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Talk to Ian while you shop!
Find out when and where the next supermarket surgery will be, and the type of issues that are brought to Ian's attention here
APPG on Cancer
Ian's main project in Parliament is the All Party Cancer Group which he founded in 1997. The group regularly meets with key decision makers, charities and patients and they hold a national conference once a year. The governments first annual update on the Cancer Reform Strategy was released in Dec 2008. In 2009 the APPG is to hold an inquiry into cancer inequalities. For more on the APPG on Cancer click here.
Wear it pink 2008!
Each year Ian supports the wear it pink for breast cancer campaign. The money raised from will fund vital research that looks at improving diagnosis and treatment, gaining a better understanding how breast cancer develops and ultimately either curing the disease or preventing it. In the UK, one woman in nine is diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Your support will make a real difference.
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Hello and welcome to my website! Here you can find out all about who I am, why I became an MP, what I'm up to at the moment and what my political priorities are. If you have any other questions or queries then please get in touch via the contact section,
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Ian's statement to the Press 5th June 2009 Ian made a statement to the press regarding his position as MP for Norwich North. To view his statement please click here.
MPs EXPENSES “I am issuing this statement to clarify my situation with regard to the panel of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, who are investigating allegations surrounding MPs allowances. Click here to view my expenses claims from the past four years.
Read Ian's Blog Ian's blog contains details of the work he has been doing and his opinions on current issues. Keep up to date with the day to day life of your MP by clicking here
Read Ian's Monthly Report here
Ian on facebook! You can join Ian's supporters page here
Work In Parliament To skip straight to what Ian has been doing in Parliament recently click here
What has Ian been up to lately? As well as speaking in debates and voting in the House of Commons Ian is always busy with issues and constituents in Norwich. Click on the map below to to see what Ian has been up to in and around Norwich and when he will next be in your local area.
LATEST NEWS STORIES:
Ian urges Norfolk to find its future Olympians and Paralympians
Ian met with Olympic silver medalist Roger Black and Paralympic silver medalist Mel Clarke at the UEA Sportspark to discuss ways in which to find Norfolk's future athletes. Mel Clarke (pictured above) is a Norfolk athlete from Taverham who won silver and Bronze in Archery at the Beijing Paralympics. Ian wants more people from the area to get involved in sport and to become successful like Mel.
Ian calls on older people to be pro-active in fight to end age discrimination
In his closing speech to delegates at the Age Concern conference in Norwich; Ian called on older people to lobby the Government on the equality bill to end age discrimination. Ian told delegates that they should campaign from the bottom up to stop stigma against older people.
Ian joins Hilary Benn in opening the Broad Authority Office in Norwich
Ian joined the Secretary of State For the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in opening the Broad Authority's new building in Norwich - Dragon Fly House. The more information on the Broads Authority click here.
Ian contributes to the East of England Regional Development Agency
Ian joined more than 100 delegates drawn from the business community and local authorities across the East of England to highlight the strengths of the regional economy and plan ways to attract further investment throughout the downturn. The event organised by the East of England Regional Development Agency (EEDA) and was held in Parliament. For more information on EEDA click here.
Ian calls for greater regulation on sports betting to stop match fixing
Ian called for more to be done to stop match fixing in sport in a debate in Parliament on Wednesday. He proposed that sports governing bodies should have the protection they need to stop betting scandals that could damage the integrity of their sports. Ian has been campaigning to stop match fixing since the allegations made at the Norwich City V Derby County match last year which featured irregular betting patterns on the Asian betting market. He has met with FA and the Gambling Commission and plans to continue the work in Parliament. To read the full debate click here.
MPs and Peers brush up on their maths skills with help from UEA
With help from mathematicians from the University of East Anglia, Ian organized a series of seminars for MPs, Lords and their staff to help them understand how maths relates to government policy. From tackling issues over shoddy statistics to understanding how mathematics can help solve problems like traffic flows, readers from the University helped to broaden members and their staff's understanding of maths.
Listen to Ian on the Week in Westminster
Ian joined Elinor Goodman and Matthew Parris in sharing their views on Vince Cable's recent award for his prediction of the economic bust. To listen to the programme click here.
Ian helps launch National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
On Monday Ian joined representatives from b-eat - the eating disorder charity- to launch the first ever Eating Disorder Awareness Week. The event took place in the Palace of Westminster and was sponsored by Ian. The event also marked the launch of b-eat's new report - Choices or Chance? calling on the NHS to fulfill its promises to people affected by eating disorders.
For more information on eating disorders and how they affect people click here.
Ian joins local campaign on dog micro chipping
Ian joined pupils from Thorpe House School in their campaign to make micro chipping for dogs mandatory. Last year there were over 90,000 reported cases by local authorities of stray dogs causing much distress to their owners and financial burden for authorities and dog charities. Micro chipping is relatively inexpensive and Police, Local Authorities, Dog Wardens, Animal Charities and Vets are able to scan dogs with the micro chip implant. To sign the petition in support of the measure click here.
