Once again Parliament is faced with important votes on Brexit this week. And once again strong opinion on both sides is drowning the facts.
On International Women’s Day, I am reflecting on the political pioneers that pushed for greater female representation in Parliament. There’s still a long way to go but Rachel Reeves’ new book is a timely reminder of these strong women that helped pave the way.
Watch my new Brexit update vlog here. This week: the Costa amendment, Labour backing a second referendum, and the crucial upcoming Brexit votes later in the month.
On the 14th February the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport told the Public Accounts Committee that the first letter they received from the Irish company backing Seaborne Ferries was in January. The next day Chris Grayling said in response to my question that it was Christmas. They both can’t be right!
Another example of the whole Seaborne Ferries mess and how Theresa May is pushing us to the brink. We’re not ready for Brexit let alone crashing out without a deal.
I have voted against Brexit repeatedly – including not voting to trigger Article 50 in the first place.
On 15 January I voted against the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement along with 431 other MPs. She then returned to the House of Commons on 29 January.
As Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I recently heard evidence of how it is local authorities who are still dealing with the housing issues created by this government’s handling of the Windrush scandal. This is not good enough.
See the full Urgent Question session here.
I recently signed an open letter to the Chancellor in support of the ONE Campaign for Real Aid.
The campaign is calling on the UK Government to guarantee that all UK aid is transparent, effective and targeted at ending extreme poverty.
You can read the letter to the Chancellor here.
See my full speech on Hackney & Knife Crime at the 24th January 2019 Westminster Hall debate.
I signed and voted for Yvette Cooper MP’s amendment to the Finance Bill, making it harder for Government to allow a No Deal Brexit without Parliament having a say.
I am clear that a No Deal Brexit would be a disaster for our economy. As Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I have repeatedly raised concerns about No Deal.
On 8 January, the Government was defeated by seven votes.
This amendment makes Parliament’s opposition to a No Deal Brexit clear and provides legislative safeguards to prevent a No Deal Brexit.
The Government repeatedly claims that employment rates have risen and more people are in employment than ever before. But too many of these jobs are low paid, with limited prospects.
Many employers of low paid workers do not provide training, so their workers are trapped in low income work.
I asked the Minister for Employment about plans to help people who work in more than one low income job get support to secure training and development.