Welcome to the website of John Denham
John Denham has been representing Southampton Itchen in Parliament since 1992.
He is currently Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
On this website you'll find news about what John's been up to in both Southampton and Westminster.
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John has vowed to make Southampton's new secondary schools his top priority in the coming weeks. The City Council bid for money from the Labour Government to rebuild five of the city’s secondary– Bitterne Park, Sholing Technology College, Chamberlayne College for the Arts, St George Catholic College and Upper Shirley High School. The money was made available to Southampton after lobbying by John in recent years. The five school building programmes, together with works that will benefit all secondary schools in the city, was approved by officials in the Department for Children, Schools & Families just before the election. But...
more...John Denham has begun signing up mums and dads to his “Save Our Sure Start” campaign. The petition is in response to the Tories’ threat to cut £200 million from the national Sure Start budget, which could see up to one in five centres close their doors for good. John said, "Creating Sure Start has been one of the Labour Government’s proudest achievements. The centres we’ve got across Southampton help thousands of families every day – giving children the best possible start in life and changing lives for the better. “Mums and dads are always shocked on the door-step to...
more...Investment in housing - which has kept the building industry afloat during the recession and will provide much needed new homes - would be under threat if the Tories win the election, Labour candidates John Denham and Alan Whithead have said. This morning the two candidates visited the Orchard Homes on Portswood Road which was “kickstarted” by cash from John Denham's Communities and Local Government Department after work stalled during the recession. This Kickstart money was part of a wide package intended to keep Britain building during the global downturn. The government is also embarking on the biggest council house building drive...
more...John has been meeting with local organisations in a bid to find new uses for Woolston’s empty shops. John Denham and has been campaigning to revitalise Woolston’s neglected shops and has been meeting local traders to draw up an action plan. The campaign has so far achieved in winning a major council enquiry into helping district shopping centres. John said, “The empty shop money was intended to freshen up shopping districts that have seen a decline in trade – by giving shops a fresh coat of paint, funding community artwork and anything else which may lead to a new lease...
more...After years of campaigning Southampton’s Labour MPs, John Denham and Alan Whitehead, have welcomed a multi-million pound package of help for those whose health is at risk due to exposure to asbestos. This is particularly vital for Southampton due to the high numbers of people exposed to asbestos through the maritime industry. This new action includes help of people with asbestos related diseases to claim compensation, increase their upfront payments, and work towards a fund of last resort for people diagnosed with a serious asbestos-related illness who cannot trace their insurance records. John Denham MP said: “I am delighted that...
more...John's government department recently announced a new £50 million investment to help local economies, which will be a huge benefit for locals councils like Southampton. This Government funding is from the Local Authority Business Growth Incentives (LABGI) scheme, given to all councils for promoting economic growth. It can be used to help small and new businesses in hard hit areas to get through the tougher times so they can hit the ground running as economic growth picks up. This vital public sector support at this time can lessen the impact for struggling families and businesses.” John Denham said, “This money...
more...John has launched the ‘Save Our Sure Start’ campaign in Southampton against Tory plans to take £200 million from Sure Start. On the same day, Labour announced it has delivered on its pledge to build 2,500 Sure Start centres across England. John said, “Sure Start has given thousands of children the best possible start in life, delivering real benefits to the education and health of families across Southampton. I’m proud that with Labour’s continued support for Sure Star, all families, including those on middle and modest incomes, will continue to have access to these wonderful facilities”. Karen Bhatti, a mum...
more...Crime in Southampton fell by 14% last year acording to Hampshire police. This shows that Labour’s community police teams are working. John said, “Most people I talk to on the door step agree the new teams of police officers and Community Safety Officers are making a real difference, by keeping our streets safe.” Labour councillor Simon Letts added, “Labour have always wanted more bobbies on the beat; we’ve never had so many. But the Tories’ cuts nationally would mean 3,500 fewer officers dealing with everything from anti-social behaviour and burglary to murder and rape. John’s government department is training 10,000...
more...Patients at Southampton General Hospital are voicing their concerns following a change to catering arrangements earlier this month. According to current patients the new contractor – Medirest - is unable to provide meals at regular times, serving different meals to what the patients have ordered, producing food to a sub-standard level and refusing to respond to their concerns. Comments from patients from the hospital include, “it is a lottery as to when meals arrive”, “special dietary needs are neglected”, “we should be provided with five hot drinks per day from them, most days we only get one”, and “most...
