USA Economy is on the Up!

Today we hear that the US Economy seems to be overcoming the recent economic decline and posted a 3.5% rise in GDP.

"The US economy grew at an annual pace of 3.5% between July and September, its first expansion in more than a year." From BBC News (click here)

Financial experts purport that this growth has occurred much sooner than expected and could well be the product of a much stronger stimulus package than other countries - something that Britain just could not afford when tackling our own failed economy.

At the same time we hear that the British Economy due to greater dependency on our failing banking industry, is in a worse state then many other leading nations and will have to expect a much longer and more turbulent period before we even approach stability.

This recession has really highlighted the need for a more sustainable economy, one that promotes self sufficiency, whilst still promoting international trade. Our problem is that inward investment in business is poor and requires sensible solutions, such as extensions of the recent Business Rate postponement, retention of the reduced VAT charge and grants for investment in Green Technology - that would reduce reliance on the major energy providers with their increasing supply charges.

Moreover, the Green Manifesto would promote community banking and much stronger controls that would include monitoring of the excessive bonus and perk schemes operated by larger commercial banking establishments.

Another factor that affected our economy was the bizarre distribution of mortgages to families that could not afford them. that resulted in the property value bubble that burst demoralising many homeowners. This coupled with the fact that many mortgages collapsed due to non-payment of regular payments, has created a reticence from our frightened banking establishments to facilitate new mortgages, which now require the strictest of criteria and substantial deposits, making it nigh on impossible for potential new-homeowners to enter the property market. This has further stifled the economy and made a more stark rich/poor divide.

We would work with the industry to find a happy medium that would encourage sensible home ownership, with support for those that most need it.

The government's new financial stake in the banking industry has provided a leverage that is not being adequately utilised - to strengthen our economy and a more dynamic and concerted effort is required, if we are to see to fruition a new dawn, after what is now purported as being Britain's' longest ever recession.

A Green Economy

As promised I write the second of my Green Economy features describing how the Green Party would be committed to building a stronger and less impacting economy.

Our National Green Party Manifesto describes some of the innovative and sensible approaches we would espouse towards securing a "green economy":

• Good quality local services rather than false 'choice' (people want good local Schools/Hospitals rather than the ostensibly advantageous choice of opting for one distant from home)
• Free Prescriptions, eye tests and dentistry
• Mandatory youth services with extra funding
• Scrapping fees in higher education and also 'foundation' status for local education provision.
• Introduction of a Citizen's Pension that would pay pensioners a livable amount, without means testing and would be linked to the rise in average earnings.

The Green party have also been championing the creation of a network of publicly owned community banks - this would prevent the derisible executive bonus schemes and associated perks that have decimated our economy. A scheme such as ours would enable our Government to take more control over the industry and would also raise an income. We also believe the UK should stay out of European Single Currency.

Learn more by following these links:

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/services-economy.html

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/policies/work-welfare-pensions.html

The Gapes Omission

Mike Gapes, the Labour and Co-op MP for Ilford South brags on his website about his dubious “green” credentials.

I am a supporter of the 10:10 campaign and last night I am pleased to inform you that I supported a motion which states:

That this House welcomes the 10:10 campaign as a motivator of public action to cut carbon dioxide emissions through individual and collective behaviour change;……………..

See that? “Public actions through individual and collective behaviour”. That’s you he is referring to. So what about Mr Gapes himself and more importantly the government of which he is a part? Well, he and they are not so keen to join in with “collective behaviour”. You see what Mr Gapes has failed to point out in his highly misleading and mendacious post is that he and his government colleagues voted AGAINST the previous motion which COMMITTED him and his government to actually DO something by way of contribution themselves.

This man is not “green” by any stretch of the imagination. He wants you to do as he and his government say, not as he and his government do.
Full story and links to Hansard at Barkingside 21.

Here he is allegedly doing some constituency work. If in the unlikely event that he knocks on your door you might just like to question him on his record in the house?

Priorities for Redbridge

Ilford South Priorities

Your local Green’s priorities for the Ilford South parliamentary constituency will focus on the areas of local government that matter most to local people. Items that have been highlighted by local community groups and individuals - not something derived from any central party focus.

For Ilford South in particular our main priorities will be:

• Protection of our Green Field and Brown Field sites: The recent campaign opposed to the sale of allotment sites has been successful for the time being. However, the pressure for newbuild developments and the council’s need to finance it’s capital programme have not gone away. Vigilance and support in parliament are still required plus both central and regional government accepting the responsibility to provide the finance for the additional amenities their imposed newbuild targets necessitate.
  
• More School places and in the right areas too!: Redbridge is well known for its exceptional standard of local education resulting in migration into the borough placing further demand on services. In some cases this results in children having to travel outside the borough for their education and in many cases having to travel to opposite ends of the borough. It is the south and east of the borough who are feeling the shortage the most and we will do our utmost to support the council to provide schools where they are needed.
  
• Simply an adequate Swimming Facility: The closure of the Ilford swimming baths without any plan for its replacement is another example of the council’s problems with its capital budget brought about by government restrictions. The unworkable plan for an Olympic pool and the waste of £1.5m in consultancy fees did not help either. We support the provision of a smaller community based facility to reduce the need for travel to out of borough facilities and reduce the waiting list for children’s classes at our one and only pool at Fullwell Cross.
  
• Save King George Hospital: The present Government has diverted more funds into the NHS than any preceding Government but has not improved front line services. Indeed the threat to KGH features regularly in the local media and the local PCT is the poorest financial performer in the Country. We will champion better accountability for NHS Management and support front line staff at the expense of bureaucracy. We will campaign for the retention of King George Hospital with Accident and Emergency Facility. We will also campaign for a review of the existing stroke unit deployment as Redbridge has one of the highest incidents of this ailment.
  
