The backlogs in the Home Office are the worst I’ve seen in my 18 years as MP.
The Immigration Minister needs to get a grip
The Metropolitan Police is institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic.
Ramadan provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and to think of those in difficult circumstances, and to come together as a community.
I know this Ramadan will be particularly difficult for many of you due to the tragic earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
My thoughts are particularly with communities who have lost loved ones in the earthquakes. Too many lives have been lost and too many families have been left without a home.
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, promised 30 hours free childcare for every child over the age of nine months. But, the scheme will not be fully rolled out until September 2025 at the earliest. The children who will benefit from this policy aren't even born yet. By also voluntarily reducing the ratios between the number of adults required to look after children, he is going for a 'pile them high, teach them cheap' approach. This won't help reassure parents about going back to work. Clearly there is a long way to go in delivering on this policy.
The Government's new Illegal Migration Bill will mean that asylum seekers crossing the Channel in small boats will be detained for 28 days and then deported. This plan is unworkable, immoral, and illegal. It is just plain wrong on all counts and I will vigorously oppose it.
This week, the Prime Minister unveiled his new Brexit deal - the Windsor Framework. However, this is only an attempt to clear up the mess made by Boris Johnson. Whether you agree with it or not, this just underlines how badly Brexit has been implemented.
The Public Accounts Committee looked at the Government's support for energy bills. We also asked what is going to happen to support hospitality businesses from April. I'll continue to press on this issue.
The Government should support people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. I'm calling for a family reunion visa scheme, so that Hackney residents can help their vulnerable family members. There's significant historical precedent for this.
Read my Monthly Report for February 2023 here.
Following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria earlier this month, I spoke in a parliamentary debate on the situation. I urged the Government to introduce a family reunion scheme so that families in Hackney who have family caught up in the disaster can provide them with a safe home in our country. See here for my speech in full.
When it comes to asylum, the Home Office is the worst I’ve seen it in 18 years.
As a result, asylum seekers are living in appalling and dangerous accommodation.
Watch me press the Immigration Minister on when we will see any improvement.