Strong Local Voice, Strong Local Champion

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, yesterday asked Paul Burstow, the Minister of State for Care Services about what more the Government can do for people with lower level needs through social care.

Annette pressed the Government to ensure that they do more in the short term not only to address the current crisis in funding and ensure that funding is used creatively and efficiently locally, but also to cater for those with lower-level needs through preventive measures and early intervention.

Today Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg will announce £11,120,602 to get young people in the South West who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), earning or learning again.

As part of Nick Clegg's Youth Contract, the Coalition Government will, for the first time, target funding through tailored support on a payment-by-results system to 16 and 17-year-olds with no GCSEs at A* - C who are at the highest risk of long-term disengagement.

- National Wear Red Day Friday 24 February 2012-

February is National Heart Month and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, are asking people to join National Wear Red Day on Friday 24 February 2012 and to follow the BEAT code for simple steps to a healthier heart.

Annette Brooke MP has launched 'Got a Voice? Got a Choice?' the new campaign from local group Dorset Advocacy that aims to give a voice to those most isolated by age and disability. The local group aims to recruit and train fifty new volunteers who will speak up for the needs and rights of people who have dementia or learning disabilities, and have no family or friends on their side.

New figures reveal that in Mid Dorset and North Poole, 590 people benefitted from an apprenticeship last year, an increase of 27%.

This news comes as the Coalition Government has launched the National Apprenticeships Week, which will seek to build on last year's success with events in schools and businesses.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, was honoured to hold a meeting with His Excellency John Kufour, the former president of Ghana and 2011 World Food Prize Laureate yesterday. The meeting focused on international efforts to improve child nutrition in schools - an issue which Annette, as vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Education for All, cares deeply about.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has once again spoken out on asbestos in schools. Annette made a number of points during an intervention in the chamber of the House of Commons on Tuesday. Specifically she highlighted the two key issues of awareness and training.

As part of her intervention Annette spoke about the need to train staff to deal with asbestos in walls and notice boards, which is easily disturbed by everyday activities. She said, "I hope that he will agree that we must go much further to ensure that staff are trained to cover the problems caused by drawing pins in walls."

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has questioned the Government over its support for local landlord accreditation schemes. Annette raised the issue during Department of Communities and Local Government Questions in the House of Commons on Monday.

Annette's question came as MPs queried the ministerial team over standards in the private rented sector.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, last week took part in the Bupa 'Get Moving' Challenge to raise awareness of the benefits of taking regular exercise and was in with a chance of winning £500 of sports equipment for a local school or sports club.

Organised by Bupa in partnership with MEND, the Youth Sport Trust and Diabetes UK, Annette joined other Members of Parliament on the walk, which took in some of London's most famous landmarks.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Friday January 27th marked the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history - and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.