Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? - politics.co.uk

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Prism: Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? Prism: Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? Prism proves why you can never trust intelligence agencies It appears that intelligence agencies may have created a snoopers' charter by stealth. This is what happens when you trust them. Prism: The secret snoopers' charter? William Hague is facing the prospect of a bruising parliamentary debate this afternoon, as he is dragged to the Commons to answer questions about a 'secret snoopers' charter' programme. Don't worry about being spied on - as long as you're 'law-abiding' British citizens should not be alarmed by reports of the UK government accessing an American spying programme provided they are "law-abiding", William Hague has said. The Yeo scandal Yeo ready to fight after lobbying sting Tim Yeo is fighting to save his position as a key policy influencer on energy issues after a lobbying sting by undercover reporters. Comment: Yeo has been hiding in plain sight for years Tim Yeo has two motives when it comes to his energy work: saving the world and personal gain. The two, always incompatible, are now completely unacceptable. Interview: Tim Yeo, green champion and businessman Twenty-four hours after leading a rebellion against the government which reduced the coalition's majority to 23, Conservative MP Tim Yeo is still in fighting mode. In other news... MPs raise alarm over policy which breaks up British families One of the coalition's immigration policies is splitting up British families and leading children to be raised without their parents, MPs warned today. Dodging a bullet: Frontline troops won't be cut again Philip Hammond appears to have won his battle with the Treasury over more defence cuts. Cameron plays up 'national interest' of EU membership David Cameron will reaffirm his commitment to remaining in the European Union later, insisting Britain's ongoing membership helps it on the world stage.	Opinion Formers VoicetheUnion video: Why is our union different? BFAWU video: Why join our trade union? NUT: 61% of parents oppose scrapping coursework Commenting on today’s reports in the media about proposed reforms to GCSEs, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: CAFH (Blue Badger) : Badger cull myths exposed in new report Blue Badger is a member of Team Badger. On the eve of a potentially devastating badger cull, Team Badger has published a report exposing the myths which underpin these misguided plans. Don’t forget about our local roads – CIHT calls for investment in UK infrastructure CIHT has submitted a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighting the important role played by transport infrastructure. CIHT specifically called for the Comprehensive Spending Review to ‘ensure that the maintenance of the local road network is sufficiently funded’. Comment from NEA on The Green Deal Comment from NEA, the national fuel poverty charity on The Green Deal: watching brief report, published today by the Energy and Climate Change Committee. Rethink: Victory for welfare campaigners as judges rule controversial disability benefits procedure is unfair Three judges have ruled that the procedure currently used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to decide whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) disadvantages people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism. BHA hits out at 'scaremongering' over humanist marriages The BHA responds to Tory MP Tony Baldry's comments on humanist wedding: "In spite of some people's desperate scaremongering, the amendment does not open up legal recognition for any new weddings other than humanist ones." BFAWU: The question is can you afford not to be in a Union Workers in the UK are having their rights cynically and maliciously stolen from them by a vindictive and cruel government; but there’s an incredible number of people who don't realise what the coalition’s changes to employment law mean to them.

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The Week in Review: The reinvention of Ed Miliband - politics.co.uk

