Lynne Featherstone MP visits London Capital Credit Union

Posted on 16th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP with Marin Groombridge and Cllr Richard Wilson at the London Capital Credit Union HQ

Lynne Featherstone MP today visited the London Capital Credit Union (LCCU) – a not-for-profit co-operative helping to tackle debt and promote money saving in Haringey and six other London Boroughs.

The Credit Union provides low-cost ‘saver loans’ to those in need of short-term financial support. It also offers a ‘credEcard’, an interest free and fee free alternative to traditional bank and credit cards.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, along with Haringey Liberal Democrat leader and Stroud Green Councillor Richard Wilson, was given a tour of the Credit Union and met with staff and volunteers.

After the tour, the Liberal Democrat MP met with manager Martin Groombridge to discuss the LCCU’s activity in her constituency. Since opening in Haringey 18 months ago, the Union now has 1,700 members in the borough (including Ms Featherstone) and has lent £500,000 to Haringey residents in the last year alone.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It’s fantastic to have the LCCU operating in Haringey. The LCCU is an example of the benefit of co-operatives, providing financial assistance to those in need whilst helping them to escape the cycle of debt.

“Vulnerable people should not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous payday lenders – and the Credit Union offers a very sensible alternative for those in short-term financial need and transitional poverty.

“That’s why the Liberal Democrats in Government have long supported the co-operative movement, and have invested £38 million in credit unions.

“I will certainly keep in touch with Martin, and look forward to working with the London Capital Credit Union in the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Hornsey Vale Community Centre

Posted on 16th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today visited the Hornsey Vale Community Centre, a ‘village hall’ near Crouch End.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was given a brief tour of the Centre, before talking about how the Centre runs, and the services they provide.

The Centre has been run by the Hornsey Vale Community Association since 1991 and is staffed by volunteers. It plays host to a range of community activities from martial arts and zumba, to ‘fun football’ and fashion shows. Its wheelchair accessible gym is also used by autism and respiratory groups.

The centre recently organised a training and apprenticeship event to help young people gain training and employment. It also works with sports and education organisation ‘Let Me Play’ to offer sports qualifications to young people.

After the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It’s fantastic to visit the Hornsey Vale Centre – they continue to do great work with people of all ages in the Hornsey Vale area.

“It was a pleasure to see the positive impact being made by the centre’s volunteers.

“I was particularly impressed by their outreach programme, which is helping people to return to work. I wish them all the very best for future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP hosts packed Apprenticeship Event

Posted on 16th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

View the photo album here.

Lynne Featherstone MP on Wednesday hosted a packed apprenticeships event at Haringey Civic Centre, in tandem with Wood Green Jobcentre Plus.

The event was attended by 18 organisations and over 130 of Haringey’s young people, who were keen to find out more about the hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities on offer.

Many took part in workshops with the London Apprenticeship Company, the National Apprenticeship Service and Barclays – to get specific advice on making applications.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green opened the event with a speech – highlighting that youth unemployment in her constituency was down, and that 530 new apprenticeships have been created since 2010.

Gordon Birtwistle MP – the Government Apprenticeship Ambassador – was also present to discuss the value of apprenticeships and to meet the young people and companies.

Tracey Longhurst from the Barclays Early Careers team said:

“This was a great event with dozens of young people talking to us about opportunities within the Barclays Apprenticeship Programme.

“There was genuine surprise from some of them when they heard that we don’t ask for formal qualifications and are simply looking for the right attitude and potential. Others could not believe that Barclays paid for you to work and study for a degree through our school leaver, Barclays Degree Programme.

“I am confident that some of the people who we spoke to will be applying for jobs with us.”

Government Apprenticeship Ambassador Gordon Birtwistle MP said:

“I was absolutely delighted to be able to go along to this fantastic event that focused on apprenticeships. It was well organised with some fantastic companies there and it was good to see so many people there making the most of the information available.

“Apprenticeships are the way forward. They provide on-the-job training and offer a wage with a career at the end of it. There are a lot of young people under pressure to go to university and study subjects for which there is a shortage of jobs.

“The careers fair in Haringey was a fantastic idea to show young people that there are alternatives and many opportunities that out there and how to apply for them. It was wonderful to see my colleague Lynne reaching out to all these young people in her constituency with this great apprenticeship fair.”

James Snelling, Acting Jobcentre Operations Manager for the London Boroughs of Haringey and Islington

“We were thrilled to be able to partner with the Local MP and providers to co-deliver this successful Apprenticeship event and showcase to Haringey’s young people the wide range of opportunities available from our partners and employers.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It’s fantastic that so many of Haringey’s youngsters came to the event to find out more about the great apprenticeship opportunities available to them.

