[Image]

 

MP’S UPDATE FOR BRENTFORD AND ISLEWORTH RESIDENTS FEBRUARY 2023

 

[I'm an image]

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE ISSUES WITH ME AS YOUR MP PLEASE EMAIL
ON [email protected] WITH YOUR ADDRESS, A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE
ISSUE (AND RELEVANT REFERENCE NUMBERS).   

 

SEE MY WEB PAGE  [1]FOR INFORMATION ON LOCAL AND NATIONAL SERVICES.

 

As 2023 gets under way, the impact of 12 years of Tory rule is really
showing; a cost-of-living crisis, stagnant growth, failing public services
and key workers striking - nurses on strike for the first time in
history!  As Ministers continue to refuse to conduct meaningful
negotiations with the Unions, the Government has pushed through the
appalling Minimum Services (or “Sack the Nurses”) Bill.

[I'm an image]

Sunak, the third PM in a year, promised to be a better leader; but he’s
so fearful of backbench rebellions he has had three climbdowns in a few
weeks, on housebuilding, onshore wind, and social media regulations. 
He’s dithered over sacking Zahawi and Raab and should never have
appointed Braverman in the first place.   

 

It’s looking so bad for this Government that even life-long Tory
supporter Rod Stewart has called time on them and said the Labour Party
should have a chance!

 

Meanwhile, not only are the polls continuing to show strong support for
Labour; business leaders are now actively engaging with Shadow Ministers in
the expectation of a Labour Government.  So many business leaders told us
at the packed Trade Reception how they really welcome Keir’s vision for a
fairer, greener, more dynamic economy.

[I'm an image]

[I'm an image]

 

MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY IN JANUARY

YOU CAN SEE FULL DETAILS OF MY QUESTIONS AND SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT,

AND GET REGULAR UPDATES ABOUT MY PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES THEYWORKFORYOU
[2] (VOTES) IN HANSARD [3] (SPEECHES) AND ON YOUTUBE [4]

IN THE CHAMBER;

* I asked the Housing Minister how the Government can ensure there is
adequate funding for new social (council and housing association rental)
housing, when his department had the largest proportional cut in spending
plans of any Government Department. As usual the answer referred to
“Affordable” housing, which is not the same as social rent housing!
* I spoke in the Retained EU Law Bill debate [5], a Bill that Labour is
fundamentally opposed to because it removes Parliamentary scrutiny to a
whole body of legislation. The Government has decided that any of our
rolled-over laws that originated in the EU before Brexit, must be Bad and
don’t need to exist (unless they – Ministers - decide to review
them).  The Bill gives sweeping powers to wipe out laws that already
exist, laws that govern everything from our rights at work, our food, our
environment, vehicle standards and much more.
* I challenged Michael Gove to address not only flammable cladding, but
all the other non-fire safety scandals in blocks of flats, such as the
Paragon in Brentford, which was evacuated with a week’s notice over two
years ago
* With Iran selling drones to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, I
asked the Foreign Secretary what the UK Government is doing to counter this
trade.

It was good to see the Government finally agreed to pay BEREAVEMENT BENEFIT
to cohabiting partners with children, an issue I raised with Ministers
after being approached by a bereaved constituent.

 

I’VE SUBMITTED FURTHER WRITTEN QUESTIONS [6] TO GOVERNMENT MINISTERS
SEEKING INFORMATION ON;

* SEVERANCE PAY FOR MINISTERS who were only in post for a few weeks in
2022, and on the costs of overseas visits by Trade ministers
* the support needed for EVENT ORGANISERS based in Europe to be able to
work in the UK
* the export of PARAQUAT
* overdue FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) REQUESTS to the Trade Department
* ARMS EXPORT CONTROLS
* the implications of CHANGING THE STATE PENSION AGE for women from 60
– 65
* ENERGY VOUCHER REBATES for those on prepayment meters

PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS

* BREW MONDAY with the Samaritans; encouraging people to talk to others
when overwhelmed
* The All Party Parliamentary Group on CYCLING & WALKING met Jesse Norman
MP. He’s back again as the Transport Minister responsible for Active
Travel. Lots of warm words, but nothing we havn’t heard before.  At
least he committed to retain Active Travel England – an important agency
that only recently got off the ground.
* Celebrated the “PONGAL” HARVEST FESTIVAL with London’s Tamil
Community
* A briefing on #FURFREEBRITAIN calling for the ending of the sale and
importation of animal fur

[I'm an image]

I attended a moving HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY ceremony in Parliament with the
Speaker and survivors of the Holocaust and of the genocides in Bosnian and
Darfur, as well as signing the Memorial Book

