Welcoming the launch of the Women and Pensions Network on Monday 7th November Rochdale MP - Paul Rowen is calling for the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to end the failure of the current pension system for women and carers.
News that the skateboard park at Folkestone Sports Centre may be closed over the winter in response to complaints from local residents about noise has been balanced by the re-opening in the last few weeks of the Hythe skate park. Lib Dem controlled Hythe Town Council secured the re-opening of the park after receiving planning permission to reopen the site after an extended closure.
Plans for a lorry park for up to 1,500 trucks are being unveiled by Dover Harbour Board today. The Board said it would end Operation Stack, where lorries wait on the M20 when port operations are delayed. No site has yet been named, but it is thought the lorry park, set to cost between £20m and £30m, may be between Farthingloe and Aycliff.
Liberal Democrats Leader Charles Kennedy has this week met with President Hu of China on his three-day state visit. Mr. Kennedy said During our meeting, I highlighted long-standing anxiety about China's record on human rights, making clear that this was a major source of concern. I also made the case that China's unprecedented industrial expansion was raising serious environmental concerns - asking the President urgently to address reconsideration of China's opposition to the Kyoto treaty. I also made it clear that we believe the way forward with China, which is one of the emerging powers - in trade and investment - in the world, is through constructive engagement."
• Meeting Of the Scarborough Branch (Members only) Thursday 24th November
Tania Exley-Moore, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Scarborough and Whitby has welcomed the defeat of the proposal to detain terrorist suspects without charge for 90 days. She said that the new 28 day limit was a good compromise, and that she was delighted with Charles Kennedy's leadership in defending hard-fought civil liberties.