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It was one of those weeks without major battles, in which the generals conducted manoeuvres. Ed Miliband tried to earn a right to be heard on the economy by taking on a little austerity rhetoric. David Cameron tried to use a political lobbying scandal to deliver a body blow to his rival's fundraising arrangements. And Nick Clegg, well, it's not entirely obvious what Nick Clegg was doing. Rearranging the furniture in Downing Street, perhaps. Miliband started his Miliband 2.0 week with a speech by Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor who would be boss. Cameron has a cruel line in jokes about how Miliband has to make his subordinate the tea, but this week Balls was reduced to the opening act. He delivered a pivotal speech, in which Labour effectively gave up on universal benefits. That probably lost them a few supporters on the left but got the attention of conservative pundits. Cameron can't go near winter fuel payments because it would damage him with one of his core constituencies: old people. Old people have two important political qualities: they always vote and they bear a grudge. Cameron wouldn't raise his voice against them if they chatted up his wife at a party. Miliband, on the other hand, doesn't have a chance with most of them and the ones that he does have a chance with will still be eligible for the payments once he introduces a means test. The measure will bring in very little money, but it was designed to show Labour was prepared to make the *drumroll* 'tough decisions'. Miliband's message during his Thursday speech was much more nuanced and interesting. He backed a cap on social security, but the policies weren't a straight transcription of the Conservative agenda. Instead, the aims were for long term savings: ploughing housing benefit into bricks and mortar rather than landlords' pockets, that sort of thing. Miliband did this once before, on immigration. He plays one song but everyone hears a different tune. It's quite the trick. By the end of the day he seemed to have the right and left of the party mostly onside and the right-wing press offering about ten per cent of their ears. It's nothing even approximating a Brave New World but he broadly achieved what he wanted to do. Cameron did too. After more lobbying scandal revelations over the weekend, he and Clegg promised action to tackle the scandal which he said ages ago is the next scandal waiting to happen and which he still hasn't tackled yet. Their response was to attack union funding of Labour. Even Tory MPs blanched at the outright cynicism of that. Those who campaign for party funding reform were equally unimpressed. They want union funding to be tightened up, but together with a cap on individual donations to stop the Tories powering ahead on rich men's money while Labour lags behind on nothing. Meanwhile, Lib Dems decided enough was enough and rebelled en masse against the grand bargain between their party leadership and the Tories. It's quite remarkable when something finally irritates them enough to do something about it. It's like an elephant waking up after a long sleep, casually brushing itself, then going back to bed. Gay marriage survived a 'fatal motion' in the Lords this week and continued its emotional journey through parliament. Once again, peers stood up to issue some of the weirdest arguments ever heard in polite society, including now infamous twists of logic on lesbian artificial insemination, the royal family and incest, although unfortunately not at the same time. It was political drinking game heaven. Opponents say they haven't given up the fight yet, but they're basically done for. It will almost certainly pass. There was also something important in Lord Ashcroft's latest batch of polling: Cameron is now less popular than his party. It could be an outlier, but if it's substantiated by later polls it's potentially a game-changer. Until now, he could keep his party under some semblance of control by pointing out modestly that the public preferred him to them. If that's not true, and Labour lies just ten temptingly-close points ahead in the polls, they may feel the tug of disloyalty at their heart again. It's alright, though. Tory MPs are always very good at ignoring the tug of disloyalty. They never get rid of their leaders on a whim and prayer. Best of news... Lib Dem diary: Religion is always a sticky issue Reading Sir Gerald Howarth's "aggressive homosexuals' comment, pointedly said in response to Margot James (one of only two lesbian MPs), it's hard not to feel offended and angry. Woolwich murder: Snoopers' charter back on table Home secretary Theresa May is using the post-Woolwich atmosphere to press for a revival of the so-called 'snoopers' charter'. Muslim community targeted after Woolwich horror A dramatic increase in incidents targeting Britain's Muslim community has been registered following the Woolwich terrorist murder. Best of Comment and Analysis EDL defeated... by a cup of tea The Muslim community in York is being praised for its thoroughly English response to far-right extremism, after the English Defence League (EDL) was countered by the well-timed deployment of cups of tea at the weekend. Comment: Abortion ruling shows women know what's in their best interest The court of protection ruling last week in favour of a mentally ill woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy was not about abortion rights, but right to choose. Analysis: Weary Osborne's discomfort deepens Few chancellors have faced a more challenging policy environment than this one. That doesn't mean Osborne hasn't managed to make a tough job even harder. The political week online Comment: Behind the screens - what the UK Cannes and can't do Film-maker Vicky Jewson speaks of her recent visit to the world's most famous film festival, the British film industry and why going straight to DVD isn't all that bad Comment: Ignore the hype – Boris won't become Tory leader The press and the Tories are desperate to get him in No 10, but Boris' path to power is too convoluted to be realistic. Comment: Three ways to be ethical and still look great Horrified by the Bangladesh factory tragedy? Here's how to do something about it without compromising on fashion.	Opinion Formers BFAWU video: Why join our trade union? BFAWU: No more Bedroom Tax deaths Benefit Justice campaigners everywhere are sad and bitter at the heartbreaking death of Stephanie Bottrill. The Government's attack on benefits must not be allowed to kill another person. Britain’s Sexual Revolution - a talk by Dr Matt Cook Galha, the LGBT section of the BHA presents a special meeting to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. NASUWT: Parents, teachers and the public rally for education As part of a campaign to defend the education of children and young people, parents, teachers, headteachers, governors and other members of the public will be taking part on Saturday (11 May) in the next series of Rallies for Education following the hugely successful events in the North West on 27 April. Voice calls on Nick Clegg to stand firm and block adult-child ratio changes Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents nursery staff and nannies – has welcomed reports that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will block changes to adult-child ratios in childcare. CIOB: Skills shortages still a concern for faltering construction industry Results from the 2013 skills audit from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) indicate that the construction industry is still suffering from skills shortages. IET on Queen's Speech: Commitment needed for entire HS2 route A lack of commitment from the Government for the entire route of the HS2 line means that this vital infrastructure project risks being developed in isolation, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned. NUT on Queen’s Speech: Many teachers "in despair" Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, setting out the programme of Government legislation, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: NASUWT on Queen's Speech: Mesothelioma bill welcome Commenting on the announcement within the Queen’s Speech that the Government intends to bring forward a Mesothelioma Bill before Parliament, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union said. “This announcement is welcome in that it is at least as sign that historic exposure to asbestos is at last being taken seriously." ESRC: How family conflict affects children New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) reveals why some children are badly affected by negative family conflicts while other children survive without significant problems.

