Prime Minister gives thumbs up to Harlow College

This summer, we have seen record-breaking results at Harlow College. This is thanks to the hard work of Principal Colin Hindmarch, College staff, and all their students. Harlow College is now number one - not just in Essex, but across the whole country.

In Parliament this week, David Cameron offered his warm congratulations - as you can see from the photograph above.

The Prime Minister said:

“Harlow College shows that if students work hard and are well supported, they can achieve world class results. I wish the students all the very best for the future.”

He is absolutely right. As local MP for Harlow, I am proud to have such a famous College in our town.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

Prime Minister says: "Happy Birthday Harlow!"

As regular readers will know, Harlow New Town celebrated its 65th birthday in the last few days.

That's why I was so delighted to get a letter in the post this morning from the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP.

As you can see from the photo above, he wrote to congratulate Harlow on its achievements, not least in becoming one of the first Enterprise Zones in the whole country.

This is the second time as many months that the Prime Minister has praised Harlow for being one of the most entrepreneurial towns in Britain.

As you can see from this video, in response to my question, he has also said:

"I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs."

He joins Amy Childs from The Only Way is Essex, and the Sun newspaper, to praise Harlow for its booming small businesses. You can read all about it HERE.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

AMY CHILDS: "The only way for the economy is Essex"

As regular readers know, last week I asked in Parliament about booming small businesses in Harlow.

Prime Minister David Cameron even replied: "The only way is Essex!"

TOWIE star Amy Childs (pictured above) has now written about it for The Sun. Her article follows below:

Harlow is powering ahead despite tough times. And TV's TOWIE has been credited with sparking a £1.4 billion High Street bonanza.

The economic recovery in Essex has been massive. The recession is very bad but doesn't seem to be hitting Essex as badly. I hope other counties will see as much success.

At the weekend the High Streets are full of people in restaurants, shops and salons.You can't move on Brentwood High Street. People must be thinking: "What is the point of saving for a rainy day when it's raining every day?"

Essex is now a tourist attraction. Since the show started it has got a million per cent busier.
People want to do the tour, there are tour buses on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I've had a few guys in my salon who had seen the show in Australia, now it is going to America too.

Booming ... Essex has seen a huge increase in tourism

Yesterday I went to an Italian restaurant in Essex and the staff had never seen business so good in 11 years.

There is a nine-week waiting list for my salon. I feel very lucky. But even before the show aired, I worked at a salon and it was always busy because girls here really look after themselves. They want to look nice even if times are tough.

In the current climate I am careful with money but do spend it on looking good.

In a recession girls will turn to a manicure as a cheaper pick-me-up. They might not be able to afford having their hair done but may afford that smaller thing. As a businesswoman you have to offer things people can afford. I have offers aimed at the recession, like little pamper packages.

Down the High Street in Brentwood there are about 15 salons and I go in to see what their prices are and whether I am too expensive.

I hope other counties can be helped by the success of Essex. I would like to open franchises of my shop all over, in places like Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. I've always been proud of Essex and hearing David Cameron talk about Harlow being helped by the Towie effect is mental.

I met him once and wanted to say: "Come to Essex and see how successful the businesses are." But he had security around him.

With Chelmsford having become a city this month, it's a good time to be an Essex girl and I hope the rest of the country can follow our example and have similar success.

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

VIDEO: David Cameron praises Harlow as top place for business in UK

 

Today, I asked a question to the Prime Minister, after the news that Harlow is now the NUMBER 1 place to start a business in the UK.

David Cameron's reply was: "The only way is Essex!"

Watch the video above, or please read it below:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Is the Prime Minister aware that Harlow has the highest business growth in the whole of the United Kingdom. Thanks to a Conservative Council that is open for business, and a Conservative led Government that has invested in an Enterprise Zone, increased apprentices and cut taxes. Will the Prime Minister come to Harlow so we can show Britain how to lead the economic recovery?


Prime Minister (David Cameron): In danger of being accused of watching too much television, I think you can summarise this question by saying the only way is Essex. I know he speaks up for his County. What I would say, I congratulate Harlow on the fantastic achievement that they have. The Government wants to play it's part, not least by the Enterprise Zone in West Essex, thats covering Harlow, and we hope it will create 5,000 new jobs.                

