This is an annual award (rating) by Stonewall which includes private, public and third sector workplaces – and the Home Office came in this year at No 1!

Receiving such a tremendous accolade is the result of really working to make the Home Office the best place to work for lesbian,gay and bisexual people.

And now it’s official – it is the best place!

It’s a real recognition of the Home Office’s drive to create an environment in which people feel they can be open about their sexuality.

The award means that the HO is the top place to work because Lesbian, gay and bisexual staff are represented and supported by senior managers and Spectrum – the department’s own network group. Stonewall said the department had ensured that the Specturm network had reached Home Office staff across the UK and applauded campaigns such ‘Here Come the Girls’ which address the lack of visible gay and bisexual women in workplaces.

The Home Office was also commended for accepting Stonewall’s recommendations in new training for asylum caseworkers on how to deal appropriately and sensitively with the claims of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Also the Home Office was praised for supporting ‘Blow the Whistle on Gay Hate’ which encourages victims of homophobic hate crime to come forward and report such incidents to the police.

Stonewall said that the Home Office ‘understands the importance of truly embedding equality and diversity into everything it does’.

Congratulations to Ravi Shand, CBE QPM, Head of Equality and Diversity at the Home Office and to everyone in the Home Office who contributes to creating a workplace to be so proud of.

I saw the King’s Speech yesterday. I really enjoyed it – but the point of this post is that a while back I commented on the fact that ‘Made in Dagenham’ should have had a 12A certificate (like the King’s Speech) – and not the 15 rating it got.

I based this on the hearsay knowledge that the ‘f ‘ word was used in the King’s Speech and was thought to be an integral part of the film – and the film’s overall worthiness meant that it should be seen by 12A (ie accompanied by an adult). Having now actually seen this film – I would agree – the use of expletives is integral to this film.

In Made in Dagenham – which is the story of the women workers at Dagenham car plant who fought for equal pay – supported by their male colleagues – and which ultimately led to the Equal Pay Act – the ‘f’ word is also used. In my view in this film, the use of the ‘f’ word is just as integral to the telling of this story as are the expletives in the King’s Speech.

The differential in the certification by the British Board of Film Classification (independent body for film certification) means that more and younger folk will be able to see a great film about part of our history – ie King George VI – but not our great history of the fight for equality.

I am still at a loss to understand the differential certification.

The Metropolitan Police Service (Met) are consulting across London to gather views on the overall strategy of neighbourhood policing. You can find the questionnaire at http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/

The consultation closes on the 21st January.

This is an opportunity for everyone to put directly to the Met their view on what the neighbourhood policing needs of their particular ward are.

At the moment – every ward (ie Alexandra, Muswell Hill, Woodside, Noel Park, Crouch End, Highgate, Fortis Green, Bounds Green, Stroud Green and Hornsey) have a Safer Neighbourhood Team of usually six uniformed police personal – a combination of police officers and PCSOs (police community support officers).

Below I am pasting what the Met is sending out themselves – but it would be very helpful if you are a constituent and you do respond to the consultation if you could copy my LibDem councillor colleague Martin Newton martin.newton@haringeylibdems.org  on that response. We need to understand what local people are asking for – so that if off the back of this consultation proposals for changes are made – we can check they are in line with what local people wanted.

Get involved in the future of neighbourhood policing

Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have made a significant difference to safety and confidence across London.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) remains committed to delivering effective neighbourhood policing that focuses on the safety of local people and ensures a visible local policing presence in all our communities. We are committed to maintaining named officers in every neighbourhood in London who are responsible for identifying and tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour.

The MPS is currently carrying out a review of Safer Neighbourhoods Teams across London. The purpose of the review is to find better ways of using current neighbourhood policing resources to meet the needs of the local community, and ensure local police teams continue to deliver an effective and relevant service in the right place at the right times. The review will focus on the locations of Safer Neighbourhoods teams, what they do and how they are structured.

The review will be carried out by gathering the thoughts and feedback of local partners, such as the local authority and members of the community. This feedback will help plan any possible future changes. No changes will be made without talking to local partners and community members.

You can be involved in the review by completing an online questionnaire. The questions will gather your thoughts about neighbourhood policing in your area and will play a valuable part in shaping plans for the future of neighbourhood policing in London.

