Recent days have seen a spate of arrests of elected Palestinian politicians.

We are also seeing the usual house demolitions and settlement expansions in the West Bank.

Responding yesterday to a Parliamentary Question I posed on the recent demolition of the homes of Bedouins in Anata (West Bank), Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt expressed his own concerns. 

He said that the 'demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank are illegal and deeply unhelpful to efforts to bring a lasting peace to the middle east conflict'.

He also said that the UK Government is worried about Israeli plans to move West Bank Bedouin communities.

It is now encouraging the Israeli Government to 'comply fully' with international law, and 'ensure that any decision reached on the movement of Bedouin communities should be made with their full consent and not result in a forcible transfer'.

The Minister confirmed that officials at the British embassy in Tel Aviv are monitoring the situation closely, and plan to raise the issue of Anata with the Israeli authorities.

More generally, I have written to the Foreign Secretary to urge him to make sure that his support for human rights and peace in the Middle East are backed up by strong action.

In particular, I want him to ensure that the EU-Israel Association Agreement is not upgraded until Israel stops violating international law.

I think it is unacceptable for EU funding to support Israeli companies or organisations operating in settlements or the Occupied Territories in defiance of international law - and hope the Government will support such a position.

PHOTO: Michael Edwards, Senior Vice President and General Manager at AMEX, and Dick Knight, Chair of Albion in the Community, join Caroline to celebrate the work of AITC on the House of Commons terrace.

It's not often that the worlds of football and politics meet. But in January I was delighted to be able to host a reception on Parliament's famous terrace for the award winning charitable arm of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Albion in the Community (AITC).

Since the opening of the fantastic new Amex stadium, a lot of effort has gone into making it a genuinely community facility - and AITC has become one of the most effective community sport organisations in football today.

Many of its initiatives take place at the stadium itself, with Amex staff acting as volunteers or business mentors. Success stories include the Disability Football programme, which won six national awards in 2010, and Football & Sports Participation, the longest standing AITC initiative which directly benefited over 21,000 young people in 2009. This is especially important in light of Government's cuts to the Schools Sports Partnership.

AITC shows the potential of football to be a really positive force in people's lives, and I very much look forward to working with the team in the years to come.

This week, I met with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and was really encouraged by his positive response to the idea of helping the city become 'super-connected'.

Although we won't be able to bid under the current scheme - it's been explained that it would delay the competition for the other entrants -  Hunt clearly recognised the importance of the creative and digital industries to the city.

He agreed that we would make a ‘fantastic candidate' for a future scheme, and pledged to work with the Treasury on how to take this forward.

I'm now hoping to take a wider delegation from the city's digital sector to meet with him in due course.

This could be triggered through a petition, or through some other mechanism.

Last year I backed amendments to the Localism Bill which would have introduced such a right, but these did not win sufficient support in the House of Commons to be included in the Bill.

Now the Government has brought forward its own proposals, giving a parliamentary committee the power to trigger a recall.

This completely misses the point - it has to be the electorate that holds that power.

I support proper participatory democracy and think that empowering local communities with a right to recall would be hugely beneficial.

So I will be doing all I can to ensure that any legislation actually upholds this basic principle and is not simply reform in name only.

They're frequently shocked when they hear about the late sitting hours of Parliament.

In spite of some reforms, on both Mondays and Tuesdays, Parliament generally sits until 10.30pm - something that I'm working with other MPs to try to change.

So while I get to spend the first half of Mondays on constituency business in Brighton, I'm usually at Westminster from the early afternoon.

Parliamentary sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays are a bit more reasonable, usually ending at 7.30pm and 6.30pm respectively, allowing me to get to some meetings in the constituency once I get back (always assuming no problems with the trains... ).  

Friday is my main constituency day, and a key part of my schedule is the weekly surgery.

The surgeries are always busy.

They're sometimes sad or frustrating - but they're never ever dull!

People book appointments for a range of reasons.

