Liz talks about the cost of the reorganisation of the NHS in the East Midlands.

Liz says that the consultation into Children’s Heart Services has “been going on for far too long already“.

On the 14th March I questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about record-high unemployment rates during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The latest figures show that unemployment is now at its highest 17 years, and women’s unemployment is at its highest for 23 years.

Nationally, the number of young unemployed is over a million. Here in Leicester West the number of young people claiming unemployment benefits for more than 6 months has more than doubled over the past 12 months. Across the East Midlands, there are now more than 5 unemployed people for every available vacancy.

These shocking figures show that the Government’s reckless economic plan is hurting, but not working. More people out of work – claiming benefit rather than paying taxes – will not help Britain reduce the deficit, which was the goal of the Government’s ruthless cuts in the first place.

Their plan has backfired – they should change course and adopt Labour’s five point plan for jobs, including a tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people, and a temporary VAT cut to help people struggling with rising prices and kick-start the economy.

Soaring energy bills are driving up inflation and making it increasingly difficult for ordinary families to make ends meet.

That is why I am supporting the ‘Big Switch’ campaign, which calls on consumers to join together to pressure suppliers to lower of energy prices.

Collective purchasing is a simple, but potentially trailblazing way to help bring down soaring energy bills. When people come together, they’ll have more power to negotiate cheaper energy bills with the big energy companies. It sets an exciting precedent which local councils and housing associations could take up to negotiate better energy deals on behalf of their residents.

You can read more about this important campaign here.

Shadow Cabinet shows their support for the Big Switch campaign