About Lynne Featherstone

I'm a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords.

Haringey youngsters secure interviews and training courses at Lynne Featherstone MP’s apprenticeship event

Posted on 29th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP yesterday hosted a packed apprenticeship event at Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green.

Over 100 people came through the doors to take a look at the opportunities available with organisations such as Barclays, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the National Apprenticeship Service.

At the event, one attendee secured an interview at a local restaurant, six people signed up for a stewarding course at Tottenham Hotspurs, and local organisation 5e enrolled 15 people on their ‘skills boost’ programme.

25 of the people who attended expressed an interest in a community cadet course with the London Fire Brigade, and 14 will attend an open day at the North London Garages next week.

Youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green has halved since 2010. At the event, the local MP said she wanted Haringey to continue to lead the way in getting into work.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“This year’s apprenticeship event was a great success. I’d like to thank all the companies who came along to advertise their courses and vacancies, and wish all the attendees who signed up for courses and open days the best of luck.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career and I am so pleased to be able to advertise them to local youngsters by putting on this event. Creating apprenticeships is a Lib Dem priority, and we’ve worked with businesses to help create 1.8 million new positions in the last 4 years.

“With youth unemployment in my constituency halved since 2010, our bright young talent here in Haringey are really setting a great example to the rest of the capital!”

Lynne Featherstone MP takes accessibility petition to the station

Posted on 27th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats were at Alexandra Palace rail station this morning, talking to commuters about the campaign to improve accessibility.

Local stations such as Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, Bowes Park and Harringay are all very difficult to access for many disabled and elderly people, or those with pushchairs, bikes and heavy bags.

The Liberal Democrat MP launched the campaign – which calls on Network Rail to undertake a study into making the stations ‘step-free’ – last month, and has already attracted over 500 signatures in support.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has also arranged a meeting with Network Rail in September, to present the petition and push for the study into our local rail stations.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is just not acceptable in this day and age to have such useful local services which are not accessible to everyone.

“At Alexandra Palace, work has been done to make the bridge accessible and step free. But then there is no step-free way to get down on the platform. It is clear that an elevator is needed, as soon as possible. This is the kind of improvement the study could look into.

“I hope residents will get behind this campaign. Even if they are not directly affected by the access problems – I am sure they all know someone who is. The more signatures we get, the stronger our case to Network Rail will be.”

Barclays and Tottenham Hotspur among companies confirmed for MP’s Apprenticeship Event

Posted on 21st Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Eighteen companies, with hundreds of vacancies between them, have signed up to attend Lynne Featherstone MP’s annual apprenticeship event.

The event – which takes place at 2pm, on Thursday 28^th August, at Haringey Civic Centre – gives young people the chance to meet with companies who are offering apprenticeships, and get advice about making applications.

Barclays and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation are confirmed, alongside the National Apprenticeship Service and companies like Hawk training.

The event, which is backed by Wood Green Jobcentre Plus, is open to all young people – not just Haringey residents. Last year, one young person was taken on the day after the event.

The event follows news that youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency has halved since 2010.

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am very much looking forward to this year’s event. We have a diverse range of companies attending, and I know Haringey is full of bright, ambitious young people, who will come along to meet the companies and find out more.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career. You get paid to learn a trade, and you get a qualification at the end. You also get to make contacts within an industry, which could help secure full time work.

“Youth unemployment here has halved since 2010 – I want to work with businesses and local young people to make even more progress.”

The situation in Gaza

Posted on 20th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Here is a copy of an email I have sent to local residents this afternoon, about the situation in Gaza. please do get in touch if you are a local resident and want to discuss this further.

The conflict and subsequent humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left over 400,000 civilians struggling to find food, water, or shelter.

That’s why the UK government has been one of the largest humanitarian aid donors to date. The Department for International Development – where I am a minister – has provided:

£6m for basics (shelter and cooking equipment)
£3m for healthcare
£3m for the Rapid Response Facility
£2m to the Disasters Emergency Committee

We have also released a further £3m for emergency food, helping around 300,000 people in serious need. This brings the total supplied by the UK to £17 million. We will remain at the forefront of the relief effort for civilians.

In terms of the conflict itself –the urgent priority of the Lib Dems in government is to help stop the bloodshed with an unconditional and immediate ceasefire and work towards a long-term sustainable peace.

