NEWS FROM GLENIS WILLMOTT

Energy for the Future

We are all concerned about climate change. Many of us feel frustrated by the lack of urgency shown by some countries at the recent discussions in Bali. The EU took a lead in Bali in trying to set targets for action, but these were blocked by the US, Canada and Japan.

European governments have agreed that the European Union must cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2020 and increase the use of energy from renewable sources to 20% at the same time. This is welcome as far as it goes, but a 20% emissions reduction must be the absolute minimum and we should be prepared to increase this percentage in line with a future post-Kyoto international agreement.

But there are practical steps we can take which will make a difference. Last week I visited the Nottingham University to look at the Creative Energy Homes project  - 5 state-of-the-art, energy efficient homes of the future being built on the University Park. One of the houses is being built by BASF, a major supplier of raw materials to the construction industry.

This is an important project. If we are all to reduce our carbon footprint, it is vital that well-designed, low-cost, energy efficient new homes are available, built using sustainable materials.

Also on the energy front, I am supporting the further research into and development of clean coal technology. We have reserves of coal in the region, which should have a part to play in supplying our future energy needs.

The EU is currently working to develop the new technology of Carbon Capture and Storage on a commercial basis and I am supporting plans to invest more in research – the University of Nottingham is also in the forefront here. By 2015 it is hoped that demonstration projects involving the sustainable use of fossil fuels will be up and running in several member states. There is active support in the region for such a project from the NUM, and I have also been working with the Ashfield Labour Party Women’s Section to promote this technology.

I will keep you updated in future newsletters.

Best wishes

Glenis Willmott

Further information on Carbon Capture and Storage from the UK Government

In Brief

Toy safety: The Commission has proposed new legislation on toy safety, which will include stronger rules to protect children from choking risks and a ban on toys embedded in food or sweets – something my predecessor Phillip Whitehead advocated strongly. 90% of our toys are imported from China and we must ensure that imports meet the highest standards. There will also be new powers for enforcement bodies and an obligation on them to cooperate across Europe to crack down on dangerous toys.

Action on spam:  The Commission will also be bringing in reforms to allow Internet Service Providers to take legal action against spammers.  This is very welcome. Spam e-mails are an everyday irritant for millions of people and hopefully this will go some way in combating the practice.  

What will the Treaty of Lisbon ever do for us?

The Treaty of Lisbon is currently being debated at Westminster.  Thanks to the barrage of misinformation in the press, the small print of the treaty remains a mystery to most voters.

For example, did you know that the Treaty:

• Adds important issues like climate change and children’s rights to the areas which the EU can act.
  
• Guarantees national parliaments a direct say on every Commission legislative proposal.  Proposals will be sent first to national parliaments.  If a third of national parliaments don’t like them they can send the proposals back to the Commission.
  
• Increases the areas where MEPs have to agree European legislation, ensuring greater democratic accountability.
  
• Emphasises that the EU must work to "combat social exclusion and discrimination", and will be legally required to promote social justice, gender equality and solidarity between generations.
  
• Ensures for the first time that all budgetary spending must be subject to double approval by the Council and the European Parliament. This is particularly relevant to CAP spending which is currently decided exclusively by the Council of Ministers.

More on the Treaty from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Contact Glenis

Glenis Willmott MEP
Harold Wilson House
23 Barratt Lane
Attenborough
Nottingham  NG9 6AD

Tel. 0115 922 9717
Fax. 0115 922 4439

office@gleniswillmott.org.uk

Glenis’s team

Paddy Casswell: Political Manager
Chris Poles: Brussels Researcher
Ted Willmott: Personal Assistant
Maggie Hudson: Constituency Assistant
Elizabeth Udall: Media Officer
Kelly Tomlinson: Secretary
Alex Phillips: Stagiaire (Intern)