The Environment Agency has launched a consultation asking people across England what they think are the significant issues and priorities when it comes to protecting and improving our rivers.

You can either respond online here or in writing to: D-J Gent, River Basin Programme Manager, Environment Agency, Kings Meadow House, Kings Meadow Road, Reading RG1 8DQ.

The closing date for comments is Sunday 22nd for nationally significant issues and Sunday 22nd December for local issues.

On Tuesday 4th June I voted to support renewable energy and jobs by backing a move to clean up UK power and tackle climate change.

Many of my colleagues and I voted for an amendment to the Energy Bill that would set the Government a legal target to remove carbon emissions from the UK's power supply almost entirely by 2030.

Businesses argue that the move would reassure companies looking to make long-term investments in the green economy that could create new jobs.  It would end Britain's heavy reliance on gas and would also stop rising gas prices from driving up fuel bills,

267 MPs voted for the proposal, including the Labour Party, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the DUP, the Green Party and 16 Liberal Democrats and 8 Conservative backbenchers who defied the Government.  The vote was lost by just 23 votes: the biggest MP rebellion on a whipped vote since tuition fees in 2010.

A clean power target is expected to be a key issue when the Bill is debated in the House of Lords later this month.

Green is working - the green economy supports almost a million jobs already and it is helping to stop dangerous climate change.

But green companies and their supply chains will only make long-term investments if there's a clear pathway for renewable energy in the future.  That's why I voted for a target to cut the carbon from our electricity by 2030 - it would help stabilise the climate and provide much needed jobs, as well as keeping bills as low as possible in the long-term.

On Thursday 16th May I attended the Bees Tea in Parliament, an event organised by Friends of the Earth.

The plight of British bees has had a great deal of coverage lately and I have received emails and letters from many concerned constituents.  Although the European Commission decided at the end of April to proceed with a ban on the use of certain bee-harming pesticides, there is still much to be done if we want to reverse the decline in bee numbers.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Prime Minister to commit to a Bee Action Plan to tackle all major causes of bee decline.  It is also supporting individuals who wish to make changes to their gardens and communities to help local bees.

To support the call to David Cameron and find out what else you can do to help bees, visit www.foe.co.uk/bees.   

The Home Heat Helpline is a free, not-for-profit phone line set up to help energy customers who are having difficulties with their fuel bills and problems keeping warm

Recent research has shown that nearly half of those who are eligible for help do not apply, either because they do not realise that help is available or they do not think they are eligible.  In addition, many people do not think about having work done until the weather turns cold.  Taking action now will help you keep warmer and save money when winter arrives.

Energy UK and the Home Heat Helpline are urging people to start planning for winter now by following these five simple steps:

1. Call the Home Heat helpline - find out what help you might be eligible for and how to save money on your energy bill.
2. Apply for your Warm Home Discount - all major energy suppliers give a £135 reduction to customers who are struggling with their bills and are in receipt of certain benefits or on a low income.  See gov.uk for further details.
3. Get a free home energy check - every supplier will be able to offer help and advice on what you can do today to save money next winter, and most will do it for free.  Make sure you talk to your energy supplier about your own home and circumstances.
4. Fix the leaks - summer is the perfect time to install insulation in your home to ensure you stay warm in winter.  Companies offer to do this for free or at heavily subsidised rates for certain customers; the Home Heat Helpline can help you find out if you might qualify for assistance.
5. Spring clean your boiler - use the warmer weather to make sure your boiler is as efficient as it can be.  If your boiler is more than 15 years old it might be time to think about a replacement,  Boilers account for around 55% of a household's annual energy bill, so it's worth considering.

For more information, visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk or call free on 0800 33 66 99.

An investigation conducted by the World Society for the Protections of Animals (WSPA) has revealed disturbing evidence of animal cruelty and massive conservation and financial failures at the Cayman Turtle Farm.

Despite marketing itself as a conservation-focused tourist attraction, the Cayman Turtle Farm is the world's last remaining facility to commercially raise sea turtles for slaughter and consumption.

Some 7000 endangered sea turtles have been effectively immobilised and stockpiled in filthy, tiny tanks.  The animals become extremely stressed due to overcrowding and in-breeding causes their young to be born with severe deformities.

Today I urged Ed Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to help pensioners with their ever-increasing energy bills.  I was responding to Mr Davey’s statement on the Energy Bill: 

Dame Joan Ruddock (Lewisham Deptford) (Lab): "The Secretary of State is obviously very pleased with himself about the tariffs, but will he acknowledge that he has failed to deliver what the Prime Minister promised, which was to put everybody on the lowest tariff? Given that he has not done that, will he consider making a concession to over-75-year-olds, who could save £200 a year by being on the lowest tariff? The 3,500 pensioners in my constituency would greatly appreciate that."

The Secretary of State replied that the government wanted to help everyone, not just pensioners.

While reducing the number of tariffs is very welcome, some people will end up paying more.  The over 75s are the most vulnerable and ought to be helped. It's not as though the energy companies can't afford it!

You can read the full exchange in the House of Commons Hansard.

The Government has set up a phone service to advise people on how they can reduce their bills and make their homes more energy efficient.

Consumers can call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 to ask for advice and check their eligibility for Government support schemes such as the Cold Weather Payment.

Lewisham householders are being offered free loft and cavity wall insulation from Lewisham Insulation Partnership, regardless of income.

For more information visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/energy or call 0800 954 9689.

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.

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.