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.

Community newsletter - January 9, 2012

Last week I met with the new chairman of Princess Alexandra Hospital.There is some good news as our local NHS has benefited from an extra £24 million of funding since the 2010 General Election - but there are still genuine problems that need to be resolved. I hope to work more on these in the New Year.
---

This Friday, I held one of my regular MP's advice surgeries, helping Harlow residents with problems and worries that that they have.

This week the issues covered everything from housing, to a social entrepreneur who wants to start a new charity.

---

In the week ahead, Parliament will meet again for the first time in 2012.

When I am out and about in the town centre I often ask Harlow residents what they want me to champion in Parliament on their behalf.

The main answers that I get are jobs, petrol prices, immigration, apprenticeships,, and the rising cost of living.
---

What do you think?

Please email me your thoughts at halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com

But whatever happens in the months and weeks ahead 2012 will have some fantastic highlights to look forward to - the Olympics, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. At the same time, there will also be genuine difficulties which we cannot sweep under the carpet.

The debt-crisis in Europe is still a real threat to Britain.

As Harlow's local MP, I will do everything in my power to help keep our economy moving.
--

Recent news

On Christmas Day I visited patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, with Harlow Hospital Radio DJ Ian Jackson on Christmas Day.

This was my second Christmas Day going around the wards wishing patients a Merry Christmas.

It was good to be able to give patients some cheer, especially since they had to spend Christmas in hospital.

Going round with Ian Jackson is always good fun, and we were able to take special song requests which Ian played on Harlow Hospital Radio.

I was pleased to also be able to say thank you to hard-working hospital staff - cleaners, porters, nurses and doctors - who had given up their Christmas to dedicate themselves to looking after the sick.

I also met some of the staff and pay tribute to many of the Princess Alexandra Hospital volunteers, including the League of Friends, all of whom helped spread the Christmas message in the hospital.

---
It was with great sadness that I heard about the death of Patrick McClarnon.

Patrick was one of the finest men one could ever meet. He was a huge influence on me. Many a weekend we canvassed together, or manned campaign stalls in Broadwalk.

He was one of those kind of individuals who would never say no - turning up to help whenever he was asked.


Patrick stood for something special. Deep Conservative values of aspiration, decency, hard-work, respect and a love for tradition. He didn't just stand for them, he embodied them in every being and fibre of his body.

Every word he spoke, every action, everything he did - reflected what he was about. He was an example to us all. He made our wrongs right again.

--

All Conservative MPs were sent a report card from Prime Minister David Cameron detailing Government policies during 2011. You can read the information here

Prime Minister's New Year Message 2012

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Report card from the PM

  

 

All Conservative MPs were sent a report card from the Prime Minister, detailing Government policies during 2011.  I reproduce it below:  

Top Policies in 2011

1. Steering Britain through the global debt storm. 

The Government’s credible deficit reduction plan has ensured UK market interest rates on government debt have fallen to record lows and below Germany’s for the first time in years. Our country is a safe haven in the sovereign debt storm, keeping interest rates low for businesses, homeowners and families.

2. Cutting income tax for 25 million people.

On top of the rise in the personal allowance from April this year, the personal allowance for under 65s will increase by a further £630 to £8,105 in 2012-13. The combined impact of this increase and the increase announced at last year’s Budget, will benefit 25 million individuals by up to £326 a year in cash terms and means that a total of 1.1 million people will be lifted out of income tax altogether (HM Treasury, Budget 2011, 23 March 2011).

3. Freezing Council tax for the second year running.

Following the council tax freeze in 2011-12, the Government will provide one-off funding to local authorities to help them freeze council tax again in 2012-13 (HM Treasury, Press Release, 3

October 2011).

4. Biggest increase in the State Pension since 1948.

In April 2011, the Government introduced its triple lock which ensures that State Pensions will be uprated by earnings, prices or 2.5 per cent – whichever is highest. This means that from April next year, the basic state pension will rise by £5.30 per week – the biggest cash rise since 1948.

