MP UPDATE FOR BRENTFORD & ISLEWORTH RESIDENTS

January 2022

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.  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

 

Due to ongoing concerns about Covid infections and Omicron, I am happy to meet constituents either by phone, or on-line, to discuss your concerns. Please email me on [email protected] with your address, a quick summary of the issue and relevant reference numbers.   

 

See my Coronavirus Web-page for information on local and national services, helplines and volunteering;   and to sign up for Hounslow Council’s daily updates. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! (?)

 

So, we’ve said goodbye to the awful 2021, which in the UK was overseen by the truth-shifting, cheese-and-wine partying, corruption-supporting, California-sunbathing, by-election-losing Government that’s careered from one too-late Covid announcement to the next.  We already knew the Omicron variant produced milder symptoms but was vastly more transmissible than Delta, so the Government should have taken swift action to prevent the staffing absence rate we now see in our public services, especially our already over-stretched NHS.  This was a point I raised in an all-MP call with Sajid Javid before Christmas. On 13 December Johnson announced the “Omicron Emergency” offering booster jabs to almost everyone from immediate effect which caused massive queues and systems to crash.  This was because he omitted to give prior warning to the NHS and Councils who were required to ramp up services at nil notice, as Hounslow’s Chief Exec Niall Bolger told me the following morning. And then the county’s single supplier of Lateral Flow testing kits closed down for four days over Christmas….

 

But instead of dwelling on the past – I should perhaps look forward.  I’m trying to be positive, but it’s difficult when the UK is too often doing worse than similar countries; from the response to Covid to key economic indicators.  The latest phase of Brexit implementation means chaos for importers of food and goods from the EU as there has been inadequate Government support for businesses to implement the required complex checks. Then as the year progresses we know that the tax and fuel price rises are going to mean many more people will have to choose between heating and eating.

 

The good news is that Labour leader Keir Starmer is riding high in the polls, and his New Year message announced a new contract for Britain based on: “Security, because everyone has the right to feel safe in their own community; Prosperity, because everyone should have the opportunity to thrive; and Respect, because everyone should be valued”.   As the cost-of-living crisis grows, Keir is showing a positive vision of Britain, and an opportunity to break out of this low growth, high tax cycle the Conservatives are trapping us in.

 

 

MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY in DECEMBER

 

Keir Starmer’s Cabinet Reshuffle at the end of November was followed by a change of personnel at the Junior Shadow Minister level.  As there is no sign of the Government’s Planning Reform Bill, my shadow Planning role had effectively become redundant.  I am therefore very excited to have been appointed as a Shadow Minister in Nick Thomas-Symond’s International Trade team.

 

I voted against the Government's inhumane Borders and Nationality Bill which will return to the Commons in January.  Many constituents have raised concerns with me about the Bill, especially the new powers it gives to the Home Secretary to remove citizenship without prior notice.  Unless amended, the Bill will also criminalise those trying to seek asylum, by creating a two-tier system in breach of the UK’s commitment to international law including the 1951 Refugee Convention.  I will continue to campaign for the Government to show compassion and provide safe and legal routes for people fleeing war and persecution across the world.

Brentford Football Club: Unlike other Premiership clubs Brentford has announced it will keep the same home strip for a second season, thus saving fans around £50 for a new shirt next summer, as well as making a useful environmental point too.  At Business Questions I asked Jacob Rees-Mogg to support Brentford FC’s welcome initiative – he conceded it was a positive move and pretended to know what it was like for parents to have to buy a new strip each year for children.

Following an approach from concerned constituents, I spoke in a debate on the growing crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina. I said the UK needs to show global leadership to uphold integrity of the still-young nation, and spoke about the Srebrenica massacre and the horrors of the Death camps.

 

I was at the despatch box for the second reading of the Commercial Rents (Coronavirus) Bill debate, followed by three days in Bill Committee listening to submissions from affected businesses and then pouring over every line of text.  Seema Malhotra and I led for Labour, we were seeking to ensure that the arrears arbitration system is fair, especially for small independent businesses that have been so badly affected by the pandemic.

 

In response to emails from constituents, I wrote to DCMS about the collapse of the Football Index and the impact that this has had on constituents who have lost money. This is yet another example of what appears to be weaknesses in the UK’s financial regulatory system, which I have raised on several occasions in Parliament.