You can find the questionnaire at http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/

Lib Dem Manifesto p.89 “We will introduce fixed-term parliaments to ensure that the Prime Minister of the day cannot change the date of an election to suit them.”

The Fixed Term Parliaments Bill, which legislates for fixed term Parliaments, is in the process of going through Parliament.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.87 “We will give people a real say in who governs the country by introducing fair votes.”

The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill is currently before Parliament. It provides for a referendum on the Alternative Vote, a new, fairer electoral system, most likely to be held in May.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.92 “We will scrap the Government Offices for the Regions and regional ministers.”

We have scrapped the Government Offices for the Regions and regional ministers, devolving some of their powers and resources to local government.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.92 –“Give the National Assembly primary legislative powers so that it becomes a true Welsh Parliament. We also support passing on a greater number of responsibilities to the National Assembly.”

A referendum on extending the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales is to be held on 3rd March, 2011.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.92 “We will implement the recommendations of the Calman Commission to give significant new powers and responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament.”

The Scotland Bill had its first reading on the 30th November. It implements the recommendations of the Calman Commission, devolving landfill tax and stamp duty, and introducing a Scottish Income Tax and new borrowing powers.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.74 “We will make prisoners work and contribute from their prison wages to a compensation fund for victims”

The government’s sentencing green paper included proposals for ‘working prisons’ to get prisoners used to working regular hours, and to contribute toward financial reparations for victims

Lib Dem Manifesto p.75 “We will give people a direct say in how petty criminals and those who engage in anti-social behaviour are punished by setting up Neighbourhood Justice Panels”

The sentencing green paper also included proposals for increasing the opportunities for communities to become involved in local justice through Neighbourhood Justice Panels

Lib Dem Manifesto p.75 “Champion restorative justice programmes which make offenders confront their behaviour and are more successful at reducing crime”

The sentencing green paper also includes proposals to make more use of restorative justice as a more effective punishment

Lib Dem Manifesto p.74 “Move offenders who are drug addicts or mentally ill into more appropriate secure accommodation.”

As of June 2011 we will pilot drug recovery wings in prisons, reviewing this in June 2012 with a view to working with the Department of Health to roll it out more widely.

The sentencing green paper proposes to pilot and roll out liaison and diversion services nationally by 2014 for mentally ill offenders, and increase the treatment capacity for offenders who present a high risk of
harm where this is linked to a severe personality disorder.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.73 “Require better recording of hate crime against disabled,
homosexual and transgender people.”

In December 2010 I launched the government’s new equalities strategy, which includes a commitment to promote better recording of, and response to, hate crimes.

Lib Dem Manifesto, p.76 “We will end the detention of children in immigration detention centres”

On 16th December, Nick Clegg announced the ending of child detention for immigration purposes.

Lib Dem Manifesto, p.83 “Through our policy on Capital Gains Tax, ensure that those who use second homes as speculative investments will pay tax on enhanced capital value at the same rate as on earned income, not at 18% as at present”

In June’s emergency budget we increased the rate of Capital Gains Tax to 28% for higher rate taxpayers while keeping it at 18% for basic rate taxpayers.

Lib Dem Manifesto, p.77 “In a fair society, everyone should have the right to a decent home, but this is not the reality of Britain today. There should be quality social and private rented housing available for those who need or choose it.”

We have announced plans for 150,000 new affordable homes over the next four years, the first net increase in the social housing stock by any government in 30 years.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.77 “We will make sure every new home is fully energy efficient by improving building regulations.”

We have required a 25% improvement in energy efficiency standards for new buildings.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.78 “We will scrap burdensome Home Information Packs, retaining the requirement for homes to have an energy performance certificate.”

We have scrapped Home Information Packs, and retained the requirement for homes to have an energy performance certificate.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.82 “We will stop ‘garden grabbing’ by defining gardens as Greenfield sites in planning law so that they cannot so easily be built over.”

We have ended ‘garden grabbing’, saving considerable amounts of greenbelt land from being built over.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.83 “We will promote schemes for affordable homes like equity mortgages and ‘Home on the Farm’ which encourage farmers to convert existing buildings into affordable housing.”

We have promoted ‘Home on the Farm’ schemes that encourage farmers to convert existing buildings into affordable housing.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.23 “If you choose micro-generation, you will be able to sell the energy back to the National Grid at a profit, with a more attractive feed-in tariff than under current government plans.”

