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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne meets constituents helped by Family Fund]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On July 9th Anne met with 2 women and their families from the constituency who have been helped by the Family Fund. The meeting took place at Anne's constituency office and was attended by Michelle and her son, Jordan and Kamila and her son, Oliver, and daughter, Wiktoria.  At the meeting, Anne heard how Kamila and her family were recently supported for the first time by the Fund with a grant for specialist equipment for Wiktoria who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a visual impairment, and also heard how the Fund has helped Michelle's family who have been supported...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:04:52</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne wins Select Committee election]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Thursday 10th June, Anne was elected to be the Chair of the Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee in the House of Commons.  Afterwards Anne said, "The Work and Pensions Select Committee will play a vital role in examining the new Liberal-Conservative government's plans for benefit reform and it is an honour to be elected to lead the scrutiny of these policies.  "Any policy decision that the new coalition government takes in regards to work and pensions will directly or indirectly affect every one of my constituents. Therefore, I hope the DWP Select Committee's input...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:39:21</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne attackes Council decision on UTG]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Tuesday 25th May Anne used her speech during the Queen's Speech debate to criticise the way that Aberdeen City Council went "against public opinion" when it approved the City Square Project for Union Terrace Gardens. Anne spoke out about the fact that despite a publicly funded consultation showing a majority of the public was not behind the City Square project, Aberdeen City Council still decided to push ahead with the City Square. This came despite a competing vision for Union Terrace Gardens by Peacock Visual Arts already having planning permission for their project and most of its funding...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 07:11:06</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne urges Council to support Peacock proposal for UTG]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On 19th May, speaking ahead of the decision of Aberdeen City Councillors to vote on plans for Union Terrace Gardens, Anne spoke out in favour of the Peacock Visual Arts proposals. Anne said, "I would urge Councillors to show courage, listen to the people who voted for them and reject proposals to take the City Square project to the next stage. I believe Councillors should support the Peacock plan and allow them to start the development of a fantastic cultural facility which we can all be proud of. "Over the period of the General Election campaign my team spoke...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2010 12:20:54</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne is re-elected]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[At the 2010 UK General Election held on Thursday 6th May Anne was returned to Westminster to serve her fourth term as the elected representative for Aberdeen South. Anne received 15,722 votes overall and won 36.5% of the total vote. Remarkably she also almost trebled the majority she has over her nearest rival from 1,348 to 3,506, therefore continuing her record of being the only Labour MP to ever retain the seat of Aberdeen South at a General Election. Anne would liike to thank the people of Aberdeen South for giving her the chance once again to serve as...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 01:12:55</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne calls for City Square consultation transparency]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Wednesday 3rd March, Anne reiterated her call for all the City Square consultation data to be made publicly available and independently analysed as the 2 month consultation on the project drew to a close. Anne said, "Around &pound;250,000 of public money has been spent on promoting and consulting on the City Square project so it is vital that there is full transparency, both in how the money has been spent and in the interpretation of the data collected." Ms Begg also re-enforced her desire to pursue a 'win-win' approach to the development of Union Terrace Gardens that...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:06:58</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne saddened by death of Michael Foot]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Wednesday 3rd March Anne expressed her sadness at the news of the death of former Labour party leader, Michael Foot. Anne said, "One of the reasons I got involved with the Labour party in the 1980s was because of the way I felt the media had treated Michael Foot. Anne continued, "Michael Foot was a towering intellect and will be deeply missed, both within the Labour Party and by everyone involved in politics."...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:28:21</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne Welcomes Pyramid Selling Charges]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On 1st February Anne welcomed news that the Office of Fair Trading is to bring more charges against those suspected of pyramid selling schemes. In 2005 Anne lobbied the Government to add a provision into the 2005 Gambling Act after the Women Empowering Women scam conned many of her constituents.  Anne said: "It is sad to see that some people are still being tricked, but I'm pleased that the legislation is working and criminal charges are being brought by the Office of Fair Trading."...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:38:44</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Treasury Announces  Field Allowance Extension]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On 28th January Anne welcomed the news that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is to extend the Treasury's Field Allowance scheme that gives tax breaks to companies exploring less commercially viable oil and gas fields to the fields West of Shetland.  Anne said, "I am absolutely delighted the Chancellor is to extend the Field Allowance scheme to the West of Shetland fields. I hope this will incentivise companies such as Total to open up and explore these fields which would be great news for Aberdeen's oil and gas industry. "I held a private meeting late last year with the...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:55:13</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Speaker's Conference Final Report Released]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[In January, The Speaker's Conference, which Anne Vice-Chaired, published its final report into ways of encouraging and enabling a wider diversity of people to become MPs. The report can be accessed here. Commenting on the publication of the report, Anne said: "The case for equality of representation has not yet been won. We welcome the progress which each of the main parties has made over recent years towards ensuring that its selection procedures are more professional and objective then they have been in the past. Yet the fact is that, in most cases, it remains more difficult for a candidate...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:05:26</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne Raises Safety Concerns About Cove Cliffs]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Tuesday 12th January Anne wrote to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after the latest accident off the cliffs at Cove Bay. A 22 year old man is currently missing and presumed dead after an angling trip went wrong.   