Today I met representatives of the Royal National Institute of Blind People at a parliamentary reception held to celebrate the launch of the organisation's 'Save our Sight' campaign.

There are around two million people with sight problems in the UK and the number of people at risk of the main causes of blindness is set to increase by up to 25% between now and 2012.

However, 50% of sight loss is avoidable and RNIB's SOS campaign aims to tackle the time bomb of unnecessary sight loss and promote the importance of timely access to vital treatment.

This week I lent my support to Abbeyfield Week 2012 by signing the Abbeyfield Week Pledge in Parliament. The pledge committed me to supporting and promoting generational skills swapping in Lewisham Deptford and to actively encouraging older and younger people to forge strong intergenerational relationships.

I was pleased to be able to sign the pledge and support this innovative scheme to help raise awareness of the importance of skills swaps.  Too often we overlook the need for different generations to get together and learn new skills such as IT, cooking and reading.  It also provides an excellent opportunity for generations to discuss the difference in their lifestyles and encourage better understanding.

Today I expressed my disappointment as yet again the Government rejected Labour attempts to protect customers from the problems caused by payday lending.  

Yesterday, Tuesday 22nd May 2012, I voted in support of a cross-party amendment to the Financial Services Bill which would have allowed the regulator to cap the cost of credit if a financial product was judged to cause ‘consumer detriment’.  Despite the support of several Conservatives, the Government whipped its MPs to reject the amendment.

Southern Electric is offering free loft and cavity insulation (worth around £1000) to all households.

The right level of insulation can make a big difference and could save households up to £310 off their annual energy costs (based on average consumption figures from the Energy Saving Trust).

To be eligibile for free insulation you must have less than 60mm of loft insulation and /or no cavity wall insulation.  You do not need to be a Southern Electricity customer.

If you think you meet the criteria and would like more information, you can call Southern Electricty on 0800 072 7201 or email insulationenquiries@sse.com. 

Today I condemned Thames Water’s decision to recommend Deptford Church Street as their preferred site as part of the Thames Tunnel Project.

I am extremely angry about this decision. The site is next to a school, a grade I listed building and a great number of shops and homes in the heart of Deptford. The plans also involve closing two lanes on Deptford Church Street during the works; the street is already extremely busy and was recently the scene of a tragic fatality.   

It is a disastrous decision by Thames Water.

Deptford Church Street was not part of Thames Water’s original plans; it was only introduced by Thames Water after Greenwich residents objected to the original plan to use Borthwick Wharf.

Thames Water say that they have listened, but they have obviously not heard us. They are dumping on Deptford and I and the local community will seek to do all we can to get them to change their decision.

I have immediately written to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, asking him to stand by his election pledge to oppose the choice of Deptford Church Street.    

Related press:
Controversial Super Sewer Set for Deptford (News Shopper 17/05/12)

I am delighted to see the new Deptford Station in action.  

The first phase has now been completed and was opened to the public on April 26th.  The glass facade, spacious ticket office and exposed brickwork are a great improvement, as are the new lifts which make the station much more accessible.

This follows a very long campaign to get a new station and I look forward to phase two being completed.