MP’s Update for Brentford and Isleworth residents
August 2022
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With Boris Johnson going (but sadly not yet gone) we now have the dangerous spectacle of two of his experienced Cabinet Ministers in denial of the damage created by their decisions over recent years as they fight to lead the Conservative Party. By playing to a voter cohort of less than 200,000 generally older, comfortably off, southern England-residing party members they are ignoring the deep challenges our country faces; a cost-of-living-crisis, growing inequality, a failing economy, public services on their knees, the climate crisis and Britain’s reputation on the floor around the world (and with the other UK nations). Hopefully whoever wins, we will have a general election soon, which will elect a Labour Government, with Keir Starmer as PM, that will be able to start undoing the devastating damage done to our country over the last 12 years.
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So many people opened their arms and their homes to fleeing Ukrainians, and groups like West London and Hounslow Refugees Welcome have provided a variety of practical and emotional support.
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Brentford resident Angela Chan hosts a Ukrainian family and we met so they could tell me a bit of their story, but also their concerns that the Homes for Ukraine scheme is due to end in October and there has been no assurance from Government about the future of the scheme that supports host families providing a temporary home.
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We are still getting tragic stories of young people still waiting for visas to travel, as well as families becoming homeless because sponsors are no longer able to be hosts. Four months into the six-month Homes for Ukraine scheme and no end to the war in sight, hosts and their guests are wondering what happens next. I have asked the Minister (Lord Richard Harrington) whether the Government will extend the scheme, and also support new matches for Ukrainians when the original sponsorship breaks down. I’ve also asked (again!) that those arriving on family visas be eligible for the Homes for Ukraine scheme if their relatives already living here are unable to house them due to overcrowding.
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So much has been said of the brilliant achievement of the England Women’s European Cup team, so here are my take-outs. Firstly the Lionesses have been truly an inspiration to girls and young women to consider not only taking up, but continuing, playing football and other sports.
Secondly it became OK to talk about sports bras! I’ve long held that a well-fitting sports bra is an essential piece of sports kit for women of all ages and sizes, (but until the final I didn’t know that bespoke bras can further enhance elite performance. Now I do…..)
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And finally; the Euros were a great showpiece for Brentford FC’s Community Stadium and our local area. Nadine Kessler, head of UEFA Women’s football, told me at the Germany:Austria match just how impressed UEFA were by the facilities and standard of the stadium. Friends also told me they met some German journalists in the pub who had never been to Brentford before, but said they’d be back as it was such a friendly place!
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West London’s Electricity Shortage
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The FT ran an alarming story saying that, according the Greater London Authority, the electricity grid in Hounslow, Hillingdon and Ealing is reaching its capacity and there should be a pause on new housing developments. This isn’t only an issue for new developments but also for business, and for the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. I have written to LB Hounslow Chief Exec Niall Bolger to seek the Council’s response to this worrying situation.
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You can find previous reports of my work on my web site; www.ruthcadbury.org.uk I also report regularly on my Facebook page and via Twitter and Instagram @RuthCadbury.
You can see full details of my questions and speeches in Parliament, and get regular updates about my Parliamentary activities TheyWorkForYou (votes) in Hansard (speeches) and on YouTube.
If you would like to raise issues with me as your MP Please email on ruthcadburymp@parliament.uk with your address, a quick summary of the issue (and relevant reference numbers).
See my Web page for information on local and national services.
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MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY in JULY
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In a debate on assisted dying – I supported people with a terminal illness having the choice to be able to take their own life in comfort and with their loved ones with them. Unfortunately Parliament won’t be voting on this issue until a supportive MP is successful in the Private Members Bill ballot
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At Education Questions I addressed the rising cost of school meals and described how schools were having to cut back on healthy options and quality
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I asked Attorney General, Suella Braverman, to condemn the decision by the US supreme court to allow states to ban abortion and called for her to criticise those in the Conservative Party who had supported the ruling (she swerved again)
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After the Prime Minister admitted meeting former KGB official Alexander Lebedev privately when he was Foreign Secretary, I asked for Government reassurance that he had not met with any other former KGB officials or others who pose a risk to our national security
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In the week when Cabinet and other ministers were resigning almost hourly, I raised the concern of the lack of Government scrutiny when basic services, such as passport renewals, were failing so catastrophically
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Over 1,000 dolphins were killed in a single day in September 2021 in the Faroe islands, and at the debate on the issue I represented Labour’s front bench. I called on the Government to use its influence and trading relationship with the Faroe Island to end this inhumane practice
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I said in the Chamber that “24 hours in A&E” used to be a TV program – but is now a reality due to long A&E waits, and huge delays in ambulance handovers outside many hospitals. I demanded action from the Health Secretary.