Feed-in tariffs were protected under the spending review. Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne has announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive, which pays for every kilowatt hour of
heat produced, will go ahead in 2011.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.58 “Begin a ten-year programme of home insulation, offering a home energy improvement package of up to £10,000 per home, paid for by the savings from lower energy bills, and make sure every new home is fully energy-efficient by improving building regulations.”

At the beginning of November, Chris Huhne announced the Green Deal. Through the Green Deal, people will be able to pay back the up front costs of home insulation work through the lower bills that will result.

We’ve also recognised that those in fuel poverty need extra help. This is why, under the new Energy Company Obligation, we’ll be requiring energy companies to help poorer customers, by providing basic
heating and insulation to the most vulnerable households. Until the Green Deal and ECO kick in, we’ve put in place the Warm Home Discount which will help around £2 million households per year take up to an anticipated £130 off their bills.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.58 “We will set out a clear renewable route map to 2050, covering grid access and investment in electricity networks.”

We are mapping out the path to renewable energy in 2050, and have enabled £110 billion of investment in low carbon electricity infrastructure over the next decade.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.59 “Block any new coal-fired power stations – the most polluting form of power generation – unless they are accompanied by the highest level of carbon capture and storage facilities.”

Chris Huhne has stated that the coalition would not allow any new coal power station to be built without being equipped with CCS technology.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.62 “We will increase the UK’s aid budget to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNI by 2013”

The overseas aid budget has been protected from cuts and will rise to £11.5bn over the next four years. The effect will be that the UK will reach the United Nations goal of giving 0.7% of national income in aid
by 2013.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.63 “We will prioritise health and education programmes in the developing world which aim to promote gender equality and reduce maternal and infant mortality.”

In September 2010, Nick Clegg announced that the government will refocus its aid efforts to put the lives of women in developing countries at its heart

Lib Dem Manifesto p.68 “We will hold a full judicial inquiry into allegations of British complicity in torture and state kidnapping as part of a process to restore Britain’s reputation for decency and fairness.”

The Coalition government has announced a judicial inquiry into Britain’s role in torture and rendition since the al-Qaida attacks of September 2001. A three-person inquiry panel will be headed by Sir Peter Gibson, a former appeal court judge who is currently commissioner for the intelligence services

Lib Dem Manifesto p.49 “We will protect existing childcare support arrangements until the nation’s finances can support a longer term solution: a move to 20 hours free childcare for every child, from the age of 18 months.”

We have extended 15 hours free early education to all disadvantaged two year-olds, while keeping the free offer of 15 hours early education for every three and four year-old. We will be spending £300 million more on this by the end of the Parliament

Lib Dem Manifesto p.52 “We will offer a week’s respite for the one million carers who spend 50 hours every week looking after a sick relative.”

Paul Burstow has made over £400 million available in additional funding over the next four years to provide a week’s respite care to the almost one million carers who work over 50 hours a week.

Sarah Teather also recently announced £800 million investment in short break provision for disabled children and their families.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.50 “Maintain the commitment to end child poverty in the UK by 2020.”

This commitment has been maintained.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.50 “Enhance child protection. We will enforce the publication of an anonymised version of Serious Case Reviews to ensure that lessons are learned.”

Serious Case Reviews, including that of Baby Peter, have been published.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.52 “Scrap compulsory retirement ages, allowing those who wish to continue in work to do so.”

The government has announced it is ending the compulsory retirement age.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.54 “We will stop private sector wheel-clamping”

I have announced that wheel-clamping on private land will be banned.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.34 “We will increase the funding of the most disadvantaged pupils, around one million children. We will invest £2.5bn in this ‘Pupil Premium’ to boost education opportunities for every child.”

