Christmas

    "Wishing you all a very Marry Christmas and a healthy new year.'

Environment- Friendly

Giving a helping hand at Manor Park on Sunday.

Clearing away old wood and a genreal tidy up.

Malden Road Works, work is due to start on Jan 7th for 22 weeks, SWG will be doing this, not the Council.

Council tax used for 100 year interest free loan to theatre

Tuesday, 20 November, 2012

Fed up with paying the second highest council tax in the country?  You might be interested to know that one of the reasons is a £1.8 million the Lib Dems are making to the Rose Theatre - which doesn't need to be paid back for 100 years.

A3 Burlington Road Flyover Improvement Works

Road Network Information

For you info

A3 Burlington Road Flyover Improvement Works

Transport for London (TfL) has appointed Enterprisemouchel, to carry out these improvement works on the A3 Burlington Road Flyover. The works area is shown on the map below.

Why are we doing this work?

The objective of the scheme is to improve conditions for all road users on the A3 Burlington Road Flyover. The following measures are incorporated, following the feasibility design:

·         Improve the waterproofing and drainage system of the flyover.

·         Extend the structural life of the flyover by replacing the bridge joints and steel piers.

·         Improving traffic flow by maintaining the structure and reducing future disruptive refurbishment works.

What times will the work take place?

The works will begin on Monday 10^th December 2012 and will last approximately 8 weeks, or until the work is completed. In agreement with the London Borough’s of Kingston upon Thames and Merton, the working hours for structural and carriageway works will be from 21:30 to 05:00 Monday to Friday.

What we would like you to know

During the works we will try to maintain traffic flow by using lane drops and traffic management, however, an enforceable speed limit of 40mph will be installed for the safety of our construction team.

Keeping London moving

Transport for London is firmly committed to minimising disruption. We have worked closely with our contractor, Enterprisemouchel and Merton & Kingston upon Thames  Councils in order to reduce the impact of these works on pedestrians, local residents and businesses as far as possible.

I hope you will appreciate that a certain level of disruption is inevitable, and I apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused as a result of these essential works. Should you require further information or an update during the delivery of these works please contact our Streets Customer Services department on 0845 305 1234 or via the web at www.tfl.gov.uk/contact.

Crime

We are approaching Christmas time so a gentle reminder to all in St James Ward to take care during the festive month, and to heed the advice of the Police.
Ensure that you lock up all expensive gifts until the day.
Ensure all door and windows are locked when you go out.
Ensure that you leave no strangers in unless by appointment.
Beware of pick pockets in crowded shops, only carry enough money for your needs.
Do not leave Money in the House, its safer in a Bank only take out what you need for the day.
Report lost or stolen cards immediately to the Police and your card company.
If you become concerned call the Police.

RBL New Malden

Well done all at the RBL Malden and Coombe plus all the helpers who made this years Poppy Appeal a success again.
Not easy standing outside in all weathers, and all vets thank you for it.

A Helping Hand

New legislation to support the aspirations of hard working people - reducing the bureaucratic barriers that stop British businesses from creating jobs - will be introduced to Parliament later today to support local jobs and local growth.

The new Growth and Infrastructure Bill will help the country compete on the global stage by setting out a comprehensive series of practical reforms to reduce the red tape that delays and discourages business investment, new infrastructure and job creation.

This comes on the day a leading British developer, Land Securities, announces it will proceed with an estimated £350 million scheme that will deliver 2,500 jobs as a direct result of Government changes this week which cut back Labour red tape.

Remember who got us into this mess

Labour left Britain in a mess and why we need to clear it up

Labour left us spending £120 million every day just paying the interest on the debt – and that bill is getting bigger.

The banks made a bad situation worse, but what really got Britain into this mess was years of Labour spending money we didn’t have.

It would have been much easier not to deal with the debt problem. But everyone knows that, as when someone runs up a massive credit card bill, the longer you put off dealing with debt, the worse it gets and the more it costs.

