High Peak Liberal Democrats

On International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has given her support to young LGBT people suffering from bullying or discrimination at school.

Sarah has taken part in a video message from European leaders to gay and lesbian youngsters, telling them how they are working to 'make things better.' She commented:

"Growing up is difficult enough, but for those coming to terms with being lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender it is made much harder by bullying or isolation at school. Many are at greater risk from mental and physical health problems and some even attempt suicide.

"Liberal Democrats scored a significant success by getting our 2010 manifesto commitment to tackle homophobic bullying included in the Coalition Agreement. The Government has made anti-bullying guidelines clearer and stronger, and is involving LGBT organisations such as Stonewall in promoting equality and diversity in schools. The more children can be educated about difference, the fewer victims there will be."

Ian Swales MP for Redcar is continuing his campaign on behalf of ME sufferers by hosting a drop-in event for MPs and Peers today in Parliament. The event, in conjunction with the charity Action for ME, will give Parliamentarians the chance to learn more about the condition and to meet some people affected by the disease.

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Continuing to focus on race and ethnicity is fanning the flames of far right recruitment and hatred while the real underlying issues are about class, weakness, vulnerability and a desperate void in community leadership.

Media reporting of the Rochdale "sex grooming trial" and the brutal exploitation of vulnerable young teenage girls raises many troubling questions, and has so far concentrated largely on the fact that the men were of Pakistani background while all 47 victims, were from white and working class backgrounds.

Planned changes to disability benefits will go ahead, the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said, insisting that reform is needed. It has emerged half a million people are to lose the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years. But Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester". Labour said he was approaching reform with "contempt and carelessness".

Redcar and Cleveland Labour Run Council have announced that they are considering charging all disabled blue badge holders to park in all council run off street car parks. Of those 25 car parks, there are 79 bays that are specifically marked for disabled badge holders only. All residents who hold blue badges were notified of this possible change by letter today (14^th May 2012).

Parents are to be given more financial control over support for children with special educational needs, in a major shake-up of the system in England. The government says it wants to push ahead with proposals announced last year that parents should have a "personal budget" for their children. The changes could also see fewer children in the special needs category.