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Tony is today moving a Ten Minute Rule Bill which will set down minimum standards on insulation for privately rented properties.

Tony’s Bill will introduce a minimum standard for insulation efficiency in privately rented homes and that standard will rise over time. The Bill will make it illegal to let a property if it can be improved at a reasonable cost and this has not been done.

 Tony is calling for stronger incentives to private landlords to improve their properties by way of grant schemes and reductions in VAT on refurbishments.

 Tony said:

 ”Everyone recognises that proper insulation in the home is vital in this era of global warming, but it is equally vital that people should be able to afford to heat their homes so we need to put an end to fuel poverty and the threat that unheated homes offer to people’s health and wellbeing.”

Tony recently met with representatives from Beating Bowel Cancer, at their annual BE LOUD BE CLEAR reception and leant his support to the campaign.

‘I was pleased to learn today that 767,034 people in the midlands and north west screening hub have taken part in bowel cancer screening to date. However, too many people are still dying from this curable disease. If 77% of people in the midlands and north west screeing hub took part in bowel cancer screening, in the next two years, 1796 cancers could be detected. That is why I am being LOUD about the importance of screening to ensure that people in Manchester Central stay CLEAR of bowel cancer.’

Hilary Whittaker, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel cancer said: ‘We are delighted that Tony Lloyd MP is supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s call to action on screening. Whilst significant improvements have been made since the start of the programme, we know more lives could be saved if participation in screening increased.

Tony advises anyone who wants to know more about the campaign to visit  www.beatingbowelcancer.org

Tony has added his support to a campaign for lower train fares organised by the Campaign for Better Transport.

“I know that high train fares are a big issue for many of my constituents.  That is why I want to see a review of rail fares regulation that looks at bringing down the cost. It needs to be easier for people to take the train instead of driving or flying. If anyone wants to join me in supporting this cause they can do so by signing up to the campaign to cut train fares being organised by Campaign for Better Transport: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/train-fares”

Tony has welcomed an announcement made by housing minister John Healey today that new practical help and protection is to be made available for tenants in privately rented homes. The moves will help tenants find safer and better homes for rent and offer extra support if they face problems with their landlords or accommodation.

A new housing hotline will open for business by the summer to offer private tenants free practical advice when problems occur and a new ‘trip adviser’ style feedback website could allow tenants to post views on their accommodation and landlord.

Tony welcomed the announcement saying “Everyone knows there are very good but also very bad landlords still around. No tenant should have to put up with problems caused by negligent landlords. This announcement is a real victory for tenants and those who need the protection of the law.”

Reflecting the values of animal welfare support in Manchester Central and their own personal concern over the terrible cruelty associated with the illegal dog meat trade in the Philippines,   Tony has signed and strongly supports the intent of the following Parliamentary Early Day Motion:

Dog Eating in the Philippines, No: 744  Tabled 02.02.2010;

Sponsored Mark Pritchard MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Philippine Group

That this House congratulates His Excellency Mr. Antonio Lagdameo on his appointment as Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Court of St. James; notes the historic special relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of the Philippines and the never to be forgotten heroism shown by our Filipino allies during World War 11; further notes the shared values with respect to the treatment of animals in both countries as evidenced by recent legislation in the Philippines providing severe penalties for those convicted of involvement in the dog meat trade; respectfully requests that he convey to his Government the hope of this House that a Special Filipino Task Force is created to enforce these laws thereby eliminating this cruel exploitation of animals once and for all, further calls on the UK Government to offer support and advice to ensure that practice is finally stamped out

For those who wish information on how they can help these poor dogs, Tony  suggests they visit www.networkforanimals.org This organisation has worked on this issue in the Philippines for over a decade and stands ready to support the Filipino Government in their efforts to enforce the available new animal welfare laws.

Tony has urged Manchester residents to protect themselves against the deadly threat of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. New research shows that 88% of households in the North West are putting themselves at risk of poisoning by not having an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm.  Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour taste and smell, making it impossible to detect without an alarm.

Tony is supporting the ‘Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed!’ campaign which encourages people to ensure they have an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm and that they have all fuel burning appliances serviced annually by a registered and qualified engineer. The campaign is also backed by Kirstie Allsopp, of Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location.

He said,

“Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas that you can’t see, smell or taste.  I urge every householder in Manchester to make sure that they have an alarm and that they have their fuel-burning appliances serviced each year by a professional.”

“I would like to see a requirement for all new homes to be fitted with an alarm and for landlords to provide an alarm before they can receive their annual gas safety certificate.”

Further information can be found at www.co-bealarmed.co.uk

During the summer Tony visited Washington with other MP’s to meet US Senators and members of the Obama administration to discuss a worldwide ban on nuclear weapons. Tony led a debate on this issue in Parliament and you can read about this here

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091111/halltext/91111h0003.htm#09111154000003

Tony is opening up a petition for a nuclear weapon free world and you can simply email contact@tonylloydmp.co.uk with your details if you would like to sign up.

Tony Lloyd calls for Britain to lead the way at UN climate change summit

Tony is calling on the UK Government to sign an ambitious deal at UN climate change summit in Copenhagen in December.

Tony  said,

‘Climate change is happening, its real, and its manmade.  People across Manchester have got in touch with me on this issue, worried about what kind of planet we are going to leave for the next generation.

If we do act to tackle climate change, we won’t just avoid disaster, but we can build a cleaner safer Britain with new jobs and opportunities for business.

I’ve been listening to people’s opinions on climate change. And I’ve told Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what people in Manchester are saying. We want our government to lead the way and sign an ambitious deal at Copenhagen. Its good for Manchester and its good for Britain.’

Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said,

“This is make or break time for our climate and our future. The question is not just deal or no deal – it was what kind of deal we get.

The world’s got no option but to work together to get a global climate deal that’s ambitious, effective and fair.

For people in Britain, a global deal now will mean avoiding extreme weather events like those in Cockermouth and the huge extra costs that would bring.  But it will also open the door to big new opportunities to create green jobs and economic prosperity.

So here is the challenge for Britain: we need to show the way to a low-carbon future, but we also need to get all countries signed up to acting as well. We can help tip the balance by our own actions and by persuading other countries to join a global deal at the UN meeting in Copenhagen.’

More information at www.edspledge.com

Tony Lloyd MP has welcomed a new online discussion hub which will help politicians to engage with young people which was launched in the House of Commons last week.

Tony said, “Social Breakfast is going to offer a space for young people to raise the issues they want to talk about and politicians the opportunity to not just listen but to engage too. This unique forum will ensure that what’s on the table is what young people themselves think is important – not what we politicians think young people care about. This will be an important tool to help policy makers gauge the opinions of youngsters on a wide variety of topics.”

Tony Lloyd backed World AIDS DAY to raise awareness of the plight of the more than 33 million people around the world living with HIV.

Every day, over 6,000 people become infected with HIV and over 5,000 people die from AIDS. An estimated 1.9 million people were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa last year, bringing to 22.4 million the number of people living with HIV. Around 14 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS.

Tony said, “Access to AIDS services across the developing world remains unacceptably low. Most prevention strategies are available to fewer than 1 in 5 people who need them. But we can make a difference. Labour’s continued commitment to overseas aid and support for health services in poor countries is vital to tackling this devastating epidemic.”