I recently met with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Helen Whately MP, to raise concerns about the impact of these proposals on small brewers. Please click the pdf link below for a government briefing on the issue, which may be of interest.
There is a clear need to strengthen protections and legislate to tackle violence against women. I wrote to the Government and urged it to step up its actions in tackling violence against women and girls. Click the pdf link below to read the response I received.
I received my booster jab from Spring Pharmacy in Hoxton. It was quick, painless, and easy.
The new Omicron variant means it is vital we do everything we can to stay protected. Please book your booster jab as soon as you can. Book a vaccine appointment here.
Hackney is at the sharp end of the housing crisis, with high rents and many in insecure temporary accommodation. ‘Affordable housing’ set as 80% of private rents is not affordable for people in Hackney in temporary accommodation or overcrowded housing.
Hackney families were recently hit by a £20 per week cut to Universal Credit. There are 16,760 households in Hackney South and Shoreditch on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit, which meant a total cut of £17,430,400 in our constituency. 6 in 10 of all single-parent families in the UK will be hit. It will bring the basic rate of benefits to its lowest level since 1990.
Good broadband speeds are a vital need but parts of Hackney still face issues with slow broadband speeds.
The average download speed in London is 78.3 Mbps, however in Hackney Central it is as low as 47.4 Mbps, putting it in the worst 30 per cent of areas across the UK. Shoreditch is also in the worst 10 per cent of areas in the UK for people unable to receive good speeds.
On Remembrance Day we take time to thank those who've served and continue to serve in our armed forces as well as reflect on those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.
We honour and remember them.
I recognise the impact of the pandemic but I believe bus services need to be regular and reliable and these should be a priority for investment.
Buses are a lot cheaper than the train or tube and these are just not affordable alternatives for many. I am keen to promote cycling but this is not an option for many Hackney residents who will continue to rely on the bus.
I will work with Hackney's representative to the London Assembly, Sem Moema, to monitor bus routes and push against the worst changes.
Click the pdf link below to read the reply in full.
Parliament
COP 26 and climate emergency roundtable
Global leaders are meeting in Glasgow between the 1-12 November to coordinate the urgent next steps we must take to prevent a climate catastrophe. Leaders will also present their nationally determined contributions (each country’s roadmap for cutting their national carbon emissions). It will be the biggest summit our country has ever hosted and one of the most important.
I've prepared a Thank You NHS video to applaud the hard work of our health and care workers during this pandemic.
Though restrictions have been fully lifted, it's important we still play our part in stopping the spread of COVID. If you haven't yet had your vaccine, please book now.
You can book your vaccine appointment here.
And find out more about the jab from Hackney Council here.