The past 12 months have seen major issues continue to unfold around the world which have, and continue to have, a profound affect on us all:

Gaza

The year started with the military conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and the ensuing humanitarian disaster. I received many enquires from constituents concerned for the innocent civilians caught up in the conflict and I signed a statement, along with over 100 other UK Parliamentarians, publicly calling for an end to the slaughter and an immediate ceasefire. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains and I continue to lobby Ministers to do all they can to help the UN and other aid agencies in their vital work.

Sri Lanka

The fighting between Government forces and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka also increased the size of my 'postbag' particularly from local people who had relatives living in the conflict zone. I also received a delegation from members of the local Tamil community. Although the fighting ended in May the humanitarian catastrophe continued to develop. Britain's Department for International Development is playing a major role in supporting humanitarian agencies in the country and UK aid is helping to provide shelter, water, sanitation, health care and emergency nutritional support. The situation remains serious and I have pledged my full support for the action our Government is taking to aid the humanitarian effort.

Climate Change

High on the agenda for many of my constituents is climate change and I supported our Government's climate change legislation which passed into law last year. The Climate Change Act is the world's first long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change. In December, all eyes will be on Copenhagen as environment ministers from 192 nations meet to decide the world's new plan to tackle climate change. The world's response in the past has been hampered by the reluctance of the US to accept its share of cuts to carbon emissions. However, with President Obama in the White House, we have an opportunity to get back on track. At Copenhagen, I believe we need to be as bold as possible and I am calling on Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, to push for a deal that is:

    Ambitious - no more than 2 degrees temperature rise, developed-country emissions to peak in five years; the whole world in ten.

    Effective - keep countries to their word, and let money flow to where it will make most difference.

     Fair - support the poorest countries to cut their emissions and adapt to climate change.

To find out how to get involved go to: www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en

Jim calls for halt to dangerous and discriminating shared surface streets.

Jim recently experienced a dangerous new street design that puts blind and partially sighted people, disabled and elderly people, and young children in danger, at an event held by Guide Dogs.

Jim tried out a mock shared surface street whilst blindfolded as part of Guide Dogs 'Say NO to shared streets' campaign, at the House of Commons. These streets--when the road and pavement are built at the same level with the kerb removed--force all road users to make 'eye contact' to establish who moves first. This obviously undermines the safety, confidence, and independence of vulnerable pedestrians.

Wheelchair users have to share their space with intimidating cyclists and vehicles, and  young children no longer have a kerb to safely stop, look, and listen at.

Jim also learnt about the importance of safe and accessible towns and high streets for vulnerable pedestrians.

People can find out more about Guide Dogs 'Say NO to shared streets' campaign and Take Action at www.guidedogs.org.uk/sharedstreets.

These are tough times across the Country including Bromley and Lewisham. The global recession is biting and people are concerned about their jobs, their homes and what that holds.

Labour--Action not words

• Already we've taken action to protect 500,000 jobs in Britain. That's help for people and businesses in every region.
• Cut VAT, putting an average £275 back into household budgets.
• Increased child benefit, the state pension and pension credit.
• £145 tax cut for 22 million basic rate taxpayers.
• Helping people stay in their homes, even if their incomes falls.

Labour's Budget--What it means for you

• Extending the stamp duty holiday for all homes up to £175.000 until Dec. 2009.
• An additional £20 a year from April 2010 on child element of Child Tax credit.
• Extra help for children with disabilities--£100 a year on their Child Trust Fund.
• Helping modest-income pensioners with limited savings through the pension credit.
• Additional Winter Fuel Payment--£50 for the over 60s and £100 for the over 80s.
• Supporting savers by raising tax free ISA limits to over £10.000.

The choice is between Labour who is taking action to help people keep their jobs, their homes and their savings or a Tory Party that would do nothing. The Tories have opposed Labour action to help people at every turn.

For further information on Labour's budget please visit www.labour.org.uk/budget_2009.

   Tails for Whales

Jim has shown his support for whales by striking a 'whale tail' pose with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Jim is taking part in IFAW's 'Tails for Whales' photo art project, which has been launched to raise awareness of the need for greater whale protection. IFAW is encouraging people from all walks of life to be photographed making the whale tail hands symbol. Model and presenter Twiggy and comedienne Jo Brand are among celebrities taking part and this week more than 70 MPs also struck a whale tail pose for whales.

IFAW works year-round to protect whales from the many threats they face including whaling, ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, climate change and manmade ocean noise.

Jim said: "I am pleased to be taking part in 'Tails for Whales'. Whales face more threats today than ever before and this project sends out a positive message that we should all be working to protect them. I encourage my constituents to take part by submitting their photos for inclusion."

Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK, said: "We are very grateful to Jim for showing his support for whales. IFAW opposes commercial or so-called 'scientific' whaling because it is cruel and unnecessary and we believe these magnificent and intelligent creatures should be protected for future generations to enjoy. Support for this project demonstrates that many people feel the same."

   Minister visit to Sydenham Green House Centre

I was delighted to accompany my colleague, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for health services Ann Keen MP on a visit to Sydenham Green House Centre this week.  Ann and I visited the centre to highlight the governments NHS Constitution that was launched this week and to take questions from members of the centres staff. Before taking questions we were given a tour of the centre and we were delighted to meet and chat to patients and staff.  The minister said that the constitution for the NHS in England is effectively a "bill of rights" for health service.

