As the holiday season approaches, Margaret Moran MP is urging people in Luton to adopt a responsible attitude to alcohol and to leave the car at home if they plan on drinking this Christmas. The Luton South MP has given her full support to the THINK! Campaign, which will help cut the number of drink related road incidents (1,610 in 2006) in the region.
Margaret has organised an alcohol awareness conference after lengthy consultations with the young people in her constituency, to be held on the 16th of December.
The country’s youth are stepping up to tackle the problem of binge drinking themselves and will ask government to work alongside business’ who make a profit from selling alcohol and to discourage misuse and harmful behaviour.
The children, in the wake of the American Elections, have decided to name their conference a ‘Mini-Senate’, and the senate will be led by the children themselves. A steering committee of young people will chair the discussion where retailers, local police and publicans will join Margaret Moran MP and will answer their questions, listen to their concerns about alcoholism and binge-drinking in British society.
Representatives from the pubs and supermarkets will be in attendance and will be able to explain their policies on binge drinking to the children chairing the senate. There will also be a question and answer session regarding concerns about alcohol abuse in the future.
Margaret said:
“I have recently backed a Ten Minute Rule Bill which hopes to regulate alcohol sales in supermarket chains and happy hour extravaganzas from big pub companies. This is a pressing issue as many of today’s youths are falling into the trap of binge drinking due to the easy availability of cheap alcohol, and this in turn is causing high levels of injury and anti-social behaviour, drawing on the resources of our Police Service, ambulance and A&E Services and creating distress within our communities.“Well-run Public Houses are also suffering at the hands of this irresponsible behaviour, with at least 36 pubs shutting per week in Great Britain. If people wish to spend time in a public house to discuss and debate life and where many members of the local community meet, this is a place where some people can learn to manage their alcohol intake.”
Margaret Moran the MP for Luton South, has backed the government’s new Equality Bill as set out in the Queen’s Speech.
She said that despite the economic downturn the government was showing determination to tackle tough issues like the gender pay gap and age and sex discrimination in the workplace.
Margaret Moran the MP for Luton South is calling on the retail industry to be more ethical in its online sales policy to young people.
Ms Moran MP, is heading a summit of concerned organisations and individuals who are meeting at a conference in the Commons this week.
Ms Moran MP has pioneered a Ten Minute Rule Bill on “Online Purchasing of Goods and Services (Age Verification)” which is about to be introduced in the House of Lords by Baroness Doreen Massey.
The Bill is intended to encourage the online retail industry to take positive steps to ensure age compliance and to close the loophole which is allowing youngsters to buy age-restricted goods, such as alcohol, pornographic materials, or dangerous objects such as knives, over the internet.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown sent out a message to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.
The Prime Minister says:
“When people are drawn from each corner of the world, inspired by a shared and ancient ideal to act as one in the service of a better world – then it summons in us a truly modern hope that we can build a global society characterised by fairness and cooperation and respect.”
Margaret Moran MP has thrown her weight behind the ‘Keep Trade Local’ campaign, pledging to shop locally herself, as well as supporting the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Campaign.
With the House of Commons All-Party Small Shops Group estimating that independent retailers will be wiped out completely by 2015, it has never been more important for local representatives and residents to continue spending money in local shops. Locally, Carol Hegley, Chair of the Luton and Dunstable Federation of Small Businesses is spearheading the campaign in the Luton area.
Margaret is urging the government to ask lenders to give all home owners who default with their payments a six month reprieve before they start repossession procedures.
Ms Moran MP made her comments after the RBS said it would not repossess the properties of home owners who fall behind with payments for at least six months.
She said:
“If you lose your job, or have problems paying your household bills, the fear of getting behind with your mortgage payments is terrifying. At least if home owners knew that lenders will not take action for six months, they can plan what to do and how to do it better to enable them to get out of financial difficulties.
“The Government is doing everything it can to help people in tough times. We want to ensure that people who need support get it.
“The Government has recently announced a number of measures to help home owners in difficulty and is working with lenders and local housing associations to ensure support is there if you ask for it.
“The Government has also introduced new rules which mean courts expect lenders to work with you on alternatives and ensure judges are aware repossessions should be a last resort. If you’re out of work or getting Pension Credit you can get support with paying your mortgage interest.
“My advice is find out what help is on offer, and work with others to find a solution that suits your needs and difficulties.”
Margaret is supporting a national campaign that aims to highlight the solidarity of women around the world to work towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
Ms Moran MP has been a leading light in the campaign since she entered Parliament in 1997 and is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary group on Domestic Violence where she has been instrumental in helping to support the new Forced Marriage Bill, which has now become law.
She has recently spoken at the 6th Annual Domestic Violence Conference, and the Luton Domestic Violence Conference, which discussed diverse issues such as Forced Marriage and survivors networks, and female genital mutilation.
Ms Moran MP said:
”The Labour women in the government and as MPs have been a force to be reckoned with since we came to power in 1997. It was Labour women who said domestic violence was a huge concern among women of all ages and classes, and put the issue at the top of Labour’s agenda and at the heart of government.
“We have helped set up support networks and forums for the survivors of domestic violence and spoken to women about how best to address their concerns when they want to leave a violent relationship. The Womenspeak project I initiated is now being emulated all around the World and it showed how powerful the internet can be as a tool to help people share experiences with policy makers to initiate new laws.
“However, there is still much to be done to ensure that women who want to leave violent relationships know what help is on offer and where to go for support. I am currently pioneering another project that will help women find services through online advice and co-ordination.
“In Luton we have been setting the national agenda on forced marriage. I have been working as a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee to ensure that materials are developed for priests and imams to use as a basis for discussion of forced marriage in their teachings. What Luton says policy makers at the highest level listen to so that the lives of victims across the country from all religions and races can be improved.
”During the 16 days of Action against Violence against Women I would urge people to reflect on the fact that Domestic violence is a horrific crime that affects every 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men. It leaves people terrified in the one place they should feel safe: their homes.”
16 Days of Action against Violence against Women runs from 25th November (International Day against Violence against Women) to 10th December (International Human rights Day).
This awareness campaign has been funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Margaret said she is proud of children, parents and schools in Luton who have donated hundreds of boxes of gifts to Zimbabwe and sent them by DHL speedy delivery service.
Margaret said: “Christmas has come early to Africa this year thanks to the incredible generosity of children, parents, and schools across Luton. I want to propose a toast to all those who bothered to forget their own troubles and concentrate instead on helping others less fortunate than themselves in other parts of the World.
“Thanks to the Luton spirit, children in Zimbabwe will be able to enjoy gifts that they know shows someone else, somewhere else in the world is thinking of them this Christmas. Three cheers to the schools of Luton and all those children and parents who have brought a smile to the faces of children in Zimbabwe this Christmas.”
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