Lammy's New Job

This reported recently in the Hornsey & Crouch End Journal:

Tottenham MP, David Lammy, has been given a job in the newly created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills by incoming Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The new department is charged with keeping Britain at the head of science, research and innovation.

Mr Lammy said: "Obviously I'm very pleased that Gordon Brown has included me in his government. I think we all know how much he has prioritised skills and training over the period he has been chancellor, so I'm very pleased that he's asked me to work in this area. I can't think of a more important issue in Tottenham where, even though unemployment has come down, we have one of the highest unemployment rates in London. Skills and training is absolutely key."

Keith Flett, Haringey Trades Council president, said: "We have been critical of New Labour and will continue to be so. However there is a chance now to return to a progressive agenda. We are particularly interested in David Lammy's new role because the skills agenda is at the heart of trade union interests in Haringey.