Two ceremonial events have occurred over the last week. Last Wednesday, the Houses of Parliament were ‘prorogued’. This is a term that refers to the end of the Parliamentary Session. This Wednesday (9th May), Her Majesty The Queen opened the new Session of Parliament, with her Speech from the Throne.
We are all aware of a significant minority who drink dangerously and cause disproportionate harm in their local communities. The Government recently announced bold steps to deal with these dangerous drinkers, crack down on irresponsible businesses and curb the availability of very cheap alcohol.
Earlier this week, people across England celebrated St George’s Day. In Westminster, the flag of St George was flying over No. 10 Downing Street to celebrate the feast day of England’s patron saint.
The recent collapse of Fabrice Muamba in last month’s FA Cup quarter-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers has emphasised the risks of undetected cardiac issues in the young. Thankfully, Fabrice Muamba seems to be making a good recovery. This is in no small part due to the quick response and assistance of staff and medical professionals who were on hand when he collapsed.
The NHS is a valued public service. I wholeheartedly support the Coalition Government’s commitment to spend more on the NHS in real terms every year, despite the tough decisions being taken to combat the record national debt.
This year's Budget, like all those since 2010, comes in the context of the Coalition Government's essential action on the UK's record national deficit. This action maintains confidence and keeps interest rates low, helping ordinary families with their mortgages, supporting businesses to get finance, and promoting stable growth and job creation. As such, the Budget neither increases nor decreases the overall amount of tax raised.
Next week the House of Commons will debate the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) ‘Policy for Prosecutors in respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide.’ This will be a debate about the application of the existing law in this area.
During its first two years in office, the Coalition Government has protected Britain’s interests and focused on improving our economy during challenging times. Later this month, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, will set out the Budget for the year ahead.
In Her Majesty The Queen’s 60th year on the throne, the projects and events of the Diamond Jubilee commemorate six decades of her dedicated service to the United Kingdom, the Realms, Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth.
Council tax more than doubled between 1997 and 2010, under the Labour Government. The Coalition Government pledged to freeze council tax for at least a year. In fact, council tax freezes will be supported for a second year running. The Conservative-run Gloucestershire County and Forest of Dean District Councils have taken up this offer, and will be freezing their tax level for a second year.