Many local residents have already contacted me to express their views on the conflict. There is an understandable strength of feeling about the situation, which is causing so many people so much misery and hurt.

I take all views seriously – so if you wish to contact me about this, or any other matter, please do. I will respond and pass on any opinions to the Foreign and Defence secretaries.

P.S. You can find out further information about the work of the Department for International Development – in Gaza and other areas – here.

Lynne Featherstone MP launches campaign to improve local rail stations

Posted on 15th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has launched a campaign to make local rail stations like Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, and Hornsey more accessible, and is encouraging residents to get involved.

During the local MP’s recent campaign to protect rail services at local stations, many residents commented on how difficult the stations are to access, particularly for the elderly, the disabled, and those with heavy pushchairs or bags to carry.

The Liberal Democrat MP is calling on Network Rail to meet with her to discuss the issues, and to undertake a feasibility study, which would determine what improvements need to be made and how much they would cost.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Getting on to a platform at Hornsey requires walking up and down two long staircases. At the others there are slopes into the stations, but no lifts down on to the platforms. This makes it dangerous – and in some cases impossible – for disabled or elderly passengers, or those carrying big bags or young children to access the rail services.

“I have made enquiries with Network Rail and our new rail service provider, Govia. Shockingly, there are no current feasibility studies on providing step free access at our local stations. This is just not right.

“That’s why I am asking residents to join me in campaigning for this study, to help improve our local rail stations and make them accessible for everyone.”

Local apprenticeship event and falling youth unemployment

Posted on 14th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Youth unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green (my constituency) has fallen again! In fact, youth unemployment here has halved over the last four years – down from 7.1% in May 2010 to just 3.1% in June.

This means more and more local young people are getting into work, learning skills and earning money – which is definitely a step in the right direction.

Under the previous Labour Government, education standards fell and youth unemployment rose. Some young people got stuck in the benefits system. Labour threw endless money into this system, and they ended up trapping people, who found they would get more money being unemployed than they would in a job. This is no way to incentivise young talent into work!

When the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010, creating jobs and apprenticeships, and getting all able people back into work, was one of our top priorities.

Working with businesses, we have helped to create one million jobs since 2010, and 1.8 million apprenticeships. Employment rates are now at a record high as the economy continues to recover.

And I want to make sure we keep up in Haringey. Our young people must be aware of, and able to access, all of these opportunities.

That’s why I’m holding my second annual apprenticeship event, on the 28^th August at Haringey Civic Centre. There will be companies at the event with hundreds of vacancies, which local young people can ask about and apply for.

You can also come just to find out a bit more information and ask questions.

An apprenticeship really is a great way to kick start a career. They take between one and four years to complete and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

And you get a qualification too – an advanced level apprenticeship is equivalent to two A level passes, and others can lead to the attainment of a Foundation Degree.

Last year, the apprenticeship event was a great success – one young person was taken on the very next day! I hope we can do even better this year.

So if you are a young person, unemployed or just looking for a new challenge, do come down to the Civic Centre (High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE) on the 28th August between 2pm and 6pm – to meet employers and find out more!

Youth unemployment in Lynne Featherstone’s constituency halved

Posted on 7th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has welcome news that youth unemployment in her constituency has halved since 2010.

In May 2010, the youth unemployment rate in Hornsey and Wood Green was 7.1%. Four years on, the figure in June 2014 is just 3.1%.

Overall unemployment in Lynne Featherstone MP’s constituency is also down – from 5.2% in 2010 to 3.2% now.

Getting people into work is a Liberal Democrat priority in Government. Since May 2010, over 1 million new private sector jobs and 1.8 million apprenticeships have been created.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone holds an annual apprenticeship event in Hornsey and Wood Green, to try and boost the numbers of young people getting into work. The next event will take place on the 28^th August.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so pleased that youth unemployment in my constituency has halved since 2010. Getting young people into work is so important, that’s why it was and is a Liberal Democrat priority in Government.

“With one million new jobs and 1.8million apprenticeships created since 2010 – it’s easy to see why unemployment – particularly youth unemployment – is falling so drastically.”

