One of the most repugnant acts for which I have absolutely zero tolerance for is littering. It blights the appearance of our town and roadsides and spoils our enjoyment of the wider countryside too. This is why I have worked with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign in Parliament and why this week I welcomed the first ever Litter Strategy for England; designed to reduce discarded rubbish, increase awareness of the effect litter has on the environment and create innovative ways of keeping communities clean. We want to see demonstrable improvements in the cleanliness of our country and a cultural shift to make littering socially unacceptable.
Some of the measures announced in the strategy include consulting on increasing the fixed penalty for littering to £150; Issuing new guidance for councils to create a better distribution of public litter bins, making it easier for people to discard rubbish; and recommending that offenders on community sentences (including people caught fly-tipping) help councils clear up litter and fly-tipped waste. While there is no magic bullet to end littering, the Government’s intention is that the Litter Strategy will deliver real change and its publication signals the start, rather than the end of this process. It is important that we send the strongest message possible that we support those who want a clean local environment and to have pride in where they live and work.
Elsewhere the Government has committed itself to lifting the ban on Grammar Schools and to do more to ensure access for children from all backgrounds. Before the ban came into existence in the mid-60’s, the last wave of Grammar Schools were built in the post-war era and designed to take academically gifted children and create a new generation of professionals. At the time they were revolutionary as working-class children were being given the chance to have an education that would never have been within the reach of their parents. As a former pupil told the BBC, what made the Grammar School so distinctive was that the pupils were not from the playing fields of Eton but the overspill estates of Essex.
Whilst Grammar Schools won’t be the answer for every child. They can provide exceptional opportunities for children who relish the chance to be challenged by an academically rigorous curriculum. It would be wrong to deny any child that opportunity. As the former Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee once highlighted, we need an education system that will break down class barriers whilst providing variety and ensuring that we do not level everything down to dull uniformity.
Finally it’s been brilliant to have a lively office this week as I have hosted the Swindon Young Carers for three days as they complete a special film project. The youngsters have been creative in utilising the entire Orbital site to create their films and get a number of different people involved. The project provided a real opportunity for them to enjoy some time out and meet other children who are in the same position as they are. It is really important that we encourage as many businesses and organisations to support groups like the young carers, who thoroughly deserve opportunities to have fun and escape some of the serious challenges that they have had to face.