Delay would just pass this generation’s debt onto our children, stall economic recovery and cost even more.

Labour created a something for nothing culture

Labour’s something for nothing culture was about more than just the Government borrowing money that we did not have.

They failed to tackle welfare so that it was easier to sit at home rather than going out to work, but then, unbelievably, they voted against our plans to cap benefits.

They let immigration get out of control, but then, unbelievably, they opposed our plans to cap it.

They failed to improve our education system, but now oppose our plans to create more good schools for our children.

Latest update

Good morning. Please see below the political top line:

=====================

It is a tribute to the resilience of the private sector in difficult economic times that businesses have continued to create jobs and we now have over one million more people in private sector employment since this Government took office.

Today’s fall in unemployment is further welcome news but we know there are still challenges ahead. We will continue to work hard to create the conditions for businesses to grow and provide people with the support they need to get back into work.

Other lines

Hillsborough

The Prime Minister will make a statement to the House of Commons today on the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Threatened strikes

It is disappointing that the Labour Party’s three biggest union paymasters are insisting on pushing for irresponsible and futile strike action which benefits no one.

As we have said time and again, pension talks will not be reopened and nothing further will be achieved through strike action. In March we set out our final proposed agreements on pension reform following more than a year of intensive discussions with trades unions. Our reforms ensure that public sector pensions will remain among the very best available and that they can be sustained for the future.

As always in the event of any industrial action rigorous contingency planning would be in place across all sectors to minimise the impact of any strike and to ensure that key public services remain open.

Small business bank

The weakness in our banking system is one of the biggest problems we’ve got. We’ve just announced in the last month a big Funding for Lending scheme spending billions of pounds through the Bank of England to help reduce the cost of lending in the real economy, so that businesses can borrow more. But the Treasury is also actively considering and working on a small business bank sponsored by the Government that can bring together existing schemes, but also potentially have additional powers because small businesses have been the innocent victims of the credit crunch.

Governor of the Bank of England

Sir Mervyn King is serving his second and final term as Governor, and will retire on 30 June 2013.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided that the appointment of his successor will be conducted through fair and open competition. For the first time in history, the post will be advertised and the advertisement will appear in the press later this week.

As with Mervyn King, we are seeking a Governor of intelligence, independence and integrity, and we intend to announce the successful candidate by the end of the year.

Banking union

Britain has consistently argued that a banking union – a single financial backstop – is an essential part of a stable single currency, and as the single currency’s central bank the ECB is the right organisation to take on the central supervisory role for euro area banks. The proposals today are based on that.

We’ve also said that a banking union for the euro area must also respect the integrity of the single market for the whole of the European Union, and we’ll ensure the agreement on it does that.

GCSE results

Ofqual is the independent exams regulator. Its job is to make sure that standards are maintained over time and that students receive the grades that they deserve. There has been a widespread debate over the last two decades about whether there has been grade inflation - that’s why we have strengthened Ofqual’s powers to make sure the system is robust and rigorous and to give the public real confidence in the results.

OECD education report

Labour’s answer to falling educational standards was to throw more and more money at the problem. This evidence demolishes that approach once and for all. It’s not how much you spend that counts, but what you spend it on. Academic rigour, world-class qualifications, strong discipline – that’s what drives up standards and it’s what this Government is delivering.

Private companies and policing

The private sector can help to support the delivery of police services better and at a lower cost. This does not mean policing is being privatised – core functions will continue to be delivered by sworn officers and no powers will be given to private contractors beyond the limited powers allowed by the last government. Police officers alone will make arrests and lead investigations, and police officers will continue to patrol the streets and respond to incidents. The police will remain a public service and decisions on business partnering will be taken by elected police and crime commissioners.

CCTV cameras in schools

We have already acted to make it unlawful for schools to use biometric data like fingerprints without parents’ permission. CCTV can be beneficial in some cases but this is a decision that head teachers should take.

