http://simonhughes.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from Simon Hughes MP en-GB Simon Hughes MP http://simonhughes.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Simon Hughes MP 2010-03-12T06:21+00:00 United Kingdom http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000236/government_has_dithered_on_greening_our_homes__hughes.html Commenting on the Government's announcement of a green loans scheme for households who want to make energy efficient improvements to their homes, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes said: 2010-03-02T12:38+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000235/energy_firms_should_publish_their_profits_on_fuel_bills__hughes.html Energy firms would have to print the amount of profit they make on every fuel bill under an amendment to the Energy Bill tabled by the Liberal Democrats to be debated by MPs today. 2010-02-24T13:19+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000234/simon_hughes_organises_first_ever_southwark_pensioners_parliament.html The first ever session of the Southwark Pensioners' Parliament, organised by Simon Hughes MP took place last week on Monday 15th February 2010. Taking place at the Attlee Suite in the House of Commons, over 100 pensioners from around Southwark attended. Representatives came from the Southwark Pensioners' Action Group, the Southwark Pensioners' Forum, the Southwark Irish Pensioners' and other groups that had been notified via the various pensioners' centres and the local press. Also present were Rt Hon. Harriet Harman MP, representing the Labour Party, and representing the Conservatives was Kemi Adegoke, a prospective parliamentary candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood. 2010-02-22T10:48+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000233/simon_wins_campaign_for_advance_notice_of_electricity_and_gas_price_changes.html Energy companies will in future have to inform customers before they change their prices, after the government yesterday accepted Liberal Democrat plans to amend the energy bill currently going through parliament. 2010-02-12T09:54+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000232/government_emissions_up_625_in_2008__hughes.html Carbon emissions from the public sector increased 6.25% in 2008, Liberal Democrat analysis of new Government figures reveals. 2010-02-08T12:39+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000231/read_simons_article_on_the_guardian_website.html Public sector greenhouse gas emissions rose by 6.25% in 2008 despite overall UK emissions falling by almost 2%, analysis of government figures showed today. 2010-02-05T18:35+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000230/hughes_quizzes_minister_over_future_of_thameslink_plans_for_london_bridge_station.html In a debate in the House of Commons this week (2nd February) Simon Hughes quizzed junior transport minister Chris Mole about the future of the planned rebuild works at London Bridge station. Recent reports have suggested that the government is not now certain that the money will exist to start the works which are due to begin in the autumn on 2012. 2010-02-04T16:04+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000229/tfl_boss_to_join_mp_hughes_checking_out_overcrowded_buses_in_bermondsey.html Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat member of parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, met at the House of Commons this week with top Transport for London bosses to raise major issues of concern to his constituents and other travellers in Southwark. Issues discussed included the reopening of the East London Line, the present and future disruption on the Jubilee and Northern Lines, the closures of the Rotherhithe tunnel, overcrowding on the buses, the lack of a countdown indicator at local bus stops, the bus lane along Jamaica Road, the unfriendly attitudes of some bus drivers, dangerous potholes on main roads and the plans for the roundabouts at the Elephant and Castle. 2010-02-04T16:03+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000228/mp_hughes_promises_support_to_heygate_residents.html Simon Hughes, member of parliament for Walworth's Heygate Estate attended the general meeting of tenants and residents last Thursday 28th Jan, after last year encouraging residents to keep their association going at least until this spring, by which time everybody should have moved out of the estate. The Heygate Estate, which is the subject of the agreement between Southwark Council and Lendlease and is scheduled for demolition as part of the Elephant and Castle regeneration at the end of January. So far had 1128 families have been successfully relocated to new houses. There are now fewer than 70 families - some tenants and some leaseholders - waiting to move to new homes. 2010-02-04T16:02+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000227/hughes_challenges_ministers_on_child_poverty_in_southwark.html In Parliament this week Simon Hughes seized the first opportunity to question ministers since alarming new figures were released showing that over 7 out of 10 children in parts of Southwark are in 'child poverty' according to official figures. 2010-02-04T16:01+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000226/simon_hughes_congratulates_southwark_tigers_and_other_young_sports_people_at_house_of_commons_reception.html Simon Hughes, member of parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, joined Southwark Tigers and other young Southwark sportsmen and women and their coaches and friends at a reception in the Palace of Westminster this week to celebrate their success and support them in their plans for a new pavilion, more facilities and more support in the years ahead. 2010-02-04T16:00+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000225/ofgem_must_make_sure_fuel_prices_are_fair__hughes.html Commenting on Ofgem's plans for energy market reform, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes said: 2010-02-03T11:56+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000224/mp_hughes_promises_support_to_heygate_residents.html Simon Hughes, member of parliament for Walworth's Heygate Estate attended the general meeting of tenants and residents last Thursday 28th Jan, after last year encouraging residents to keep their association going at least until this spring, by which time everybody should have moved out of the estate. The Heygate Estate, which is the subject of the agreement between Southwark Council and Lendlease and is scheduled for demolition as part of the Elephant and Castle regeneration at the end of January. So far had 1128 families have been successfully relocated to new houses. There are now fewer than 70 families - some tenants and some leaseholders - waiting to move to new homes. 2010-02-02T17:33+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000223/labours_feedin_tariff_plans_too_little_too_late__hughes.html Commenting on today's announcement by the Government of details of its feed-in tariff scheme, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Simon Hughes said: 2010-02-02T12:18+00:00 http://simonhughes.org.uk/news/000222/hughes_seeks_to_change_law_to_ensure_local_residents_benefit_from_local_developments.html This Friday Simon Hughes, member of parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey, will open debate on his Private Members Bill. Simon Hughes' Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (amendment) Bill seeks to change the way that councils can use money they receive from local building developments. Currently the law restricts councils to using this money to improve local infrastructure when often it could be spent far more effectively on housing improvements. This Bill would remove the shackles currently restricting councils, allowing them to spend money where it is really needed. 2010-01-27T09:23+00:00