Some people come in over individual issues where an intervention by their Member of Parliament could make a difference.

Some people want to talk about policy issues: giving their own perspective or wanting to hear more about mine.

Whatever the reason for the appointment, surgeries add up to an important anchor.

They give a unique insight into what's happening locally and are a great opportunity to spend time with constituents.

They're also incredibly valuable in informing my work, and it's particularly satisfying to follow up an appointment with action that brings a change for the better in someone's life.

Obviously this isn't always possible.

And where it isn't, I look at whether I can influence policy or hold the Government to account in other ways.

This year, alongside the office-based surgeries, I'll be continuing to hold street surgeries to hear what people have to say right across Brighton Pavilion.

For details - or to find out more about my work in general - sign up to my e-bulletin by adding your email address in the green box on the home page of this site.

But if you came looking for an alternative view on the economy from the official opposition, you would have been sorely disappointed.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls was the keynote speaker, and used his appearance to set out Labour's economic vision for the future - which amounted to a sort of Tory-lite, keep-the-cuts policy package.

I put my thoughts on this into a letter to the Guardian, as below, which was published today. You can also read it online here:

Dear Sir,

In his interview with your paper on Saturday, Ed Balls effectively holds up a white flag and admits that Labour has given up any attempt to set out an alternative economic agenda (Beyond the hair shirt: Labour party can give Britain the tough love it needs, insists Balls, 14 January).

His capitulation before the Tory-led coalition's definition of economic credibility as meaning ever more fiscal austerity, and his jaw-dropping statement that "we are going to have to keep all these cuts" calls into question the very purpose of the Labour party.

Moreover, the choice he poses between higher public sector pay or growing unemployment conveniently ignores the fact that many public sector workers are on very low incomes, and falsely suggests that we can't afford to fund both. It is investment in decently paid jobs that generates income, and thus the tax revenues to pay for credit or borrowed money, not the other way round.

Instead of trying to outcompete the government in some kind of masochistic virility test to see who can threaten the greatest austerity, an opposition party worthy of the name would be making a far stronger case that austerity isn't working, and offering a genuine alternative.

A combination of more progressive taxation, a crack down on tax evasion and avoidance and, crucially, Green quantitative easing to deliver investment directly in the new jobs and infrastructure the UK urgently needs to make the transition to a more sustainable economy, would do far more to challenge the government than the Tory-lite policies set out by the shadow chancellor.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP

Please click here to read it online.

However, I have been dealing with emails and other correspondence through the break and have been lobbied extensively about this week's forthcoming debate and vote on the pubs sector.

Various parliamentary committees have recommended time and again that the current terms imposed on pub lessees by the big pub owning companies are unfair.

But the Government are dragging their feet over reform.

They have struck a deal with the British Beer and Pub Association, but it does not sufficiently help the many tied pubs in Brighton Pavilion and across the city that are being held to ransom under the terms of their current leases.

I am hoping to speak in the debate on Thursday and have already raised my concerns on a number of occasions with Ministers.

Brighton and Hove has some fantastic community pubs and the Government is not doing enough to protect and support them.

Brighton and Hove Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP) is an amazing charity providing practical support and advice to those who need it. They also run a large number of courses and activities for those on low incomes and have a cafe, crèche facility, and low cost internet access.

I visited on Friday to see the valuable work that they do and was given an incredibly warm welcome from the dedicated staff and volunteers who run the centre.

I was able to join a group discussion with people affected by homelessness. It was interesting to hear their experiences firsthand, but sadly highlighted that the housing crisis in Brighton is worsening  - and is likely to continue to do so when the full extent of Government changes to the Local Housing Allowance and housing benefit entitlement are felt. I am deeply concerned that Brighton will be hit far harder than some areas because of high rents and the dire shortage of affordable housing. 

Like a lot of charities, funding is an ongoing issue and resources are scarce. The centre is a vital source of practical assistance for those who need it. They welcome donations of children's clothes, toys, bedding and other household items to give to families experiencing crisis. For many who use the centre this is a necessary lifeline.