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Message from Mike Penning MP

Newsletter from Mike Penning MP - Easter 2013 Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Easter 2013 Newsletter Budget Despite the difficult times financially, I was pleased to see that the Chancellor continues to focus on tackling the debt crisis, yet was also able to help those who work hard and look to the future.    I am particularly pleased that George Osborne introduced new measures to help people struggling to buy their first home and also small businesses that are considering taking on their first employee. New homes and new jobs are vital for growth.   For families, I welcome the increase in the personal tax allowance to £10,000 from April 2014 and the introduction of the tax free childcare vouchers. Childcare costs put a lot of pressure on working families.   I am absolutely delighted that more victims of the near collapse of Equitable Life will get compensation.   HGVs Last month the new law to make foreign HGVs pay a levy to use our roads came into effect. I welcome this – not least because during my time as transport minister I was very involved in pushing this Bill through Parliament.    With British HGVs paying charges and tolls to use European roads, this Bill delivers fairness for British hauliers, and rights a wrong that they have faced until now.    Locally we see foreign lorries on our roads all the time, but they haven’t had to pay anything to use them. From now on Britain will benefit from foreign lorries using our roads.   Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp Last month I welcomed the new Arctic Star medal for Arctic convoy veterans and the new Bomber Command clasp. I am keen for anyone who is eligible to apply so I have added the application forms to my website. You can download them at www.penning4hemel.com/medals.     For more information call my office (01442 450444).   Arctic Star photo Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC, UK Ministry of Defence   Meeting Hemel Hempstead School’s new head I was pleased to meet with the new Headteacher at Hemel Hempstead School this month. Patrick Harty took up the post in January and we had a very interesting discussion about the school, the work of the pupils and extra-curricular activities on offer.   Playing rugby against the Irish On a particularly grim day in February the Commons and Lords rugby team took on the Irish Parliament - it was difficult to tell which team was which by the end! Not our best result though - the Irish won 20-5.   Here to help... As ever if you need help please don't hesitate to contact me. My office is at Hamilton House, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BB and I hold regular surgeries. Call in advance for an appointment. Tel: 01442 450444 email: mike@penning4hemel.com website: www.penning4hemel.com Photo with Cllr Dan Wood in Adeyfield Best wishes for a Happy Easter... Mike Penning MP   forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Mike Penning MP, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Message from Mike Penning MP

