The Government has doggedly, and consistently, dug in its heels when accused of discriminating against people with mental health conditions in the assessment process for disability benefits.
Male suicide - the silent public health crisis
At one of my recent surgeries, a constituent came to talk to me about male suicide. With figures showing that men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women, and with suicide being the biggest killer of men under the age of 45, it paints a bleak picture.
It’s vital that more is done to support those at risk, and those managing a difficult situation alone.
Tackling litter in Brighton and Hove
Litter in Brighton and Hove is a serious issue, and I do of course understand that the Council has a responsibility to tackle the problem. However, I am increasingly concerned that by awarding the contract to a private company, profit is now the key motivator behind the Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) being issued in some circumstances.
Save Madeira Terrace
As residents in Brighton and Hove will know, Madeira Terrace is an iconic part of the city’s history. I know that many of my constituents have fond memories of the elegant Grade II-listed arches, which have been the backdrop to many events and occasions over the years.
Sadly, Madeira Terrace has fallen into disrepair. Like much of the seafront, years of under-investment has taken its toll.
Still no night shelter
At a council meeting in January, a Green Party proposal was unanimously passed. It called for empty buildings owned by Brighton and Hove City Council to be made available for use as homeless shelters, with the aim of having a new night shelter open ahead of this winter.
Uber in Brighton and Hove
Since the news broke last month that Transport for London (TfL) had rejected Uber’s operating license due to ‘lack of corporate responsibility’, questions have been raised about the company's future in Brighton & Hove.
Our city has always been a place that embraces bold ideas and exciting new technologies, and as a result Brighton is home to the fastest growing digital festival in the UK and many of the country's most promising start-ups.
But with new technologies come new challenges.
The value of our libraries
Today Unison are launching a national day of action against cuts to library services. It is part of their Save Our Local Services (SOS) campaign, and something which I am proud to support.
Brighton Digital Festival
On Friday I visited ONCA Gallery as part of Brighton’s Digital Festival (BDF).
BDF, the UK’s fastest growing festival, runs for a month and showcases over 150 events across Brighton & Hove reflecting the growth that the digital sector has enjoyed here in recent years. Brighton’s digital economy, which is worth over £1bn a year, shows that our city is leading the way in creative, digital innovation in the UK.
Local projects in the running for One Family Foundation funding
Some amazing local projects have been shortlisted for Community Award funding from the OneFamily Foundation. The number of votes cast will determine which projects successfully receive the funding and I would be delighted if one of the projects based in my constituency, or a service providing city-wide benefits in Brighton and Hove, is selected.
Brighton's new bike share scheme
This Sunday brings the opportunity for residents to head to Preston Park and try out one of the new rental bikes that will be popping up at different sites across the city from September.
The bike share scheme is an initiative that’s been in the pipeline for a number of years, and is something the Greens have championed from the outset – including securing funding from the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) to help with start-up costs.
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