The All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking draws attention to the evils of Human Trafficking.

Human Trafficking is one of the top three most lucrative manifestations of organised crime – along with drug dealing and arms trade.

Human Trafficking is a fundamental assault on basic human dignity.  It affects millions of men, women and children throughout the world.  More than twice as many people are in bondage in the world today as were taken in chains during the entire 350 years of the African Slave Trade.  Over 100,000 of which are in Europe, 1 in 8 are in the United Kingdom, …

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Legg ACA publication re repayments received/requested from MP’s

Parliament unanimously supported the setting up the Legg ACA Review last summer to investigate all MP’s ACA accounts for each year 2004-2008.Sir Arthur Legg was commissioned to report back to Members Estimate Committee which is chaired by Mr Speaker, and he has now done so. His report was published 4th Feb. 2010 and the following information are extracts from it regarding  decisions on my ACA accounts which I am publishing on my website with my comments of explanation.

Legg’s own interpretation of the remit given to him by the House of Commons to examine four …

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The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which brings together leading humanitarian organisations from the UK such as Save the Children, Oxfam and World Vision has launched an urgent appeal to raise funds for assisting those affected by the disaster. The appeal will be broadcast on Friday (15/01/10) – but donation lines and the website are already open. The donation line is 0370 60 60 900 and website is www.dec.org.uk

Cold Weather Payments                                       January, 2010.

What are Cold Weather Payments?

For customers on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available for each seven-day period at or below zero degrees Celsius.

Who can get Cold Weather Payments?

People on certain qualifying benefits are automatically eligible:

Benefit
Entitlement

Pension Credit
Entitled

Income Support
Entitled if they receive:

a Disability Premium,
a Child Disability Premium
or they have a child under 5 years.

Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Entitled if they receive:

a Disability Premium,
a Child Disability Premium
or they have child under 5 years.

Income-related Employment Support Allowance
Entitled if they receive:

the Support Component,
the Work-related Activity Component,
a Severe or Enhanced Disability Premium,
a Pensioner Premium,
or have a child who is …

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ACA Review update

In January 2010 Sir Thomas Legg will report to the MEC (Members Estimate Committee) on his findings and recommendations of his review into MP’s second home allowance (ACA). The MEC chaired by the Speaker with senior Government and Opposition MP’s on it, had commissioned Sir Thomas Legg to conduct this ACA Review and report his findings to them.

His review so far has been widely reported, talked about and mused over. Rumours and revelations were abounding during and will almost certainly be after he reports. Sir Thomas had conducted his review over the summer and wrote …

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