“The organisations did a great job exhibiting their apprenticeships, and I’d also like to thank Gordon Birtwistle MP for coming along and offering his expertise on apprenticeships and their benefits to everyone.

“I will be keeping in touch with the people and organisations who attended so we can track how many apprenticeships have been created as a result of the event.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits local Tagore Centre

Posted on 13th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today visited the Tagore Centre, which is based above Alexandra Park Library. The Centre is dedicated to promoting the work and life of India’s Nobel laureate poet, writer and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore.

The Centre has a vast collection of materials, including hundreds of books, songs and paintings by Tagore himself. They hold regular social events to celebrate Tagore’s life and work.

The Centre describes Tagore as ‘the ambassador of Indian culture to the rest of the world.’ However, Tagore is not particularly well known in the west – something which the Centre seeks to change.

On arrival, the local MP was shown a video, explaining the work and aims of the Tagore Centre. The volunteers then gave presentations about Rabindranath Tagore, and their aims and ambitions for the future of the Centre.

The Liberal Democrat MP commended the volunteers on their work and offered advice on how to continue the work of the centre in the future.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I was so pleasantly surprised to see the vast collection of Tagore’s work at the Centre, and I was happy to offer them some advice on how to carry on their work during these tough economic times.

“The dedication and passion of the volunteers was evident from the moment I stepped in. They are working hard to promote Tagore and keep his work relevant in the modern day – and I highly commend them for it.

“I wish them all the best for the future, and will be on hand if they need further advice on how to continue their great work.”

Lynne Featherstone MP vows to continue the fight against delayed Pinkham Way development

Posted on 7th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Just weeks after campaigners launched a new petition against a 30 year waste contract that could open the way for a new development plan Pinkham Way, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has announced the new timetable for the North London Waste Plan (NLWP)

The revised waste plan sets out how 7 north London boroughs plan to deal with waste in the future.

The original plan – which had been delayed significantly as a result of strong campaigning efforts from local residents, the Pinkham Way Alliance and the Haringey Lib Dems – was thrown out as it failed to comply with the law and the consultation was flawed.

The timetable for the new plan mean further delays, as the document will not be signed off by Haringey Council and the other north London boroughs until after the local elections in May 2014, rather than before the elections as originally planned.

Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone responded to the initial consultation on the new waste plan raising their objections and concerns about Pinkham Way and the need to reduce the amount of waste boroughs generate.

In contrast, Haringey Labour and Labour councillors in Bounds Green failed to respond to the waste plan consultation despite the fact that a waste development or lorry depot on Pinkham Way would badly affect residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have vowed to continue to fight against the waste plan as it stands and any proposals for a waste plant or lorry depot at Pinkham Way.

Cllr Jim Jenks, Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson, comments:

“It doesn’t matter how long the NLWA delays the new waste plan Haringey Liberal Democrats will continue to object to the flawed plan and will fight any proposals for a waste plant at Pinkham Way.

“The waste plan has many problems and does not focus on reducing waste; instead it leaves the door open for a waste plant at Pinkham Way, despite the concerns of local residents.”

“It really worries me the NLWA intends to award a 30 year contract when we have no idea what changes in waste use and technology are going to take place in this enormous timescale.”

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

“Last year, we celebrated as plans to build a massive waste plant on the Pinkham Way site were thrown out. This was down to a huge campaigning effort by local residents, the Pinkham Way Alliance, and the local Lib Dems.

“But the battle goes on, and we need a similar effort to protect Pinkham Way from a new waste contract and development plan. The Haringey Lib Dems and I will keep on fighting this every step of the way – representing residents and opposing the plans.

“It’s a shame the same can’t be said for the Haringey Labour – who waved the original, flawed plans through and couldn’t even be bothered to respond to the consultation this time around.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Action for Kids

Posted on 6th Aug 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today visited ‘Action For Kids’, a local charity based in Hornsey. The organisation aims to help disabled children and young people towards independence, through the provision of mobility equipment, learning, training and support.

The Liberal Democrat MP was given a tour of the charity’s building before meeting some of the children and taking part in their activities, such as painting. The local MP also got to see a group of children heading off on a trip – facilitated by the charity.

In a meeting with the new Chief Executive, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was told more about the services offered by the charity, and how they are now focussing on getting some of the young adults into jobs.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It was fantastic to join in with some of the activities and see a group of youngsters ready to go on a trip together – all facilitated by this great organisation.