Schools using CCTV are required by law to adhere to the Data Protection Act.

Attack on US consulate in Benghazi

We strongly condemn the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi yesterday. There is no justification for such an attack and the appalling death of an US official. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and all his colleagues at the State Department.

We welcome President Magariaf’s condemnation of this incident. It is essential that the Libyan authorities take urgent action to improve security, particularly in Benghazi, and identify those responsible for such attacks. The UK stands ready to assist the Libyan authorities in any way we can and to support their efforts to continue the path towards a stable and secure Libya that fulfils the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Key Messages

Central message on what this Government is for

We are on the side of people who work hard and want to get on in life.

We want a country that rewards effort and where work pays – something for something, not something for nothing.

That’s why we’re:

• dealing with the debt so we keep mortgage rates and the cost of living as low as possible

• supporting the industries of the future so we create well-paid, proper jobs

• cutting taxes for working people

• capping welfare so it always pays to work not to sit at home; and

• reforming schools so all our children have the skills to compete.

Our plan to deal with the debt is working – but Labour’s solution is more debt

Our plan to rescue our economy is working – in the two years since we came to office, we’ve cleared a quarter of the deficit left by Labour.

Labour’s solution to the debt crisis is more spending, more borrowing and more debt – exactly how they got us into this mess in the first place.

They’re not living in the real world – you can’t borrow your way out of a debt crisis.

Labour left Britain in a mess and why we need to clear it up

Labour left us spending £120 million every day just paying the interest on the debt – and that bill is getting bigger.

The banks made a bad situation worse, but what really got Britain into this mess was years of Labour spending money we didn’t have.

It would have been much easier not to deal with the debt problem. But everyone knows that, as when someone runs up a massive credit card bill, the longer you put off dealing with debt, the worse it gets and the more it costs.

Delay would just pass this generation’s debt onto our children, stall economic recovery and cost even more.

Labour created a something for nothing culture

Labour’s something for nothing culture was about more than just the Government borrowing money that we did not have.

They failed to tackle welfare so that it was easier to sit at home rather than going out to work, but then, unbelievably, they voted against our plans to cap benefits.

They let immigration get out of control, but then, unbelievably, they opposed our plans to cap it.

They failed to improve our education system, but now oppose our plans to create more good schools for our children.

Five measures the Government is taking to get our economy moving

The Government is:

1.      Kick-starting bank lending through a Funding for Lending scheme to encourage banks to make mortgages and loans cheaper and more easily available, providing welcome support to businesses that want to expand and families aspiring to own their own home.

2.      Creating the most competitive business tax system in the developed world by cutting corporation tax to the lowest rate in the G7; introducing a Patent Box to encourage firms to innovate in Britain; and simplifying our tax system. 

3.      Cutting red tape by scrapping regulations costing businesses over £350 million per year; and radically reforming the planning system by introducing a new default presumption in favour of sustainable development and streamlining over 1,000 pages of planning policy to just 52 pages. We are also getting Britain building by releasing enough public sector land to build as many as 100,000 new homes. We will also increase the Right to Buy discounts, and use the receipts to build a further 100,000 homes. These measures will help support up to 400,000 jobs, will provide a boost to homebuilding, and will make it easier for people to find affordable homes. 

4.      Boosting investment and exports to rebalance the economy by setting up Enterprise Zones across the country, including in areas affected by potential job losses at BAE, to encourage inward investment; stimulating business growth across England through the Regional Growth Fund; and promoting British exports abroad.

5.      Making a more educated workforce the most flexible in Europe by creating the biggest number of apprenticeships this country has ever seen; establishing at least 24 University Technical Colleges to provide cutting edge vocational training; reforming employment law to boost competitiveness, including extending the qualification period for unfair dismissal and consulting on the introduction of fees for tribunals; and radically reforming welfare to get people off benefits and into work.

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Keeping you updated.

