Hackney needs more properly affordable homes. Children are growing up in severely overcrowded or temporary accommodation – and the idea of owning a home is for many a pipe dream.

 

See me challenge the Government on what it will do to help councils build more affordable housing.

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The Home Secretary leaked sensitive information and is overseeing inhumane conditions at the asylum processing centre in Kent. She needs to go.

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The Prime Minister's policies have caused chaos in the markets and wrecked the economy. How can anyone in the country have confidence in the Prime Minister?

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I spoke at a panel event at this year's Labour Party conference on how a future Labour Government would work with the civil service. I stressed that turnover is a huge problem. In the seven years that I have been Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, only one permanent secretary is still in post.

 

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I am concerned by reports that the Government is considering uprating benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation. 28% of families in Hackney are on means-tested benefits and this change will mean a real-terms cut to their incomes. This comes at a time when bills are rising to eye-watering levels and many families in Hackney are struggling. 

 

I pressed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this and urged him to increase benefits in line with inflation. I will continue to press for better support.

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Not one river in England is in a healthy condition, with none meeting good chemical standards and only 14 per cent meeting good ecological standards. This has been a particular issue in the River Lea in Hackney. Over 1000 hours of sewage was discharged into the river in 2019.
 

This situation has been exacerbated by cuts to the Environment Agency which have weakened its ability to enforce environmental protections.

 

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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.

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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. 

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