Fawcett responds to loss of four of the most senior women in British politics

On the same day that two senior female Labour MPs announced their resignation, news has emerged that Britain’s first female home secretary Jacqui Smith will be standing down in Gordon Brown’s cabinet reshuffle.

The news follows announcements from families minister Beverley Hughes and former health secretary Patricia Hewitt that they will be standing down at the next election.

On Wednesday 3rd June, communities secretary Hazel Blears also announced her resignation from cabinet.

Katherine Rake, Director the Fawcett Society, said: “It’s a difficult day to lose four of the most senior women in a political system where women are already underrepresented – particularly just days before the local and European elections take place.

"It’s vital that Gordon Brown recognises that voters will be looking to him to ensure women are represented in the Cabinet reshuffle. The Government must demonstrate a firm commitment to the equalities agenda in this transitional period."

(CLG) Blears: community clout crucial to combat downturn

Local communities will be the driving force behind the UK's recovery from global downturn, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said today.

In a speech to Parliament she argued that local people must be given a stronger voice and a greater say in the decisions that affect them - those communities who work closest together are likely to emerge the strongest.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill, which has had its second reading in the Commons today, will strengthen local democracy and support councils and local people in working together to increase jobs, skills, housing and improve infrastructure, to help them to move beyond the downturn.

The Bill will create new local blueprints to increase prosperity, and tackle social deprivation and inequality in all parts of England. Councils will get a stronger economic role that expects them to work closely with regional partners to deliver economic growth. Regional planning is to be streamlined.

The Bill will also place a new duty on councils to promote local democracy and ensure all sections of their community understand how the council and other public bodies work, who makes the decisions and how they can get involved.

Councils will also be required to respond to local petitions on the issues that are of most importance to their local communities.

Hazel Blears said:

"A tough economy is affecting different parts of the country in different ways and to differing degrees. The downturn may be global, but the solution is local.

"It's vital that councils have the freedom, flexibility and ability to support their local communities. That's why we are giving councils new powers to address the economic challenges they face, so people in their area can have the right skills and opportunities to make the most of the upturn when it comes.

"And by giving people a greater say in local decision-making, councils will focus on the issues that matter most to them."

The Local Democracy Bill builds on government reforms to devolve more power to local leaders, in the 2006 Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper, and last year's Communities in Control White Paper.

A new report published today to coincide with the Bill's second reading highlights the progress already being made to strengthen communities and empower citizens.

Over the past year alone, key achievements include:

* Signing off 150 Local Area Agreements;

* Announcing plans for a new fund to encourage the setting up of at least 20 new young mayors across the country;

* Publishing a new strategy for participatory budgeting, so more people have a say on how public money is spent; and

* Launching a new Asset Transfer Unit, to help councils and other public bodies transfer more buildings into community ownership.

An independent study also published today examines the various ways in which local people can be empowered and encouraged to participate in their local communities - endorsing the many measures being taken forward, including participatory budgeting, asset transfer and offering formal responses to petitions.

(CLG) Government takes a Seat at the Big Lunch Table

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is encouraging everyone to show their community spirit and get involved in making preparations for the BIG LUNCH - a national event, taking place on 19th July, which is hoping to see millions of people across Britain get together with their neighbours to share food, drink and conversation.

The brainchild of Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project, the BIG LUNCH is backed by a range of celebrities and business sponsors and has gained cross party support.

Sharing food is a fantastic way of bringing people together and the BIG LUNCH is about people coming out of their homes to sit down tuck into locally grown, made or bought food and drink together with friends and neighbours in streets, parks, church halls or community centres.

Hazel Blears has written to all Local MPs to encourage them to get involved.
It is hoped that street decorations, al fresco dining and roadside entertainment will be a central part of the celebrations and the BIG LUNCH organisers are encouraging residents to take over their street. Local Government Minister John Healey has therefore written to Council Chief Execs encouraging them to do all they can to support events in their area including giving the thumbs up to street closures and making dealing with any technical matters as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"People will try and tell you that community spirit is a thing of the past. Rubbish. It is alive and well and the BIG LUNCH is a chance for all of us to prove it."