The culture in some parts of the financial services industry that was allowed to grow up in the years before the crisis is unacceptable. A long costly public inquiry is not the right answer. It would take months to set up and years to report – but we know what went wrong. We can’t wait until 2015 or 2016 to fix it. We need a new culture of responsibility in banking. We need a proper, parliamentary inquiry with real powers to hold evidence under oath. Then we can get some answers in the next few months instead of waiting for a decade after the scandal to come up with any answers. This is the right approach because it will be able to start immediately, it will be accountable to Parliament, and it will get to the truth quickly so that we can make sure this can never happen again. Labour’s failure to regulate the banks in the boom years cost this country billions. The behaviour of some in the financial services has damaged the reputation of an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people and is vital to the economic prosperity of the country. We’re changing the failed regulation; we’re reforming the banks; now it’s time to deal with the culture that flourished in the age of irresponsibility and hold those who allowed it to do so to account. Other lines LIBOR All this happened under the last Labour Government, and under the failed system of light touch regulation designed by Ed Balls. Even Labour’s Deputy Chief Whip in the Lords, Lord Tunnicliffe, has admitted that it was the last Labour Government’s “fault”. One of the first things this Government did was to start reforming the regulatory system from top to bottom, getting rid of the whole tripartite system. There is a bill currently in Parliament that abolishes the FSA and creates a tough new Financial Conduct Authority which will focus razor-like on market abuse and protecting consumers. The British people want to see two more things. That bankers who act improperly are punished, and that we learn the broader lessons of what happened in this particular scandal. On proper punishment, the Serious Fraud Office are looking at whether there are any criminal prosecutions that can be brought, and they are using the full force of the law in dealing with this. We have also asked Martin Wheatley, the Chief Executive designate of the Financial Conduct Authority, to review LIBOR, including looking at the adequacy of the UK’s current civil and criminal sanctioning powers with respect to financial misconduct, and market abuse with regards to LIBOR. Mr Wheatley has agreed to report this summer so that the Financial Services Bill currently before Parliament or the future legislation on Banking Reform can be amended to give our regulators the powers they clearly need. On the broader lessons, the Government has announced it will establish a full parliamentary committee of Inquiry involving both Houses chaired by the Chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee. This Inquiry will take evidence under oath have full access to papers, officials and Ministers – including Ministers and Special advisers from the last government and it will be given, by the government, all the resources it needs to do its job properly. On the specific question of Bob Diamond: Bob Diamond’s resignation is the right decision for Barclays, and it is the right decision for the country. We need Barclays to focus on lending to our economy, not to be distracted by this argument about who should be in charge. We hope it’s a first step to a new culture of responsibility in British banking. EU referendum The Prime Minister is clear that an in-out referendum is not the answer right now. Instead we should first set out how we want to change our relationship with Europe and then as the end point becomes clear we should consult the British people, either in a general election or a referendum. He will set out more details of the Conservative Party's position in the Autumn. Children’s care homes There are good children’s homes and excellent care workers but it is clear that far too many of the most vulnerable children in society are being exposed to harm and danger. It is completely unacceptable that existing rules are simply being ignored and that frankly, some local authorities and homes are letting down children by failing to act as a proper ‘parent’.  