Alexandra Palace Station to become accessible for all

Posted on 16th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP joined Baroness Kramer from the Department for Transport at Alexandra Palace station this morning, to formally announce extra funding for the ‘Access for All’ programme.

The programme – which was given a £60 million boost in the Coalition Government’s Autumn Statement – will allow for work to go ahead on Alexandra Palace station to make it step-free and accessible for everyone by 2019 at the latest.

The Liberal Democrat MP welcomed the announcement as a step towards building a fairer society, where all residents can access rail services.

Along with over 750 local residents – Lynne Featherstone MP has long campaigned for more accessible local stations – and the announcement marks a success in the campaign.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“As a Liberal Democrat, I believe in creating a fairer society. And in a fair society, rail services should be accessible for everyone – including the elderly, the disabled, and those with heavy bags or pushchairs.

“That’s why I started a campaign for more accessible local stations. I’m so happy that over 750 local residents signed up to support the campaign, and that we’ve been successful in securing the extra funding for improvements at Alexandra Palace.

“Of course, there are a number of other local stations – both rail and underground – which also need improvements. But this is a great step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of more to come.”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches campaign to save Muswell Hill Library

Posted on 15th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone and local Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a campaign to save Muswell Hill Library, an historic listed building.

The future of the library is in doubt after the Labour-run council announced plans to relocate the library. The plans are due to go ahead even though the council admits in the budget report that the library is ‘well used and popular.’

No alternative location for the library has so far been identified, raising fears that the library will close with no replacement in place. The Labour council’s draft budget only has vague references to alternative sites and suggests the library site could be used for development.

Ms Featherstone is calling on the local community to support the Lib Dem campaign to keep the library on Queens Avenue open. She fought to save Muswell Hill Library from closure by Labour in the 1990’s and is determined to fight to save it again.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:

“Budget papers show Haringey Labour’s clear intention to close Muswell Hill Library. And they haven’t given any assurance about where the replacement would be – leaving local residents very concerned about the future of the service.

“Libraries play such an important role in local communities, providing space for people to meet, hosting community events and giving people access to books, newspapers, computers and more.

“We need the library in Muswell Hill – and money should be spent making the existing library more modern and accessible, rather than relocating the service. That’s why I’ve launched a campaign to protect the service from closure. I hope the local community will support the campaign.”

Gail Engert, Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill, comments:

“I am very worried that the council’s budget papers imply that Labour has plans to use the library for a development without giving a firm commitment to keep a local library service in Muswell Hill.

“The closure of Muswell Hill Library, which occupies a precious listed building, would be a great loss to the local community. We will be fighting hard to keep the library open.”

Almost 5000 young people in Haringey help hit two million apprenticeship goal

Posted on 9th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed news that two million apprenticeships have been created in the UK since 2010, including 4830 in Haringey.

Since entering Government in 2010, the Liberal Democrats aimed to boost the number of young people taking up apprenticeships – whilst scrapping the arbitrary target of getting 50% into university.

Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone holds an annual apprenticeship event in her constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green. This year, over 100 young people came through the doors to meet companies and find out more about apprenticeships.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of building a stronger economy and a fairer society. If young people are able to earn and learn, then they have the opportunity to get on it life.

“I am delighted that young people in Haringey have benefitted from fantastic training and employment opportunities that apprenticeships offer.

“I’ve met many apprentices and companies at my annual apprenticeship fair, and seen the benefit apprenticeships can give to young people.”

Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills Vince Cable MP said:

“Reaching the two millionth apprenticeship is testament to Liberal Democrats’ commitment to apprenticeships. Apprenticeships give young people the chance to start a career and give businesses the talent to grow.

“This isn’t just about numbers. From space engineering, to TV production, to legal services, apprenticeships are the ticket to a great job and a route employers trust to access the skills they need.

“That is why the Liberal Democrats made them a priority when we entered office and I am delighted that we have been able to deliver on our promise to have two million apprentices start in this Parliament.”

The gender pay gap

Posted on 9th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Women and men should be paid the same if they do the same job. It sounds obvious, but in reality it doesn’t happen. In 1997, when records began, the difference was a very alarming 17.4%.

Since entering government my Lib Dem colleagues and I have worked hard to reduce the gender pay gap to the lowest ever level (9.4%). This is welcome, but there is much more to do.

The Lib Dems want to close the gap completely, just as we have eliminated other inequalities between men and women.

Our introduction of Shared Parental Leave has made it easier for parents to care for their children. Older men and women will receive the same basic state pension from 2016. There are now many more women on company boards. All Lib Dem commitments, all delivered.

We want to go further – our manifesto for next year includes a roadmap to ending pay inequality completely.

We will make it a legal requirement for companies employing more than 250 people to publish their average pay for male and female workers.

With this simple change, staff will be able to see whether they are treated the same as their colleagues. Shoppers will know whether a company has a pay bias against women.

The pressure from both sides will force employers to account for, and abolish, any gender pay gap. Equal work should mean equal pay.

Lynne Featherstone MP attends Whittington Ambulatory Care Centre opening

Posted on 8th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week attended the official opening of the Whittington Hospital’s brand new Ambulatory Care Centre.

The £3 million same day treatment centre enables Whittington doctors and nurses to treat patients faster – avoiding unnecessary admission to hospital, and supporting the busy A&E.

The local MP was accompanied by the Liberal Democrat Health Minister, Norman Lamb MP, who cut the ribbon.