Lynne Featherstone MP calls for better replacement services as Royal Mail pushes ahead with local closure

Posted on 5th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and Haringey Lib Dem leader, Cllr Sarah Elliott, met with representatives from Royal Mail last week to discuss the closure of the local Hornsey Sorting Office and parcel collection point.

The local MP for Hornsey and Wood Green had campaigned to halt the plans to close the current site on Tottenham Lane and move the services to the Bush Industrial Estate in N19. Over 1000 residents signed the Lib Dem MPs petition supporting her call.

At the meeting, representatives from Royal Mail told the MP that they would be pressing ahead with the closure, but will be trialling a new service to minimise the impact.

Delivery of all parcels in the area will be attempted between 7am and 9am in an effort to ensure a high successful delivery rate. If the resident is not available to receive the parcel, redelivery will automatically be reattempted the next day between the same hours.

This will be the first time that the service has been trialled anywhere in the country outside of the busy Christmas period, and comes as a result of direct pressure from local residents and Lynne Featherstone MP’s campaign to protect or replace the current service.

But, Lynne Featherstone MP is continuing to press for a like for like replacement service and more flexible redelivery options, in order to offer local people as little disruption as possible.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented

“Royal Mail are reluctant to replace the Hornsey Sorting Office with a like for like alternative in the area, for financial and logistical reasons. But local residents that rely on the service must come first. I do not feel that Royal Mail’s proposed solution goes far enough.

“Customers need the level of service and flexibility they have now and this scheme does not provide that. I think there needs to be more specific redelivery times, which can be specified by the customers – to avoid disruption and spending any hours waiting in for a parcel at the weekend.

“I will be watching their pilot scheme closely but at the same time I shall continue to campaign on the behalf of local people for proper replacement services.”

Lynne Featherstone MP holds summer street surgeries

Posted on 31st Jul 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Hornsey doorstepping (2)

Lynne Featherstone MP has spent the past week giving street surgeries across Hornsey and Wood Green, where she met and discussed a wide range of issues with local residents.

During the surgeries, Lynne Featherstone spoke with residents in Muswell Hill, Hornsey and Fortis Green, offering advice and assistance on a range of concerns including housing and repairs. The local MP also discussed problems with the Labour-run Haringey Council, dumped rubbish and immigration cases with local people.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green will continue to hold street surgeries throughout next week in residential areas in order to allow locals to raise any issues or concerns with her directly.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It has been wonderful to bring my advice surgery out onto the street. These visits are a great way for local residents to meet with me at a location convenient to them. I hope it will make it easier for people to come along and raise any issues.

“With more street surgeries next week, it will be great if as many people as possible take the opportunity to come and talk about any worries or problems they may have.”

Lynne Featherstone MP supports Wood Green animal shelter

Posted on 28th Jul 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP visited Wood Green, The Animals Charity in Lordship Lane on Friday. As well as housing a rehoming centre for cats, the charity now runs as a preventative clinic, taking action to care for animals before they become unwell.

The ambitious new programme will include a range of proactive services including parasite clinics, weight management programmes, vaccinations and Pet MOT’s, as well as ‘Snip and Chips’ for Cats and Dogs.

The local MP was shown around the facility and introduced to several of the cats that are seeking to be rehomed – including a number of kittens. Lynne was given the opportunity to hold the new-borns during the tour and was told about the centre’s need for fosterers to care for pregnant cats and orphaned or abandoned kittens.

Wood Green Chief Executive Clive Byles said:

“I am glad Lynne was able to find the time to come and see us and get an appreciation of what we do. It was 90 years ago this year that we first opened our doors in Wood Green to help pets and their owners.

“We are proud of the difference we have made to the lives of thousands of pets and their owners and are excited about working even more closely with residents of North London to improve awareness of pets and their needs, for the benefit of the pet, their owners and the community generally.”

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“The centre has a dedicated and caring team of staff, and I was very interested to hear about the new proactive preventative care plan. We love our animals and want them to be healthy, so making sure that they do not become ill in the first place and teaching pet owners how best to care for them is a very progressive change.

“It is great to see the work being done with cats that have been abandoned. Finding them loving homes is paramount, as is ensuring that those who need extra care have someone to foster them. I do hope local people who have the time and resources will be able to offer a home, either permanently or as a fosterer, to these adorable animals.”