My first thought is that it may not be necessary to take a decision on something so important (and expensive) in such a short timescale. Once the decision is made to proceed with the replacement of the submarine fleet, the future shape of this element of Britain’s defence policy is determined for decades into the future. However, as we all accept, the world is a highly volatile place, and just as the shape of the world was transformed with unexpected speed at the end of the Cold War, and again post 9/11, so it can change again. It seems to me to be entirely rational to avoid rushed decision making, and to allow plenty of time to debate the options for our future defence policy.

Secondly, there can be no doubt that the major challenge facing us is to halt the spread of nuclear weapons into states which do not already have a nuclear capability. (more…)

Karen spoke out in Parliament on Thursday to defend the freedom of the over 60s and under 18s to travel on London’s public transport network, which is under threat by Tory proposals.

Nearly 31,000 over 60s and over 7,000 under 18s benefit from the schemes in Westminster, many of whom live in some of the most deprived parts in the country.  For many elderly residents their Freedom Pass is a real life line to the outside world, saving them up to around £1,000 a year on travel costs.  Families also now save £350 per child on transport costs and youngsters no longer have to be left in the lurch without a way back home should they be out of pocket.

These schemes have come under attack by London’s Tories with those sitting on the London Assembly looking to scrap the youth pass and a West London Councillor calling for the Freedom Pass to be “re-targetted” away from most pensioners to those who were “very old”.  The free passes came under renewed attack on Thursday in parliament when in a response to a question from Karen, the Tory Spokesman on Transport called the schemes “a waste of public money”.

Let Karen know your views on the Tory threat to the Freedom Pass and under-18 pass on k.buck@rpkn-labour.co.uk

Read the full Parliamentary debate on Freedom of Buses

The local Avenues Youth Centre has been given a licence to broadcast their radio station AvenuesFM on 87.7fm throughout February.  The Queen’s Park Neighbourhood Forum has its own show every Thursday between 1-3pm, broadcasting the latest news and views from the local area.

Karen will appear on tomorrow’s show (15th) between 1-3pm on 87.7fm to talk about local issues.  If you’re not close to a radio, you can listen online on AvenuesFM.com.

Karen visited the Schoolfriend after school club at Wilberforce Community School last week to see it in action.  Schoolfriend etc is the largest charity provide of childcare and the only organisation delivering breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs on a national basis.  The club at Wilberforce has been running since Autumn 2005. 

Commenting on the visit, Labour MP Karen Buck said, “The Schoolfriend Club at Wilberforce School is clearly delivering an important service to the local community, meeting the needs of both parents and pupils.  I was very impressed at the standard and breadth of activities taking place.  Not only do they ensure that the children have fun, but they also help them to improve their numeracy and literacy.” (more…)

Karen took part in Radio 4’s childcare costs debate on yesterday’s Woman’s Hour.  The government now spends double on childcare compared to 1997, bringing the total spend to 1% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), with schemes like Sure Start making a real difference to parents’ lives.

The debate arose from a Daycare Trust survey showing that costs of childcare increased by 3% above inflation over the past year.

Listen to the debate online