5. Cutting fuel duty, saving 10p per litre compared to Labour.

We are cancelling the planned 3p duty increase for January and ensuring fuel duty from August 2012 will be only 3p higher than it is now. Together with the cut in fuel duty at the last Budget and the scrapping of Labour’s fuel duty escalator, this means that from April 2011 fuel duty will be 10p per litre lower than it would have been under Labour (HM Treasury, Autumn Statement, 29 November 2011).

6. Introducing a permanent levy on the banks.

On 1 January 2011 the Government imposed a levy on the balance sheets of UK banks and building societies, and to the UK operations of banks from abroad. It is expected to raise £10 billion over the lifetime of this parliament, raising £2.5 billion a year – more than Labour’s one-off bonus tax (HM Treasury, Press Release, 1 January 2011; March Budget, 23 March 2011).

7. Getting credit flowing to small businesses and creating Enterprise Zones.

At the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced the Government’s credit easing policy to get £20 billion of cheaper funding to small businesses. The Government’s Merlin agreement with the banks will increase bank lending to small businesses by 15 per cent this year (HM Treasury, Autumn Statement, 29

November 2011). The Government has also introduced 24 new Enterprise Zones across the country, including in areas affected by potential job losses at BAE which will benefit from up to 100 per cent business rate discount, simplified planning regulations, new superfast broadband, allowing business rates growth to be retained by the local authority and reinvested in the local area, and the potential to use enhanced capital allowances with a strong focus on manufacturing.

8. More doctors, fewer managers, less bureaucracy.

Since the General Election, there are now 3,500 more doctors and 5,500 fewer managers working in the NHS (NHS Information Centre, Provisional Monthly NHS Hospital and Community Health Service Workforce Statistics in England, 22 November 2011). We are cutting NHS bureaucracy by £4.5 billion over the course of this Parliament and reinvesting every penny into frontline patient services (Department of Health, Health Bill Impact Assessment, 8 September 2011).

9. Better access to cancer drugs.

We have introduced a £200 million per year Cancer Drugs Fund which has already given over 5,000 patients access to the life-extending cancer drugs they need (Department of Health, Press Release, 27

October 2010).

10. Capping Housing Benefit.

We have taken steps to end Labour’s something for nothing culture by capping Housing Benefit from April this year. This stops the abuse under Labour where one family alone could get over £100,000 in Housing Benefit to live in areas that the hardworking families paying these bills could not afford themselves (HM Treasury, June Budget 2010).

11. Cutting billions in Whitehall waste.

In 2010-11 we cut £3.75 billion of central government waste - £550 million more than expected - including reducing spending on consultancy; on temporary staff; on marketing and advertising; on IT projects; on renting property; on major projects; and by renegotiating contracts with key suppliers (Cabinet Office, Press Release, 1 August 2011).

12. Bringing back the weekly bin collection.

A £250 million fund is being provided to help support councils deliver a weekly collection of household waste and enable councils to invest in schemes and projects that will benefit the environment (DCLG, Press Release, 30 September 2011).

13. The largest ever increase in the Child Tax Credit.

 In April this year the Child Tax Credit increased by £225 – the largest increase ever. Next April it will go up by 5.2 per cent, a further increase of £135 (HM Treasury, Autumn Statement, 29 November 2011).

14. New directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act creates directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners. These will ensure that the police are held to account democratically at the ballot box, not bureaucratically by Whitehall. The taxpayerwill see better value for money as Commissioners, responsible for precept, will focus relentlessly on driving up efficiency and shedding bureaucracy. Commissioners will reinforce the police’s link to the people they serve without interfering with their operational independence.

15. Many more good school places.

The first ever Free Schools – 24 of them – opened just 16 months after we came to power and by December more than a thousand schools had become Academies (DfE, Press Releases, 28 August 2011 and 4 October 2011).

16. Tough new powers on school discipline.

The Education Act, which received Royal Assent in November 2011, will help teachers raise standards and gives them new legal powers to root out poor behaviour. This includes a power for schools to search pupils without consent for any dangerous or banned items and the removal of restrictions that prevent schools from issuing detentions to pupils without providing 24 hours notice (DfE Press Release, 15 November 2011).

