Bradford East MP, David Ward, visited Idle Village today where he spoke to local businesses about how they are coping in the current economic climate.

David gathered their views on Government policy and discussed issues such as employment and training, taxes and parking.

Commenting, David said:

"Today offered a mixed picture of how businesses are doing. There are welcome signs in the housing market but there are still issues for first time buyers.

To celebrate the launch of Carers Week, 10-16 June 2013, Bradford East MP, David Ward has joined forces with actress Lynda Bellingham, to recognise the contribution that carers in Bradford make on a daily basis.

In a photocall in Westminster, David Ward lent his support to carers across Bradford as part of the national awareness campaign, Carers Week. The week is an opportunity to celebrate the 6.5 million carers across the UK and raise awareness of the impact that caring has on people's lives.

Bradford East MP David Ward attended the launch of a report Promoting Independence, Preventing Crisisfollowing an inquiry that David participated in by the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Local Government and Disability, into making social care reform work better for disabled adults.

The cross party enquiry by the two All Parliamentary Groups which David sat on included four oral evidence sessions aimed at addressing different aspects of social care reform which included the right to independent living, the impact of eligibility criteria on access to care and the implications of the Dilnot Commission's recommendations. The inquiry also received written evidence submissions from a number of disability and social change organisations to assist.

Bradford MP David Ward has today welcomed the release of April's official unemployment statistics for his constituency of Bradford East which shows a reduction in unemployment by 95 people, with a total of 5,541 people seeking employment compared to 5,636 in March.

April's unemployment figures in David Ward's constituency of Bradford East were 5,541.This represents a rate of 11.4% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64, the 13th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest rate of unemployment, 650th = lowest rate of unemployment.) The figures represent a reduction of 121 unemployed by from

Bradford East MP David Ward has today urged friends and family of elderly or vulnerable people to make sure that they are aware of a possible phone scam currently effecting thousands of people up and down the country and how to prevent them.

Police have warned Ofcom, the Communications watchdog, of a successful phone scam where fraudsters use courier firms to help defraud elderly and vulnerable victims of their life savings.

Bradford East MP David Ward has today welcomed the Government's Care Bill that has been introduced in the House of Lords which will help transform our Social Care services making them fit for the 21^st century but urged the government to ensure that any national minimum criteria would ensure help for people with "Moderate Needs" under the current Fair Access to Care Services Criteria.

Bradford East MP David Ward has today welcomed news that the Liberal Democrats in Government have voiced concerns regarding the current proposals to change childcare ratios.

In a radio interview for LBC Radio, Nick Clegg raised his concerns that the Government's proposals to change the childcare ratios for children that are looked after by new Early Years Teachers would have the desired effect on both raising standards and the quality of childcare whilst also reducing the price of childcare. Nick questioned whether even a qualified teacher could safely look after six 2 year olds, whilst at the same time raising quality.

Thousands of pensioners as well as those who need care and their carers stand to benefit from today's Queen's Speech, with a fair flat-rate pension for all and a reform of social care announced.

The Care Bill will put fairness back into social care funding; ensuring people do not have to sell their home in their lifetime to pay for care by capping costs as recommended by the independent Dilnot Commission. It will also extend the means-test threshold for financial assistance. To support carers, councils will have to assess what support they need to manage their own lives and provide services to those who need them.

A new £2m scheme has been launched by the Coalition Government to help boost childcare businesses and help women back into work.

From Tuesday, people who want to set up a nursery can apply for grants of up to £500 to help cover things like legal and insurance costs, training, equipment and adaptations to buildings. The scheme is aimed to launch up to 6,000 new childcare businesses across England.

Bradford East MP, David Ward, has today held the first MP Surgery at Bradford College for students and staff that are based in his constituency.

The MP surgery, organised by Piers Telemacque (President of Bradford College Student Union), was held at the McMillan Building in Little Horton.

Commenting, David said: