End of term call for government support for anti-crime initiatives, sport, social housing and the Aylesbury Estate from Simon Hughes

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

Speaking in the last full debate in the House of Commons before the end of the summer term yesterday (22nd July), Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey highlighted four areas for government support in the weeks ahead:

Early release of money from dormant bank and building society accounts to support and expand the work organisations working with young people such as XLP, The Hub, Downside Fisher Youth Club, and the Rockingham Estate Play Association to maximise the success of campaigns against violence, especially gun and knife crime;

A big expansion in the programmes supported from government and the Mayor of London for new build or conversion of property to affordable housing, particularly three and four bedroom homes for families in our community,

Maximum support to publicise the activities of the North Lambeth and North Southwark Sports Action Zone, which is a national leader in involving people at all levels in ability in sport and healthy activity (website address); and

Specific help form the government for the Southwark Council's ambitious plans for regeneration in Walworth, following up indications of government commitment made earlier this year by John Healy MP, the local government minister, in talks involving Mr Healy, leaders of Southwark Council, Simon Hughes and others.

'It is good that the government is going to release new money early to support youth activity in boroughs like ours. With others I will spend time in August putting together proposals for government so that the work of organisations like Oasis, XLP and Boyhood to Manhood Foundation can be expanded on our streets and estates and to reach more young people as soon as possible. In the meantime, the more that the programme of activities put on by the Sports Action Zone and other the better and safer and healthier our young people will be'.

(Ends)