The government has delivered on the key Liberal Democrat pledge of a £2.5bn pupil premium to bring extra funding to the most vulnerable students. Each child on Free School Meals in Haringey will start with an extra £430 which will go directly to their school to be spent how the school thinks best. This is additional funding on top of the normal formula settlement.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.34 “We will improve discipline by early intervention to tackle to poor basic education of those children who are otherwise most likely to misbehave and become demotivated”

The schools white paper introduced simple reading checks at age 6, designed to stop young children falling behind in basic skills which go unnoticed until it is too late and therefore contribute to future bad
behaviour.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.35 “We will confront bullying, including homophobic bullying, and include bullying prevention in teacher training”

The schools white paper specifically states that we will expect teachers and head teachers to take a strong stand on homophobic bullying. It sets out plans to rationalise and simplify anti-bullying guidance from a
fragmented 500 pages to around 20 pages. It also commits to working with NGOs such as Stonewall and the Anti-Bullying Alliance to promote best practice and make sure that schools know where to go for support. I have already had a number of meetings with the Schools Minister (and Stonewall) on this.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.34 “We will… support the expansion of Teach First to attract more top graduates into teaching”

The Government has announced plans to expand the Teach First scheme. It also announced a new Teach Next programme to encourage more mature entrants into teaching.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.34 “We will improve teacher training by increasing the size of the school-based Graduate Teacher Programme… we will improve training for existing teachers over the course of their careers to keep them up to date with best practice”

We have announced plans to expand the Graduate Teacher Programme.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.34 “Axe the rigid National Curriculum, and replace it with a slimmed down ‘minimum curriculum entitlement’ to be delivered by every state funded school.”

The schools white paper announced that both primary and secondary National Curriculums will be reviewed and slimmed down to become a national benchmark of the knowledge and concepts children should be
expected to master in core subjects at each key stage. It will be designed so that parents can hold schools to account for what their child has learned.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.36 “Reform league tables to give parents more meaningful information which truly reflects the performance of a school. Schools should be working to get the best from all their pupils but government league tables are forcing them to focus on those who are just above or below the key C-grade borderline.”

Under government proposals, performance tables will include a measure of how well pupils progress as well as attainment. All of the information that underpins government statistical tables will be published for each school, and DfE will publish ‘families of schools’ documents that group similar schools in a region and provide detailed performance information that can be used to identify best practice.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.38 “Reform the existing rigid national pay and conditions rules to give schools and colleges more freedom”

The schools white paper announced that we would give schools greater flexibility and freedom to set pay.
Lib Dem Manifesto p.35 -“We will replace the bureaucratic Early Years Foundation Stage with a slimmed-down framework which includes a range of educational approaches and enough flexibility for every young child.”

Dame Clare Tickell has been commissioned to review how the curriculum of the Early Years Foundation Stage prepares all children for school, reporting in spring 2011.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.37 “Introduce an Education Freedom Act banning politicians from getting involved in the day-to-day running of schools.”

The schools white paper introduced this year addresses many of our concerns, removing much of the centralised and stifling bureaucracy imposed by Labour. Every school will have more autonomy, but the
white paper also includes provision for local authorities’ strategic oversight.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.40 “We will end Train to Gain funding for large companies, restricting the funds to the small and medium-sized firms that need the support.”

The Government has announced that it will end Train to Gain and replace it with an SME-focused programme to help small employers train low-skilled staff.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.41 “Integrate health and social care to create a seamless service, ending bureaucratic barriers and saving money to allow people to stay in their homes for longer rather than going into hospital or long term residential care.”

Around 35,000 people will benefit from a £70 million cash boost announced by the Coalition that will enable the NHS to support people back into their homes after a spell in hospital.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.40 “We will… scrap Strategic Health Authorities”

The Government White Paper on Health states that we will scrap Strategic Health Authorities.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.43 “Giving every patient the right to choose to register with the GP they want, without being restricted by where they live.”

The NHS White Paper states that we will give every patient a clear right to choose to register with any GP practice they want with an open list, without being restricted by where they live.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.41 “We will prioritise dementia research within the health research and development budget.”

The Treasury confirmed in October that this commitment on dementia research will be prioritised within health research and development. Paul Burstow is now personally overseeing this commitment through
his role as chair of a Ministerial Advisory Group by ensuring that dementia researchers get a fair share of the £1.7 billion research fund. Plans will be published in the New Year to accelerate the pace in this vital area of research.

Lib Dem Manifesto p.41 “We will improve access to counselling for people with mental health problems, by continuing the roll-out of cognitive and behavioural therapies.”

The Spending Review included funding to expand access to talking therapies, including those with severe mental illness and for the first time the children and adolescents. We have already committed £70million this year to give more people the opportunity to access talking therapies. This funding will help tackle the devastating human cost of mental health by ensuring that the right action is taken early in people’s lives. By March 2011 services will be offered to around 60 per cent of the country increasing to 100 per cent by 2014.