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:

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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.