Bradford MP David Ward has written to local head teachers urging them to take advantage of a new summer schools programme this year, which aims to make sure disadvantaged children aren't left behind in the to secondary school.

Ofsted data shows that performance can take a significant dip when children make the transition from primary to secondary school. The Summer Schools programme aims to bridge the gap and help Year 7 pupils get off to a flying start in their new school.

Firms looking to beef up trade with Brazil have been urged to contact David who will be part of a Parliamentary delegation to one of the world's fastest growing economies this weekend.

David Ward, MP for Bradford East, who is a member of the House of Commons business select committee, is joining all-party colleagues for a six-day visit to South America in a bid to find out more about Brazil's booming economy and generate new export opportunities for UK businesses.

Official reports have confirmed that no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has increased council tax for their residents. This is unlike both other major parties, many of which are increasing council tax by up to 3.5% this year.

Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils' record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:

Commenting on today's Budget, David Ward MP said:

"I am delighted that through this Budget we have been able to deliver on our key promise to give ordinary workers in Bradford another £220 cut in their income tax bills and take hundreds more low-paid workers out of paying income tax altogether.

"This means that basic rate taxpayers have seen a total tax cut of £546 putting more money back into their pockets and moving us faster towards our goal of making the first £10,000 tax free.

Bradford MP David Ward has backed the Inspiring the Future initiative, which aims to link tens of thousands of professionals with state school children across the country.

The scheme, supported by the main teaching organisations and employer bodies, is based on extensive research which shows that the more chances young people get to meet leading professionals at school, the more likely they are to go on to successful careers.

Bradford MP David Ward will be the co-chair of a new Parliamentary Group for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, launched today.

The Group will be a cross party champion for the region's economic recovery and future growth, looking to maximise future investment for the benefit of all of its local communities and local economies.

Over 20 million working people will be better off next year after Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government delivered the biggest ever increase in the income tax personal allowance in the Budget.

The massive £3.5bn tax cut for working people delivers:

• The biggest ever single uplift in the tax threshold
• A personal allowance of £9,205 in April 2013
• 21 million working people getting an extra £220 tax cut
• Brings the total tax cut for basic rate tax payers to £550
• Brings the total number of people lifted out of tax to 2 million.

Liberal Democrat Children's Minister Sarah Teather will accompany Bradford MP David Ward on a visit to Delius Primary Special School in Bradford Moor.

The school caters for 95 children with a range of special needs, including complex medical, physical and emotional and learning difficulties and disabilities.

David Ward MP has today called for the Health Bill to be pulled and for a meeting of Royal Colleges to be convened to rethink plans for the NHS in line with the Coalition Agreement.

Mr Ward is a cosignatory of an Amendment, tabled by Lib Dem backbench MPs, calling on the Government to drop the Health and Social Care Bill and declining to support the Bill in its current form.