The year 2007 was the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade and British action in ending the slave trade. However there are still an estimated 12.3 million people across the world who are still in slavery today. They are forced to work for little or no pay and denied their most basic human right of freedom.

Thousands of people living in Europe are receiving Winter Fuel Payments of up to £400, figures obtained David Ward MP have revealed.

Over 65,000 British citizens living overseas are receiving Winter Fuel Payments of between £250 and £400. This includes over 31,000 people living in Spain and over 16,000 living in France.

David Ward MP will leave today for a 5 day fact finding trip to Gaza. He is travelling as part of British-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group (BPAPPG) Delegation with Parliamentarians from the three main parties. The visit is funded by the charity, The Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU). During the visit the group will meet a number of organisations people that live in Gaza. They will see first hand many of the issues that affect people who live there.

David has enthusiastically welcomed the news that the Coalition Government has backed plans to bring High speed rail to Yorkshire. The decision will mean billions in economic benefits to the region.

On hearing the news David said "This is great news for Yorkshire the plan shows that the coalition government is serious about re-balancing the economy and providing the opportunities for the cities like Bradford to attract business and jobs"

Lower Field Primary's Kinaesthetic Adventure Park was official opened by Lib Dem MP David Ward "It's absolutely fantastic," he said. "It's going to be an outstanding experience for young people".

The outdoor classroom incorporates curriculum activities for Lower Fields pupils and will be available for use by groups of children from other schools. Head Teacher at the school John Edwards said "We want children to have memorable experiences that motivate them to want to find out more and love learning."

David Ward has attacked Michael Gove's academies programme in a speech at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Liverpool.

His position today received the overwhelming support of conference delegates in a major vote on Academies.

The changes introduced by the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, allow schools to become independent from local authority control by applying for academy status. They will also see groups of parents and faith groups setting up and running their own schools.

David Ward joined with Gary and Danielle Linekar at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 14 September to show support for the 1 GOAL campaign. Gary Linekar is an Ambassador for 1GOAL, an initiative which aims to mobilise support for education for all through the power of football.

During the World Cup Dani Lineker joined 1GOAL on an education trip to Khayleitsha, one of the fastest growing townships in South Africa, where opportunities for children are very limited.

David is now a member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee and has pledged to use this role to fight for more local jobs.

David said "I am keen to support business across Bradford. As part of my work on the Select Committee I will be looking into the financial support available to businesses during these difficult times for the economy".

David Ward has attacked the The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove MP for rushing through new laws that will allow any school to apply for academy status and withdraw from local authority control. Under the Academies Bill, schools who apply for academy status will no longer be under the control of the local authority and they will be able to set their own curriculum.

David Ward is fighting for an innovative youth centre in Bradford to be built. Culture Fusion was granted a £5 million grant by the then Labour government in March, and Bradford East's MP is pressing for that commitment to be honoured in the forthcoming spending review.

He said: "We need to keep pressing the Government for this. This is an innovative project and I am quite confident that when the Government looks at it, it will be a scheme that needs to be delivered."