“The new Chief Executive is doing great things – particularly trying to help these young people into paid jobs. I will certainly keep in touch and up to date with the work they’re doing, and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP and Jobcentre Plus announce local apprenticeship event

Posted on 29th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has teamed up with Jobcentre Plus to run an apprenticeship event in her constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green.

The event will introduce young people to a range of apprenticeships and companies that are offering these opportunities. Companies will be giving out information on their apprenticeship opportunities at the event, and also holding free workshops to give people advice with their applications.

The Government Apprenticeship Ambassador to Business, Gordon Birtwistle MP, will be present at the event and will make speech.

Since 2010, 530 new apprenticeships have been created in Hornsey and Wood Green, and youth unemployment has fallen by over a quarter. The Liberal Democrat MP and Jobcentre Plus both want to help reduce unemployment further, and continue to increase the number of young people entering apprenticeships.

The event will take place on Wednesday 14^th August, between 2pm – 6pm at Haringey Civic Centre, High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Creating more jobs and opportunities – particularly for young people – is currently top of the Lib Dem’s list of priorities.

“Any young or unemployed person in Haringey who would like an apprenticeship, or more information on what they involve, should come along to the Civic Centre on the 14^th and find out more.

“It will be a great opportunity for people to get advice, make some contacts, and even secure apprenticeships that will kick start their future career.”

Jessica Hodgson, Operations Manager for Haringey & Islington, Jobcentre Plus commented:

“Apprenticeships are a great way for our local young people to begin their careers and this event is a perfect chance for them to meet employers who have opportunities now.”

Lynne Featherstone MP backs Pinkham Way Alliance petition

Posted on 26th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has encouraged local residents to sign the Pinkham Way Alliance’s current petition to halt the £3 billion waste contract for North London.

The North London Waste Authority is intending to award a 30 year waste contract worth £3 billion for the management of waste across all seven of its member boroughs – including Haringey.

The Alliance assert that the contract is deeply flawed, as it is based on waste predictions for 30 years ahead – absurdly far in advance and already shown to be inaccurate and based on guesstimates.

The new contract could also see renewed plans for a waste facility on Pinkham Way.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and the PWA have teamed up before, and successfully stopped the building of a massive waste plant on the Pinkham Way site.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Last year, we successfully prevented the building of a completely unsuitable waste plant – but the fight goes on.

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I are now supporting the PWA’s latest petition – and encouraging residents to do the same.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes huge boost in funding for primary schools

Posted on 22nd Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has announced the biggest ever rise in the Pupil Premium for primary schools to help ensure that more pupils are able to achieve higher standards.

The Pupil Premium provides schools with extra money to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It will be increased to £1,300 per eligible primary school pupil in 2014/15, up from £900 per child this year. That’s likely to be an extra £3,640,000 for primary schools in Hornsey and Wood Green.

Schools will be able to spend this money in ways that they feel helps their pupils best. Evidence shows some schools use it to hire extra staff, reading and maths classes for children who need an extra hand or provide appropriate IT facilities.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg recently visited a school in Hornsey and Wood Green to discuss how the pupil premium is benefitting students.

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

“All the evidence shows that if your child starts behind in secondary school, they stay behind. That is unacceptable.

“As part of the Liberal Democrats’ aim to build a fairer society, the Coalition Government is putting extra money into primary schools to help teachers support disadvantaged children.

“This boost in the Pupil Premium will help ensure we give those children a better start at secondary school, so they have a better start in life.”

Lib Dem success as 20mph consultation launched in Haringey

Posted on 22nd Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has welcomed the consultation on a Borough-wide 20mph speed limit for Haringey.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have campaigned for residents to have their say on the introduction of a borough wide 20mph limit since 2010.

Hundreds of local residents have also signed a Lib Dem petition calling for the introduction of a 20mph zone, and others have filled in a survey with their views on the proposal.

The launch of the consultation represents a u-turn by the Labour-run Council, who have previously refused to consult on a 20mph limit – rejecting the proposal outright as recently as October 2012.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone commented:

“I am glad that the Council have finally caved in to pressure and agreed to consult on whether Haringey should become a 20mph borough.

“It is vital that residents get to have their say – and this is what the local Lib Dems and I have campaigned for since 2010. Thank you to all who took part in our campaign and have helped us get this far.

“I must say, it seems bizarre – and dare I say cynical – that Haringey Labour are only now campaigning for a speed limit – having rejected and delayed the proposal for years to date!”