The opening happened the day after the Autumn Statement, where the chancellor announced an extra £2 billion for the NHS, following pressure from Lib Dem MPs. The Lib Dems in government have also introduced the first ever waiting time standards for mental health patients.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone is also campaigning for fairer funding for Haringey Borough’s health services – to bring local funding in line with that of Islington and Camden.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I’m so happy that the hospital is going from strength to strength. I’ve been a patient at the Whittington a few times myself – I just can’t imagine it not being there!

“I still remember back to late 2009, when I exposed the Labour Government’s plans to close the Whittington’s A&E. I raised questions in parliament and started a campaign – backed by thousands and thousands of residents – to save it.

“Now, we still have our A&E and this wonderful new Ambulatory Care Centre to support it – which is fantastic for the hospital and local residents alike.”

Lynne Featherstone MP takes part in Shop Local events

Posted on 8th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP attended two local markets this weekend, to support and promote local small and independent businesses in the run up to Christmas.

The Liberal Democrat MP attended Christmas markets in Crouch End and Bounds Green, where she visited the stalls and spoke to traders.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green then tweeted pictures of the traders, pictures of their products, and links to their websites to over 18,500 followers.

Saturday 6^th December – the day of the Crouch End market – was Small Business Saturday, a national event which encourages people to shop local and promote small businesses.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to see so many local people and businesses taking part in Small Business Saturday. The people who organised the markets, the traders who had stalls and the customers all came together to give our local businesses a huge boost.

“I was more than happy to send out tweets encouraging other local residents to come to the market. Our independent shops and retailers are such a huge asset to our area – and I’m more than happy to support and promote them.”

Lynne Featherstone and local traders meet with Haringey Council Chief Executive

Posted on 2nd Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and Muswell Hill traders met with Haringey Council’s Chief Executive Nick Walkley on Friday, to present him with sales figures from the previous few months.

Local traders have reported a huge loss in trade due to poorly planned council road works – which closed off part of the Broadway, caused traffic chaos and diverted buses away from the shops.

During the meeting, the Chief Executive acknowledged that there had been problems with notifying traders of the works, and the timing of the works – in the run up to Christmas.

The council is now considering the evidence submitted by local business, and will shortly decide what to do to mitigate the loss of trade. Lynne Featherstone MP and traders suggested rates rebates or cash compensation, and also pushed for measures such as free parking on high streets to help boost trade in the future.

The Chief Executive agreed to meet with the local MP and traders again, once the final decision has been made.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Local businesses really suffered because of the poorly planned road works, and the council need to take action to help traders out and mitigate the traders’ losses.

“Our local businesses and independent shops are such assets to our high streets – I will always fight to protect them and promote them wherever I can.

“I look forward to meeting again with the council, to find out what they will do to help the traders in the aftermath of the poorly planned roadworks.”

Lynne Featherstone celebrates campaign success as Alexandra Palace station earmarked for access improvements

Posted on 2nd Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her delight at news that Alexandra Palace station has been included in the ‘Access for All’ programme.

This means work will be done to install ramps and lifts – finally making Alexandra Palace station step-free and accessible for everyone.

It marks a success for the local Liberal Democrat MP’s campaign for more accessible local stations – which has attracted the support of over 700 local residents.

The Coalition Government will announce an extra £60 million in funding for the Access for All scheme during the Autumn Statement tomorrow. Part of that funding will pay for the improvements at Alexandra Palace station.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so delighted that Alexandra Palace will finally get improvements to make it step free, and also with the Government’s investment in the ‘Access for All’ programme. It will be will be so helpful for the elderly, the disabled, or those with heavy bags, pushchairs, or bikes.

“I’d particularly like to thank all the 725 local residents who signed my petition, calling on Network Rail and the Department for Transport to improve accessibility at our local stations.

“I’ve had discussions with both the Department and Network Rail in recent months and weeks to try and secure these improvements – and I am sure the strength of feeling behind the campaign made an impression on them.

“Of course, there is still a long way to go until all stations are fully accessible – but this is such a huge step in the right direction – and great news for Haringey!”

Lynne Featherstone MP puts Haringey health funding case to NHS England

Posted on 1st Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP met with NHS England last week, to put forward the case for extra funding for Haringey’s frontline health services.

The Liberal Democrat MP has campaigned for extra funding for years, after exposing the fact that Haringey gets less money per person than neighbouring boroughs such as Islington and Camden.

Last year, following the local MP’s campaign, the funding formula was changed, giving Haringey a £7.6 million funding boost – but it still left Haringey receiving less per person than neighbouring boroughs.

During the meeting, NHS England were supportive of the MP’s efforts for fairer funding for Haringey, and confirmed that they are working with North London health managers to try and reach agreement on a fairer distribution of money between the boroughs.

The NHS and it’s frontline services are all due to be given a boost on Wednesday – with the Coalition Government set to announce an extra £2 billion in funding.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Securing an extra £7.6million in funding for Haringey last year was fantastic – but we still lag behind the likes of Islington and Camden. And I won’t stop campaigning until we get truly fair funding.

“There are many pockets of deprivation in Haringey. We also have higher health inequalities and a large ‘hidden population’ who aren’t registered with GPs, but may well turn up at A&Es seeking treatment, which the borough must pay for. That means we need at least as much – if not more – funding than our neighbours. The funding formula should take that into account.

“It’s great that NHS England are supportive of our case, and are actively working to try and make the North London borough allocations fairer.”

Sign Lynne’s petition here