MP UPDATE FOR RESIDENTS
December 2021
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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.
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Budget Debate: My speech focussed on the decisions that will hit so many people in their pockets, with a double whammy of tax hikes and cuts to universal credit. Charities like Hounslow Community FoodBox and Open Kitchen, are doing vital work to support families who are struggling to make ends meet, but they are only needed because Government policies are pushing people further and further into debt. I also focused on further education: by 2024 sixth-forms and adult education colleges will have seen 14 consecutive years of cuts. This makes it harder for
colleges like West Thames to provide world class education and develop the skills our economy needs for the future.
In the Environment Bill debate I spoke against the Government's refusal to tackle sewage pollution, saying we need higher fines for polluters, proper parliamentary scrutiny and clear reductions in sewage discharges. The second time the relevant amendment came back to the Commons from the Lords, the Government caved in and agreed to address the issue.
Gurkha veterans are seeking equal pensions to other British veterans of the same rank and service. In a debate about their plight I also addressed the unfair immigration fees they are required to pay; £2,000 per person, when the cost to the Home Office of dealing with an application is just £200.
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe remains in custody in Iran. I visited her husband, Richard Ratcliffe on the sixteenth day of his hunger strike, alongside Lord Alf Dubs and Baroness Doreen Lawrence. It is time for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to finally take action to secure her release.
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I joined the Muslim Council of Britain and Amnesty International to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month. It's appalling to see that 45% of religiously motivated hate crimes are targeted against Muslims, with a 40% increase in online attacks.
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Some good news from India: After over a year of protest we learn that their Government are set to repeal new farming laws that would have impoverished millions of Indian farmers. Following an informative meeting some months ago I, and other MPs, wrote to the UK Government to put pressure on the Indian Government, so we may have helped.
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COP26 was possibly the most significant international event for many years in determining what sort of world we leave to our children and grandchildren. It was in fact two events; an enormous conference, and a set of international negotiations of huge significance tasked with agreeing a clear delivery plan to bring global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees C.
I was lucky enough to go to Glasgow for two days. It was an amazing conference running alongside the negotiations, full of information-sharing, networking, challenge and celebration. I attended the days focussing on Transport, and on Cities and Regional Government. I met and heard presentations from national and international politicians, experts and campaigners which I hope to bring into my work in the coming year.
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I took with me to Glasgow the hopes and fears of many local children, having visited schools in Chiswick, Brentford, Isleworth and Hounslow over the last month, to hear what COP26 means to them. Many schools have or are working towards the Eco-Schools Green Flag and children are pushing their headteachers to address issues such as lowering the heating, separating waste, to adopt travel-to-school policies and meat-free Mondays, and much more. There is no doubt that our environment is right at the top of young people’s concerns for the future, and they made it clear that elected politicians have a responsibility to
deliver for them now. Their questions and observations were so wise, and make me hopeful for the future
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In terms of the negotiations by Governments and their final outcome; most climate-exposed countries of the global south were deeply disappointed, especially after India forced the language around coal to be watered down at the 11th hour. Greenpeace concluded “the 1.5C goal is only just alive, but a signal has been sent that the era of coal is ending. And that matters”.
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Meanwhile, and back in Parliament, there is no doubt that our own Government is strong on the rhetoric, but weak in delivery when it comes to Climate Change. It was really disappointing that in the Budget the Chancellor announced a tax cut for domestic flights, which is estimated to lead to over 400,000 extra journeys a year and will do nothing to support more climate-friendly travel, particularly rail. They are delivering few sensible climate targets, and little consistent action in areas of planning, development, housing, the environment or transport. The UK has gone backwards since the Conservatives came to power; for
instance they abandoned the Labour Government’s Zero Carbon Homes policy, since when 1 million homes have been built that are expensive to heat and cool, and which will have to be retrofitted to achieve emissions targets.
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Bridge Link Community Centre on Ivybridge estate hosts a Youth Club twice a week. I had a wonderful time meeting members, volunteers, and staff. Due to cuts in Council spending, they are one of the few youth clubs in the borough now open, despite their importance in supporting young people who often have few opportunities outside of school.
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I spent a shift in the car with one of our local Police Response teams. Between them these cars patrol the length and breadth of the borough, responding to calls that come in on the radio, and following up from incidents and calls from the previous 24 hours. I learned from the two officers that so much of their time is spent dealing with a relatively small number of people. The issues too often involve addiction, domestic abuse and/or mental illness. The officers felt that their job has increasingly meant they are picking up the pieces as other front-line services have been cut.
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The SUEZ Waste transfer station in Transport Avenue in Brentford is where our “black bin” waste goes for crushing before being put onto trains to be taken to an “Energy from Waste” plant near Bristol. I had a chance to see the improvements they’ve made to the site, and learn how they handle waste from Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond.
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A promising student and basketball coach, Ali was murdered and great grandmother Betty seriously injured in a knife attack in Brentford on 12th November. The community has come together in the face of this tragedy. I have met both their families to offer my support, and an emotional vigil was held to celebrate the loss of a lovely young man with so much promise whose life was cut short so needlessly. Anyone with any information should phone 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers, quoting cad ref 6423/12Nov21
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Residents of Academy Place in Isleworth spent over a week without water while A2Dominion and their property manager, Mainstay, dithered before the repairs were finally carried out. Local Councillors and I pushed both to sort the problem and to provide water and other support, particularly for vulnerable residents. I am still waiting for a substantive response from A2D and Mainstay to my questions about the cause of the delays and compensation for the affected residents.
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It was an honour to be at Brentford’s Remembrance service to pay respects to those who’ve served and lost lives in our name. We honour and remember them. In the light of Ali’s tragic murder & for Betty, Rev Guinness also asked us to commit to community peace & harmony.
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I was at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Hounslow celebrating the birth anniversary (Gurpurab) of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It was delightfult to hear the always-wise Lord Inderjit Singh talk about the Guru’s core teachings and how they apply to us all, of all faiths.
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Hounslow was awarded Council of Year in the Local Government Chronicle Awards. This is great news and a tribute to the staff and councillors at Hounslow Council. Over the past 18 months we’ve seen the Council reach their housebuilding target, provide free school meals to young people during half term, roll out the extremely successful £20 voucher scheme for local businesses and set up a Community Hub (now renamed “Community Solutions”) to provide a single-point of contact for any borough resident needing help, support or advice.
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My Marathon Fundraising
I raised over £2,000 in the Thames Meander Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support, and Friends of Cathja, a creative workshop for adults who are vulnerable to severe and enduring mental health issues. Rin at FoC tells me the money raised will enable them to replace some of their older tools such as cordless drills, which are about £100 each. Thank you so much to everyone who donated to these two great charities!
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I do hope all readers of my Update have a wonderful festive season, a Happy Christmas holiday and a peaceful New Year. Perhaps like the Prime Minister, you’ll visit Peppa Pig World; “as I am sure we all must” - he said to a hall full of incredulous business people, or maybe you won’t, and instead you’ll be able to spend the Christmas and New Year with family and friends (Covid permitting)
With best wishes, and here’s hoping 2022 is a better year for everyone
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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
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Printed from an email sent by Ruth Cadbury MP 367 Chiswick High Road
London, LON W4 4AG
United Kingdom
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