National news

In a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday Joan made a speech highlighting the needs of Stoke-on-Trent to the Minister.

Tuesday saw a ministerial statement on the floods in Pakistan and an update on UK efforts to provide aid to the country.

Do you have any ideas on what we should be doing to improve skills training? If so, now is the chance to have your say.

Joan is supporting the General Medical Council’s (GMC) new guidance for doctors which will help patients approaching the end of their life to receive the care they want and need

The Gobal Poverty Project is taking the inspirational 1.4 Billion Reasons presentation to 17 cities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland in late August/Early September 2010 travelling the country to help educate local people about global poverty issues. They are looking for organisations, businesses and community groups to get involved and are alsosearching for a venue that can accommodate the event in Stoke-on-Trent.

Some years ago, Joan took supported the MANX Government to secure international protection and status under CITES for the basking shark. Those interested in marine ecology may like to check out the progress that has been made since.

Joan shows support for the National Lottery Commission interim decision, not to grant Camelot permission a licence to provide commercial services, including bill payments and mobile top-ups, through its national lottery terminal infrastructure, on the grounds of concerns the application raised around competition law. The Commission also said it still had to consider the many other issues that were brought before it during the consultation process.

Joan has continued her support for Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cutback on litter by pressing the new government to reaffirm the importance of reducing litter.

Joan highlighted concern about the long term implications of the abolition of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the withdrawal of funds from the Sustainable Development Commission-matters that are vital; and the need an overarching policy on green issues.

Joan Walley, patron of North Staffs Carers Association, is supporting the 10 minute rule bill introduced by Barbara Keele MP.