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Contact Mike Write Mike Penning MP House of Commons LONDON SW1A 0AA email mike@penning4hemel.com Telephone 01442 450444 New Year Message Click below for my New Year Message from DeeTV. http://www.deetv.tv/#mike-penning-wishes-you-a-happy-new-year-2013 With very best wishes www.penning4hemel.com You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Unsubscribe cashmachinehack.atmhack@blogger.com from this list. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2013 Mike Penning MP All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your profile

Message from Mike Penning MP

Mike Penning MP - Newsletter Christmas 2012. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Happy Christmas Christmas is a time for families and celebration, but do spare a thought for those who don't have anyone to share the holiday with this year. We should also think of those who either choose or have to work on Christmas Day. From the clergy to carers, the police and other emergency services, there are always some people working when the rest of us are celebrating. Of course, this includes the brave men and women in our Armed Forces, on duty at home and abroad, especially those in Afghanistan, together with the civilian contractors supporting them.    ‘Treats for our Troops’ update The response to the ‘Treats for our Troops’ campaign at the end of last year was fantastic. The photo here shows me delivering the first batch of about 200 parcels to the Royal Mail Sorting Office at the Houses of Parliament. I know that these parcels are really appreciated and I am pleased to say that, all things being equal, they should have arrived in plenty of time for Christmas. It is a great comfort to our servicemen and women to know that people back home are thinking of them and have gone to the trouble to put together a personal gift.   I would particularly like to thank the Hemel Lions for their continued support in this project. They help packing parcels and ensuring they are all properly wrapped ready for the long journey to Afghanistan or the Falkland Islands. The campaign is now closed as the parcels going to Afghanistan travel overland via Pakistan and the Khyber Pass – and that route is very probably blocked by snow!   Christmas Card Competition As usual I asked the children at The Collett School to design my Christmas card - and I had some terrific entries. You can see them on my website www.penning4hemel.com. The winner was Olivia Collins and I thank the Head, Stephen Hoult-Allen, and his staff for their help in organising the entries for the competition. Support Poundland Macmillan Raffle! Earlier this week I visited Poundland in the Marlowes where they are raffling an incredible Gingerbread House. The raffle is only £1 per ticket and all funds go to Macmillan Cancer Support. The draw will be held at 12noon today (Friday 21st). I encourage anyone who can to pop down there and support them.   Would you like to visit Parliament? I actively encourage any group who would like to visit Parliament to do so. Many local groups have visited so far – most usually on a Thursday evening. It is a great opportunity for people to see the inner workings of our national Parliament and also, of course, for me to meet and learn about different organisations. If you are interested, contact my office on 01442 450444. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. www.penning4hemel.com    follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Mike Penning MP, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Message from Mike Penning MP

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Contact Mike Write Mike Penning MP House of Commons LONDON SW1A 0AA email mike@penning4hemel.com Telephone 01442 450444 Support me for ‘Movember’! I will be taking part in ‘Movember’ this year and will join thousands of men across the country in growing a moustache to raise awareness of men’s health issues. The annual ‘Movember’ campaign in the UK supports the work of Prostate Cancer UK, the Institute of Cancer Research and Movember’s own awareness and education programme. My ‘Movember’ page can be found here: http://mobro.co/mikepenningmp I welcome this chance to help promote awareness of prostate and testicular cancer and the need for men to keep their health in check. It is well recognised that many men ignore the warning signs and put off visiting the Doctor - it is easy to keep telling yourself that it is nothing, it will sort itself out. But I do urge anyone who has concerns to make that appointment. I have never grown a moustache in my life so this seems as good a time as any to try…! Movember is a registered charity. With very best wishes www.penning4hemel.com   You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Unsubscribe cashmachinehack.atmhack@blogger.com from this list. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2012 Mike Penning MP All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your profile