This week I met with Hackney Quest and the London’s Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement. I listened to young people’s ideas about how to put an end to youth violence in Hackney and discussed how a long-term approach was needed over short-term initiatives.
To find out more about the work Hackney Quest does for the community click visit http://www.hackneyquest.org.uk/
I visited Wentworth Nursery School in Hackney Wick to meet with children, parents and staff and discuss the successes and challenges in providing early years education.
Cllr Chris Kennedy also met parents and we discussed special educational needs provisions in Hackney. Government has cut funding to councils by over 40% in the last eight years, stretching the funding support for children’s special needs.
I was delighted to join Path to Success, a charity which supports 12 elite para-athletes to compete at the next Olympics
I met so many inspiring athletes, including the London Titans basketball team, at the Copper Box for a charity Wheelchair Basketball game. For more information about how to support this fantastic cause, see: https://www.pathtosuccess.org.uk/
I signed Hackney Council and the Co-op Party's Charter Against Modern Slavery, alongside Mayor Philip Glanville and Diane Abbott MP.
Many residents have contacted me to express their concern over the changes to bus routes in Hackney. I have raised these issues directly with TfL and they have asked me to provide more information on when, and in which direction, delays have occurred so they can investigate these incidents.
If you’ve had a bad experience with the number 30 bus since the withdrawal of the 277 bus route, or any other bus route, then please contact my office via meghilliermp@parliament.uk or using the ‘Contact’ tab on this website.
Hackney hosts one of the most vibrant and emerging technology hubs in London. However, many businesses and households that rely heavily on broadband connections are still facing below- average broadband speed.
Last week I urged the Government to ensure that more will be done to deliver superfast broadband in Hackney.
I recently received an email from a former work experience student, who spent time in my office in October 2017. She informed me that her experience increased her confidence and encouraged her to embrace new opportunities. She shared the fantastic news that she has been selected to represent London at the International Congress of Youth Voices in San Francisco this summer.
It’s wonderful to see Hackney being represented by young and talented individuals, and I look forward to hearing of her future success in the coming years.
I join with my colleague Sue Hayman, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, when she says of the recent River Lea industrial oil spill: ‘We must try and stop this happening ever again’.
I have written to the Environment Agency (EA), urging that action be taken to contain such waste spills into the river, and for longer term planning to make sure better provision is in place to tackle such crises.
I met with Transport for London (TfL) recently about their proposed cutting down of bus routes through Hackney including plans to cut the 277 route between Dalston Junction and Highbury and Islington.
I stressed importance of an increase of frequency of the 30 bus - and other buses - to compensate for any such cut and ensure an even better link through to the tube at Highbury & Islington.
TfL will increase the frequency from seven to eight buses an hour, not enough to make up for the loss of the 277.