My work in Parliament   

I have recently asked questions in Parliament on housing in York, patient choice in relation to hospital treatment, the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust deficit, climate change and the Church of England’s investment strategy.  I initiated a debate on Post Office closures in York, and participated in debates on the EU Treaty and Kenya.

During the past month I have been chairing the Education and Skills Bill as it goes through its Committee stage. The Bill introduces a new duty on young people in England to stay in education or training until the age of 18. It follows the Government’s green paper, ‘Raising Expectations: staying in education and training’, which sets out the benefits to individuals, the economy and society of young people staying in education or training for longer. Other parts of the Bill are on separate matters particularly relating to the regulation and inspection of independent schools and colleges.

The website www.theyworkforyou.com gives information about what is happening in Westminster and details the parliamentary questions I have asked and the debates I have spoken in.  To see which Early Day Motion's I have signed visit http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/  

To access House of Commons Hansard and for information about Parliament in general visit www.parliament.uk

Links to my work on International Development 

For more information about my work with the International Development Select Committee visit: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/international_development.cfm

Visit the Royal African Society's website to see the Africa All Party Group's recent reports and government responses to them: http://www.royalafricansociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=70

To find out more about the Westminster Foundation for Democracy visit: http://www.wfd.org/pages/home.aspx?i_PageID=1811