Monthly Newsletter

In March

As Chair of the Transport Committee, I presented our first report to this Parliament “Access Denied: Rights versus reality in disabled people’s access to transport”.  Our report found that 60% of disabled people who responded to our survey said that every, or almost every journey they made was beset by problems. Over a third said that more than once a week they decide not to make a journey because they worry it would be too complicated, too unsafe, or take too long.  Too often lifts aren’t operational, and passenger assistance is non-existent even when booked in advance. Complaining is complicated, exhausting and seldom results in service improvements.

Our 29 recommendations include creating a new legal framework so that operators know their responsibilities and disabled passengers know their rights. The report also argued for the creation of an overarching body to enforce accessibility standards, handle complaints, and uphold disability rights across all modes of transport.  The Government is required to respond within two months.

Closer to home, I welcome Hounslow Council’s and the London Mayor’s investment to make Isleworth and Syon Lane Stations step-free.  At Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury, however, Network Rail’s Access for All scheme is still yet to deliver improvements. These are stations upon which many of my constituents rely and remain stairs-only. I have therefore written to the Minister to ask for a timeline for delivery.

The Government’s welfare reforms will affect disabled people in my constituency. Over the recent weeks I have been listening to constituents who have direct experience of claiming PIP and I am concerned that these reforms will make what is already a difficult and complex process even harder. I have heard extremely upsetting stories about the hardship that people (and their family members) have faced when trying to navigate our welfare system, and I worry that these reforms will only make it harder.  So many people locally are already struggling with the cost of living.  I am naturally concerned about reforms which might see a reduction in the amount of money in people’s pockets and I am speaking to Ministers to raise my concerns

There is no doubt that the scale of the problem Rachel Reeves is trying to solve is undeniable. One in eight young people is not in education, employment or training. A tenth of working age adults claims some kind of sickness benefit. Millions have left the workforce since COVID. This is not the same elsewhere in the developed world. Britain is an international outlier.  So I welcome the many sensible measures in the Government’s green paper; including an uplift to UC and the creation of the ‘Right to Try’ (whereby those on sickness benefits can look for work or training without fear of losing their benefits).

I understand the scale of the problem the Government are trying to solve, but for vulnerable individuals who rely on the system, the scale of their problems is no less severe. 

The world has changed. The Chancellor is right about that. That is why the Government has chosen to increase defence spending and bolster our national security. All over the world we see nations succumbing to the doctrine that ‘Might is Right’. There is nothing socialist about leaving ourselves defenceless in a dangerous world. Here in Britain, we will always stand up for ourselves, and for the values of peace and freedom.

Where I do have concerns is around cutting foreign aid to pay for this. The previous Government had already used the foreign aid budget to spend on their asylum hotel programme.  Not only is foreign aid an example of soft power and moral leadership, but it provides a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people around the world.  I have therefore contacted the Minister about what alternative measures were considered and what steps they are taking to mitigate the effects of this decision on the world’s poorest.

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IN THE CHAMBER At the 2nd reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill I addressed how it would speed up major building projects. The Bill represents a more strategic approach to development. It is unglamorous. It is technical. It is more of a scalpel than a chainsaw, but this Bill will make an enormous difference in setting public and private industry free and delivering the growth this country needs.

Here in West London, it will help deliver more affordable housing, while also ensuring that new developments are concentrated in places with good public transport, and that there is capacity for new schools, shops, health centres, parks and open spaces.

As well as presenting my committee’s report, I also had the chance to ask several topical questions.

When asking the Transport Secretary a question about the impact of the substation fire on Heathrow. I thanked the fire services, and the airport and airline staff who had to deal with so many stressed passengers.    In mentioning the “single point of failure” with the UK so reliant on just one major airport I asked the Minister whether it was time that we had a national airports strategy, which would include what happens when any one of our airports is taken out of action, for whatever reason.

Simple side road Zebra Crossings are common in many countries, for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, but not yet within UK transport regulation. I pointed out these are being trialled in Westminster’s streets, and asked the Transport Minister if the Government will amend the regulations to bring them into line with the 2022 Highway Code changes.

Transport workers bear the brunt of passengers’ frustration when services are not running as they expect.  This month I attended an “Airport workers Against Abuse” briefing by the GMB Union, and also a meeting on Women’s safety on Rail organised by Women in Transport.

International Women’s Day is our annual chance to celebrate women’s achievements.  At Westminster we are now over 40% of MPs sowe packed the Chamber for this photo.

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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

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COMMUNITY UPDATE 

Mobile Phones and Social Media – their Impact on Young People: 

Politics isn’t always great at dealing with nuance. Some issues, however, demand a bit of nuance. They are just too important. One example of this is the use of mobile phones by young people. That is why I wanted to hear a range of different views from those most affected – teachers, parents, and students. I helped facilitate a round table discussion at Isleworth & Syon school, where we discussed some of the challenges young people face with phones and social media, some of the solutions schools and parents have put in place, and what more government and local authorities can be doing as we try to keep pace with this generational challenge. It is an issue that has since made headlines, thanks to Stephen Graham’s brilliant drama, Adolescence, which only highlighted the need for openness and dialogue on the issue

Isleworth Town Primary School had a wonderful performance of a Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the Coram Schools Shakespeare Programme. It was good to see such talent among the children who were clearly enjoying taking part, in front of a theatre full of their parents and teachers. “Titania” was keen to tell me how much being involved has inspired her.

Sue Casey was known to so many, as a teacher then Deputy Head at Lampton School and then on her retirement as a campaigner and organiser with many Isleworth activities and groups:  the Isleworth Society, the Park Road allotments campaign, the 390 history project, the Labour Party and so much more.  We said goodbye to Sue at the start of March at Mortlake Crematorium and then at Thistleworth Tennis Club where she had been the ladies captain.

During Ramadan I had the honour of attending several community Iftars(breaking of the fast), including one at the GTech stadium with Hounslow Mayor Karen Smith, and Brentford FC ambassador Marcus Gayle. Prayers were said on the pitch in front of hundreds of local muslims, Brentford FC fans and community representatives.

With best wishes,