Boris Johnson has finally resigned as Prime Minister. But despite his resignation he remains in charge as a lame duck Prime Minister whilst the Conservative Party picks our new PM, again. I challenged Boris Johnson at a meeting of the Liaison Committee (the committee of select committee Chairs) this week before he resigned. During the meeting, the number of ministerial resignations and new backbench Conservative MP critics kept escalating.
Seven per cent of deaths of people over 30 in Hackney can be attributed to particulate air pollution. The Public Accounts Committee held a hearing on this issue and pressed senior officials on what steps the Government will take to address this issue. But it's also a reminder of the urgent need to tackle the climate emergency. Whilst air pollution in general has decreased over decades, the level of nitrogen dioxide is breaching local limits in many areas.
Read my Monthly Report for June 2022 here.
Between 2010-2020, the Government reduced funding to NHS dentists by a quarter. Labour called a debate in the House of Commons on access to NHS dentistry and I made the point that the Government is woefully underdelivering on this issue. Difficulties with accessing NHS dentistry has been an issue since before COVID-19 hit. The pandemic has only made things worse and the Government has been too slow to act. I’ll keep urging it to step up and fix this issue.
A number of constituents have been in touch to voice their concerns about the Government's abhorrent plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to be processed. This is an unacceptable policy on all humanitarian grounds and runs roughshod over international legal agreements about providing asylum to those fleeing persecution and war. It is also unworkable and would cost the UK taxpayer dearly.
Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than their white counterparts. This statistic is a snapshot of the wider health inequalities faced by black and minority ethnic mothers and their children. I’ve signed the Five X More MPs Pledge to draw attention to this overlooked issue and join forces with other MPs in campaigning for the Government to act.
After two years of lockdown and no travel, it was entirely predictable that there would be an increase in passport demand. There is now a serious backlog in processing passport applications. Labour called a debate in the House of Commons to highlight the issue and press the Government for action. I’ve also been helping constituents get their passports returned in time for funerals, weddings, and holidays but the Government has been asleep on the job. It is not good enough and the Government must urgently step up and fix this issue.
This week, the Prime Minister faced a vote of confidence by his MPs. Although a majority of Conservative MPs voted in support of the Prime Minister, over 40 per cent confirmed that they do not have confidence in his leadership. This is a damning indictment of a government in shambles, with eyewatering backlogs in the immigration system, the NHS, and the courts.
Transport for London has announced a new consultation that will impact bus routes 254, 279, 242, 135, 56, 236, 205, 214, 26, 277, 78, 47.
Buses are a vital lifeline for many in Hackney. As a mode of transport, it is a lot cheaper than the train or tube - these are just not an affordable alternative for some. I am keen to promote cycling but this is not an option for many Hackney residents who will continue to rely on the bus.
The UK must act against the ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. I have signed a letter calling for the Government to undertake an audit of the UK assets of Hong Kong and Chinese officials who have been linked to gross human rights violations. I am urging the Government to introduce Hong Kong specific sanctions list.
Click the link below to read the letter in full.