17. New Housing programme to help people onto the ladder and get Britain

building.

In November 2011, the Government launched its ambitious Housing Strategy to break the cycle in which the lenders won’t lend, the builders can’t build and the buyers can’t buy. This will allow those hard-working families who play by the rules to own a decent home of their own. The Strategy will receive £400 million of funding and will target those schemes that have stalled through lack of development finance. This will help to unlock the construction of 16,000 homes and support up to 32,000 jobs (DCLG Press Release, 21 November 2011).

18. Standing up for Britain in Europe.

The Prime Minister was clear before the EU summit on 8-9 December that he would protect the national interest. He said we could only agree a new treaty if certain modest, reasonable and relevant safeguards were obtained. We couldn’t get those safeguards. A treaty within a treaty without safeguards wasn’t right for Britain, so we said no.

19. Introduced an EU Referendum Lock.

Our European Union Act ensures that in future the British people will have their say on any proposed transfer of powers from the UK to the EU. If in the future a change to the EU treaties that moves powers or areas of policy from the UK to the EU is proposed, the Government will have to get the British people’s consent in a national referendum before it can be agreed.

20. Leading international efforts

Supporting the Libyan people in their hour of need, preventing the massacre of thousands of innocent civilians by Colonel Gaddafi and his troops and supporting their wish to elect their own, democratic government (FCO Website).  

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

No, No, No!

After David Cameron's iron fist vetoing yet more European Union integration, I thought it would be worth reminding ourselves of a previous Conservative Prime Minister who said 'no, no, no' to Brussels.

Britain's veto last night was of huge importance. It is the first shift away from the ratchet effect of European integration for many years. It shows that the UK will no longer accept the unacceptable transfer of powers away from our nation state. It also opens up a real possibility of a fundamental renegotiation of our relationship with the EU: as part of a co-operative free-trading bloc within a European Economic Community - rather than being an inexorable part of a federal superstate.

I look forward to being in Parliament on Monday. Our Prime Minister deserves three hearty cheers - especially for defying the federalist consensus.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Closing Immigration Loopholes at Stansted Airport

Today in Parliament I urged the Prime Minister to close a dangerous immigration loophole at Stansted airport.

Our full exchange was:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Given the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee next year, is the Prime Minister aware that immigration and special branch officers at Stansted Airport are concerned that the "Common Area Travel Channel" in its current form allows illegal migrants, Islamists, and terrorists into the country without their Passports being checked. Will he take urgent steps to close this loophole immediately?

David Cameron (Prime Minister): My Honourable Friend makes an important point. What I would say is that Passport-free travel between the UK, the crown dependencies and the Republic of Ireland has been in place for many years and it does offer some real economic and social benefits. I do accept these routes can be open to abuse and we are determined to resolve this. The UK Border Agency is working very closely with Ireland and others to make sure this happens. But we've got to try to do that, without disadvantaging people who've been able to take advantage of the "Common Area Travel Channel" upto now.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

In standing up to Gadaffi, Iron Cam has started where the Iron Lady left off

In my speech during the Commons Debate on the Middle East last Thursday, I urged that the Government take all measures necessary to help free the Libyan people from Gadaffi.

Following David Cameron's isolated call for a no-fly zone, at the end of February the world finally acted last Thursday evening, to stop Gadaffi carryng out a genocide.  So far, it looks like the actions of the UK, France and some Arab nations, is forcing Gadaffi on the retreat, and tonight, we have a further cease-fire announced.

Hopefully, the allies will go one step further and begin to arm the opposition to Gadaffi.  Other assistance in terms of food aid, fuel and other necessities should be dropped from planes and distributed to the towns and cities besieged by the Libyan forces.  Whilst a no-fly zone, might help stop a massacre, it doesn't mean that the opposition can win.  For the sake of morality - and freedom across the Middle East, Gadaffi's removal must become a certainty.