We are setting out urgent, immediate steps to protect children in care and address all the weaknesses. These are big changes to a system which has been letting down too many children. The cost of care in a local authority children’s home is some £3,000 per resident week, and £2,600 in a private or voluntary home – so it is outrageous if they are not shielding young people from harm. We want to get rid of an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ culture which sees residential care as a last resort, instead of protecting vulnerable young people and giving them the best possible start in life. English and Maths education Labour increased spending by billions of pounds, yet a recent CBI survey showed that one in three employers are dissatisfied with school leavers’ literacy and numeracy skills, and 42 per have to provide remedial training. As a result of the changes we are making, every 16 to 19 year old will have the opportunity to undertake high quality study which will help students move on to skilled work or further or higher education. Young people will be able to take up valuable work experience opportunities. Students without a good pass at 16 in English and maths - the subjects most valued by employers - will have to continue to study those subjects to age 18. Dementia While there is no cure for dementia, we know that early diagnosis and early intervention can help people take control of their condition and plan for the future. Some areas are doing fantastic work but there is still too much regional variation. That is why we are driving forward measures to improve the quality of memory services, including work to increase the number of accredited memory services and work to help local commissioners map the need in their area. We have set out our goal of making this country a world leader in dementia. There is much to do to move further and faster, but with the number of memory services increasing along with local investment, we are heading in the right direction. Afghanistan soldier deaths We are deeply saddened by the appalling news that three British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to their families. These brave soldiers were demonstrating great courage to help prevent Afghanistan once again become a haven for international terrorists and therefore to help keep us safe here in the UK. The suspected perpetrator is in custody and we will do everything in our power, with the Afghan National Security Forces, to ensure that justice is done. This tragic incident again demonstrates the very real risks that our brave soldiers face every day. We will do everything possible to find out how this happened, and learn any lessons for the future. Army battalions We don’t comment on leaked documents. The Chief of the General Staff  has held a number of discussions about the restructuring of the Army with senior officers. We have always been clear that more than one set of criteria is used in determining the future shape of the Army as it is restructured to become an integrated regular and reserve force by 2020. These are necessary changes due to the tough decisions which had to be made to tackle the multi-billion pound Defence deficit inherited from the last Government but they will not compromise the mission in Afghanistan. There are robust procedures in place, regularly used by the Army chain of command, to brief soldiers swiftly, thoroughly and sensitively. Policing report This report makes it clear that the frontline of policing is being protected overall and that the service to the public has largely been maintained. The proportion of officers on the front line is increasing, the number of neighbourhood officers has gone up, crime is down, victim satisfaction is improving and the response to emergency calls is being maintained.  While there are particular challenges in three forces, we know that the vast majority are rising to the challenge of reducing budgets while protecting service to the public. Border checks during the Olympics We are fully prepared for the busy Olympic period and will be implementing our well rehearsed plans. This includes staffing all immigration desks at key ports whenever necessary during the peak Olympic and Paralympic arrivals period. Benefit sanctions New sanctions will be explained to job seekers at the start of their claim as part of a ‘deal’ between the Government and the unemployed. The Government will pay benefits and jobseekers will in turn prove that they are doing all they can to return to the job market. People will now know without a doubt that if they don’t comply with the rules, they will not get their benefit. We need a sanctions regime that is clear and robust.

