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MP’S REPORT OF MAY 2020 ACTIVITIES 

I provide regular updates on my work to local residents.

You can find previous reports of my work on my web site;
www.ruthcadbury.co.uk [1] I also report regularly on my Facebook page [2]
and via Twitter [3] and Instagram @RuthCadbury [4]. You can see full
details of my questions and speeches in Parliament, and get Regular updates
about my Parliamentary activities on TheyWorkForYou [5]in Hansard [6]and on
YouTube [7]

SEE MY SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS WEB-PAGE [8] FOR INFORMATION ON

LOCAL AND NATIONAL SERVICES, HELP-LINES AND VOLUNTEERING;

 AND TO SIGN UP FOR HOUNSLOW COUNCIL’S DAILY UPDATES.

LEADERSHIP

When Covid-19 first started to multiply in the UK, I reserved judgement as
to the timing of the Government's decisions around lock-down. But then my
anger grew as the UK is now only second to the US in the number of deaths,
there are still around a thousand people dying every 4 days, and over 7,000
new cases a day. The reproductive rate is perilously close to 1 and we've
got a test and trace system that doesn't work.

Now the debacle over Dominic Cummings is only going to make it more
difficult to get the infection under control. We have put aside our normal
instincts; as parents, as siblings, as children of ageing parents and as
friends; in order to keep not only ourselves safe, but our community and
our country. So many constituents have told me about the heartache they
endured as they followed both the lockdown rules including parents who had
to care for children while being really ill themselves. For the Prime
Minister to condone Cummings' actions is a clear insult to everyone who has
followed the lockdown rules, and shows there is one rule for the Prime
Minister's advisors and another rule for everyone else.

And who WAS Johnson looking at every time he turned to the side for
reassurance during his shambolic performance during the Liaison Committee
session the day after the Rose Garden press conference?

“LET ME BREATHE”

After yet another night of angry protests in the States, we cannot dismiss
the situation in the US as not being relevant here. This is a wake-up call
that our neighbours, friends and colleagues here in the UK still experience
racism regularly and we have a duty to call it out.

HEATHROW, BRITISH AIRWAYS AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY

British Airways is delivering a masterclass of appalling employment
practice. BA has given 42,000 loyal staff notice of redundancy, and has
said they will completely and permanently undermine the pay and conditions
of those who remain, all this done under the cover of the pandemic. As a
member of the Transport Select Committee I challenged BA Chairman Willie
Walsh on his behaviour towards his staff, some of whom will face a halving
of their pay under the proposals. With other West London MPs I've met with
BA staff trade unions; BALPA (pilots) and Unite. I've written to BA but
have yet to have a satisfactory answer.

Heathrow is now operating at less than 5% of it's normal capacity, and
whilst we may be basking in the silence and the clean air, this is having a
devastating impact on those whose jobs or businesses are dependent on the
airport. At least 10% of the borough's adult population work directly at
Heathrow, and many more in the supply chain. We know that Aviation will
take longer than most other sectors to recover. I have had meetings with
Council officers, unions and I chaired a briefing for MPs whose
constituencies surround Heathrow, to discuss a recovery plan for our area.
We will be seeking specific support from the government, such as extending
the furlogh scheme for this sector, and supporting skills training so that
people can diversify into other jobs in the medium to long term. That
support should have clear conditions around jobs, terms and conditions and
environmental targets.

The one bit of good news is that the pandemic has probably killed the third
runway for ever - a blessing for our local environment and for the planet.

CONTACTING ME AND MY TEAM

Although I am no longer able to meet with you in person for the time being,
my team and I are still working to assist you. Please understand that we
will have to deal with the most urgent situations first and then any
relating to COVID-19. Other emails and calls may take longer to receive a
response. Please email [email protected] including your full contact
details (& any relevant reference numbers e.g. DWP. Home Office, and/or my
ZA reference) if we've responded on the same issue before. Without all the
above information, there may be a delay processing your enquiry.

Phone: 020 8581 3646 between 10am - 2pm Monday - Thursday and we will do
our very best to assist you or 020 7219 8590.

THE HYBRID PARLIAMENT worked fairly well. We were able to vote on-line, and
speak either in the Commons or from home.

As there was less parliamentary time, there were fewer opportunities to
speak or question Ministers. However, rather than ending them, the
arrangments should be extended. Under the hybrid Parliament, MPs have been
able to participate irrespective of whether we are shielding or pregnant or
ill, or caring for others in the family, or for whom travelling to
Westminster is difficult. But instead, as I write this, the Government is
bringing it to an end, and with it the equality of access for MPs to
contribute. Now it seems participation will only be possible for those able
to come to Westminster.

Furthermore, many more MPs could have to stay away if identified as
potentially having Covid-19 through the Test & Trace system. I share the
disapointment of many members of all parties about the premature ending of
the arrangements as it will be many months before Parliament is deemed safe
enough to function as before. I submitted my views to the inquiry on the
issue being carried out by the Procedures Committee.