The UK Government's decision to support democracy over dictatorship in the Middle East, will go some way to reversing the disastrous policy of British appeasement and collaboration with Libya in recent years. Margaret Thatcher was once described as the 'Iron Lady' with her refusal to kow-tow to Communism.  David Cameron has shown similar steel when it comes to confronting Dictators in the Middle East. 'Iron Cam' has carried on where the the 'Iron Lady' started - in standing up to evil empires.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Setting out Tory Values

A good Conservative Spring conference this weekend in Cardiff.   George Osborne and David Cameron set out a strong message that the forthcoming Budget would be all about measures to grow the economy.  The Chancellor gave his strongest hint yet that he would try to help on the cost of fuel.  Both also gave strong messages of support for those fighting for democracy in the Middle East:  The PM condemned the last Government's links with Gadaffi's government.

What came through well, was the Prime Minister's definition of four timeless Conservative values:

1.  Responsibility: The Big Society;
2.  Real Compassion: Supporting the most vulnerable.  A ladder in which to climb, but a safety net to help those who fall;
3.  Real Fairness: Stopping the 'easy case' - tough action against individuals who do the right thing, in order to fulfil targets and quotas;
4.  Enterprise.  Turning Britain into an Enterprise economy once again.  Backing small businesses and entrepreneurs.

I liked this speech because it was easy to understand and remember.  It was in plain language that was intended to reach out to people watching on their TV sets.

You can read more HERE.





by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Visiting Number Ten

To Downing Street this evening with Harlow Conservative Chairman Cllr Clive Souter. We were there on invitation of the Prime Minister. It was a great event - and good to chat with other MPs and senior party figures.

The Prime Minister was on good form - and gave those present a much needed boost in advance of the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum and Local Elections in May.

Defending our current voting system - First Past the Post - the PM made a simple point: it worked and was simple to understand. Those with the most votes won. By contrast AV was very complicated, is a boon to smaller extreme parties and was only used by two countries in the world - Australia and Fiji.

P.S. The pictures show Clive and I outside Number Ten, and inside with Broxbourne MP Charles Walker. The photo of the room is where Mrs Thatcher used to work - her picture now adorns the wall.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Harlow Housing Money for Harlow People

Today I asked a question to Prime Minister David Cameron.

I asked him why the last Labour Government took £13 million a year out of Harlow's housing money, pushing up rents for social tenants, and leading to a situation where nearly one in ten people in Harlow are now on the Council waiting list. (This is twice as many as nearby Chelmsford.)

My full question was:

"Is the Prime Minister aware that the last Government took £13 million a year out of Harlow's social housing budget, to give to their friends elsewhere? Because of this under-investment, one in ten people in my constituency are now on the Council housing waiting list. Does he agree that social housing money raised in Harlow should be spent in Harlow, and that Harlow housing money should be for Harlow people?"

In reply, he was very positive, and made it clear that this unfair bureaucracy will end. He said:

"My Honourable Friend makes a very powerful point. At a difficult time in terms of local budgets, in our relations with Local Authorities, we should be giving them money, and taking away the ringfences, and the complications of all the different grants, and saying: 'You are democratically elected, you decide how that money is spent'. That is what you are going to see from this Government, and I think it will be welcomed by Local Government up and down the country."

The full scale of the money taken out of Harlow over the years was revealed by Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP, in his answer to a written question I asked a few weeks ago. It amounts to nearly £75 million over the last few years.

I am glad that the new Government will finally scrap this unfair system, and keep Harlow housing money for Harlow people.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Thank you Gordon - it really is appreciated 2

Following my last Post about the kindness of Mr Gordon Brown, I thought you might appreciate the above adverts - this time from the Conservative Party and the Conservative Home Website!

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Thank you Gordon - it really is appreciated

I love the new Labour advert featuring David Cameron as Gene Hunt from Ashes to Ashes. All the more so because the series happens to be one of my favourite programmes.

Although it does seems somewhat mystifying, just a few days from the likely election announcement, why Mr Brown is so keen to help the Conservatives - by portraying our Party Leader as a hard-hitting hero cop. It is very kind of Labour to associate Mr Cameron, with one of the most popular programmes currently on TV - and much appreciated. Wouldn't it be great to see one of these Labour adverts in Harlow?

