David Ward has welcomed the news that RBS's retail boss has pledged not withdraw cheques for their customers.

The head of RBS's retail operation, Brian Hartzer, has given in to pressure from consumers and the Save Our Cheque Campaign and pledged to continue allowing their customers to use cheques. Speaking to the Observer, Brian said that: "RBS NatWest is not going to get rid of cheques unless there is a viable alternative and unless customers are ready for it".

David Ward today led a Parliamentary Debate on the urgent need to provide more quality affordable housing in Bradford to meet the needs of a growing number of young people.

In the debate, David identified poor quality housing, and lack of affordable housing as being key barriers to economic development in Bradford. He called on the Government not to overlook housing challenges in Bradford and to ensure that policies will deliver new housing where it is needed most.

Bradford East MP, David Ward, has called on the government to reduce the barriers to small businesses taking on apprentices in a Parliamentary Debate.

The Government have provided a £180 million package to create 50,000 additional apprenticeship places in the UK however take up has been lower in businesses with less than ten employees due to the burden of administration and the cost of training.

David Ward MP has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year's Carers Week (13-19 June) in order to recognise the contribution made by those people in Bradford East and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

The theme for Carers Week 2011 is 'The True Face of Carers'. It calls for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

David Ward MP has hit out over yesterday's descision to award the area's first Enterprise Zone to Leeds rather than Bradford.

Commenting Bradford East MP, David Ward said:

"While it is still early days for the Leeds City Region LEP, we clearly need to start asking some serious questions about the way it is operating. This unaccountable organisation is taking descisions behind closed doors which affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, David Ward, has welcomed signs that significant changes will be made the Health and Social Care Bill in the coming weeks.

Liberal Democrats led the calls for changes after raising serious concerns at the party's Spring Conference in March. The Government has been holding a "listening exercise" during a break in the passage of the Bill so that the concerns of health professionals and the public can be heard. The "listening exercise" is due to be completed next week when significant changes to the Bill are expected.

Bradford MP, David Ward, has challenged the Business Secretary over how bank lending targets were being implemented in Yorkshire.

Figures released by the Bank of England last month suggested that the targets for bank lending to small businesses set out in the "Merlin Agreement" were likely to be missed. As part of his role on the Business Select Committee, David Ward today questioned the Business Secretary on how targets were being implemented on a local level by the banks.

Bradford MP, David Ward, has pressed the Care Minister for greater reassurance for the residents of the District's four Southern Cross care homes.

The future of the homes is in question after the operator, Southern Cross Healthcare, announced that it was on the brink of collapse. Southern Cross has deferred 30% of its rent payments over the next four months, while it tries to come up with a restructuring plan that will save the business.

Bradford East MP, David Ward, is urging the people of Bradford to have their say in a public consultation on the future of the Children's Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds.

The NHS's "Safe and Sustainable" review of the 11 children's heart surgery units in England has recommended a reduction in the number of units to create fewer, larger centres. It has put forward four options for a four-month public consultation. The unit at Leeds General Infirmary only features in one of the four options.

Bradford East MP, David Ward, has hit out at plans which could see the end of children's heart surgery in Leeds, pointing to "serious flaws" in the consultation process.

The NHS's "Safe and Sustainable" review of the 11 children's heart surgery units in England has recommended a reduction in the number of units to create fewer, larger centres. It has put forward four options for a four-month public consultation period, with the unit at Leeds General Infirmary featuring in only one option.The Leeds Unit serves more than 5.5 million people across the region, which is one of the highest catchment areas of any children's heart surgery unit. All its services are on one site and it has an excellent record for safe, high quality surgery.