It sets out patients' rights to care and their responsibilities, such as keeping appointments.

The idea of the constitution, first suggested more than two years ago, is to produce a concise document which sets out what patients and staff should expect within NHS. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a constitution could secure the future of the NHS for many years.

The final version, to be unveiled in Parliament, is expected to state that patients have the right to access services predominantly free of charge, wherever possible convenient, free of discrimination and delivered in a professional manner, in a calm environment.

In return patients are expected to be asked to treat staff with respect, register with a GP, keep appointments, take part in vaccination programmes, and make a contribution to their own, and their family's good health.

For further details please visit

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_093460

Along with over 100 Parliamentary colleagues from different parties I have signed a statement demanding an end to the slaughter in Gaza. The statement calls for an immediate ceasefire, an embargo on the supply of military equipment to both sides and for urgent intervention by international community to stop the humanitarian catastrophe which is unfolding.

Below is the statement

Israel's continuing massive military strikes on Gaza are an outrage that the international community must not allow to continue. Palestinian rocket attacks which traumatise the lives of communities in southern Israel are also utterly unacceptable. Both sides must cease fire.

Israel's actions are disproportionate and counter productive to achieving either security for people of Israel or peace in the Middle East. Physicians for human Rights (Israel) have warned that "targeting of civilians and of medical facilities is a breach of international humanitarian law. The targets chosen by the Israeli military include also clearly civilian installations."

Gaza is one of the poorest and most densely populated places on earth. For the last two years, the blockade and previous Israeli strikes had already disrupted electricity supplies and access to clean water. Even before the current attack, Gaza's health system was near collapse. Hospitals are short if medicines, blood and essential equipment. Only half of Gaza's 58 ambulances are functioning.

We call on the international community and especially the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to intervene to stop the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties and for an embargo on the supply of military equipment to both sides. The international community must also assert unambiguously that there is no military route to peace in the Middle East and redouble its effort to create a secure and independent state of Palestine alongside a secure and independent Israel.

Jim met with Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary in Parliament to discuss progress in the global fight against HIV & AIDS.

I urged Douglas to maintain the UK's global leadership on this issue. Many constituents contact me to urge action on the global scourge of HIV & AIDS. I stressed to Douglas that the people of Lewisham West want the UK Government to maintain it's global leadership on this issue and meets its commitments to the world's poorest people. With 33 million people still living with HIV & AIDS worldwide, we must continue to act. I was pleased that Douglas is committed to continuing the Government's on tackling poverty at home and abroad.

Tramlink Scrapped           

In common with the majority of residents in Crystal Palace & Anerley, I am extremely angry at the decision by Mayor Boris Johnson to drop a series of major transport policies in London, particular the Croydon tramlink extension to Crystal Palace. The scheme was supported by 78% of local people and would have both reduced atmospheric pollution and thus increasing air quality as well as boosting the local economy. The Mayor demonstrates a characteristic lack of judgement in abandoning this scheme and other much needed transport plans in the Capital. He shows that he has no leadership skills, but then again he is not a Londoner, and the people of South East London can only be truly grateful that he was around when the difficult decisions regarding the extension of the East London Line was made. this decision will have no effect on Mr Johnson, but it is local people that will be the losers.

Jim Pledges Support for Save Energy Week

 I have signed a Parliamentary Motion supporting Energy Saving Week, which points out that energy efficiency can play a key role in reducing energy bills at a time of increasing prices. The motion highlights research by the Energy Savings Trust showing that people's lack of time is a barrier tot hem taking energy savings measures. however, the energy Savings Trust also provides some simple tips on quick and easy measures that people can take to cut their energy consumption and fuel bills.

I am urging my constituents to see what you can do to save energy by calling Act CO2 Advice Line on 0800 512 012 where local expert and impartial advisers can give you individual advice on energy saving measures. They can also offer you advice on grants and other help that may be available. Alternatively, you can visit the Energy Savings Trust website at  www.energysavingstrust.org.uk

On The Beat......

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I recently spent the morning with members of Perry Vale Safer Neighbourhood Team. I was pleased to hear the work that the team is doing to combat street crime in the vicinity of Forest Hill station. I also welcome the work that the team is doing with local community and youth groups.   

For further details and how to contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams please visit www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods/

I recently visited Peartree Care Centre in Sydenham, where I spent sometime talking to residents about their life in the home, their hopes and concerns. I was shown around the home by area manager Penny Howard and manager Lucy Pawley. At the end of a pleasant afternoon, resident Hilda Shergold, presented me with an orchid on behalf of staff and residents.

Lower Sydenham Safer Station Award        

I was delighted to present an award to the staff at Lower Sydenham on their achievement in achieving the award on making Lower Sydenham station a safer station.

This award recognises the improvements made to the station to make it a safer place. In particular, the CCTV is now monitored round the clock and this enables staff to call for the police or other emergency services, if anything untoward is observed particularly when the station is unstaffed.

Welcome home for bronze winner                

It was an honour to welcome home local bronze medallist winner Tasha Danvers. I joined the Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock and other colleagues in congratulating Tasha on her success at a reception that was held recently in her honour. Tasha won the bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at this years Olympics that were held in Beijing.