BUCFP is much more than just an advice centre, it is a vital part of the community, where a few lessons about the true meaning of 'Big Society' could be learnt.

Here's the advert, which can also be found on the Green Party website. 

Parliamentary Assistant to Caroline Lucas, MP 

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and Green Party Leader, is looking for an assistant to work in her Westminster office.

The successful candidate will be able to rise to the challenge of working to a consistently high standard in a busy and demanding environment to progress a radical green agenda.

They will be an excellent communicator, fast thinker and committed to working closely with nongovernmental organisations.

The post is for the duration of the current parliament and is full time.

Salary: £25,000 per annum including London weighting.

Please click here to download the job description, and click here to download the person specification.

Please apply in writing by sending a copy of your CV and a personal statement (maximum length 2 sides of A4) by email to caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk

Deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm, January 12th 2012

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a group of young people here in the city to congratulate them on completing the Prince’s Trust Team programme.

As part of the programme, the students spent a residential week in Dartmoor doing team-building; they revived gardens at two local primary schools (St Christophers, Hove and Fairlight Primary); and they fundraised for the First Base day centre and for Pebbles Afterschool Club.

They also undertook work placements in a wide variety of settings.

The highlight of the evening was hearing the stories of the young people: time and again they described how the support of the Prince’s Trust gave them a sense of self-worth and an understanding that they were valued and had a role to play in society.

Against a background of record youth unemployment, the event was a clear reminder of how devastating it can be if young people feel that education and opportunities are out of their reach.

And it was inspiration to continue challenging the Government to support young people and to increase, rather than cut, opportunities for jobs and training.  

Back row, left to right: Yeliz Topcuoglu, Moira Vincent (Programme Well Being officer), Seyde Salih, Gemma Robins, Caroline, Hope Goble, Kyle Holman (Team Leader), Kamilah Talib

Front row, left to right: Reuben, Josh Saunders, Miles Hood, Ollie Sutton, Chris Sherrin, Ty Scott

I'd like to see the Government investing in vaccination and reducing the spread of cattle to cattle disease, rather than undertaking a programme of mass slaughter that lacks any scientific credibility.

Huge numbers of constituents contact me every week about animal cruelty, and many have told me of their concerns about badger culling.

I questioned the Minister during this afternoon's announcement and will continue to hold the Government to account over this - and other key animal protection issues.

It also warned that death rates in Sussex could rise as older people in particular find it hard to afford to heat their homes.

People over 65 are especially vulnerable, and the number of older people who do not survive the winter in the UK is far higher than in most European countries, including those where the weather is far colder.

If that were not serious enough, next year will be the first time in three decades that there has been no Treasury-funded scheme to provide insulation and other energy efficiency measures for those struggling to keep warm.

This is scandalous, and makes it almost impossible to believe that the Coalition will meet its target to eradicate fuel poverty by 2016.

In response to this, I’ve signed Age UK’s Spread the Warmth Winter Pledge (http://bit.ly/tFEaA0), supporting the campaign to make winter warmer for 360,000 people.

And in Parliament, I’ll continue to challenge the Government’s lack of action on fuel poverty, mindful that this issue affects over 5,000 households in Brighton Pavilion alone.

Some of the answers I received gave specific details of secondments in and out of Government involving people who work for the big energy companies and energy interests more generally.

The Guardian picked up on this, and yesterday carried a great article by Damian Carrington which highlighted this issue of corporate staff from the energy world who work for free - and the sort of influence over policy making which they might expect in return.

To read the full Guardian piece online, click here.

You can read all of the FOI requests and corresponding answers from Government departments here.

He was subjected to torture and brutality at the hands of the Indonesian authorities and, in common with other West Papuans, denied freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial and other basic rights.