Lets give them all the support they gave us, so that we can sleep safe in our beds at night

Profile update

With the Kingston Swimming team

Councillor Ken Smith J.P

Ken having spent time as a regular soldier in the Parachute Regiment seeing service in many parts of the world He is also Chairman of the Largest Branch of the Parachute Regiment association in the Country whose member assist those who have served or who are still serving, he is also Chairman of the Malden and Coombe Royal British Legion

Ken recently retired after 15 years as a JP in Kingston so understands how crime effects us on many levels, he still keeps a keen interest in local crime figures and supports any initiative that aims to reduce crime. and as worked in rising funds for National and local charities.

On leaving the Forces he then went on to work for a large Multi National Company in the field of metallurgy,and appointed to the Management team and thus was able to grasp at first hand the strict rules in management and costings , so is fully aware of the need to ensure that every penny of Council tax money is not wasted.

He believes that the Lib Dems have no real idea when it comes down to how to manage a large organisation, but they rely on knee jerk reaction instead of long term costings and planning.

He also believe the importance of keeping in touch with resident ether my his blog or more importantly as many off you know by personal contact. his record attending meetings is among the highest in the council and his attendance on Business and Pre Agenda meeting also take up much of his time.

Ken apart from his duties as Chair of the Malden’s and Coombe Committee, he is also chair of the Planning sub Committee , also a member of the Development Control Committee, he was appointed to the Shadow executive, leaving that roll to take on the Chair of the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee that covers an area of a third of Kingston, he is also a members of the licensing Committee

He was also lead member on the Working Group Review of Independent Transport trying to ensure that no one in need is left out of the loop, talks with Age Concern, Blind organisations and other groups to ensure best practices. He as been Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Big Cash payment to Pensions

Today marks the biggest ever cash rise in the Basic State Pension in history. Thanks to this Government, millions of older people across our country will take home an extra £5.30 in their pensions this week. For thirteen years, Labour promised to restore the link between earnings and the state pension, but did nothing. This resulted in older people receiving paltry increases in their pension - as little as 75 pence one year. One of the first things we set about doing when we formed the Coalition was to address this unfairness. We didn't just restore the earnings link; we went further, with our 'triple lock', which guarantees that the Basic State Pension will always increase either in line with earnings, inflation, or 2.5 per cent - whichever is the highest. The triple lock ensures older people will have the income to live with dignity in retirement. It's worth £275 to pensioners this year. And the guarantee means that for the next three years, all of today's pensioners will be better off than they would have been under Labour. This state pension increase is another example of what the Conservatives are doing in Government - alongside protecting the Winter Fuel Allowance, free TV licences, free bus passes, free eye tests and prescriptions - to show that we are on the side of older people, putting an extra £4 billion into the Basic State Pension over the next three years. And we're still doing that despite the tough times we are facing as we clear up Labour's mess. We have made history, we've made life a bit easier for many millions of people, and that is something the Conservative Party should be proud of. Yours,

National information

We have secured a landmark deal with the six big energy companies who cover 99 per cent of customers, to give customers a guaranteed offer of the best tariff for them.

Right now, seven out of 10 customers are on the wrong tariff for their needs, so are paying too much. Yet people rarely switch, despite the fact some families could save up to £100 a year. There are currently over 120 different tariffs, making it very difficult to know where to start. That is going to change.

As of this autumn, your supplier will have to contact you with the best tariff for your needs - and if you call them, they’ll have to offer you the best deal too.

Ed Miliband says the energy companies ‘have gone unchallenged’ – but energy prices soared under Labour and he was the Energy Secretary who for almost two years didn’t challenge them. Conservatives in Government is forcing the energy companies to be more responsive and putting power in the hands of consumers, saving hardworking families and pensioners money.

Other Lines

Airbus

This deal between Airbus and Garuda Indonesian Airlines is good news for the UK aerospace industry. It will safeguard jobs at the design facility near Bristol and the manufacturing plant in Broughton in north Wales. It is testament to the expertise of Airbus’s British workforce and a vote of confidence in Britain’s manufacturing base.

The Prime Minister said that he wanted to link Britain up to the fastest growing parts of the world, because we need to trade and export our way out of our economic difficulties. Indonesia is one of those countries. One of the most populated countries in the world, one of the fastest growing countries in the world.

It will be a top 10 economy and these are huge opportunities for British business and British investment, both in Indonesia and Indonesian investment back into Britain. That is why the Prime Minister has packed a plane full of business people to come here to make those links to create those jobs and investment back at home.

Nissan jobs announcement

It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building their new hatchback model in the UK and that they expect to create more than 1,000 jobs at the Sunderland plant and in the supply chain across the country. It’s proof of the strength and vitality of the British manufacturing industry that leading companies like Nissan are expanding their production in the UK.

Nissan’s investment in the UK is a huge vote of confidence in the skills and flexibility of the UK workforce. We want to attract more investment like this and that’s why we’re encouraging foreign companies with incentives like the Regional Growth Fund.

Tax returns

The Prime Minister has said that he is relaxed about the idea of the tax returns of senior Cabinet Ministers being published, but wants the opportunity to explore how this might work.

Syria

We continue to support Kofi Annan’s efforts to implement the plan he set out.

But if this process fails Britain is ready to return to the UN Security Council to call again for a united international response to this clear threat to international peace and security.

