tougher as part of an approach which punishes offenders but also gives them the chance of reform. Offenders sentenced to Community Payback will be literally paying back the community for their crimes by clearing up graffiti, renovating community centres and other hard, physical work. But for these sentences to be effective, they must also be visible to the community: people must literally be able to see offenders repaying for their crime. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. And the community must have confidence in these sentences. That’s why we today are introducing orange jackets for all offenders on Community Payback. The jackets will also have the Community Payback logo on them. The idea is to strengthen the effectiveness of community punishments and improve the public’s confidence in them. Some offenders think when they are given a community punishment they are being let off. And the public can sometimes be forgiven for thinking the same…

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The Labour Government has announced £62 million of fast track funding to develop world class facilities for young people across England. This first wave of funding will be awarded to 21 successful bidders across the country and will help drive forward Labour’s commitment to making this the best country in the world for young people to grow up in. This money will help provide exciting safe places for all young people to go to and give them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of positive activities such as sport, dance and music The announcement is part of Labour’s ‘myplace’ programme, a scheme which is transforming the provision of youth facilities across the country. Labour is ensuring that young people are actively involved in developing youth facilities in their neighbourhoods to ensure that the projects reflect what young people want and need. Ed Balls and Jack Straw visited the Lazer Centre in Leeds, which represents the type of facilities myplace hopes to inspire across the country. Speaking from the Lazer Centre, Ed Balls, Children and Young People’s Secretary, said: “The vast majority of young people are good citizens, play by the rules and just want better things to do and places to go after school and at the weekend rather than hanging around in the street or in the local park. They enjoy getting involved in exciting projects such as myplace, so I hope that this scheme will help change the way communities view our young people….

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Labour’s top priority is to help families through the current global economic downturn as fairly as possible. The Government has today met with major credit card companies so that households who are experiencing trouble paying their credit card bills as a result of the economic downturn are treated fairly over the coming months. There has been evidence of card lenders significantly hiking up people’s rates, as well as broader concerns about the failure of many companies to pass on cuts in interest rates to borrowers struggling to repay their debts. The Labour Government is asking the companies to: * look at offering people alternative options if they face large rate increases * give them more notice of a change so they have time to shop around for another deal or bring down their outstanding balance. * consider introducing a breathing space to give people time to get back on their feet. * report back to the Government before Christmas with a statement of fair principles Labour’s Consumer Affairs Minister, Gareth Thomas, said: “The Government is deeply concerned that borrowers aren’t getting a fair deal. That’s why we’ve taken swift action to bring the industry in to look at how costs are being applied to people’s existing debts. “We want to work constructively with industry to draw up a set of principles that will enable them to keep lending and will also ensure borrowers are treated fairly and in a way that best helps them pay off their debts”…

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The Labour Party, today, has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the vulnerable and supporting victims of forced marriages. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act, to protect victims of forced marriage and prevent others from the same fate, comes into force on 25 November 2008. On top of current criminal protection, the Act will provide robust civil protection for vulnerable people threatened with forced marriage and enhance the rights of people from across different communities in the UK who are affected by this problem. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act comes into force on White Ribbon Day which brings together men and women of many different communities and backgrounds to raise awareness of domestic violence. Jack Straw MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Justice said: “Today we are standing on the side of vulnerable victims, providing hope to what is often a desperate situation. It is fitting the law comes into force on White Ribbon Day - the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men’s violence against women. “As a Labour Government, we urge everyone to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. This is why the Forced Marriage Act enables anyone to apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order on behalf of a victim, as victims may be unable to protect themselves. “We are determined to do everything we can to support victims of forced marriage, provide education to prevent others from becoming victims, and pull…

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Labour’s Chancellor, Alistair Darling, has announced measures in the Pre Budget Report to offer real help now for families, businesses and the economy. The UK is facing exceptional times and the PBR sets out the exceptional measures needed to put money into the economy and bring the country through the global economic downturn sooner and stronger. The Labour Chancellor announced £20bn worth of measures, including: * action to help businesses and families with a one year cut in VAT of 2.5% - putting £12.4bn into the economy * giving £145 tax cut to 22m basic rate taxpayers * giving every pensioner a £60 payment in January * bringing forward the April increase in child benefit, so that families receive £20 per week from January * increasing child tax credit by £75 a year above indexation in April * providing more loans and deferring tax payments for small businesses * bringing forward £2.5bn of capital projects to provide jobs right now when the economy is under pressure Labour refuses to abandon people in these tough times. While we will act to provide real help now for families and businesses to come through the downturn sooner and stronger, David Cameron would do nothing but sit back and watch as the downturn got deeper and longer. Britain cannot afford David Cameron’s schoolboy errors….

