MP’s UPDATE FOR B&I RESIDENTS
MARCH 2023
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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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Policing and Crime: Making Britain’s Street Safe is one of Labour’s key missions. I went out in Osterley and Spring Grove with Councillors Louki and Chaudri and local officers to learn more of their work and the challenges the police face. They told us of the frustration of there being too few officers
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and PCSOs to provide an adequate neighbourhood service. In February Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the Tories’ failure to deliver a policing and justice system fit for the 2020s. She then set out Labour’s plan when in Government to address rising crime levels with £360m to recruit 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers, and to improve efficiency by investing in better backroom support. Meanwhile, Labour leaders in power are able to make a difference, as shown by Mayor Sadiq Khan, who in February announced the funding for 500 more PCSOs for London.
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MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY in FEBRUARY
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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
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In the Chamber;
- After HMRC admitted that 10 victims of the loan charge have committed suicide, I asked the Treasury Minister whether the Government knew if loan schemes targeting self-employed people are still in operation
- In a debate on the independent review on Net Zero I said the Government must do far more to follow up its promises with action, such as rolling out onshore wind, ruling out a 3rd runway at Heathrow, improving EV charging infrastructure and supporting far better home insulation. I said short-termism and austerity have been the Government’s approach to net-zero
- In Trade Questions I asked the Government to publish the economic impact assessment of the US mini deals signed with several US states (they won’t provide very much in the way of benefit to the UK)
- After Iran International TV was forced to leave their studios in Chiswick following threats from the Iranian Government’s exported terrorism, I thanked the Met for their response, and asked the Minister for Security what the Government was doing to ensure journalists are never again forced to leave their workplace to protect the rest of the public
- I led a debate about the affordability and availability of childcare; how the cost to parents swallowed up most of a monthly income, yet childcare providers were closing due to high costs and staff shortages. I said that families and areas of greatest disadvantage had the least good quality childcare, and also how the gender pay gap was widening as women often cannot afford to go back to work, or to work full-time after having a child. With childcare costs in the UK being higher than all equivalent countries I accused the Government of creating a crisis of childcare.
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President Volodymir Zelenskyy’s speech to about 2000 MPs, Peers and staff gathered in the ancient Westminster Hall was a highlight of the month. Speaking from the same step that Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Charles de Gaul and the Pope have done before him, he thanked Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for tea and Chorley cakes, for the UK’s support so far and in advance for the support Ukraine still needs.
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I attended two important events that highlighted issues around inequality in Transport. The launch of the Disabled Citizens Inquiry Report into walking and wheeling,
and a meeting of the White Ribbon All Party Group on Women’s Safety on Public Transport. This is a critical issue as an ONS survey found that 58% of women 16-35 felt unsafe using PT alone after dark, especially the many who had experienced harassment.
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As one of two Quaker MPs, I was delighted that Lindsay Hoyle had brought the Loving Earth Project to Parliament, after seeing a display of the hand-made panels in his local church. Led by the Quaker Arts Network, the project has involved hundreds of people (not all Quakers) across the UK and beyond, each creating a panel to illustrate the need to respect and protect the natural environment around us, for now and for future generations.
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National Highways, in consultation with TfL, without proper warning closed key pedestrian crossings of the A4 in Brentford as part of the works to the pillars of the M4 elevated section above. I wrote to National Highways and TfL to express my concern about the danger they were putting local people in – but the response from NH showed they had only considered the needs of drivers going along the A4, and not pedestrians, or drivers who need to cross it.
I have since sent a further letter…..
I also wrote to BT Openreach about lack of fast speed fibre-optic broadband in parts of Chiswick, Brentford, Osterley and Isleworth after the issue being raised by a constituent. It seems BT will be gradually rolling out provision in the next few years. While most of the constituency is covered by Virgin Media, their prices and service leave a lot to be desired, but it will be some time until BT also covers the constituency.
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At the Hounslow Parent Carers’ Forum I heard from parents of children with disabilities about the struggles they faced in getting the right support for their children, particularly in getting the education support that is best for them; whether in special schools or mainstream. The levels of frustration and exhaustion they are facing was overwhelming – partly due to the way they are treated by some schools and Council staff, and partly because of the lack of adequate funding the Council has to be able to provide sufficient places or support their children need.
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Children’s Mental Health Week focussed on the gap between demand and supply of adequate and appropriate support for young people nationally. I visited Hounslow Youth Counselling Service which provides free confidential counselling for 11-25 year olds at their base in Isleworth and in local schools and other settings. I also met Dr Johan Redelinghuys, Director of our local CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service). They both told me how demand for their services is increasing and there is a waiting list. HYCS are also getting referrals from children with more severe problems and needing psychiatric therapy, a reflection of the lack of capacity in the CAMHS services. Labour’s Health team have said that when in Government there will be a mental health hub in every school in England, and adequate mental health staff in the NHS to ensure young people can get treatment within one month.
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The cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on so many people locally. I’m pleased that Hounslow Council through their Community Solutions, along with local faith groups, community organisations and others have pulled together to provide a range of different services and support. The Cost-of-Living Market Place brings many organisations providing advice and information to venues around the borough, and I visited when it came to Hounslow Mosque. I also visited the warm bank at St Paul's church in Brentford with Cllr Guy Lambert and heard first-hand about the work they’re doing to support people locally.
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At Boston Manor House we welcomed Her Majesty the Queen Consort, who came to see the work of the many skilled craftspeople who have now completed the extensive restoration of the House. The house will be open with free admission to all visitors six days a week later this year and will have a cafe & new terrace overlooking the lawns and cedar trees. She also had a chance to see the Jimmy Choo Academy which has taken up residence in the Stable Block.
Meanwhile extensive restoration of the park is also almost complete, with new equipment in the playground and outdoor gym, a park café, a sports changing block and better paths all through the park.
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Green Mopeds is one of only two businesses in the UK focussing only on e-motorbikes and e-scooters – selling, leasing and repairing. Based in Brentford, I met owner Jeremy who showed me their range. He told me of the benefits of e-mopeds & e-motorbikes, and how they readily fill the gap between e-bikes and small cars in people’s transport choices. He provides and maintains the e-scooters for food delivery companies and Council parking enforcement teams.
We discussed how e-scooters and e-bikes should be eligible for salary sacrifice schemes, to make them more affordable to more people.
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With best wishes to all readers – do let me know what you think of these updates!
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