Support local pubs and buy a pint of ale
Ian joined the British Beer and Pub Association and the Campaign for Real Ale in their latest campaign to save British Pubs and breweries. The British Beer and Pub Association launched its "Last Orders campaign" in Parliament in an effort to stop further pub closures. Norwich and the surrounding area has a number of good pubs including the Fat Cat which has won the Good Pub Guide's Beer Pub of the Year award. For further information on supporting your local pub visit Campaign for Real Ale and Axe the Beer Tax.
Ian poses PFI Question to PM
Ian used a question asked during Prime Minister's Question Time to raise the issue of Private Finance Initiatives. The government is considering underwriting PFI schemes as private companies face increasing difficulties securing funding during the recession. Ian believes this would in effect mean the government underwriting schemes that are already incredibly poor value for the taxpayer. Click here to see how academic Chris Edwards calculated the N&N University Hospital could save £217 million by buying back their PFI contract.
Ian joins launch of Livability Campaign
Ian visited John Groom's Court to help launch their new 'Livability' Campaign. £850,000 is needed to extend and improve facilities at John Grooms Court on Sprowston Road in Norwich. Ian is President of the Campaign. 7,000 people in Norwich are registered as permanently sick or disabled. The new facilities are desperately needed to meet the increasing demand for this type of care. To donate, get involved or find out more information contact Amy Smith on Tel: 01603429400 E-mail: asmith@livability.org.uk Web:www.livability.org.uk/johngroomscourt
Beekeepers' Victory on Funding
The Government has announced an extra £4.3 million funding on research into the health of Bees. Beekeepers have campaigned for extra funding in an effort to stop the growing number of Bee colonies being destroyed by parasites. Ian handed in a petition to 10 Downing Street and spoke at a Rally in Parliament Square in November on this issue.
Congratulations to those involved in Catton Park
Ian would like to say a big thank you to those involved with Catton Park in their efforts on rejuvenating the site. With Lottery funding and hundreds of hours of volunteer work, Catton Park has been transformed into a wildlife hotspot.
British Science Association Launch
Ian sponsored the re-launch of the British Science Association in Parliament. Formerly known as the British Association, the British Science Association main aim is to connect people with Science - one of Ian's main activities in Parliament. For more information on the British Science Association click here.
50th Anniversary of Cuban Revolution
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution Ian hosted an event in Parliament with Gore Vidal (left), Tony Benn (middle) and others from the Venezuelan embassy. The Cuban revolution took place between July 1958 and January 1959 which resulted in the creation of a socialist state under the rule of Fidel Castro.
Fight Against National Express cuts steps up
Ian, along with members of the RMT leafletted commuters at London Liverpool Street Train Station in response to National Express East Anglia's plan to axe hundreds of jobs. The planned job cuts will effect services including the restaurant car on the Norwich to Liverpool Street service. Ian also tabled a Parliamentary motion on the issue. To the view the motion please click here.
UK Coaching Awards
Ian attended the UK Coaching Awards which is a celebration of the hard work and dedication of sports coaches across the UK. Ian has a long history of sports coaching and used to coach the Parliamentary Football Team. Ian is pictured above with gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington. Click here for more on the UK Coaching Awards.
Justice for victims of Pleural Plaques
Ian will continue to push for compensation for victims of Pleural Plaques in the new Parliament. Ian joined Labour colleagues this week to launch a new Early Day Motion you can read the EDM here.
ALCS AGM Ian is Chair of the All Party Writers Group and recently gave a speech about the work fo the group to the Author's Licensing and Collecting Society. He is pictured above with author Maureen Duffy at the ALCS AGM. Click here for more on the ALCS.
Visit to Laurel Court Residents
Ian recently met with Residents of Laurel Court who are unahppy with their servcie charges. Ian is fixing up a meeting to try and help both sides come to an agreement.
Britian Against Cancer Bigger Than Ever
The Annual conference of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer is 'Britian Against Cancer' for the last nine years has successfully brought together patients, health professionals and policy-makers to look at the impact of public policy on cancer services and research. This year's conference was themed around 'Realising the goals of the Cancer Reform Strategy'. The conference provided the opportunity to share ideas and formulate policy proposals. Ian is Chair of the Group and is pictured above during a Q&A with his fellow officers. For more on the day or the APPG click here
Ian supports World AIDS Day
Ian joined national charity NAT (National AIDS Trust) to mark the 21st World AIDS Day. RESPECT & PROTECT is the UK theme for World AIDS Day, 1 December 2008. It highlights the need to take action to stop the spread of HIV and end HIV prejudice. Last year over 7,700 people were newly diagnosed with HIV last year and there are now over 80,000 people living with HIV in the UK. It is estimated that 21,000 people with HIV in the UK do not know because they haven’t been tested. Click here for more info. |
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