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In a government statement on their Women's Health Strategy I described the evidence that women’s experience of pain is treated less seriously than men’s, thus adding to delays in correct diagnosis and treatment.
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At Trade Questions I asked why the Government removed provisions around workers’ rights in a future trade deal with the Gulf. I also urged the Government to ensure Parliament is able to have a full debate on the CPTPP (Canada/Pacific) deal before it is ratified, unlike the Australia/NZ deal which Parliament will not debate until early September, despite already being ratified. I also raised the lack of support given to UK exporters by the Department for Trade. Businesses hoping to export their goods and services are only given grants to attend one trade show, and have to fund themselves to attend further ones; a much less generous offer than other competing nations provide for their exporters.
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I criticised the Government for failing to ensure that homes are adequately insulated and added that over 1 million homes have been built without adequate insultation since the Labour Government’s warm homes scheme was dropped by the Tories over ten years ago. I again called for the end of the ban on onshore wind turbines
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The Passport Office debacle continues and my letters to Ministers seem to go nowhere. We are spending hours at a time waiting for calls to the PO to be answered, only to be told a fantasy of mis-truths – “your constituent’s passport is on its way etc”. It isn’t only expensive holidays that my constituents are losing; but jobs, or the chance to say goodbye to loved ones. And this from a party in Government that wants to cut public services by a further 20% and to privatise yet more. Over 50,000 people nationally are waiting more than 10 weeks for their passport renewal, and over 25 constituents have contacted me after waiting more than 10 weeks. I have written to the Home Secretary about the most distressing of my constituents’ cases seeking action. But I’m not holding my breath as no-one seems to have heard from Priti Patel for a few weeks now….
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I’m still waiting for responses to government ministers; on the lack of support to victims of persistent abusive ex-partners, and on ensuring transgender conversion therapy be outlawed in the Conversion Therapy Bill.
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The annual Parliamentary Prayer breakfast enables MPs to sit down with church people from their constituencies. The first of Johnson’s Ministers to resign, Sajid Javid, was apparently moved to leave Johnson’s Government after hearing the event’s speaker, Les Isaac, founder of Street Pastors, speak about the responsibitities that come with leadership. Boris Johnson left the event before Isaac spoke ……
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Mark Herring of Isleworth died of Covid on 19 March 2020. I met his sister Amanda outside Parliament where the deaths of almost 200,000 UK people were remembered by those campaigning for justice. Mark may still be alive today had the Government acted sooner to lock down the country. Amanda and her parents are so angry with the Government’s rule-breaking partying, when they are still mourning their loss.
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West London’s Turkish community celebrated their food and culture at a festival in Feltham. Among other stalls was this one -brewing coffee the traditional way over heated sand.
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The Green School for Boys had its official opening in their wonderful new building before the end of term. Their first year 11s will join the joint sixth form with the Girls school across the road at Bush corner (and it’s good to see the works on the junction progressing, making crossing the road so much safer for the staff and children as well as local residents).
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The Armenian Festival brought together MPs and Councillors to celebrate with the large community of Armenians living across West London. It’s good to know that Bishop Manukyen has chosen Brentford to be his home and that of the soon-to-be opened centre for the Armenian Community.
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London Mayor Sadiq Khan visited the new London Ambulance training facility in Brentford – we saw the new electric vehicles and met with crews in training to be paramedics.
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It was a delight to be able to celebrate the long-overdue opening of the arch walkway under Kew Bridge which now provides a level access route along the Thames between Brentford and Chiswick.
Thanks to the persistence of Strand-on-the-Green Association and the support of TfL Property Services and Hounslow Council, as well as current and former Councillors and London Assembly members, the arch is now a public path and is brightly painted and well lit.
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The Duke of Northumberland’s estate is still proposing to close down the Park Road allotments (between the Syon Park entrance and the back of West Middlesex hospital). Ariane, Grace, Anna and Penny showed Councillor Salman Shaheen and I around so we could really understand what this precious resource means to them, as well as the threat to local biodiversity. I fully support allotment holders in their campaign against the Duke of Northumberland’s estate.
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After months of being lied to, Larry the No 10 cat got his way when Boris Johnson finally announced that he will be resigning as PM.
While we wait for the outcome of the Tory leadership election, may I wish you a relaxing summer. My next report will be at the start of October.
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If you need my support or help please email me: ruth@ruthcadbury.org, or phone: 020 8581 3646 or Write: Ruth Cadbury MP House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Let us have a quick summary of the issue, and include your address as I am only able to directly assist my constituents. Please also include relevant reference numbers.
I hold regular surgeries, usually on Fridays, which can be in person, on-line or by phone; please contact my office to make an appointment. However many issues can be dealt with more quickly by email or a phone call which saves waiting for the next available surgery.
For my Diary and Parliamentary Office email ruthcadburymp@parliament.uk 020 219 8590
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