more...John has succeeded in a long campaign with residents of the Polygon to secure a change in the law to protect family housing, The agreement means landlords who buy a family home in order to rent it out to multiple individuals (a ‘House in Multiple Occupation’) would first have to apply for permission from the Council, just as if they were building an extension to the property. This would also result in more landlords being licensed and meeting minimum standards before they can let out their property. Landlords of large HMOs should currently be registered with the Council before they...
more...John Denham has praised the tremendous efforts of local people who are pulling together to help deal with the challenges of the severe weather. John said that communities’ responses during the recent cold snap have shown community spirit in action with many people volunteering their support where needed, from lending vehicles to help transport food to vulnerable people, to digging clear paths to re-open schools, or coming out of homes with shovels to get stranded emergency vehicles moving. "Alongside the excellent work of the public services in responding to the severe weather", said John, "we have seen many tremendous examples of the...
more...John Denham has welcomed Schools Secretary Ed Balls' action to make Southampton City Council produce an action plan for primary schools. John has sais that the City Council must also act to address weaknesses in secondary schools as well. Mr Balls' action was taken in responce to new data showing that city primary school results were amongst the worst in the country. John said, "Just a few years ago city primary schools were performing at the national average level. The city council has sat back and failed to act as the relative performance of the city primary schools has declined....
more...Southampton Council is one of 50 local authorities that will recieve a grant of £52,631 to invest in town centres and shopping districts to keep them healthy as we move out of recession. This is part of a £2.6 million scheme that comes on top of the £3 million that was announced in August, meaning a total of 107 local authorities in England will benefit from this initiative. John said, "More money to help shops and traders facing difficuilt times is exactly what is needed. I'm sure it's going to make a big difference. This funding will mean shopping districts...
more...Lobbying from John Denham and fellow Southampton Labour MP Alan Whitehead has resulted in the Department of Transport announcing that a bid by Liverpool City Cruise Terminal which threatened Southampton is to be turned down. The decision was reached after an assesment by the Department of Transport into the proposed change of use for Liverpool City Cruise Terminal concluded it would be likely to have an unfair and adverse effect on competition between Liverpool and other cruise ports. John said, "Today's announcement is a direct result of hard lobbying from Alan Whitehead and myself. The department of Transport's decision is...
more...John Denham's Communities and Local Government department has today published, new, independent research that shows inappropriate building on back gardens is not a widespread, national problem and is often linked to council's failure to have local policies in place. John, has been campaigning for tighter rules on garden grabbing for many years, as it is an issue constituents in areas such as Bitterne Park and Sholing regularly contact him about. John said, "This new action on inappropraite over-development is claerly something to be welcomed: I know local people who've campaigned with me on this issue will be very pleased with...
more...Eid Ul Adha - or 'the great Eid' - marks the end of Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Every Muslim who can afford to do so is expected to make this journey at least once, and for many people, it is a central and defining moment in their lives. This year, my ministerial colleague Shahid Malik will be joining around two million other Muslims from around the world to make that pilgrimage. The solemn ritual, conducted on such a large scale, symbolises the solidarity with other members of the community, a reminder of the values and traditions which...
more...Hanukkah - the festival of lights - celebrates the miracle of faith. The nine armed menorah candle, lit for eight days to celebrate the struggle for religious freedom and the persistence of hope in adversity. This reminds us all about the important role faith plays in the lives of individuals. Last month we were also reminded of the value of selflessness during Inter Faith Week. People of all faiths and backgrounds came together to learn from each other in order to overcome common misconceptions and get a better understanding of each others faith. The Government welcomed the enthusiastic participation of...
more...John joined in with a “Bookstart Treasure Box” gifting session at St. John’s Infant and Nursery School as part of National Bookstart Day. The Government backed Bookstart scheme gives a gift of free books to all babies, toddles and preschool children in the UK. John said, “I’m proud to be supporting National Bookstart Day. Books play such an important role in laying the foundation for children’s education as well as providing stimulation and appreciation of books from an early age.” ....
more...The £30 million scheme of upgrades to Southampton’s railway tunnel is now underway. The improvements to the line will allow larger containers from the growing port to be transported on the mainland. John said, “After many years lobbying Transport Ministers I’m pleased this work is finally going ahead. Although inconvenient at the moment I’m confident everyone will see that it was worth it once the improvements are completed.”...
more...John officially opened the new Weston Lane Centre for Healthy living in October. The new, environmentally friendly, complex was built on the site of the old Sun House. It houses staff from the old Weston Lane Surgery including seven GPs. It will provide a range of healthcare services....
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