I am supporting an international campaign for a robust and human rights-based arms trade treaty to be negotiated this July at the United Nations in New York.

On June 27th I took part in a photo action event at the House of Commons, which saw MPs having their photo taken whilst holding a sign pledging their support for a bulletproof arms trade treaty.  The Control Arms Coalition (including Amnesty International, Oxfam and Saferworld), which organised the event, has been calling on MPs to demonstrate their support and urging David Cameron to publicly commit to a bulletproof arms trade treaty.

The Environment Agency recently launched the 'Working Together' consultation.  It is the first of three consultations the agency will be running over the next three years to help achieve the highest possible standards in our water environment (for both people and animals).

The purpose of the consultation is to find out how people want to be involved in planning and improving their local water environment.  It runs until 22nd December 2012.

The Warm Front scheme provides heating and insulation improvements to households on certain income-related benefits who are living in poor insulated homes or properties that do not have central heating.  The aim is to make homes more energy efficient.

This year - 2012-13 - is the last year the Government will be funding the scheme, so anyone who thinks they may be eligible should apply as soon as possible.

On 15th May I gave a speech to Parliament about my experiences of visiting Palestine and Israel as part of a delegation from the All-Party Palestine Group.

During our time there we visited Ofer military court, where children as young as 12 are being prosecuted for acts such as throwing stones.  

Many of these children are from the village of Beit Ummar, which is located approximately 10km south of Bethlehem and surrounded by a number of Israeli settlements.  One such settlement, Karmi Zur, is built on agricultural land belonging to the village.  A road used by the Israeli army and settlers also passes close to Beit Ummar and is a constant source of friction, leading to frequent raids and arrests.