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A crackdown on the menace of reckless driving has been announced as Labour’s Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick unveiled proposals to tackle drink and drug drivers and other dangers on Britain’s roads. A major consultation on road safety sets out Labour’s plans to crack down on drug and drink driving and how changes in the law can play a role in combating this menace. It also examines the need for tougher penalties and other changes to make it easier for police to tackle reckless driving and cut the 3,000 road deaths that take place in Britain each year. Independent research shows that 1 in 5 drivers killed in accidents may have an impairing drug in their system. Specific proposals include: * exploring whether a new offence should be created to bring drug driving more into line with drink driving * a major publicity campaign on drug driving * improved training and equipment to help the police better enforce the current drug driving law * £2 million for new digital breath testing equipment * seeking views and evidence on the question of reducing the legal alcohol limit Labour’s Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the number of people killed or hurt has fallen dramatically in the last decade. But too many people are still dying on our roads. “To tackle this we must crack down on the most dangerous drivers - the selfish minority whose reckless behaviour…

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Jacqui Smith write exclusively for labour.org.uk on tackling demand for prostitution. Today I am publishing the findings of the Government’s six month review into tackling demand for prostitution outlining tough new measures to crack down on sex buyers and kerb crawlers as well as giving police new powers to close down brothels. I want to do everything I can to protect vulnerable women. That is why I am determined to shift the focus onto the sex buyer, the person responsible for creating the demand for prostitution markets which in turn creates demand for the vile trade of women to be trafficked for sexual exploitation. I am outlining measures to protect women who have been groomed or trafficked into prostitution or for those who remain involved for fear of violence from a partner or pimp. There will be a new criminal offence of paying for sex with someone who is trafficked or pimped so that even if a punter claims he did not know the woman was being controlled for gain they will still be liable for prosecution. I want to send a clear message to force men to think twice before sex and make it clear that if they pay for sex with someone who has been controlled or exploited, they face a criminal record and a hefty fine. At the moment, only persistent kerb-crawling is outlawed. In my book, once around the block is once too many - and so I’m making kerb-crawling punishable as a…

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Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury, responding to David Cameron’s speech on Tory spending plans, said: “There is a clear choice for the British people. “Labour’s approach will give real help now for families and businesses to help Britain come through these difficult times stronger and sooner; the Conservatives won’t act to support the economy when it needs it and won’t help families and businesses right now. “Unlike the Conservatives, we refuse to abandon people in tough times. Instead of a shot in the arm the Tories would give the British economy a slap in the face. “The Tory policy of inaction is isolated and incoherent. They are now virtually alone in opposing an urgent boost to the economy and they have been forced yet again to change their plans from one day to the next. “Ever since the banking crisis hit Britain, David Cameron and George Osborne have been out of their depth and today once again their judgement has been wrong.”…

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Labour’s health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has launched a £4.5m campaign to raise awareness of organ donation and help with recruiting nearly half the population to the organ donor register. The Secretary of State also welcomed the report on this subject by the Organ Donations Taskforce Group which recommended against a ‘presumed consent’ system in the UK. The campaign aims to help raise donor rates from the current 800 to 1,400 per year by March 2013. This would give the UK one of the best rates in Europe and, with each donor helping up to three people, could mean an extra 1,800 people getting the transplant they need each year. Labour’s Health Secretary, Alan Johnson said: “I am grateful to the Chair of the Taskforce, Elisabeth Buggins, and all the members for their careful and thorough examination of this difficult issue. We need to dramatically increase organ donation but the Government and the NHS can’t achieve this alone. We need a much greater public understanding that organ donation saves lives. “The Taskforce has presented a well-balanced analysis of a substantial body of evidence drawn from a wide range of groups, including healthcare professionals, organ recipients, donor families, representatives of faith groups, and members of the public. “I accept their conclusions and recommendations, and support the priorities for action they have identified. The Taskforce conclude that donation rates equivalent to those achievable through the best presumed consent systems could still be possible without a change in the legal framework - and I…

