HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Government gives guarantee over animal experiments: This week, having been contacted by Roydon resident Louise Jackson about animal experiments I was able to get a guarantee from the Government that it would block EU plans for animal torture.
An obscure European Union Directive (2010/63/EU) had threatened to removal of the British ban on using stray cats and dogs in painful laboratory experiments.
You can read more about this issue here
Burmese democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi: Thursday was a vey special day in Parliament when Burmese democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi made a speech in Westminster Hall.
Aung San Suu Kyi spoke about the strengths of British parliamentary democracy, the struggle for Burmese democracy and her hopes for the future.
She argued that politics was not from high above or down below, but was an integral part of every individual. In other words, every human being was entitled to freedom and democracy.
Presenting long service awards to St Clare Hospice volunteers: On Friday I was delighted to again visit St Clare Hospice, this time to present long service awards to just some of the 500-plus volunteers who give their time to the charity.
It was a pleasure to meet the volunteers (including 20-year service volunteers June Coyne and Letitia Berry, pictured above) who have given five, ten, fifteen and even 20 years' service to the hospice. In wage equivalent the time given to the hospice each year would amount to some £1.4m in wages!
Campaign for free school meals for Harlow College students: My campaign for free school meals for Harlow College students and students at other Further Education Colleges has been featured on BBC Essex.
There has been an un-level playing field for many years now, and it's time for a change.
The poorest students who work hard should be entitled to a free school meal, just like their counterparts who go to Sixth Forms. You can hear the interview here
Debate on Immigration and the European Court of Human Rights: In the Commons on Tuesday there was an important debate on Immigration and the European Court of Human Rights. Home Secretary Theresa May set out Government policy on immigration. I asked about Judges misinterpreting the convention and got a robust reply. You can read more about the issue here
Grandparents Association annual general meeting: On Monday I was honoured to speak to the Annual General Meeting of the Grandparents Association - a national charity based in Harlow. Last December I joined the association outside 10 Downing Street, to hand in a petition with over 7,000 names, calling for children to have a right to 'letterbox' access, with their grandparents. You can read more here
My hunt for my third apprentice: On Wednesday my House of Commons apprentice Louis Luck gave a fantastic interview on apprenticeships to BBC Essex.
Louis has been working with me since last October. His apprenticeship wwill soon end as he has successfully won a place at university. You can hear the interview here
If you are interested in becoming my third apprentice please read my previous blog post here
ROBERT'S DIARY - WORKING HARD FOR HARLOW
- Spoke at Grandparents’Association conference
- I was pleased to welcome Corrina Dunlea and her party for a tour of Westminster.
- Met with representatives from the Herts & Essex Borders branch of the Campaign for Real Ale
- I attended a Commons Breakfast when the guest speaker was James Harding, editor of The Times.
- I attended a meeting with representatives from the UK Border Agency and Border Force
- I was among MPs who were invited to a meeting with the Dalai Lama
– Attended speech made in Westminster Hall by Burmese democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi.
– Held constituents’ surgery at Harlow Citizens Advice Bureau
–Met with shoppers in the Harvey Centre, Harlow
- Meeting with local people to discuss business opportunities in Harlow
- Presented long-service awards to volunteers at St Clare Hospice
– Attended Harlow College fashion show
– Joined Harlow Street Pastors on their night-time patrols of the town centre
- Harlow Conservative coffee morning at The Enterprise Hub, Edinburgh Way, Harlow
- Attended Harlow Fields School fete, Harlow
- Attended St Mary at Latton fete, Harlow
- Attended William Martin School fete, Harlow
– Met with congregation for discussion at Kings Church, Kathyrns Estate, Harlow
Robert Halfon's latest media releases
Harlow MP Robert Halfon urges Government to back down on free meals for Harlow College: Harlow MP Robert Halfon is calling on the Government to extend free school meals to students at Harlow College and other further education establishments… Read more
Harlow MP Robert Halfon calls on Government to back fight for Rachel’s Law: The leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young has promised to take up the campaign being backed by Harlow MP Robert Halfon after a Harlow family were forced to sell their home so that their daughter, who has cerebral palsy, can live independently… Read more
Halfon thanks local resident for Twitter lobby against animal experiments - and gets Government guarantee: Yesterday in Parliament, Harlow MP Robert Halfon secured assurances that the UK Government would block EU plans for animal torture… Read more
Robert Halfon's latest media coverage
HARLOW STAR (21-6-12 edition, p12) – Awards celebrate the best of town’s youth: The achievements of many of Harlow’s young people were publicly recognised at an awards ceremony to highlight their hard work and determination…
HARLOW STAR (21-6-12 edition, p7) - Tickled pink: This year they were asked to ‘do it in the dark’… and one again the people of Harlow responded in style…
HARLOW STAR (21-6-12 edition, p3) - MP calls on the Government to act over school lunch loophole: Hundreds of Harlow College students are missing out on free school meals because of“unfair” Government policy, according to Harlow MP Robert Halfon…
HODDESDON AND BROXBOURNE MERCURY (21-6-12 edition, p3) - Halfon urges curb on spending: Nazeing and Roydon MP Robert Halfon has urged the Government to rein in civil service management spending…
ITV ANGLIA WEBSITE - MP campaigns to end free school lunch loophole: The MP for Harlow in Essex has called for the Government to end the inequality over the availability of free school meals to disadvantaged students… Read more
HARLOW STAR WEBSITE - Harlow MP: Harlow College students deserve free school meals: Hundreds of cash-strapped Harlow College students are missing out on free school meals because of "unfair" Government policy, Harlow MP Rob Halfon has claimed… Read more
HARLOW STAR WEBSITE - Pals’fundraising finale before Inca adventure: Disco divas are being encouraged to get their hips moving to help fund vital research and trials benefiting local breast cancer sufferers… Read more
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