"We all lead busy lives, some of us might be a bit on the shy side. That means that even if we want to we might not have got round to introducing ourselves to our neighbours or getting as involved in our communities as we might like. What better way to change that than by having a street party. Meeting, perhaps for the first time, the people that live at number 16, 39 and 52.... .

"It's not going to happen by magic. It will take local volunteers to organise, local councils need to play their part, people will need to grow or cook or buy or bake the food, send out invitations, get friends and neighbours involved. But it will certainly be worth it - more people happy, safer and confident about the place in which they live. "

With people celebrating what makes their area unique, every BIG LUNCH party will be different. Everyone will be encouraged to share their talents as organisers, gardeners, chefs, artists, musicians. The day after people will be able to walk down their street and actually know something new about the people in the homes they pass.

To find out if there is a BIG LUNCH already organized in your area or for tips and information on how to organise your own street party visit http://www.thebiglunch.com

(CLG) A bigger role for communities in inspiring young people

Young people will get extra encouragement to unlock their talents as part of a £10m Inspiring Communities initiative, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears announced today.

The Government's New Opportunities White Paper argued that social mobility has improved in recent years. Some 600,000 youngsters have been lifted out of poverty in the last decade. The proportion of young people from lower income families going to university has gone up.

However, the White Paper also recognised that in some deprived areas, young people are less likely to aim high. They do not always make the link between doing well in education and doing well in life. Low self esteem, low aspirations and limited horizons can act as barriers to success.

What happens in schools is crucial to addressing underachievement, but a child's sense of what they can achieve is influenced by factors beyond the school gate. Lack of inspiration or support from friends, families or peers can all play a part.

Inspiring Communities is about investing in locally conceived, locally delivered projects that will get whole communities standing behind the talented young people in their midst and make sure that communities play a bigger part in fostering and investing in that talent.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"Sometimes a young person can't get the breaks they deserve or don't have a sense of what's out there for them because the people around them fail to see their potential. We need to turn this around.

"The communities where young people live should not hold them back; they should be the source of inspiration and practical support that will help them to achieve. This programme is about getting all the people in communities who want the very best for their children and for their area to work together to make the difference."

Inspiring Communities will support people in deprived communities to develop innovative campaigns and activities designed to raise the achievement of young people, broaden their horizons and build up self esteem. The programme is designed to put local people - parents, neighbours, businesses, teachers, voluntary groups and councils - in the driving seat to harness their collective knowledge, energy, resources and enthusiasm to boost the aspirations and achievements of young people.

Beverley Hughes, Children and Young People's Minister said:

"This is a great opportunity for parents, businesses and everyone who works with young people to come up with ideas to engage and benefit the young people in their communities. We know most young people are doing well and working hard at school, so I am delighted that this initiative will give them the chance to demonstrate their skills and talents and the valuable contribution that they can make to their communities."

Funding will be made available to up to 15 neighbourhoods (comprising between 5,000 and 10,000 residents) who will receive up to £450,000 and expert help over the next 2 years to design and deliver projects and activities that will:

* Break the cycle of generational underachievement by broadening young people's horizons and experiences - this could include volunteering programmes, youth led projects, visits to university campuses, theatres and museums, support for young people to undertake work experience placements;
* Provide advice and inspiration to young people about the routes they can take into training, work experience, employment, further and higher education;
* Raise parents' aspirations and self confidence so that they can support their children to make the most of opportunities available to them;
* Draw on the talents of the whole community and beyond in order to expand social networks. For example by twinning with communities from different parts of the county or country, or encouraging local people to make a "community pledge" to support and encourage local kids.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Liam Byrne said:

"The world economy will double in size in the next two decades, creating one billion jobs for skilled workers. We are working to ensure British people can seize the opportunities of this new global age. The Inspiring Communities project is designed specifically to raise the expectations of young people in 15 communities so that they can make the most of their potential and turn aspiration into success. We are making sure that Government acts together so everyone can achieve their potential over the decades to come."

Only deprived neighbourhoods within 64 local authorities will be eligible to apply for funding, with the final 15 Inspiring Communities selected from applications which must be on behalf of neighbourhood partnerships. The initiative is intended for neighbourhoods where low aspirations have been identified as a barrier to young people achieving their potential.