We will be ready to intensify our support for the Syrian Opposition, and to support others seeking to do the same.

And we will begin the process of seeking the referral by the Security Council of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Tax relief on charitable giving

This Government has introduced a range of measures to support philanthropic giving. It is right to cap tax reliefs for those with the largest incomes because the very wealthy should not be able to wipe out their tax bills year after year. A similar cap exists in the United States. But we will listen to, and work with the voluntary sector and stakeholders to ensure that the cap will not significantly impact those charities which depend on large donations.

As we made clear at the Budget, the Government will explore with philanthropists ways to ensure this new limit of uncapped reliefs will not impact significantly on charities that depend on large donations.

Abu Hamza

We welcome the decision of the European Court of Human Rights to allow the extradition of Abu Hamza and other terror suspects. In five of the six cases, the Court found that extradition would not breach their human rights and in the remaining case, it asked for further information before taking a final decision. We will work to ensure that the suspects are handed over to the US authorities as quickly as possible.

UK Border Agency and the deportation of foreign criminals

At the same time as clearing up the mistakes of the past, we are taking the action necessary to ensure the same errors will not be allowed happen in the future.

We are starting the deportation process earlier and removing foreign criminals more quickly than ever. We are now making better asylum decisions, ensuring cases are properly tracked, improving intelligence and speeding up removals.

This Government has chosen to publish more information than ever before, information which members of the public and Parliament can use to analyse our performance and hold us to account.

Income tax avoidance

It’s shocking that some of the very wealthiest people in the country have organised their tax affairs – within the tax laws – so that they are regularly paying virtually no income tax. We don’t think that’s right. The general principle is that people should pay income tax and that includes people with the highest incomes. So we are taking action.

Tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance are morally repugnant. Existing anti-avoidance measures will increase tax revenue over the next five years by £1 billion, and protect a further £10 billion that could have been lost. However we want to go further so we will introduce a new General Anti-Abuse Rule targeted at artificial and abusive tax avoidance schemes. We will bring forward legislation in the Finance Bill 2013.

Teaching unions and school strikes

In the last week teachers’ union leaders have said we don’t need to teach any facts because children have iphones, that we shouldn’t check to see if children can read at primary school because that’s unfair on those who haven’t been taught properly, that parents shouldn’t have access to impartial information about schools and heads shouldn’t be able to reward good teachers and tackle the problems caused by poor teachers.

If anyone was ever in any doubt that we needed to reform our education system then this week will surely have shown why we need to improve teaching and raise standards.

Taxpayers will be angry at the prospect of more unjustified industrial action. Irresponsible union leaders and their taxpayer-funded helpers should think again.

Health and Safety

All too often jobsworths are the real reason for daft health and safety decisions. We want people who are told they cannot put up bunting or they cannot play conkers to know that there is no basis in law for such rulings.

Common sense is the key to successful health and safety. The Myth Busters Challenge Panel will advise people where they think local authorities, insurance companies or schools have got it wrong.

Communications data

It is vital that the police and security services are able to obtain communications data in certain circumstances to investigate serious crime and terrorism and to protect the public.

We need to take action to keep up to date with changes in technology.

Existing safeguards will remain in place. Communications data includes time, duration and dialling numbers of a phone call, or an email address. It does not include the content of any phone call or email, which it will still only be possible to intercept with a warrant from the Home Secretary. And unlike Labour, we do not plan to create a Government database of people’s communications.

As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review we will legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Central Message on Labour

Labour left Britain in a mess

Under Labour for every £4 spent by government, £1 was borrowed. Our debt got so big we were spending £120 million every day just paying the interest – and that bill is getting bigger.

The banks made a bad situation worse, but what really got Britain into this mess was years of Labour spending money we didn’t have and couldn’t afford.

Everyone knows that, as when someone runs up a massive credit card bill, the longer you put off dealing with debt, the worse it gets and the more it costs. It would have been much easier not to deal with the problem.