P.S. You can read more HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

David Cameron on his Soapbox

Watch this Video and see David Cameron in the raw. He is speaking to Apprentices at Lewisham College and giving as good as he gets. He did the same, when he came to Harlow in 2008, to do the first ever Cameron Direct (scroll down the right side of this blog to click on the video). An example how simple politics is often the best and most effective.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Draining the poison

David Cameron makes some powerful points in a recent interview with a weekly newspaper about Islamist extremism in Britain:

"So we’ve got to deal with this and drain this poison. And there are three key things we need to do. First, stop letting people like Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Ibrahim Moussawi into this country to spread hatred. Second, ban those extremist groups like Hizb-ut-Tahrir who are already here. And third, do more – much more – to tackle radicalisation in our universities.

Of course, it’s important that academic freedom is respected and that our universities are a place where robust debate can take place. But this freedom has to be matched by responsibility – and that means making clear to university authorities and student unions that they need to help identify those who are vulnerable to influence from extremists or shown they are willing to promote hatred, just as they would in relation to any other suspected crime".

Islamist radicalism is a real threat from within in our country today. Not only do we face significant danger from terrorism but there is also a culture of extremism propounded by fanatics, prevalent in some of our universities and places of worship. Sadly, Gordon Brown's Government has either appeased, or done too little, too late to contain the problem. Many will be glad that the Tory Leader has been so firm setting out what a Conservative Government would do to 'drain this poison' from Britain.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Open Letter from David Cameron

Following my last posting, I thought you might like to see this open letter from David Cameron, published in The Sun today. You can click on the letter HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

New Conservatives from Harlow meet David Cameron and hear him talk about a public services revolution

To Battersea this morning to meet David Cameron. I was there with three Harlow residents who voted against the Conservatives in past elections, but were now strongly supportive of us. We first watched a speech by Mr Cameron, which he gave to an assembled audience of new Conservative voters, and then met him afterwards. I was particularly pleased to be there with Cllr Linda Pailing and her husband Jim. Linda, as you know, recently joined the Conservatives, having been a Liberal Democrat Councillor for many years. Colleen Morrison was also with us. She once stood against the Conservatives, but now is very active in supporting my campaign.

What was really good, was that David Cameron's speech contained some real substance, not just in welcoming new Conservatives - but because it contained a major policy proposal (set out by Shadow Chancellor George Osborne in more detail). In essence, a future Conservative Government will give public sector workers the right to take over the public service they deliver as a co-operative. In practice, this means that employees will be able to form their own co-operatives and run organisations like Job Centres, Community Nursing and Primary Schools.

I genuinely think that this could be one of the most exciting of Conservative proposals. It gives the professionals both a stake, and the chance to run their own public sector organisations, still funded by the State. The Co-operatives would be freed from central bureaucracy from Government and micro-management. It could transform the way our public services are delivered.

P.S. You can read more details HERE and HERE.

P.P.S. Cllr. Lee Dangerfield, Chairman of Harlow Conservatives, also accompanied us and took some great pictures of the day.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

You can't open the window

I was in a Hotel not so long ago, baking hot, so I tried to open the window. It was locked, so I called the reception and asked for a window key. The response was as follows (I kid you not): "I am sorry Sir, we can't open the windows due to health and safety legislation". There are countless examples of ridiculous health and safety laws that are so absurd, yet infringe upon the lives of millions of our fellow citizens up and down the country. Health and Safety, whilst necessary in some cases, has, too often become yet another way in which Government regulates and interferes with people's daily lives.

For this reason, I was really pleased to see that David Cameron has given a speech today, on this subject, and announced a fundamental review of all Health and Safety regulations, were a Conservative Government to be elected. Mr Cameron has said:

"Excessive rules have given the impression that we have a right to a risk-free life and that impression has been exacerbated by prominent claims and pay-outs. The consequence has been spiralling costs and a slow death of discretion, judgement and social responsibility... For every piece of health and safety legislation, we need to ask whether it fulfils a useful purpose – and if not, it must go. And we must bring some common sense to the laws surrounding compensation."

"I want people to know that with the Conservatives, government will let you get on with your life without unnecessary rules and regulations. I want everyone to know that with the Conservatives, if you do good, get involved and make a contribution, the system will back you."

I could not agree more.

P.S. You can read more details of what Mr Cameron is proposing HERE and HERE.