As a minimum partnerships must feature the local authority, local secondary school(s) and local third sector organisations. However, the involvement of young people, parents and the wider community, local business local youth services, and other relevant service providers is strongly encouraged, so as to bring together as many people and organisations who can help kids on the road to success as possible.

The areas that become Inspiring Communities will each have a Community leader who will be the champion and public face of the campaign, galvanising support and ensuring that it delivers its objectives.

Inspiring Communities is a joint initiative from the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Cabinet Office. It has also secured support right across government, with a further 11 government departments committed to encouraging ambitious and creative work locally.

(HMT) Businesses given more time to pay business rates

Businesses will be able spread payment of this year's inflation up-rating to Business Rates over three years, under new legislation announced by the Government today.

Under existing legislation business rates are adjusted every April in line with the Retail Prices Index for the previous September. The new measures are designed to smooth the effects of the spike in inflation of 5 percent in September, which would have seen businesses facing an impact on their cash flow this year.

The majority of independent economists expect RPI inflation - which has now fallen to 0 percent - to turn negative at the end of 2009. The impact of up-rating if RPI is negative would be to reduce total business rates in cash terms in 2010-11. However the Government recognises that many businesses also need help now to ease cash flow.

Business ratepayers will be able to defer around £600m across 1.6 million properties, boosting their cash flow for the current year. This will include measures to allow those affected by the end of the 2005 transitional relief scheme also to spread payment of the increase in their bills over a three year period.

Today's announcement builds on other measures to help businesses meet the challenges of the current economic climate, such as HM Revenue and Customs' time to pay arrangements, which have already benefited over 100,000 businesses by giving them extra time to pay NICs, VAT and corporation tax bills.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said:

"The Government recognises that businesses need help now to ease their cash flow at a time when money is very tight. This measure will help businesses to smooth their rates payments over the next three years."

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears said:

"It's vital that we support businesses as they navigate their way through this tough financial climate. The steps we are taking today will provide them with real help now, by giving them the flexibility to defer part of this year's increase in business rates, and manage the financial pressures that they are facing."

(CLG) England to have first-ever 'inter faith week'

A football match involving people from different faiths is just one of the activities that could take place in England's first-ever 'Inter Faith Week', Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears announced today.

'Inter Faith Week' will run from 15 to 21 November with a launch the preceding week. Its aims are:

* to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels;

* to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society; and

* to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief.

The Week is being facilitated by the Inter Faith Network for the UK and the Department for Communities and Local Government but will be community-led, with local people and groups of different backgrounds holding their own events and to highlight work going on to promote understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"People from different faiths are working at the heart of their communities to help disadvantaged people, including those whose jobs, homes or businesses may be at risk during these challenging economic times. It's arguably more important than ever that people of different faiths and beliefs come together and are able to explore what they have in common. I hope that 'Inter Faith Week' will help to strengthen these relationships and build stronger bonds of understanding and cooperation.

"I'm encouraging faith groups and communities to reach out to each other during 'Inter Faith Week' and local authorities, schools, and others to host and encourage inter faith events. England's first-ever 'Inter Faith Week' can provide a wonderful focus for increasing understanding between people and help to shape the new economy that we build together."

Inter Faith Network for the UK Co-Chairs Rt Revd Tom Butler and Dr Nawal Prinja said:

"We welcome this important opportunity to increase understanding about and between people of different faiths."

During 'Inter Faith Week' typical activities designed to encourage the development of new partnerships within local communities could include:

* a church and a mosque organising exchange visits for their congregations;

* a local inter faith group organising a 'faith trail' to different places of worship;

* a temple, synagogue or gurdwara arranging a special open day event;

* a school or college arranging an inter faith debate on the environment;

* a football match involving young people from different faith communities

The possibility of the Week being marked in Wales as well as in England is under consideration. An annual 'Inter Faith Week' already takes place in Scotland.