• Participative and accountable planning: For too long, we have seen communities demoralised by inappropriate planning decisions that have been made without real local input. We believe in the fundamental right of those affected by any planning application to have their say. We will promote wider consultation, and seek to change the Planning Laws to give local authorities more control over their own destiny.

Green Energy!

Wilson on the roof of his offices - gleaming with pride over his recent green investment!

Many voters are mistaken when they believe that the Green Party is made up of Eco- Warriors who have no other agenda then to make the planet ostensibly greener.

Over the next few weeks, I will try to illustrate how voting for the Green Party is the only option for people wanting social, environmental and economic reform. All the mainstream parties traditionally with their blue, yellow or red colours have melded into a uniform central political policy, that makes them all seem rather brown.

Firstly I will tackle the issue of a “Green Economy” as the current poor economic climate is the result of the mismanagement of preceding Conservative and Labour Governments. This post will focus on Green Fuels and technology.

How can we marry a positive green agenda with a fruitful economic agenda? Some might think the two processes are of a conflicting nature. Not so! None of our previous governments have placed any value in developing green technologies or green energy schemes. This has empowered the existing fuel and utility companies who have increased the cost of their services significantly over successive years.

British Gas have reported that wholesale gas prices have risen by 75% over the year in 2006, whilst advising clients that they would themselves be increasing their rates by an additional 25%. Further increases have been imposed since then and are set to increase further.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2085252/Gas-prices-set-to-rise-experts-warn.html

In the meanwhile it is purported that over 28,000 people aged 65 and above died of cold related illness per year.

The government is offering short term solutions such as increasing the winter fuel allowance for elderly people. This does not impact on the economic burden imposed on those ineligible for these benefits, nor does it really provide any long term strategy.

A green philosophy would be to invest heavily in the innovation of green technology that would reduce the reliance on oil companies. We need better more efficient electric powered cars and hybrids, better more efficient public transport, enhanced solar panels and mini wind turbines provision - powering homes, businesses and equipment such as electronic street signage, parking ticket machines, lamp posts etc.

Investment into an inexpensive solar panel scheme for the elderly would be a great long term strategy! Could it work? Yes but such a scheme would have to be administered sensibly.

The Energy Saving Trust; an environment quango for the existing Labour Government provided only a minimal grant scheme for the installation of solar panels to homes and businesses – that was so popular it was exhausted within 6 months and many applicants were rejected. Much larger schemes such as these will reduce our dependence on utility companies. Investment towards the conversion of existing heating systems to biomass heating, would serve to reduce the cost of fuel chips further and provide a welcome use of wood off-cuts.

There are many over green technologies that I have not described here such as geothermic energy, wind up torches and energy saving bulbs that require less wattage for the same luminescence as conventional bulbs.

Since I obtained solar panels with the last grant scheme from the Energy Saving Trust, I have seen my energy bills reduce significantly and now I am able to produce over 72% of the annual general electricity consumption of my business, by harnessing energy form the sun. It is projects like these that will see a future economy that is strong, vibrant, and conscientious and safeguards our personal lifestyles for longevity.

Recycling in the UK has increased much due to recognition of the diminishing resources and the polluting effect that residual waste can have, in tandem with the positive economic advantage of re-using produced materials. The price of metal has increased and scrap merchants are finding that their trade has increased ten fold in recent years. However, often in the race to recycle the process is ignored to meet targets. This has led to energy wastes that could have been reduced with a little more care. For instance if you have a black bag full of paper and the recycling depot is 100yards away – why drive their in a car? A more concerted effort to minimise waste could purportedly reduce an additional 15% in such energy and fuel waste.

It is imperative if we seek to build a strong economic and environmental future for mankind to:

· Continue in the investment of newer better green technology
· Drive out bad enviro-economic practices i.e. the recent legislation banning conventional light bulbs.
· Incentivise the introduction of greed technology in homes and businesses.
· Enhance recycling initiatives in a manner that is economically sound and productive.
· To continually review such practices.

Only the Green Party can offer you such a commitment.

Redbridge Garden Survey

The Redbridge Nature Conservation Rangers are all hoping that you are enjoying some of this beautiful British weather and have a chance to get out and about in some of our parks and open spaces.....and indeed your gardens!

This is a request for all the residents of the borough to please spend just 5 minutes filling in our new garden questionnaire. Please tell all your friends and family even if they don't have "conventional" gardens - we want to know about paved or concreted spaces as well. Everybody that does the quiz will be in with a chance to win some wildlife friendly garden prizes and some advice for your open space.

The results of this are really important for us to inform decisions about various protected species and green spaces, help towards the Redbridge Biodiversity Action Plan, inform decisions about the threat of climatic change and help us learn about garden trends.

Please visit the webpage: click!

We really appreciate your help and thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Naomi Collingham
Nature Conservation Ranger

Your MP’s Expenses

Take a look at this from the MP for Ilford South, Mike Gapes.

I do not have a second home. I have only one home in my Ilford South constituency on a mortgage paid for by me from my salary. I have never had a mortgage paid for by Parliamentary allowances. I have in the past made use of the Parliamentary allowances which I was entitled to claim and either occasionally stayed in hotels or for a few years rented a flat near Westminster.

I gave up my rented flat in Westminster in early 2008.

Of course Mr Gapes supplies no figures and does not link to the evidence, so we will!

Here are Mr Gapes expenses as listed on They Work for You.

Mr Gapes has claimed a near maximum in Additional Costs Allowance for the past Seven years!