Anne said, &ldquo;There have been at least 3 serious accidents off the cliffs around the Cove Bay area since 2008 and many more similar incidents at cliffs to the south of Aberdeen. Therefore, I really want to make people aware of how dangerous these cliffs can be, especially in the current weather conditions....]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:10:46</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne Supports Ban on Fox Hunting]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Boxing Day, Anne helped to launch a national campaign to support the ban on hunting wild animals with dogs. The 'Back the Ban' campaign was launched on Boxing Day - the old centre of the fox hunting calendar - by Hilary Benn and a host of celebrities including Tony Robinson and Patrick Stewart. Boxing-Day 2009 was the fifth since the Bill to ban hunting with dogs was passed. The ban has already resulted in dozens of prosecutions, and the forecast dire effects on rural communities have not come to pass. But the Hunting Act is under threat as pro-hunt...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:26:13</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne seeks more money for vulnerable groups]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Today, Anne has asked the UK Government to review the amount of Personal Expenses Allowances it gives to pensioners and those with learning disabilities who live in care homes. Anne spoke out after a Westminster Hall debate on 10th December about a report into pensioner poverty produced by the Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee, on which she sits. After the debate Anne said, "Many people with learning disabilities live in registered care homes, so only receive &pound;20 per week: the same as older people in care homes and hospital. I'm calling on the Government to double this to...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:20:49</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Christmas Card Winner Announced]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Friday 11th December Anne presided over the prize-giving ceremony for the winner and runners-up of her 2009 Christmas Card Competition at ASDA, Bridge of Dee. Anne presented the winners and runners-up with Christmas presents and was even joined at the prize-giving by a certain well known gentleman in a red suit! This year's winner was Grant Dickson from Primary 6 at Kirkhill Primary School. The 6 runners-up were: Andrew Driver, L4A, Albyn School Joe Gray, P3, Kirkhill Primary School Ella McDougall, The Hamilton School Lola McHardy, P7A, Airyhall Primary School Daniel Bain, P2, Tullos Primary School Zahra Ahmed,...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:25:10</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne raises Glencraft at Prime Minister's Questions]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Wednesday 4th November, Anne raised the issue of the possible closure of the Glencraft factory in her constituency at Prime Minister's Questions. Anne asked the Prime Minister:  "The Labour government has made great strides in getting and keeping disabled people in work. What is my Right Honourable Friend's reaction to the news that the Glencraft factory in my constituency could be forced out of business by the lack of support from the SNP/Liberal Council, which would mean over 30 disabled people in Aberdeen losing their jobs?" Afterwards, Anne said, "It is nothing short of disgraceful the way the...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:49:44</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne nominated as Charity Champion]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Monday 2nd November, Anne found out that she had been shortlisted to receive an award in the seventh annual DODS Charity Champion Awards.  Anne was nominated in the Health Champion category by Pain Concern and Arthritis Care.  The Awards allow voluntary organisations to acknowledge the work of parliamentarians who have dedicated their time and efforts to promoting charitable causes and campaigns in Westminster. Anne will find out on 8 December if she has been successful in her category....]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:23:02</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Speaker's Conference quizzes party leaders]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Tuesday 20th October, the Speaker's Conference, which Anne Vice-Chairs, questioned all 3 main party leaders about what they are doing in order to increase the level of diversity in the candidates that will be standing for their parties at the next General Election.  During the session Anne had the opportunity to quiz the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown MP, and was praised by the Speaker, John Bercow MP, for her stewardship of the Conference. Coverage of the session can be viewed here.  This meeting followed the publication of the Speaker's Conference Interim Report in July and also the...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:22:34</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne attends school bus safety meeting]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Wednesday 23rd September Anne attended a meeting in Wyness Hall in Inverurie as part of the campaign to increase safety on dedicated school buses. Anne was invited to attend the event by her colleague Malcolm Bruce MP and used the occasion to highlight the fact that bus and coach companies are not forced by law to install seatbelts and only do so if the local authority contract stipulates that they are required. At the meeting it was agreed that the following points would be taken forward with the Department of Transport: That there should be no overtaking of dedicated...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:53:37</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne visits Torry Academy with shadow Education Minister]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Thursday 27th August, Anne showed Rhona Brankin MSP, the shadow Education Minister, around Torry Academy accompanied by North East MSP Richard Baker. During the visit, Anne, Ms Brankin and Mr Baker visited Torry Academy's new vocational hairdressing salon and also met up with members of the school's campaigns and fundraising group. Anne has been leading a vocal campaign against the possibility that Torry Academy might close after widespread fears that it will be shut as part of Aberdeen City Council's 'Learning Strategy'. After visiting the school with Anne, Ms Brankin said that it would be "shameful" to shut...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:47:27</pubDate>
                           
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                           <title><![CDATA[Anne seeks assurances from PM about diversity]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[At Prime Minister&rsquo;s Questions on Wednesday 15th July Anne sought assurance from the Prime Minister that the Government would accept the proposals of the Speaker&rsquo;s Conference for an increase in the numbers of women, disabled and ethnic minority MPs.   As the Vice-Chair of the Speaker&rsquo;s Conference Anne called on all political parties to take immediate action to change the culture of politics and make the House of Commons more representative of society.    The Conference is recommending that across the vacated Parliamentary seats the parties:   &bull; promote equality by selecting at least 50 %...]]></description>
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                           <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:45:35</pubDate>
                           
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