(DIUS) Government launches learning revolution

* White Paper launched to inspire and increase opportunities for learning for pleasure

People who want to organise their own groups and classes will be supported by a new national campaign for learning, Government announced today. Public and private buildings all over the country will throw open their doors to learners in the evening and weekends, from pubs, shops, cafes and churches to workplaces, libraries and galleries. The buildings will be identified by the new "Learning Revolution" logo and at least 7,000 rooms will be available, with the number expected to grow.

The campaign is backed by organisations ranging from the Women's Institute, the Church of England and the National Trust to Microsoft and BUPA. They have all pledged to support this movement and where possible, to open their doors so that groups of adults engage in learning to expand their horizons.

The Government today publishes its White Paper, The Learning Revolution, which aims to bring to life a new 21st century vision to help adults learn for pleasure and personal and community development. The White Paper outlines what the whole of Government can do to support learning for pleasure, including funding innovative new ideas and projects, helping to broker access to learning, especially for disadvantaged groups and older people, and building a culture of learning across society.

Key elements include:

* A £20m transformation fund which will support the development of new adult learning partnerships and innovative ideas. This could mean helping local people breathe new life into empty shop premises by setting up artists' studios or theatre workshop spaces, or issuing learning vouchers to people who are unemployed;

* Working across Government departments and local authorities to get all kinds of new spaces opened up for self-organised learning activities. These shared spaces will include libraries, museums, arts galleries, faith spaces and local UK Online centres, as well as schools and colleges. Learners say not finding a low-cost, accessible place to learn can be a significant barrier to learning;

* Making it easier to find a space by setting up a competition to design a new web directory of learning spaces and places that are available at free or low cost, working with umbrella organisations like NAVCA (National Association of Voluntary and Community Action).

Skills Secretary John Denham said:

"Learning in all its many forms improves our quality of life, happiness and personal wellbeing. While improving people's skills is one of the most powerful things they can do to realise their career aspirations, we recognise the importance of learning for pleasure and the enormous contribution it makes to the well-being of individuals, neighbourhoods and wider society.

"Over the past few years, there has been a quiet learning revolution, but the Government wants to ignite this, raising the profile and take-up of learning wherever it happens, so that all adults and communities can benefit from high-quality, innovative learning that is accessible to all. This is ever more important during a downturn.

"The informal learning picture has always been bigger than just publicly funded learning delivered through traditional adult education classes in colleges. This form of learning will continue and does suit some people. But the world has changed considerably. We need to go beyond this narrow vision and make sure such learning is not left behind in the technology stakes. And we need better links between different kinds of learning - public, private, voluntary and self-organised - to create a rich mix of opportunities for people at local level."

The last few years have seen an explosion of online access to education resources, the establishment of book groups, huge growth in the University of the Third Age and the introduction of free access to museums. Many of these developments are supported in one way or another by Government. Free access to museums costs £28m a year, while Government funding for UK online centres in libraries and children's centres stands at £10m a year, as well as £21.5 million a year to fund union learning reps.

On top of this, DIUS has ring-fenced £210m to support adult learning and will continue to protect funding for specialist adult education colleges and institutions, such as City Lit.

And to support the growing importance of digital skills at home and in work, we have asked Baroness Estelle Morris to chair an independent review of ICT Skills for Adults.

A host of organisations, including five Government departments and several local authorities, will today show support for the campaign by signing the learning revolution pledge. By signing the pledge, these organisations will:

* Support the core principles of the learning revolution and encourage others to sign up;

* Advocate wider participation, especially by those who have benefited least from learning;

* Find flexible ways of using our existing spaces, or opening up new spaces, for learning;

* Encourage and support learning activities organised by people for themselves;

* Embrace new ways of learning, including the use of information technology and broadcasting;

* Find and work with new partners to increase adult learning opportunities; and
* Celebrate successes.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, who signed the Learning Revolution pledge today, aim to help open up 3,000 spaces and will set up a new £100k challenge fund offering small grants to enable museums, libraries and archives to develop capacity and encourage innovation in supporting self-organised learning.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said:

"Learning shouldn't stop when you leave school or college. It should be a natural part of everyone's life, throughout their whole life. Public libraries are ideally placed to play a big part in promoting it and I challenge the 149 services across England to get behind the campaign, and display their 'Learning Revolution' logo with pride."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"Informal learning often goes unnoticed and unrecognised when it deserves to be acknowledged, celebrated and supported.

