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.
On Monday 7 January the Government launched the NHS Long Term Plan.
The Public Accounts Committee has repeatedly inquired into the sustainability of the NHS and made recommendations to the Government about the creation of a sustainable long term plan for the NHS.
I will continue to challenge the Government on this and monitor whether the Government measures up to its promises.
The Department for Transport has recently spent £13.8 million on a contract with a ferry company, that has no ferries.
I have repeatedly raised concerns that the Department for Transport is not prepared for Brexit.
I’m concerned about the legality of this contract and I am interrogating further.
During the recent Liaison Committee hearing I questioned the Prime Minister on austerity and the economic impact of Brexit.
The Prime Minister claims austerity is coming to an end. However, all evidence suggests that the UK will be economically worse off after Brexit.
You can read the full transcript from the hearing here.
We have a 'No Second Night Out' shelter in Hackney, funded by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. 'No Second Night Out' focuses on helping those who find themselves rough sleeping on the streets of London for the first time.
If you see a rough sleeper alert Street Link via their app or website here. Street Link will help connect people to services and get them support.
You can donate money to the London Homeless Charities Group on the GoFundMe page here.
On the 17 December the Secretary of State for Education annouced funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
This is a big concern to parents in Hackney. I am asking Hackney Council to let me know what impact this will have in Hackney.
Please click here to see the Secretary of States statement.
Media this month has included BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions.
Sky’s Sophy Ridge programme to discuss the impact of a no deal Brexit on the UK and various other press and radio.
I visited local mental health arts charity ‘Studio Upstairs’. The Hackney-based charity runs art therapy sessions which support people with mental illness to explore their creativity. It’s celebrating its 30-year anniversary in December.
I visited Berger Primary School to judge the pupils Voice Box entries. Voice Box is a national joke competition run by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, created to raise awareness of the importance of key communication skills.
I asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury about the Sale of Public Assets and whether they offer value for money.
The Public Accounts Committee, which I Chair, has been challenging the Governments selling of assets that could be of benefit to the public in the long term.
See my questions and the answers here.