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Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Labour’s Aviation Minister, responding to Theresa Villiers’ outright rejection of Boris Johnson’s Thames Estuary airport plan, said: “Tory transport policy is now totally incoherent. The Tories can’t get their act together when it comes to airports and keep making headlines on the hoof that unravel under scrutiny. “They opposed Heathrow expansion during the London election campaign. The Thames Estuary airport plan was meant to be their alternative. Now Theresa Villiers has ruled that out - even though Boris Johnson is still lobbying for it. “After yet another of their ideas fails to fly - when will they replace unworkable plans with serious leadership for the long term good of the country.”…

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Labour’s Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls has given the green light to a new generation of primary schools by approving building plans worth £3.55 billion . The planned rebuilding and refurbishment of 1,500 schools across England can now start. This announcement means that Labour’s Primary Capital Programme – which is investing at least £7 billion to rebuild or refurbish half of all primary and primary-age special schools by 2022-23 - will now start in earnest. 133 local authorities today received the go-ahead for their primary capital strategies. Additionally the Labour Government will provide specialised support for 15 local authorities to help them improve their plans within three months to enable funding to be released.. As well as improving the learning environment of children across the country, this huge investment will help to support jobs in the construction industry and local businesses who will be crucial to fitting out the new and refurbished schools. Labour’s Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls said: “This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country – to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf life and drive up the quality of our schools. “A decade ago many classroom facilities were in an appalling condition. Children deserve the best facilities that we can build and teachers deserve better classrooms to work in. Schools are now being revolutionised by the biggest, sustained capital investment for 50 years – benefiting…

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Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, Gordon Brown, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party said: “These last weeks and months will be studied by generations to come. Historians will look back and say this was no ordinary time but a defining moment: an unprecedented period of global change, a time when one chapter ended and another began - for nations; for continents; for the whole world. I want this to become the moment when together we rise to the new challenges by purposeful visionary and international leadership, leaving behind the orthodoxies of yesterday and embracing new ideas to create a better tomorrow: not as victims of history but as shapers of an open, free trade, flexible globalisation that is also inclusive and sustainable. At the heart of this is a growing agreement that at a time of change and massive uncertainty, people look to governments for action. This is no time for conventional old thinking or tired old orthodoxies. In Britain, we have already cut taxes to help families this year. And as the chancellor has said, we will maintain our essential public investments while continuing to increase the value for money of every pound spent. This is no time for the old approach of short-term spending cuts in a downturn that would hurt families and businesses today and damage the long-term productivity of the economy. Since this is a global downturn it requires a global solution. As was the case with the bank stabilisation plan,…

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Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in advance of Conservative announcement on 11/11/08 said: “No Tory promise can be taken seriously while their economic strategy remains incoherent. From the moment the banking crisis hit Britain, George Osborne’s judgement has been wrong on everything from Northern Rock to interest rates. “He needs to stop making headlines on the hoof and start developing a coherent economic plan. Their incoherence would be a risk to British jobs and economic stability.”…

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Gordon Brown hailed Labour’s victory in the Glenrothes by-election as a vote of confidence for Labour’s response to the economic downturn. The Prime Minister said: “What I have learned from this by-election is that people are prepared to support Governments that will help people through the downturn and offer real help to people. “They are less willing to support people who have no idea about how to solve the problems we have got.” Lindsay Roy was elected the new MP with a majority of 6,737 over the SNP’s Peter Grant. The SNP had repeatedly predicted they would win the seat. With Alex Salmond saying only last week: “Yes, we can win and, yes, we will win the Glenrothes by-election.” The by-election in the Fife constituency was held after the death of Labour MP John MacDougall. An appalling night for David Cameron’s Conservatives saw the Tories come a poor third with 1,381 votes while the Lib Dems polled 947 votes. Deputy Leader Harriet Harman said, “Our campaign was true to Labour’s values of defending older people from unfair cuts and increased charges in home help services. “Congratulations to our new MP Lindsay Roy, campaign manager Gordon Burns and Jim Murphy. I would also like to thank all the hard working party staff and members from across the country who helped in the campaign.” Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: “It’s the first time since the 1970s…

