MP’s UPDATE FOR BRENTFORD AND ISLEWORTH RESIDENTS December 2023

You can find previous reports of my work on my web site; www.ruthcadbury.co.uk  I also report regularly on my Facebook page and via Twitter and Instagram @RuthCadbury. 

 

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.

Autumn Statement Despite the empty promises today from the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt we had yet another reminder that after 13 long years of Conservative rule local families are worse off, after a decade of low pay, low growth and a decade of cuts to our public services. The economy simply isn’t working and the Autumn statement won’t fix the damage that the Conservatives have caused.  Here’s my piece in the local paper. 

 

Following the atrocities by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct 7th, hundreds of constituents have written to me, concerned about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  I have also met constituents locally; at schools and at mosque events and discussed the crisis with Hounslow Councillors.   Most have asked me to call for a ceasefire, however the challenges of achieving a formal ceasefire are significant and I believe we have a duty to find a credible and sustainable approach. Both parties to the conflict have to agree to, and stick to, a ceasefire, which both Israel or Hamas have made clear they are not prepared to do.   I therefore support Labour’s calls for the immediate end to hostilities right now and for long enough to get adequate humanitarian aid in, and in order to start the work towards a lasting and sustainable peace which has to include a two-state solution. My full statement is on my website.

MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY in NOVEMBER

For full details of my questions and speeches in Parliament, get regular updates about my Parliamentary activities TheyWorkForYou (votes) or see Hansard (speeches) & on YouTube

In the Chamber

• The Housing crisis was the core topic in my speech in the 5-day debate on the Kings speech. I covered the challenges facing leaseholders, those renting privately and those impacted of interest rate rise – all in the context of the chronic shortage of new, truly affordable, housing.
• I raised the case in the House of Commons involving a constituent’s parents who are trapped in Afghanistan due to the Home Office not allowing them to be granted evisas.
• I spoke about the crisis in the probation sector and the huge levels of burnout among staff which will only be compounded by the Government’s panic measures to cut the prison population
• I called on the UK government to oppose any efforts by Israel to reoccupy Gaza.

I attended a training event by the Samaritans on suicide prevention in Speaker's House in the House of Commons. Mr Speaker spoke movingly about the impact of suicide on himself and his family. Sadly, over 6,000 people took their own life in 2021 in the UK and every 90 minutes someone loses their life to suicide.

It was a pleasure to host the charity One Small Thing in Parliament to launch their report into Hope Street - the new residential centre they set up for women in the Criminal Justice system which ensures women return to society and not to prison at the end of their sentence.

 

It was such an inspiring event and brought together architects, academics, charity workers, criminal justice researchers and Parliamentarians.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

 I visited Hounslow Community Foodbox and heard about their ongoing work to support thousands of people in need locally. The cost of living crisis is pushing more people into hardship and the run up to Christmas is always difficult. Foodbox are raising money for their November appeal to prepare for Christmas & any donations of money or time can make a huge difference. You can find further details about helping out   https://hounslowfoodbox.org.uk

I joined over 170 community leaders from across West London at the West London Citizens’ Assembly in Southall, to celebrate securing millions of pounds in increased wages for hard-working people. They have campaigned for local employers, including Councils to commit to pay the London Living Wage.

This month I met sixth formers at Chiswick, Heathland, Nishkam and Kew House Schools and Brentford School for Girls. These sessions are particularly stimulating as many will be first time voters at the next General election.  They give us a chance to talk about how change at national and community level happens, it gives them an insight into my role, and enables then to tell me what matters to them (always the cost of living and the climate crisis, and currently, Gaza).

I laid my wreath at Hounslow‘s War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, along with the mayor and assistant deputy lieutenant, representatives of our forces, The Royal British Legion, the police fire and other public services, and elected councillors. Thank you to those who laid my wreaths at Chiswick, Brentford and Isleworth services. The next day I attended the service at Osterley along with students from nearby schools

During Interfaith week I joined leaders from Hounslow Friends of Faith and the Bishop of Kensington to plant a commemorative tree at the Gurdwara.

I also spoke at the Planning Public Inquiry to support the Gurdwara and local residents in their opposition to the proposed flats which would overlook both the ceremonial space in front of the Gurdwara, and the existing flats on Perkins Way.  I also said the siting and design of the proposed special school is wholly unsuitable for the very vulnerable children it is expected to cater for.  

 

I’m disappointed to hear that the branches of NatWest and Lloyds banks on Chiswick High Road are closing, and this not long after the Halifax closed. With now no banks in Brentford or Isleworth, I am aware of the impact and disruption of bank closures on local residents and nearby businesses, and have written to both banks to express my concerns

I met Salma Ullah and Hounslow-based SHEWISE about the extensive work they do supporting the mental wellness and recovery of women and girls experiencing domestic abuse, particularly from South Asian and Middle Eastern communities.

Thames Water have been consulting on their proposals for the unhelpfully named Teddington Direct River abstraction scheme, intended to address water levels in the Thames during periods of drought by taking millions of litres of water from the Thames, pump it across London to the Lee valley, and then replace that water with treated effluent from Mogden. That means a new pipeline and access shafts, with a building site the size of half a football pitch on the Ivybridge estate and tunnelling beneath local homes. It will also potentially impact biodiversity in the River Thames. The Environment Agency has doubts about the scheme, which will save only a 10th of the 630 million litres lost per day through leaks in the Thames Water system. Information about the scheme from Thames Water can be found here, and from local campaigners here.

Support my 10k run for Hounslow Community Foodbox!

Hounslow Community FoodBox is seeing more people than ever who are struggling and having to make difficult financial choices, and I am supporting them by doing a 10k run soon (I had to postpone on Dec 4th due to illness).

 

As we approach winter and Christmas, the team anticipate even greater need for food, toiletries and household items as well as Christmas presents for the children and they need funds to buy these.

Therefore please support my run generously so Foodbox can support more people this year. Click here to give https://www.justgiving.com/page/remembernovmber23

Christmas Card (front) design is by Avyaan (7)

– St Mary’s Catholic School Isleworth

With Seasons Greetings and best wishes to all readers and

– and do let me know what you think of these updates!