Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes fall in unemployment

Posted on 18th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed the falling levels of unemployment in her constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green, as well as in London and the UK as a whole.

In Hornsey and Wood Green, the number of people currently claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) is 480 lower than in June 2012 and 171 lower than in May 2013.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also show that unemployment in London dropped by 16,000 since the last quarter. Across the UK, the level of unemployment dropped by 57,000, including a 20,000 drop in youth unemployment.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“This fall in the number of people claiming JSA is a welcome sign. This drop, combined with the rise in the total number of people in employment, shows that our economy is recovering and people are returning to work.

“This is clearly a positive step forward, but we have to remain focussed on creating jobs and building a stronger economy.

“Jobs are the key building block in creating a stronger economy and fairer society that allows everyone to get on in life. That is why our unrelenting focus will be promoting job creation and encouraging businesses to take on apprentices.”

Equal Marriage becomes law!

Posted on 17th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her delight today, as the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was granted Royal Assent and consequently has become an Act of law.

The first marriage ceremonies are expected to take place by summer next year.

The Liberal Democrat MP has been at the forefront of the process to secure equal marriage since it was first confirmed as Liberal Democrat policy in 2010, having brought the policy to the Home Office and initiated the Government consultation process in March 2012 in her former role as Equalities Minister.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has been awarded ‘Politician of the Year’ for her efforts by Attitude Magazine in October 2012.

On her blog, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so happy – that’s it – just so happy. You go into politics wanting to change the world for the better – and here is my little bit of it.

“Tributes to all who have helped over the ages in the step by step journey to equal marriage – but especially to those who have had to suffer the discrimination and bigotry that made its path so painful.

“And very best wishes to all those who will now get married. As Ben & Jerry put it on the special ice-cream tub they sent me to thank me for my work instigating equal marriage: ‘Everyone deserves to live Apple-y Ever After’

“…and so they do!”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes £500,000 refurbishment of Hornsey station

Posted on 17th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed the announcement of a £500,000 refurbishment of Hornsey station.

The work, which will begin on 22^nd July, includes a refurbishment of the Tottenham Lane entrance, the ticket office and booking hall. The connecting footbridges will be repaired and resurfaced and the platform canopies will be restored and improved. Bright LED lighting will be fitted throughout the station, including over the footbridges.

The station will remain open during its usual hours throughout the refurbishment.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone, Hornsey Lib Dem Councillors and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the GLA Caroline Pidgeon have been working together and calling on First Capital Connect to make these improvements to Hornsey Station for years. They will be continuing to push, however, for First Capital Connect to lengthen the platforms at Hornsey station and for better disabled access.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hornsey, Errol Reid commented:

“We welcome this much needed investment but it will still leave Hornsey with shorter platforms meaning it will miss out on some of the services other local stations will get.

“I have also been calling on First Capital Connect for improved disabled access at the station, which so far they have not agreed to.

“The Lib Dems will continue to work with Caroline Pidgeon on this and put pressure on First Capital Connect to lengthen the platforms at Hornsey so local residents and commuters get a better service.”

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

“This is wonderful news for customers and for Hornsey station – which is long overdue a refurbishment. I’d like to thank the local residents and our Hornsey Lib Dem councillors and activists, who have worked so hard to push for these improvements.

“We will continue to push for longer platforms at the station so that Hornsey can enjoy the same services as other stations in the area.”

Possible site for Muswell Hill Front Counter found!

Posted on 12th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today contacted both the Haringey Borough Commander and Haringey Council’s property services – as a potential location for a Police contact point in Muswell Hill has been found.

A local resident contacted the Liberal Democrat MP during the week, suggesting that disused units on the Viaduct in Muswell Hill be used to accommodate a replacement police front counter.

The resident, Deanna Bogdanovic, has suggested that the Council houses the local Police free of charge in one of the Viaduct properties until alternative tenants can be found or, even better, that the Police are housed there permanently at a discounted rent. She has gathered support for the idea from fellow business owners.

The original Police front counter in Muswell Hill was very recently closed, as a part of the Conservative Mayor’s new crime plan for London, despite protests and campaigns by residents and the Local Liberal Democrats. This has limited public access to the police in the west of the borough.

At a previous meeting between the Hornsey and Wood Green MP and the Borough Commander, the Commander confirmed that he would be willing to maintain a front counter presence in Muswell Hill if a suitable alternative location could be found.

Muswell Hill resident and director of local music recording and rehearsal business BonaFideStudio (based under the viaduct), Deanna Bogdanovic, commented:

“Since Muswell Hill police station closed down, residents feel less secure. If there’s a problem, they need to be able to meet face to face with local police who know and understand the area. At the same time, the local council owns five properties under the Viaduct which are currently unoccupied, going to waste, and are a liability to local businesses and homes in the area.

“It makes perfect sense. Muswell Hill would have a local police presence once more, the businesses under the Viaduct would be far more secure and the Council would have one less empty property to worry about!”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It has taken a while, but finally we have a lead on a replacement police front counter for Muswell Hill. I’d like to thank all the residents who signed the Lib Dem petition to keep a police presence in Muswell Hill, and thank Deanna for bringing the idea to my attention.

“I was more than happy to get the ball rolling. I met Victor Olisa this morning and have emailed Haringey Council’s property services. I hope they will work together to investigate this option.

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a positive outcome!”

Lynne Featherstone MP reacts to revised Whittington strategy

Posted on 9th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today commented on the Whittington Hospital’s revised estate and clinical strategy. Two buildings earmarked for sale have been saved, while two others will now be subject to a community consultation. The hospital’s maternity unit will still see a £10million investment.