THE IMMIGRATION BILL The Government insisted on pushing ahead with a new
Immigration Bill. This is part of Brexit preparation and not only ends
freedom of movement for EU citizens wishing to enter the UK but also gives
Government Ministers the powers to push ahead with a new 'points-based'
immigration system. EU and non-EU migrants make a huge contribution both
locally and across the UK, yet this Bill means that over 66% of those
currently in the health and social work sector would be unable to enter the
country.

It's not right that Government Ministers clap for our carers on a Thursday
and then push ahead with plans for an immigration system that would make it
harder to support our care sector.

We need an immigration system that works for communities across our
country, that works for our economy and works for our NHS and social care
sector. It's clear that the Government's current plan fails that test.

THE AGRICULTURE BILL The Agriculture Bill 2nd reading passed by a majority
in the Commons in May, and shows the government's intention to lower
standards across the board. The bill could have been an chance to improve
food and animal welfare standards while tackling the climate crisis - but
the government wasted that opportunity. In recent months, it has become
apparent that this government is desperate to strike a trade deal with the
US at any cost. However, we must not allow any deal to undermine our
existing food and animal welfare standards. Our farmers cannot survive if
they are undercut, and if that were to happen, it would be the consumers
who suffer as a result.

DURING MAY I:

* Wrote to the communities & local government secretary calling for
changes to the Covid grant scheme so more local small businesses could
benefit.
* Following my question in the House, I wrote to Matt Hancock seeking a
commitment to long-term mental health support given the impact of the
pandemic on mental health on both NHS staff and all those bereaved and
traumatised by the impact of the pandemic
* Wrote, along with 20 other London MPs to the PM highlighting that
Transport workers are dying of Covid-19 at an even higher rate than health
workers, seeking Government support for adequate PPE and death in service
benefits
* Wrote to the Prisons Minister about the need for adequate PPE in
prisons to keep both prisoners and prison staff safe;
* Wrote another letter to the Chancellor expressing concerns about the
Self-employed impact scheme;
* Signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) opposing Israel's annexation of the
West Bank.

I was very pleased to be asked by our shadow Justice Secretary, David
Lammy, to be his PPS (Parliamentary Private Secretary).

COMMUNITY UPDATE

Hounslow borough has had a lower death and infection rate than other
boroughs and PPE stocks for NHS and care homes managed to hold up. The
Council's Hub has responded to the varied needs of vulnerable and isolated
residents. I would like to compliment Cllr Steve Curran, Councillors and
officers for the extraordinary work to make this possible, and also for the
public Q&A Zoom session Steve held. It's also good to know that Hounslow
has had London's lowest level of Covid19 infections in care homes. This is
thanks in no small part to the work of Hounslow's Director of Public
Health, Kelly O'Neil who (unusually for a DPH) has a background in nursing
and in infectious disease control, and she has visited and briefed the
managers and staff of all care homes on safe care techniques that reduce
the spread of infection.

I've had regular calls with many senior leaders, but particularly of our
local Council, Police and Health Services and with the London Mayor's
Officer and the Deputy Mayor for Transport (Heidi Alexander).

I joined Hounslow's Mayor, Cllr Tony Louki with Hounslow Fire Service for
the CLAP FOR CARERS one Thursday.

HOUNSLOW MOSQUE set up the annual Ramadan Radio which I was honoured to
"appear" on to answer questions about the local and national response to
the coronavirus. Ramadan under lock-down was difficult for Muslims this
year, but despite this, local Mosques have been unstinting in their efforts
to ensure no-one, of whatever faith, goes hungry. Hounslow Mosque continue
to provide 1000 meals per day. Eid Mubarak!

VE DAY should have meant a weekend of community celebrations for the defeat
of Fascism in Europe, but instead we made do with (socially distanced)
street parties. I did manage to find photos of local street parties from 70
years ago - here's Hamilton Road in Brentford.

I joined Seema Malhotra MP to thank volunteers at the Bedfont FOODBANK in
the west of the borough, where I met three Indian students helping out.
They are still studying at Kingston University, but are destitute as
they've lost their jobs and are unable to be sent money from home due to
currency restrictions.

AFTER TWO LONG MONTHS OF LOCKDOWN - we are not out of the woods, but in the
days ahead many will be heading back to school or work. However, the need
for help and support for vulnerable people will, if anything, increase, so
if you have time, or money, please do support your local community.

IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER please do; with your local _Covid19 Mutual Aid Group
[9]_, or _Hounslow Volunteering Centre [10]_ to help a Hounslow community
organisation.

IF YOU CAN SPARE MONEY TO HARD-PRESSED CHARITIES - then please do that too.
Many vital charities may not survive the loss of income as normal
charitable giving collapses. And now there will be the exponential growth
in demand for some such as foodbanks, advice and information services and
domestic violence charities.

Here are some local ones: _Hounslow Community Foodbox [11]_ Ivybridge
Foodbank (_run by All Souls Church, St Margarets [12]_), _AgeUK Hounslow
[13]_, and _Hounslow Open_ [14] Kitchen

If you can - please give generously of your time or your money!!

You can get DAILY UPDATES about national and local information and services
from Hounslow Council here [15].

UNSUBSCRIBE [16]

Printed from an email sent my Ruth Cadbury MP 367 Chiswick High Road
London, LON W4 4AG
United Kingdom




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