A group of backbench MPs with direct financial and business experience, have written to the Chancellor offering support in drawing up a constitution to ensure that the Green Investment Bank will rise to the challenge of building a low carbon economy in Britain.

We believe that:

  • GIB should have a full service banking licence;
  • Equity participation in GIB should be offered to the UK high street banks and energy companies, but Government should retain a significant equity holding;
  • GIB should be able to access capital markets and issue its own debt. By virtue of its shareholders it will be AAA rated, providing access to cheap funding;
  • GIB should have an independent Board made up of board members of its key shareholders;
  • GIB should support 'green' activities including large scale, long term corporate and government projects, as well as PFI projects, SME activities, retail investments in low carbon technologies and micro funding for households;
  • The Treasury Select Committee should have oversight of GIB as it does with other financial institutions where the Government has a significant stake.

View comments

Post a comment


I am launching a campaign to review what kind of sex education materials are being used in primary schools to teach children as young as 5 about sex. It is, of course, very important that children learn about sex and are taught to be responsible and safe as we try to tackle teenage pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases. However, the 'Too Much, Too Young' campaign has highlighted material that is being used in schools that I consider to be completely inappropriate and sending out completely the wrong message.

At the moment it is too often the case that local authorities are recommending material from unlicensed suppliers to be used in primary schools that is completely inappropriate. At a time when there is widespread concern about the sexualisation of childhood, using sexually explicit materials in primary school classrooms can only make things worse.

I am hoping to secure a debate here in Parliament in Westminster Hall to discuss this matter further with colleagues and to raise this issue with the Department for Education. I would like to make sure that any material taught in primary schools is appropriate, not sexually explicit and not exploitative of our young children. Secondly I want governors to be actively aware of what kind of material is being used in their schools and to take a sensible and responsible view on this. Finally and most importantly I want parents to be able to have their say and to also be actively aware of what kind of sex education is being taught to their children. I want to see a system where parents take a decision on whether to allow their children to be taught sex education and 'opt in' to the lessons rather than having to 'opt out' as is the case at the moment.

Sex education is very important but the right sex education at the right age is also very important. The material used must be appropriate and I want to see parents and governors having a greater say over what is taught.

View comments

Post a comment


Lobby Day On Sex And Relationship Education In Primary Schools (01 Dec 2011)

Read my report about the lobby day, the meeting with Nick Gibb and the presentation of a petition to the Department for Education regarding Sex and Relationship Education in Primary Schools by clicking here.

Download (, 0kb)


Debate on Sex and Relationship Education in Primary Schools (26 Oct 2011)

Read my report about my Sex and Relationship Education in Primary Schools debate in Parliament here.

Download (, 0kb)


Sex and Relationship Education Article (01 Jun 2011)

Read my article on Sex and Relationship Education here.

Download (, 0kb)


Written Parliamentary Questions (21 Mar 2011)

Download (pdf, 409kb)



I would like to see supermarkets all over the country create a 'British Food Aisle' that holds only food grown and produced in Britain.

This would leave customers with the freedom to choose to make their normal purchases, but it would also give them the opportunity to support local food producers if they wish.

Food security and quality are issues that affect us all, and promoting British food production is an important means to achieve a better balance in our farming and food industries.

My constituency of South Northamptonshire has a proud and lasting legacy of farming. The rural setting of Northamptonshire makes farming an important local industry.

I recently met with a young farmer who has come a long way from when he started with just 6 sheep. He now runs a sizable farm of cattle and sheep and yet he still has to work another 3 jobs in order to make a living.

I believe that we should be doing all we can to support our farmers and in turn support British industry.

I would welcome comments on this idea and any support that you might like to provide to this campaign.

View comments

Post a comment


My Letter's to Supermarkets (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 858kb)


Letter from Waitrose (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 322kb)


Letter from Tesco's (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 277kb)


Letter from Sainsbury's (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 233kb)


Letter from Morrisons (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 220kb)


Letter from ASDA (03 Nov 2011)

Download (pdf, 211kb)



I have launched a campaign with fellow MPs to consider the possibility of renegotiating certain Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts.

PFI is the funding of public buildings such as schools and hospitals with a combination of public and private funds – it was an option the last Government used to finance hundreds of new building projects. Northampton has one of the biggest PFI contracts in Europe that saw the rebuilding and refurbishment of over 70 schools.

A group of MPs have launched a campaign to persuade PFI providers to look again at the contracts in these difficult economic times. More flexibility in terms would help Northampton's schools to do more out of normal school hours and would be a benefit to the community. Renegotiating contracts would also help those schools in Northampton that want to consider converting to Academy status.

Along with Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South and Michael Ellis, MP for Northampton North, I have written to Northamptonshire County Council to obtain more information on Northampton's PFI contracts. The campaign will be looking to arrange a debate in the House of Commons soon.

I have also tabled Written Parliamentary Questions to the Treasury asking what plans they have to secure savings for the taxpayer by renegotiating PFI contracts. Rt. Hon. Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and number two to the Chancellor has responded saying that PFI projects are not immune from the process of cutting the deficit and the Treasury has had discussion with 'major equity holders and other key industry players.

There is no doubt that Northamptonshire has benefitted from the new school buildings under PFI but the deals struck have not always given flexibility of use and in difficult economic times it would be good to see PFI providers doing their bit for local people.

PFI debt in Britain is yet another millstone around the neck of taxpayers and yet another example of Labour's spend now, pay later legacy. I want to see PFI providers recognising the mess we are in and showing some support for the taxpayer by showing a willingness to look again at these contracts.

For more information on the PFI campaign visit www.pfi-rebate.org.

View comments

Post a comment


Westminster Hall Debate (01 Jul 2011)

Read about the PFI Westminster Hall debate here.

Download (, 0kb)


Response From Paul Burnett (08 Mar 2011)

Download (pdf, 360kb)


Joint Letter to Paul Burnett (08 Mar 2011)

Download (pdf, 185kb)