The new fund supports projects that embed long term increases in giving of time (volunteering, time-banking) or resources (money, property, fixed assets or equipment) in England. Over £20 million of funding is available to encourage social action in three areas:

> Social action in the community
> Social action inspired by the Olympics
> Social action for all ages

The fund is open to charities, community groups, social enterprises, public sector bodies and businesses with a social mission.

To find out more visit www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/our-funds or call 0191 269 2276.

Tony Lloyd MP participated in The Big Shave Off on Saturday 15th October. Orchid, who raise awareness for the three types of male cancer; penile, testicular and prostate hosted the ‘Guinness World Record Shave Off Charity Fundraising Event’ at the Manchester Arndale Centre.

Tony said, ‘Men aren’t typically very good at talking about these things, but we should all be talking about this very important cause.’

A few months ago I was in Cairo and saw the hope that was inspired by the Arab Spring. Democratic countries in Europe have both a self-interest and a moral obligation to support the changes it will bring, both in enforcing the rule of law and respect for human rights. Sadly we did not always do this in the past. When Mohammed Bouazizi, a street trader in Tunisia killed himself because he could no longer endure abuse by the authorities and could not speak for himself it became obvious that we had remained silent for too long when we should have spoken out for people like him and against that abuse.

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On 14 October Tony Lloyd attended the Bridging the Gap Graduation ceremony and presented the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. He is pictured here with award winners Ryan Tagger and Louise Evans.

The Bridging the Gap programme is organised by ADS, the leading regional charity specialising in alcohol and drug services across the region.

Tony Lloyd said, ‘The award winners are local heroes who have turned their lives around from alcohol addiction to helping other people and returning to the world of work. Each of the students present at the ceremony had genuinely inspirational and unique stories.’

Disabled people in the North West, along with their families and friends, took to the streets in Manchester to protest against Government cuts to disability benefits and services on 22 October 2011. Their message to the government was clear: stop these cuts.

Following the event Tony Lloyd said, ‘A huge number of angry people turned up to protest against these benefits cuts. We should protect those who are vulnerable which is why these cuts are particularly cruel.’

That Israel has the right to defend itself goes rightly unquestioned by the overwhelming majority of people in Britain. That Israel takes the right to collectively punish all Palestinians in Gaza cannot be. Even the words ‘collective punishment’ disguise the cynical dehumanisation of those trapped in what is now the world’s biggest prison camp.

From our media it is easy to see Israel gallantly defending itself against attack from Islamic extremists drawn from the Bin Laden textbook who deserve only harsh response. The reality is different – brutally so.

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A busy week started last Sunday with a speech at the TUC Rally Against the Cuts on the opening day of the Tory Conference in Manchester. Monday morning leafleting outside Deansgate Station against closure of a large number of railway booking offices, bad for the traveller and less safe too. Next I flew to Mozambique to take part in a seminar on strengthening the role of Parliament in that young democracy. Finally the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe conference on EU enlargement and the “frozen conflict” between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tony is pictured along with local Labour teams outside the centre, protesting against the planned closure of this well used clinic.

Tony said, ‘Cutting health services to a community with some of the poorest health in the city is shocking. When Ancoats Hospital closed this community was given assurances about replacement facilities and we’re fighting to make sure that NHS Manchester honours the promises made.’

Tony is pictured here taking part in the TUC march and rally in Manchester last week. Tony said, ‘People here today are angry they want David Cameron to think again on the cuts that are putting people out of work and causing so much damage to our communities’.

Over 30,000 people took part in the march which coincided with the start of the Tory party conference.

Tony is pictured at Deansgate Station as part of the TSSA led Save Our Stations and Ticket Offices Campaign.