 

I spoke briefly in the statement on the Integrated Rail Review (ie rail routes for the North – or not) – and mentioned the impact of the cancelling of the HS2 eastern leg and the downgrading of Northern Powerhouse Rail and how this will affect jobs & investment as well as the capacity of the rail system to move freight and people off our roads and onto rail.

 

At Prime Ministers Questions I addressed the lack of Covid support given to Transport for London (TFL), and the Transport Secretary’s refusal to meet with TfL. I mentioned how Boris Johnson, when Mayor, had supported the decision to delete the annual £700 million revenue grant for TFL, a gap that Sadiq Khan would have closed had it not been for the pandemic.  Tory MPs tried to drown me out, but the fact is the Government has been playing political games with much-needed emergency revenue support, without which London’s economy and environment are at risk, not to mention making commuting a nightmare for Londoners.

 

I led a Westminster Hall debate on the Government's Free Period Product Scheme for schools and spoke about the need to tackle stigma to ensure students don’t miss school when they have their periods.

 

At Transport Questions I asked about delays at the DVLA and said that the Transport Select Committee had warned about long running problems for drivers awaiting their licenses, particularly HGV drivers.

 

Ghurka Pensions: Earlier this year I was contacted by several Gurkhas locally about the inadequate levels of their military pension. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence about this, in addition to also speaking in a debate where I mentioned the impact that the cost-of-living crisis was having on them and their families.  Last month I received a response from the Minister for Veterans which simply said that the UK Government is waiting to discuss this issue with the Nepalese Ambassador once the new ambassador is appointed“. I very much hope that the UK Government will act to ensure that those Gurkhas who’ve served our country get the support they deserve.

 

Thamesbank Credit Union is seeking new Board members to govern and shape Thamesbank, which provides affordable loans to people in Hounslow and outer West London.  If you have the  skills and experience you could use to support this worthwhile organisation, details are on their website.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

To celebrate Small Business Saturday I visited several local independent businesses including the Osterley Bookshop, Vanilla Moon Coffee shop in Isleworth and Hang Climbing Centre in Hounslow Town Centre.  Because small businesses are really struggling with rents, rates and the forthcoming National Insurance hike I support Labour’s calls to replace the Business Rates system.

In December we said goodbye to Margaret Krowicki, who I had the honour of knowing ever since I first met her when, as a regular user of the old Heston Occupational Work Centre for people with disabilities, she spoke in SUPPORT of its closure by the Council.  She felt that disabled people should be able to take control of their own lives, as opposed to the imposed activities provided by the Day Centres.  Margaret went on to play significant roles in Disability Network Hounslow and Speak Out,  and was a major force in many other local organisations. Along with so many local people, I miss her joy and enthusiasm, whatever life threw up.

With Mayor Cllr Bishnu Gurung, I attended the Christmas Carol Service, outside Holy Trinity Church on Hounslow High Street, led by new vicar Rev Sally Baily. It was wonderful to hear traditional Carols sung in Urduy and Hindi, as well as English!

I visited the Royal Mail delivery office in Chiswick to say thank you to our posties, to drop off a Christmas present for them and to catch up with the Communications Workers Union West London rep, Gerry

Hounslow Council has worked with West London Queer Project to paint a “Rainbow Crossing” outside the newly re-opened, gay-friendly Six Bells in Brentford.  I welcome the solidarity the Council has demonstrated to the LGBTQ+ community and how it promotes inclusion and respect.

I met Chiswick Gators Basketball Club during their Friday session, meeting the players, and shared their sorrow at the loss of Ali,  a founder member and latterly a coach at the club, who was tragically murdered in November. I know that he made such a huge difference to the lives of so many young people locally.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

 

Twitter: @RuthCadbury Web: www.ruthcadbury.org.uk Facebook: “ RuthCadburyMP”

 

Casework: for issues to raise with me as your MP, please contact my office: [email protected]

Tel: 020 8581 3646 or write: Ruth Cadbury MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA. 

 

Diary:  I welcome the opportunity to attend community events to hear your views about issues affecting the area, or to meet different groups in our community.  Please do get in touch with by emailing [email protected] or phone 020 7219 8590

Printed from an email sent by Ruth Cadbury MP