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Sixty areas across the country have signed up to pioneer a new scheme to make community punishment and the police more accountable to the public, Labour’s Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced today. Delivering a key recommendation of the Casey Review, and supported by £5.6 million, the new pioneer areas will each appoint a dedicated person to ensure that Community Payback in the local community is visible and tough, that victims of crime are supported to reduce re-offending and that the public know the rights that the new national Policing Pledge gives them. The new coordinators will be a powerful force to take forward the radical vision set out in the Casey Review and Policing Green Paper to give the public a greater say in the way their streets are policed and how offenders are dealt with. The new coordinators will work to: let the public know their entitlement in the new Policing Pledge so that they know their rights, know who their neighbourhood policing team are, how they can hold them to account and the minimum level of service they should expect;
open up the criminal justice system so that there are clear and public consequences for criminals that the public get to know about, including more visible Community Payback; and,
ensure that services and support for victims and witnesses like separate seating arrangements at court are up to scratch. Labour’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said : “The public have told us what they want from policing and the justice system -…

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The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit has published a report, ‘Getting On, Getting Ahead,’ which analyses the evidence base on social mobility. ‘Getting On, Getting Ahead, a discussion paper analysing the trends and drivers of social mobility’ is based on independent academic research and identifies key trends and drivers of social mobility, finds that social mobility remained broadly stable since 1970. The evidence since 2000 suggests it may start to rise in future. Labour’s Minister for the Cabinet Office, Liam Byrne, said: “This report collects the best evidence available on how easily people can get ahead in Britain. It presents some powerful lessons from the past and some signs of good news. “What seems clear is that despite the huge social, economic and political changes between 1970 and 2000, social mobility didn’t go up - it stayed the same. Now, things look like they’re starting to improve. “The key for the future appears to be capturing a big share of high value jobs that will come as the world economy changes over the next 20 years plus investing in the things, like Sure Start, school standards, post 16 education and more training at work to give more people a fairer chance to get on”. In June, the Prime Minister announced that a flagship White Paper will be published by the end of the year, setting out the Government’s vision of a Britain where everyone can make the most of their potential. ….

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Labour MPs joined forces with Breast Cancer Campaign for its award winning fundraising event, Wear It Pink, on Friday 31 October 2008. Labour colleagues gathered together in Parliament this week wearing an assortment of pink clothing to promote the event. It marks the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and the MPs wanted to raise awareness of the campaign which hopes to raise £3.5 million this year. The Wear it Pink campaign and breast cancer awareness month are important ways of promoting breast awareness and ending the suffering faced by thousands of women each year. Alan Johnson MP, Labour’s Health Secretary said: “I am pleased my colleagues are wearing it pink to raise breast cancer awareness and highlight the great work of Breast Cancer Campaign. We have made good progress on cancer, saving 1,400 lives a year through the NHS breast screening programme and cutting waiting times for cancer treatment, but we must continue to improve. “Better awareness, prevention and treatment can help us win the fight against breast cancer.“ Labour’s Gateshead East and Washington West MP Sharon Hodgson, Secretary of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, said: “I’ve been committed to campaigning on breast cancer issues ever since my best friend was diagnosed with the disease at the time of my election in 2005. I’ve seen first hand the effects of the disease on women and their families and that is why it…

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Chancellor Alistair Darling has delivered this year’s Mais lecture. He outlined the actions the government would take to maintain economic stability for Britain: “Thanks to the reform of economic policy in 1997, we have seen the longest period of continuous growth in living memory. But today we have to deal with unprecedented turmoil in the global economy. “The Government has a crucial role, in building a fair and therefore more prosperous country – where everyone has the opportunity to make the most of their talents.“ “My political purpose has always been to enable everyone, regardless of their background, to make the most of their strengths and to benefit from increasing prosperity.” “We must make sure we maintain public investment – in infrastructure, education and health – because they are essential to our future economic strength.“ “To increase borrowing in a downturn is sensible – to support people and business across the economy.” “These are extraordinary times. The economy is facing unprecedented global shocks, and we need a new approach that is fit for these new times. “…

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