It’s time for radical solutions to address London’s housing crisis December 17, 2015 As MP since 2001 for the most central London constituency, I cannot recall a time when housing issues have not dominated my postbag. No surprise, perhaps, when UK buyers compete for a limited supply of homes with a global citizenry seeking its own slice of prime London. But I have also witnessed how the polarisation [...]
How to dramatically reduce the flow of refugees to Europe – at a minimal cost December 17, 2015 It's now very clear there is no way that Europe is able to accommodate the huge numbers of refugees attempting to enter. Let’s be realistic: most people are fleeing not because they want freedom and democracy, but to ensure the safety and future of themselves and their families. The only way to deal with the [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne’s Help-to-Buy and other housing budget announcements are little more than empty rhetoric November 25, 2015 George Osborne’s big news today was the announcement that the government “chooses to build” and will double the housing budget to £2bn, reforming the housing system and pumping £7bn into building 400,000 more affordable homes. Described as "the biggest affordable housebuilding programme since the 1970s", it's great news for those in desperate need of affordable housing. However [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne’s speech transcript in full including stamp duty, business rates and corporation tax announcements November 25, 2015 Mr Speaker, this Spending Review delivers on the commitment we made to the British people that we would put security first. To protect our economic security, by taking the difficult decisions to live within our means and bring down our debt. To protect our national security, by defending our country’s interests abroad and keeping our [...]
Antibacterial resistance: The pharmaceutical industry can’t solve it alone – individuals must play a big role, say experts November 16, 2015 Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to modern society. The medicines we use to treat some of the most dangerous bacterial infections are rapidly losing effectiveness, and we aren't creating new ones fast enough to keep up. In fact, a recent report by The Review of Antimicrobial Resistance – a group set up by [...]
We won’t end the UK’s culture of debt without tackling dire gaps in financial knowledge October 28, 2015 We all have financial ambitions in life: to buy our first car, to buy our first home, or to build a secure and healthy pension pot for our retirement. But while the vast majority of us have financial goals, less than half have a savings plan in place to deliver them. And what many [...]
London’s housing crisis: Instead of building east or building up, it’s time for managed release of green belt land October 26, 2015 The capital’s housing crisis is an issue often swept under the carpet in people’s cramped, sub-standard living rooms. Having just launched its Housing and Planning Bill, the government is continuing to reassure people about that its plans to roll out one million new homes by 2020 in order to solve the sticky situation in which [...]
Crowdfunder Indiegogo launches Generosity a new platform for charities to fundraise October 21, 2015 The world's largest online funding platform Indiegogo will today launch a new crowd-funding platform for charities and non-profit organisations. Generosity will replace Indiegogo Life, allowing non-profit organisations to raise money along with individuals looking for donations for personal causes, and charities. The platform will be free for users, except for transaction fees, so all the [...]
Indiegogo to help charity funding October 20, 2015 THE WORLD’S largest online funding platform Indiegogo will today launch a new crowdfunding platform for charities and non-profit organisations. Generosity will replace Indiegogo Life, allowing non-profit organisations to raise money along with individuals looking for donations for personal causes, and charities. The platform will be free for users, except for transaction fees, so all the [...]
London property prices: Business bears the cost of the government’s housing failures October 20, 2015 London's housing crisis is a human tragedy. The London Poverty Profile, released today, shows that housing costs are the major driver of a big increase in the number of Londoners who are in work but still living in poverty. But the housing crisis is also an economic tragedy. It is damaging the competitiveness of businesses, [...]