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With everything going on in the world I thought I’d focus this Update on some of the national good news stories you might have missed, but that will make a big difference here.
NHS delivery: Waiting lists fell for the fourth month in a row – down by 160,000. The big news, however, was the delivery of 2.2 million more elective care appointments. It means the government has reached its first step towards fixing our NHS – a whole seven months ahead of schedule!
New diagnostic centres will be key to getting people seen and treated faster. That is why it is so exciting to see the new Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre being built at West Middlesex Hospital.
Hounslow Council supported this project, using £1 million of their Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy – which is the money they raise from new developments. This will help us to make the shift from sickness to prevention. There is still a lot to be done, but this is a welcome first step.
Cost of living support: This week I received the brilliant news that the Rosary Catholic Primary School in Heston and Nelson Primary School in Whitton have been selected to take part in the government’s new free breakfast club pilot.
These will provide children with a healthy meal, so they start the day ready to learn. As well as saving families up to £450 a year, they provide 30 minutes of free childcare at the start of the day, allowing busy parents to get to work.
 | The scheme will be rolled out to all schools later this spring and will make a huge difference in tackling child poverty.
Cultural Capital: Finally, I was delighted that the London Museum of Water and Steam (aka Kew Bridge Steam Museum) will receive a £2.6 million boost from central government. |
With Hounslow Council about to begin work on a new world-class arts centre, and their support for the Canal Festival and the Creative Mile, Brentford is fast becoming a culture hot spot.
IN THE CHAMBER:
We began the month still trying to get clarity on the Chancellor’s announcement on Heathrow’s expansion. As a longstanding campaigner against a third runway, I was keen to see what evidence the Government had to support its argument that Heathrow expansion would deliver growth across the whole of the UK. Which is why, at Transport Questions, I asked Aviation Minister Mike Kane about Department of Transport analysis from 2017, which showed that expanding Heathrow would displace 27,000 jobs from the UK regions to London by 2050, lead to 17 million fewer passengers using non-London airports and further undermine the viability of the UK’s regional airports.
The Minister responded by citing a 2018 airports national policy statement (APNS), which he said showed ‘the number of connections from Heathrow to regional airports was expected to increase if Heathrow expanded, increasing productivity in those regions’.
Crime: I raised the case of a constituent in the House of Commons and asked the Policing Minister what can be done to better protect shop staff from being targeted at work.
I was pleased to hear her confirm that the Government had abolished the so-called £200 cap for shoplifting and will be introducing a new law to make it a specific offence to assault shop workers.
Last week Parliament was presented with the Phase Two Report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It was incredibly moving and provided a damning exposure of the many political, corporate and individual failures, which led to the tragedy. I was able to raise the concerns of local leaseholders with the Secretary of State.
AS TRANSPORT COMMITTEE CHAIR:
I met with Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to update her on the work of the Transport Select Committee. I was also able to speak about several issues facing my constituents and those of colleagues who have raised concerns since I was elected as Committee Chair. These include the delay in getting driving tests, the need for improvements to our rail connectivity in West London and of course the impact of a third runway on our area.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane gave evidence to the Committee about the timeline and feasibility of Heathrow expansion. MPs heard from witnesses to scrutinise the growth arguments in favour of airport expansion.
The theft & cloning of licence plates is a huge issue, leading to many innocent people facing bailiffs and court summons when their plates are used in connection with unlawful activity.
I spoke to BBC London about these thefts, as well as our inquiry into the mess of the practical driving tests system; delays, third party resellers and inconsistent results.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
The 65 bus route: I wrote to TfL about the unreliability of the 65 bus route. Constituents have told me about the long waits during peak times, sudden terminations on the GWR and a wider lack of reliability.
I also raised the Ealing Road Traffic lights, operated by TFL, that I believe are exacerbating the situation. The 65 is a key route to Richmond and Ealing, that helps residents get to work, go to the shops or access the Elizabeth line. I've offered to meet with TFL to discuss this issue and will make sure to post when I receive a response from them.
In the 21st centruty in the worlds 6th largest economy, we should not need so many services providing free food and other support to people who have no money to live on. Nevertheless, I was able to thank the donors and volunteers at the launch of the Community Shelf – a foodbank based at and provided by Hounslow Jamia Masjid on Wellington Road South. I also went back to see how the Ivybridge Pantry at the Bridgelink Centre (here) has expanded in the last few years.
Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall replaced Ch Supt Sean Wilson in November as the commander of the NW London BCU (the police region serving Hounslow, Ealing and Hillingdon). I raised several issues with Jill including crime in Hounslow Town Centre and ensuring better support for victims of crime. I also discussed the work being done to tackle shoplifting, fight antisocial behaviour, and protect children.
I joined Twickenham Police Officers in their car for the afternoon, as they patrolled parts of Whitton and Kingston. I was filled with confidence in their skill, bravery, and professionalism. I was particularly impressed by their use of technology, like tablets and integrated ANPR alerts in every car. This gives them more time on the beat and less time stuck behind a desk.
It was lovely to visit Kingsley Academy in Hounslow. I met with the Principal Mr Tinsley and other school staff, while also talking to the young people who serve as student leaders. It’s a school with strong academic achievement whilst also serving those with additional needs. We are lucky that every state school in Hounslow is rated good or outstanding, and this is a credit to the hard work by teaching staff.
In Brentford there is a community of boat residents based on several different moorings. Living on water, they have no security of tenure, and face ever-rising mooring fees. At a meeting with a few of them, I learned of the stress they live under, due to the uncertainty they face and even harassment. However, one group have some security as they are a co-op leasing their mooring from the Canals & Rivers Trust.
At the Women in Business breakfast event at Brentford School for Girls I joined the panel of local women who have achieved extraordinary things in their fields. Organised by Sally Smith of West London Chambers, I was joined on the stage by Elise Brown from Mama Haven, which offers low-income parents a path out of poverty by connecting them with higher income employment opportunities and training providers, while also providing childcare support.
I was also joined by 21 year-old Laksmi Pudaruth who founded FemCustoms (the first all-female custom car garage); McDonald’s franchisee Shafali Shown-Keen, and BSfGs’ head teacher Marais Leenders. It was inspiring to hear from everyone on the panel and a delight to meet many of the aspirational young students afterwards during the networking session.
Finally, I thought I would end with a nod to the arrival of spring. I had a lovely time volunteering with the Heston Action Group for their ‘Spring into Action’ day to see the amazing work that volunteers were doing at the Community Garden on Sutton Playing Fields.
It was lovely to meet so many young people, who were excited to join in growing and enhancing our green spaces.
With best wishes,