"Whether through book groups in the local library, cookery lessons in the village hall, or language clubs in the cafe, informal learning creates a sense of community. It brings people together from different backgrounds. It lets them learn new skills and build social networks, both of which are doubly important in these difficult times. Above all, of course, it's fun!

"The White Paper includes a new challenge to, and new support for, local authorities to play their part. Together we can help make sure that informal learning isn't a privilege reserved for the few, but an opportunity enjoyed by many."

(CLG) Government announces £70m fund to support communities with migration

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today (Thursday, 19 March) announced details of a new multi million pound fund to support communities in managing local pressures from migration.

The long term benefit to the UK economy from migration is significant and will be vital to ensuring the UK's economic recovery.

Nonetheless the Government recognises that migration can place short term pressures on local public services including councils, schools, NHS and the police.

Today's announcement - £70m over the next two years - is about ensuring that those pressures are managed effectively for the benefit of the whole community.

Economic migrants and students coming to the UK from outside the EU will be charged a levy in addition to their normal visa application fee. The revenue will form the Migrants Impact Fund. The Fund will mean that migrants are being asked to pay an additional contribution to that which they already make through taxes, to support the communities in which they live.

All regions of England will receive a proportion of the funding. The amount each receives will be weighted towards the areas where international migration has had the greatest short-term impact.

Funding will be allocated to local projects from Government Offices working closely with local partners. It will be targeted at projects which have identified innovative solutions to migration related pressures - where possible involving and benefiting a number of local services. It is not intended to replace mainstream service provision, which already has improved mechanisms for reflecting changes in population.

Projects considered for funding must be able to demonstrate that they bring benefits to the settled as well as the migrant community in an area. For example additional English language provision for migrants will mean reducing the cost to public services from translation and interpretation. Projects might also include taking action against rogue landlords, extra teachers in school with high migrant populations, measures to increase GP registration, or targeted support for policing.

Hazel Blears said:

"Migration brings significant benefits for this country. But it is a complex area never far from heated public debate. That is why we need an honest discussion about it, that acknowledges the local pressures which migration can create in our communities and on our public services.

"It is crucial that we manage migration in an active way and the measures that we are taking across Government are helping to do this.

"The new Migration Impacts Fund, that comes from an extra levy on new migrants as they enter our country, will support local services like health, police, and schools to manage any pressures. It will also help ensure that those who arrive here learn to speak English so they can work to support themselves, get to know their neighbours and participate fully in our society.

"We have a shared responsibility to work together, live together and get along together, whether born in Britain or coming from abroad. I want Britain to be a place where decency, hard work, and respect for the law and for each other are values we all sign up to as citizens. We all have a responsibility to make that happen."

Alongside the new funding Ms Blears and Ms Smith also set out a range of significant and practical actions the Government is taking to maximise the benefits of migration and manage its impact with measures tailored to meet current economic challenges.

These measures are brought together in Managing the Impacts of Migration: Improvements and Innovations. This is an update on the actions Government is taking to crack down on illegal migration (including introducing a single border force) introducing a points-based system to ensure we get migrants with the skills and talents Britain needs, getting tougher with those who outstay their welcome and with those who don't play the by the rules. It also sets out how measures are being taken against those who seek to exploit migrants and continues Government's focus on integration and on ensuring people from different backgrounds get along together.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said

"We are determined to ensure migration works for everyone. Our tough new points system means only those we need - and no more - can come here and its flexibility allows us to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of the labour market and the country as a whole.

"Last month we announced a tightening of the points based system for foreign workers. We've raised the bar to entry for highly skilled migrants and said that employers must have advertised skilled jobs for two weeks in a Jobcentre Plus before they can offer it to a foreign worker. These two changes will mean that only those who make the biggest economic contribution or are filling jobs that people here do not want can come here.

"On top of this, we are now confirming a cash boost - worth £70 million over two years - to help deal with the impacts of migration on a local level. This money will be made available - quickly and directly - to all local services across the country, including police, schools and hospitals."