MP’s UPDATE November 2025 RUTH CADBURY MP |
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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 Instagram @RuthCadbury and Bluesky @RuthCadbury If you would like to raise issues with me please email on [email protected] with your address, a quick summary of the issue (and relevant reference numbers). See my Web page for information on local and national services 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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IN THE COMMONS in November The Transport Secretary launched the review of the airports national policy statement, covering just the third runway at Heathrow. I challenged her on the implications of the expansion on the UK’s legal climate commitments, on the need for rail access into the airport from the south, and on the cost increases to airlines and thus passengers. She partially addressed one of those issues in her response to me
At Cabinet Office Questions I raised the concerns of small businesses including a butcher and a lighting supplier of the impact of Brexit on their ability to import and export with the EU. I was assured by the Minister that deals on food and agricultural trade, energy and emissions will all reduce costs for businesses.
Letters: Following Gordon Brown’s approach, I joined other MPs in writing to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, demanding the gambling sector pays its share of taxes, such as VAT for a start. We await news on this (and much else!) in the budget later this month.
As I have strongly supported Electoral Reform, I have joined other MPs in writing to Communities Secretary Steve Reed in welcoming the ending of First Past the Post for some elections in the English Devolution Bill, rationalising Voter ID, strengthening the Electoral Commission and lowering the voting age to 16. Our letter then went on to urge Steve to establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform, to ensure that UK general elections are fit for the future.
With other MPs, I wrote to Alex Norris MP, the new Minister for Border Security and Asylum to keep LGBT+ people from harm in immigration detention. The letter seeks to influence the Government’s review of its Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention (AAR) policy.
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Seb Dance – London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport listened to my concerns about bus reliability on routes such as the 235 and 65, and the need for a crossing on the A316 at Rosebine Avenue. On the subject of regulating rental E-bikes, he told me he hoped that the Devolution Bill will enable TfL to license ebike hire schemes (no more problems at borough boundaries!) as well as pedicabs. |
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MPs in Thames Waters’ catchment area met Water and Flooding Minister Emma Hardy MP to discuss rising water bills and pollution in the Thames. I expressed my concerns about TW’s expensive capital projects such as Tideway and TDRA, that perhaps could achieve better outcomes for less cost (such as using low-tech methods to reduce road run-off into our sewers, and cutting leaks from freshwater pipes.) Emma was able to give us more details on the Government’s announcement to fine water companies for environmental offences, and Ofwat’s refund scheme. |
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Somewhere in Whitehall there is a room full of computers and big screens that is “stood up” for roughly 100 days a year as the Foreign Office’s Crisis Management Centre. I was fortunate to be able to have a tour of the centre, where we had a briefing on how UK citizens caught up in a crisis are supported and how humanitarian aid is delivered, wherever needed. This centre was in full operation in the last week supporting Jamaicans and Brits caught up in the damage of Hurricane Melissa, and contributing to the rescue efforts there. |
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Brent Council is leading a group of Councils across the country, seeking more powers to keep our High Streets free of gambling premises. I know from my casework just how devastating gambling addiction can be for local families on low incomes. When I met Brent Councillors in Parliament, I was glad to see that Hounslow’s Council leader Shantanu Rajawat has signed up to the campaign. |
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Heathrow: I met representatives of IAG (British Airways’ parent company) who described how landing charges, and thus customers’ tickets, could rise in order to pay for Heathrow’s Runway 3. The Government’s preferred scheme for the third runway will be revealed at the end of November. |
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The Centre of Paris has been transformed in recent years – space for walking and cycling has been massively expanded by taking out traffic lanes, creating wider pavements and segregated cycle paths. The most dramatic has been at the famous Place de la Concorde and Place de la Bastille which are no longer multi-lane traffic roundabouts. I joined a group of MPs and Active Travel (walking and cycling) organisations on a one-day visit, to see the transformation for ourselves. Of particular interest to me was how they dealt with “floating” bus stops, placed between vehicle and cycle lanes. |
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During Cycle to School week, I joined Year 6 students at Marlborough School doing their Level 2 Bikeability training. I still use the learning I gained when I was their age, which gives me confidence to ride on our roads safely. It was good to welcome the CEO of Bikeability UK, Emily Cherry, to Marlborough to see the work of our local cycle trainers. |
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Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists and in recent weeks I have had the honour of attending several wonderful events in Hounslow and in Westminster. A very Happy Diwali to all those celebrating! |
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Several local small businesses have contacted me prior to the November budget announcement. Rona at TDS Laundry in Isleworth, and Annie at the Brewery Tap in Brentford are just two who told me they are feeling the impact of a combination of high interest rates, rising costs for staff, utilities, and business rates, at a time when their customers are having to cut back too. Although I couldn’t promise the budget will be easy, I committed to raising their concerns with Treasury Ministers. |
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The Full of Life Fair held at the Allianz stadium was an event to help people in and around Richmond borough learn about local services and community groups, and get information about support around health and wellbeing, budgeting and benefits, and much more. Everyone from Diabetes UK to the Richmond Ramblers had stalls. As I have only just become one of Richmond’s MPs, it was useful for me to meet local groups and to learn about the services available in the borough. |
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The Polish awards evening celebrated the achievements of our large Polish Community in West London. Organised by Polish Klan’s Malwina Kukaj it was supported by the Polish Embassy to the UK. I was honoured to present the Polish Culture and Heritage award, and to be acknowledged as an Honorary Ambassador of Polish Culture. |
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Isleworth Councillor John Stroud-Turp.and I were given a tour of Mogden Sewage Works, seeing parts of the site I’d never visited before. I now understand how “screening” takes place (removing wipes and other non-digestible stuff coming into the works), and just how large the storm water tanks are (but still not large enough to hold the surplus run-off during heavy rain). We saw the changes made since 2010 at Mogden, the work being done to tackle long running issues around the smell and saw everything from the energy produced on site to the site of the TDRA processing plant (if it is given the go-ahead). |
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