International Women’s Day 2006: Female MPs call for an end to domestic violence

Lea Bridge Ward Councillor Stella Creasy and I were invited to a special meeting at the House of Commons on Thursday, to celebrate international women’s day with women MPs, including Meg Munn, Minister for Women and Cabinet Minister, Harriet Harman, and to discuss with them the work they are doing to stamp out domestic violence.

Stella and I were then invited to observe a special parliamentary debate in the House of Commons Chamber, where the MPs debated the forthcoming Domestic Violence National Action Plan and other anti-domestic violence initiatives being taken through Parliament.

Recent research estimates that domestic violence accounts for 16% of all violent crime; costs in excess of £23bn a year; claims the lives of two women each week and 30 men per year; is the largest cause of morbidity worldwide in women aged 19-44, greater than war, cancer or motor vehicle accidents; and will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime.

Councillor Creasy and I felt honoured to represent Waltham Forest and celebrate international women’s day with the Minister for Women. We are pleased that they chose to debate domestic violence this year as it’s an issue that has been swept under the carpet for too long.

For more information about the work being done by Meg Munn MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, go to: http://www.dti.gov.uk/ministers/ministers/munn.html

Add comment March 9th, 2006

DTI Minister meets local business owners

Leytonstone received a visit from Department for Trade and Industry Minister, Alun Michael MP, today. Mr Michael, who is the Minister responsible for Regions, Skills and Productivity, talked to local business owners about the challenges of running a small business and he also sought their views on potential business opportunities involving the 2012 Olympics.

Mr Michael was particularly impressed with what he heard about the Leytonstone Business Forum, which boasts over one hundred local businesses as members.

Charles Steele, an entrepeneur from Leyton, asked Mr Michael if the Government might consider giving help to small businesses with advertising. Charles explained that it is an area where many small businesses struggle to compete against their larger rivals.

I was delighted to facilitate such a stimulating meeting and think the Minister took away lots of good ideas.

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Adrian from the Leytonstone business forum talks traffic.

Business owners make their points to the Minister.

With Alun Michael MP

Add comment March 9th, 2006