Rachel and John Battle visited the Kirkstall Forge site this week.

The new railway station on the site is due to open in May 2012, with the housing, retail and business units opening from then onwards.

Rachel and John are pushing to ensure that the Section 106 money goes to the local community - particularly in Hawksworth Wood and to ensure that the housing is affordable for local families.

The Kirkstall Forge development is really exciting news for our area, we need to ensure the benefits are maximised.

Link: http://www.progressonline.org.uk/columns/column.asp?c=212

The chancellor delivered his budget yesterday against an un-envious background. The whole world is in recession, trade has fallen off a cliff and all countries are facing the dilemma of fiscal stimulus v balanced budgets. In those circumstances yesterday's budget got the balance right. [For full story see link above]

Link: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Unplugged/Budget2009

Rachel spoke today on Sky News on the Chancellor's budget - welcoming extra support for young people, the housing market and small businesses.  Today's budget has put in place the building blocks for the future economic recovery - investing in new technologies, green industries and supporting businesses and families through the downturn.

Out campaigning and meeting voters at Bramley shopping centre

Rachel with Neil and Mack.

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jyblh/Victoria_Derbyshire_20_04_2009

Rachel debates the future of MPs expenses with Victoria Derbyshire and other guests. Hear the debate on BBC iPlayer. (Link above available for the next 7 days, debate starts approximately 60 minutes in to the programme.)

Congratulations to Eden who won the Easter Bonnet competition at the New Wortley Community Centre.

All the entries were fantastic and it was great to see so many people dressed up for the Easter celebrations.

Link: http://www.progressonline.org.uk/columns/column.asp?c=204

We know now the causes of the financial crisis – excessive risk taking by banks encouraged by an incentive structure that was short-term and asymmetric (rewarding high returns but not clawing back if things went wrong). This culture was exacerbated by an over-trusting regulatory regime, an insufficiently independent credit rating industry and institutional investors who didn't exercise necessary oversight. Collectively, they failed to ask the tough questions that might have reined in the excesses of the bankers.

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Link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/HealthinPregnancyGrant/DG_173502

From April 2009, you may be able to get a one-off, £190 tax-free payment if you're a mum-to-be. The payment is called 'Health in Pregnancy Grant' and you can make a claim for it from 1 January 2009 if your expected delivery date is on or after 6 April 2009. The money is to help you stay well and healthy and to meet extra costs during the later stages of your pregnancy.

Commenting on today's G20 Summit, Rachel said: "We face a global financial crisis on a scale that we have never really seen before. At the end of the day to get British economy back on track we have to help get the world economy back on track too. To protect jobs and businesses in Leeds West we needed to get the world leaders working together to restore confidence, growth and jobs.

"In these tough times when people across Britain are worried about jobs and paying the bills decisions made by Gordon Brown, Barack Obama and other world leaders are even more important for us, here in Leeds West.

"So I welcome the successes Gordon Brown has secured this week. The London Summit brought together leaders of the world's major economies and key international institutions. They have agreed collective action necessary to stabilise the world economy and secure recovery and jobs."