 

I joined a cross-party group of MPs at the BANK OF ENGLAND where we were
briefed about their work, and learned how their decisions impact on the
cost of living for our constituents.  We also had a tour of the Bank (but
didn’t get to see the gold bars …)

 

COMMUNITY UPDATE

[I'm an image]

So many of us in London rely on our buses which, compared to much of
England, are reasonably reliable and safe.  I visited STAMFORD BROOK
GARAGE in Chiswick, which is also the UK HQ of French Company RATP who run
several of London’s bus routes.  Like all London’s bus operators,
ridership and revenue are not yet back to pre-Covid levels. They struggle
to fill all driver vacancies though they have agreed a 10% wage increase
for their drivers.  I also learned that, while new TfL bus contracts are
required to use 100% zero emission buses, RATP have concerns about the grid
capacity needed serve the charging points that their bus garages will
require. 

[I'm an image]

I WAS INTRODUCED TO BITEBACK 2030 [7] by Alice, a school student who is
active in this national youth-led campaign to improve children’s
nutrition.  At our on-line meeting they told me about their campaigns; 
to end junk food advertising, and for all low-income children to get free
school meals.

[I'm an image]

AT ASHTON HOUSE school I attended their assembly, then met the School
Council. 

 

I also welcomed the “female Young Leaders” of LAMPTON SCHOOL when they
came into Parliament.

[I'm an image]

THE HYDE GALLERY is a new art gallery in Chiswick showing and selling works
by women artists. I was delighted to meet owner Luda Hyde, and artist Jo
Holdsworth who is showing her amazing painting of Westminster Bridge.

[I'm an image]

TDS COMMERCIAL is a small specialist commercial laundry in Isleworth
serving hotels, hostels and spas with clean towels and sheets as well as
cleaning specialist clothes. Owner and CEO Rona Tait is leading the way in
a conservative industry, to reduce their climate impact, by cutting gas and
water consumption.  For instance, her washing machines use ozone which
means all laundry can be washed in cold water, and with minimal detergent.

[I'm an image]

With local police officers, Councillors and community representatives I
went on a POLICE “WALK AND TALK” round Hounslow Town Centre.  I heard
how the new dedicated policing team for Hounslow Town centre had made a
huge difference for local businesses in making the town centre a safer
place to shop and work.  This team provides the extra focus in and around
the High Street that I and Councillors called for over many years.  It was
also good to see how Hounslow Council has invested in better fencing and
lighting along a key alleyway linking Spring Grove Road with Kingsley Road,
used by many residents.

 

After being contacted by several local residents about THEFTS FROM CARS on
Lionel Road North during matches at Brentford FC, I raised the issue with
the police.  I’m pleased to hear that they are taking action and are
working closely with the council and the football club to tackle this
specific issue. However, we urgently need more neighbourhood police
officers on our streets after a decade of Government cuts. It is therefore
welcome news that London Mayor Sadiq Khan has committed to deliver 500
neighbourhood PCSOs across London but it’s not enough, and we need more
funding from Government to ensure London can return to the policing levels
we had in 2010. 

[I'm an image]

IRISH POET WB YEATS [8] lived and hung out in famous Bedford Park, the area
and its people that inspired many of his poems.  Chiswick resident and
poetry fan Jeremy Vine launched a smart-phone poetry-places guided walk
through Bedford Park with the many donors and organisers who have made such
an exciting project possible. We started at the information board next to
the silver and gold Enwrought Light sculpture, outside St Michael and All
Angels Church.  To do the tour, which takes about an hour, all you need is
a smart-phone or tablet to read the QR card, and off you go, listening to
descriptions and poetry at each key landmark. 

CONTACT  ME

If you need my support or help please email me: [email protected], or
phone: 020 8581 3646 or Write: Ruth Cadbury MP House of Commons, London
SW1A 0AA. Let us have a quick summary of the issue,  and include your
address as I am only able to directly assist my constituents.  Please also
include relevant reference numbers.

I hold regular surgeries, usually on Fridays, which can be in person,
on-line or by phone; please contact my office to make an appointment.
However many issues can be dealt with more quickly by email or a phone call
which saves waiting for the next available surgery.

For my Diary and Parliamentary Office email [email protected] 020
219 8590

UNSUBSCRIBE [9]

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




Links:
------
[1] [link removed]
[2] [link removed]
[3] [link removed]
[4] [link removed]
[5] [link removed](RevocationAndReform)Bill#contribution-F71FF735-76DA-4D04-BF0D-489191CEC703
[6] [link removed]
[7] [link removed]
[8] [link removed]
[9] [link removed]