Here is an update on issues that I have reported previously.

The moratorium on site water charging for churches, village halls and community groups in the United Utilities water area (SK13) has been extended by another 12 months, so you won’t have to pay the huge new proposed charge for water drainage. After that, the Water Act will come into force so you won’t need to pay then, either.

I met United Utilities to argue for this. In the Severn Trent area (the rest of High Peak) this is not an issue.

A court ruling that could have forced small charity shops to pay to have the radio on will not be implemented as it stands. I hear that discussions with the music industry are nearly complete, creating a threshold which should exclude most (the smallest) charities from paying.

Is the planned Second Bridge over the River Goyt in Whaley Bridge running out of steam? The plans are done, the money is available: will High Peak council now show leadership and get it done? The historic canal basin and the regeneration of the Bingswood industrial estate both require it!

The Government’s strategy for supporting adults with Autism has been published. It is described by campaigners as a major landmark, the first of its kind. I was worried about delay so I asked ministers in a Parliamentary Question to bring it out promptly. I support the Robin Hood Tax. Sometimes called the Tobin Tax, this is a financial transaction tax of 0.05% on speculative banking transactions. Introduced internationally, it could generate billions of pounds every year to tackle global poverty and climate change.

Although it was first proposed several years ago, I am pleased that Gordon Brown is making the running with it. He told the Commons recently that the idea was starting to catch on in other countries, too.