As a member of International Parliamentarians for West Papua, I have followed his case closely and am appalled that Indonesia continues to try and smear the reputations of those brave enough to speak out about the oppression suffered by West Papuans.

Benny is now the subject of an Interpol red notice (at the request of Indonesia), which will restrict his movement outside of the UK and could result in him being arrested if he travels.

The red notice has been issued purely for political reasons, and I have been asking parliamentary questions about a process that allows this to happen.  

I also signed a letter which was published in the Guardian this morning, seeking to expose the actions of the Indonesian authorities. You can read it online here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/06/end-injustice-indonesia-tibet

Please click here to read it online.

One of the many issues being discussed was the fact that the cost of treating HIV is a massive two and a half times higher for someone diagnosed late than for someone diagnosed earlier on in the condition.

Worringly, in Brighton and Hove, which has one of the highest rates of HIV in the country, as many of 30% of those tested for HIV in 2009 were diagnosed late. 

Needless to say, this increases both the risk of onward transmission and the cost of treatment.

With this in mind, I have written to the Primary Care Trust to urge them to support the Halve It campaign, which aims to reduce undetected HIV diagnoses by 50 per cent before 2015.

I also want the PCT to work closely with the local authority to ensure that HIV work remains a priority, as the responsibility for public health and health promotion switches to the Council.

And, of course, the UK needs to continue playing its part in ensuring that more is done to tackle HIV and AIDS globally.

The money will fund a project to identify and support 'hidden' carers in deprived areas of Brighton and Hove.

Carers can remain unidentified for a number of reasons.

These include stigma attached to the illness of those they care for, lack of confidence, knowledge and time to look for support and benefits.

Also, poor basic skills in language and numeracy can prevent people from understanding service provision and filling in claim forms.

The Big Lottery Fund grant will help the Carers Centre to create community support groups and activities to raise awareness and understanding.

As today was Carer’s Rights Day, the Centre was holding a special event at the Friends Meeting House on Ship Street, where carers could meet with others doing similar work and meet with groups offering advice and support, such as Brighton’s Money Advice and Community Support (MACS) service.

Woodrow Wilson said: "I would never read a book if it were possible for me to talk half an hour with the man who wrote it".

Inspired by the above quote, this week Brighton charity Rise hosted the Living Library series of events at the Jubilee Library.

Volunteer ‘Living Books' made themselves available to be ‘borrowed' by members of the public for an informal chat about their lives and experiences. 

Wednesday featured people whose lives had been affected by drugs and alcohol.

Thursday saw stories of survival from people who had experienced domestic abuse.

Friday offered the chance to meet people living with the affects of HIV/AIDS.

Ahead of World Aids Day this week, I ‘borrowed' one of Friday's participants.

It was incredibly moving to hear direct experiences of what it's like to cope with the personal experience of HIV and AIDS, and in particular, how it feels to be on the receiving end of ignorance and prejudice.

And it took immense courage for volunteers to be ‘open books' to strangers, with no personal gain, just the hope for greater understanding of a situation where life hasn't gone according to plan.

PS  On World Aids Day itself (Thursday 1^st December) I'll be attending a breakfast meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS, and members of the Halve it Campaign. I'll be back in Brighton later that afternoon to raise funds and HIV awareness with The Sussex Beacon - look out for volunteers shaking buckets in the city centre! 

This is something many constituents have contacted me about, including volunteers and customers at our local Books for Amnesty on Sydney Street.

As a passionate campaigner for women's rights and a proud feminist, I think that the UK must do more to promote equality in Afghanistan and have always argued that the withdrawal of international forces must not result in any reduction in hard won rights for women.

Earlier this year, as a founder of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Afghanistan Withdrawal, I helped organise a visit to Parliament from Horia Mosadiq, an Afghan woman and civil rights activist who spoke very powerfully about the challenges facing Afghan women.

I have also written to the Foreign Secretary to urge that practical steps are taken to ensure women like Horia play an equal role in the future of Afghanistan, politically, economically and socially.