Reducing income tax for the low paid

I raised this key point in the House of Commons recently in a written question:

Guy Opperman:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the lowest paid no longer pay income tax as a result of changes to taxation introduced since May 2010 in (a) the UK, (b) the North East

Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 4 December 2013, c671W)

David Gauke (The Exchequer Secretary):

The cumulative effect of the Government's increases in the personal allowance for those aged under 65 years (born after 5 April 1948 from 2013-14 tax year) since 2010-11 will take 2.7 million people out of the income tax system by April 2014. 110,000 of them are in the north-east region.

These estimates are based on the 2010-11 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected to 2014-15 using economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2013 economic and fiscal outlook.

Women Bishops will happen in 2014

I rasied this issue recently with the Minister: I am fully supportive of women becoming Bishops. It will happen in 2014

Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she has taken to support the Church of England's General Synod on the subject of women bishops.

Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 18 December 2013, c672W)
Helen Grant (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; Maidstone and The Weald, Conservative)
I strongly support the Synod in the progress that it has made this year towards enabling women to become bishops. It is widely acknowledged that women already do a tremendous job within the Church of England and the time has come to take the final step of enabling women to become bishops. I understand that the Synod hopes their legislative process to enable the appointment of women bishops will be completed by the end of 2014. It is important to note, that decisions about the Church of England's internal structure and organisation are matters for the Church itself and not Government.

Predictions for 2014

Locally I want to help be part of the team that creates a local community bank in Tynedale, building on the base of the credit union, but expanding its numbers, size and scope so that we have a real local bank to take on the big banks.

Two big elections occur: Scottish Referendum and European Elections
My view remains that we are Better Together and that the Scottish people will agree. I will be campaigning there on several occasions in 2014.
As to the Euro elections I will be fighting hard for us to have a strong voice in Europe, and Martin Callanan is that person.

Syria I fear will be an ongoing civil war, but I hope to get a better understanding of the situation if I get the chance to visit, or meet with certain key players. I will blog much more on this as there are options ahead.

Iran remains, however, the key to improvement in global peace. If the nuclear reprogramming continues then we will all be able to both breathe a sigh of relief, and continue to reduce the wider impact and extent of Middle East conflict. I have not been on a work trip to the region in 2013 - regular readers will know I travel to the region every year. In previous years I have taken myself to Beirut, Israel, Jordan and Turkey.

Sport: as a former jockey and racing journalist I always like each bets: my long term each way tip for the national is Monbeg Dude, owned by Mike Tindall and some rugby mates. Last years third Teaforthree will also run well.
I fancy Rose for the Masters and Woods for the Open, and Europe for the Ryder Cup. Murray to win Wimbledon again would be too amazing, but we have to dream!