Liam Byrne MP today questioned council plans for local clear-ups after learning that FIVE different parts of the city authority could be responsible for keeping constituencies clean

The revelation comes as shocking new figures obtained by the Hodge Hill MP, show just THREE littering penalties a week were handed out in a recent 6 month city 'blitz' in Hodge Hill at an incredible cost of nearly £300 per ticket issued. Only 54% of fines handed out were subsequently paid.

In my bid for cleaner streets in Hodge Hill, I've asked why the city isn't taking tougher action against the selfish minority that drops the rubbish in the first place. I have some shocking news. New figures which I have extracted show just THREE littering penalties a week were handed out in a recent 6 month city 'blitz' in Hodge Hill - at an incredible cost of nearly €300 per ticket issued. Only 54% of fines handed out were subsequently paid.

As a by-election winner myself, it was a huge pleasure to see Labour's Linday Roy cruise to victory in Glenrothes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7710999.stm. Back in 2004, at the Hodge Hill by-election I managed to turn a 14,000 plus majority into a margin approaching 450 votes. By-elections are tough, especially at this point in the political cycle.

Big day today. Today i meet the head of street cleaning for my district. Hodge Hill. I got so sick of the state of our streets that eventually I had to resort to posting videos of rubbish strewn streets on YouTube - my very own Rubbish TV. I felt sad that it had come to this - but my constituents love it. People are constantly emailing me to let me know where there's a mess they need clearing up. I'll have a simple message for city officials today. I think they are good people.

We're about to be deluged with US lessons for Britain. Three lessons stand out.

First, it was the global economy, stupid. This was a race that was transformed by the hits to the US economy, and Obama's message that governments needed to act to help families and small businesses - not just stand there doing nothing or letting the market run rip.Interestingly, Obama never talked the economy down, just his opponent's plans.

Liam Byrne MP today joined the 'blogosphere' with the launch of his own blog.
The Hodge Hill MP has consistently used the internet to pioneer new ways of connecting with local residents, most recently with the launch of Rubbish TV on You Tube to highlight grot spots in need of a clear up.
Liam said;

Liam Byrne MP today launched a new campaign with Hodge Hill residents to help shape police priorities - and pin down where offenders need to make amends.

The campaign launch comes on the day that Birmingham was awarded €50,000 to hire a new Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Co-ordinator to co-ordinate local action to make services more accountable, and responsive, to local community crime-fighting priorities.

I've been campaigning for more police with tougher powers since I was elected as a MP. Today I'm launching my new campaign to help make sure local residents have their voice heard shaping the priorities of our new, excellent local police teams. What's more, I want local offenders clearing up local mess - repaying their debt to our community.

Liam Byrne MP today labelled Birmingham City Council ‘unacceptable’ for refusing to answer his Freedom of Information request about the sale of Hodge Hill playing fields to supermarket giant Tesco.

The Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Hodge Hill demanded to be told how much money Tesco had paid to Birmingham City Council for Brockhurst Playing Fields, after he and local residents had fought for years to stop the development.

Liam Byrne MP today thanked residents of Hodge Hill for his new Government job at his monthly after work get together for local residents in Hodge Hill.

The MP for Hodge Hill was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council by the Queen at Buckingham Palace last night when Her Majesty presented Mr Byrne with his seals of office as  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, one of the oldest offices of state in England.