But delay would just pass this generation’s debt onto our children, stall economic recovery and cost even more.

And created a something for nothing culture

Labour’s something for nothing culture was about more than just the Government borrowing money that we did not have. They failed to tackle welfare so that it was easier not to work, they let immigration get out of control and the failed to improve our education system.

And now they don’t have a plan to deal with it

Labour’s ‘Plan B’ of more spending, more borrowing and more debt is a plan for bankruptcy.

What we’re facing is a debt crisis – too much borrowing and too much debt at every level – and the solution cannot be even more borrowing and more debt.

You wouldn’t get Fred Goodwin back to run the banks so why would you get Miliband and Balls back to run the economy?

Back Boris 2012

The Mayoral election on 3rd May comes at a critical time not just for London, but for all of us who need a strong capital city to get the country through tough times.

Londoners are going through one of the toughest periods in recent memory. Despite this there are signs of progress which have resulted from a fresh and honest approach at City Hall. The same fresh-thinking that has delivered the world’s most successful bike hire scheme.

Boris’s determination to end the waste and mismanagement of the previous Mayor has freed up £3.5 billion to pay for a strong plan for our future. It’s a plan that cuts waste and council tax, creates 200,000 new jobs over the next four years, puts 1,000 more police on the streets, restores 300 acres of green space, invests £22 billion in transport and reduces tube delays by 30 per cent.

But this progress is at risk. The return of Ken Livingstone means a return to waste, high taxes, broken promises and Bob Crow and his cronies back at City Hall. Don’t leave your future to chance. Back the energy and optimism that will truly drive London forward. Back Boris to Secure a Greater London.

Five facts on the economy

1. This year, the IMF forecasts the UK to grow twice as fast as Germany and three times as fast as France.

2. Since the general election, the private sector has created over half a million extra jobs.

3. Our borrowing costs have fallen to record lows, showing that UK government debt is seen as a safe haven in the global debt storm and saving money for taxpayers, businesses and families.

4. Over the past year businesses have invested £119 billion across the economy, up £3 billion on the year before.

5. The Government’s necessary deficit reduction plan is maintaining Britain’s AAA credit rating, which Labour’s plans would put in danger.

Five measures the Government is taking to boost growth

To boost growth, the Government is:

1. Introducing a National Loan Guarantee Scheme to get cheaper loans to businesses by allowing participating banks to raise up to a total of £20 billion of cheaper funding over the next two years under a government guarantee, provided they pass through this lower cost of funding to smaller businesses. In many cases, this will lead to a reduction of up to one percentage point on the cost of the business loan.

2. Creating the most competitive business tax system in the developed world by cutting corporation tax to the lowest rate in the G7; introducing a Patent Box to encourage firms to innovate in Britain; and simplifying our tax system.

3. Cutting red tape by scrapping regulations costing businesses over £350 million per year; and radically reforming the planning system by introducing a new default presumption in favour of sustainable development and streamlining over 1,000 pages of planning policy to just 52 pages. We are also getting Britain building by releasing enough public sector land to build as many as 100,000 new homes. We will also increase the Right to Buy discounts, and use the receipts to build a further 100,000 homes. These measures will help support up to 400,000 jobs, will provide a boost to homebuilding, and will make it easier for people to find affordable homes.

4. Boosting investment and exports to rebalance the economy by setting up Enterprise Zones across the country, including in areas affected by potential job losses at BAE, to encourage inward investment; stimulating business growth across England through the Regional Growth Fund; and promoting British exports abroad.

5. Making a more educated workforce the most flexible in Europe by creating the biggest number of apprenticeships this country has ever seen; establishing at least 24 University Technical Colleges to provide cutting edge vocational training; reforming employment law to boost competitiveness, including extending the qualification period for unfair dismissal and consulting on the introduction of fees for tribunals; and radically reforming welfare to get people off benefits and into work.

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