The Board still plan to integrate care into the community – where it is ‘in patients’ best interests based on clinical evidence.’

The Hospital Board first announced their future plans in January without consultation. The estate strategy, which involved sale of buildings and land at the north of the site, caused particular concern among local residents and trust members.

Lynne Featherstone MP launched a petition calling for the Whittington to listen to residents and give assurances that no services will be lost until equal or better are in place. The Liberal Democrat MP also held a public meeting.

The Board agreed to the Liberal Democrat petition demands – assuring there would be no loss of service, and agreeing to enter into a listening exercise. The results of this listening exercise are reflected in the revised strategy.

Haringey Lib Dem health spokesperson, Cllr David Winskill commented:

“The direction of travel in the revised document is right. Integrated care will produce a better outcome but only with the proper support of social care agencies.

“We still have questions regarding where Haringey is with designating services, and we need to know a bit more regarding health services that the Whittington proposes to place in the community.”

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone commented:

“It is vital that the Board take the necessary steps to secure the long term future of the hospital – but community involvement and consultation is paramount when any change is made.

“Over 3000 local residents signed the Liberal Democrat petition calling on the Whittington Board to pause their plans, listen to residents, and ensure that no services are lost. I’m glad that the Board heeded these calls by undertaking the listening exercise and giving us assurances that no services will be lost until equal or better are in place.

“As a result of the listening exercise, two buildings have been saved and the sale of the other two is now subject to further community consultation. The revised strategy also incorporates a welcome £10 million investment in maternity to improve the Hospital’s service and increase their capacity.

“My Haringey Lib Dem colleagues and I will continue to monitor the situation closely – particularly in regard to the implementation of integrated community care.”

See the revised strategy here: http://ourfuture.whittington.nhs.uk/changes-to-plans/

Lynne Featherstone MP visits the JAN Trust

Posted on 8th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday visited the JAN trust – a local non-profit organisation which aims to support and empower women; particularly those in troubled or difficult situations.

The Liberal Democrat MP had a meeting with the trust founder and director, Rafaat Mughal and project manager Sajda Mughal. They discussed the Trust’s campaign against forced marriage, and the techniques they are using to help and raise awareness – such as holding workshops in schools and setting up a direct phone line that women at risk can call in confidence.

The Trust are also working on numerous other campaigns, including tackling hate crime.

After the discussion, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green met around 20 of the women who use the Trust’s services. They told the local MP how they have benefited from the English lessons provided by the Trust, and about their future plans and aspirations.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was encouraging to hear about the wide range of work being undertaken by the JAN Trust, particularly in these tough economic times when funding is scarce.

“The women learning English at the Trust seemed very happy and positive – and from the conversations I had with them, it is clear that the lessons are really helping with their language skills. It was like a mini United Nations, with women from all over the world – Vietnam, Iran and Poland, to name a few!

“The Trust are working on and raising awareness of really important issues, and I wish them all the best with their campaigns and work in the future.”

‘Disgraceful’ Haringey Council fails to support vulnerable Haringey residents

Posted on 8th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP branded Haringey Council ‘a disgrace’ today, after revelations that they failed to distribute money meant to support vulnerable individuals and families.

Every year, local councils are given a pot of money by central Government, for distribution to the most vulnerable residents. They can give these ‘discretionary housing payments’ to individuals or families who are struggling with: rent deposits, rent arrears, reductions in housing benefit, and more.

If the money is not given out to vulnerable residents, however, the authority must return it to the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) at the end of the financial year.

It has just been revealed that Labour-run Haringey Council received over £850,000 in 2012/13 – and returned a whopping £233,000 of it. This follows a trend: In 2011/12, Haringey Council returned 45% of their allocation.

This financial year – the Coalition Government will give Haringey Council almost £2.5 million. The Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP are calling on the Labour administration to make use of this money.

Haringey Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Cllr Katherine Reece, commented:

“The Government has given the Labour-run Council a lot of funding over the last few years to help people struggling with their rent bills but they have failed to hand out much of that cash to local residents. That can’t be right.

“This Government money is there to support people who are struggling and yet the Labour council has failed to pass much of it on to local people who really need the support. It would be a great shame if the Labour council failed to take up all of the £2m the government has offered them this year to support local people.”

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

“It is absolutely disgraceful that Haringey Council have just returned this money to the DWP, rather than using it to help protect our most vulnerable residents.

“The Haringey Labour administration is quick to moan about the changes made by the Coalition Government, but obviously not so quick when it comes to helping out those in need.

“The Lib Dems in Government are providing record amounts of money to Councils to use on discretionary housing payments. I call on Haringey Council to stop wasting this opportunity to help the most vulnerable.”

Lynne Featherstone MP delighted with Hornsey and Wood Green reselection

Posted on 5th Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

A delighted Lynne Featherstone MP was last night reselected as Hornsey and Wood Green’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the 2015 election.

Lynne Featherstone moved into the constituency with her family at age 5, and went to primary school in Highgate. She has represented Hornsey and Wood Green as the Liberal Democrat MP since 2005.

Since then, Lynne Featherstone has increased her majority by fighting and campaigning on key local issues, such as saving the Whittington’s A&E and stopping the Pinkham Way waste plant. Her successful campaign for fairer education funding secured an extra £7.3million a year for Haringey’s schools.

The local MP was called one of the ‘saints’ by the Telegraph following the expenses scandal, and was recently awarded the ‘politician of the year’ award by Attitude magazine.

The MP’s office consistently completes around 400 pieces of casework per week on behalf of local residents, and also regularly exposes the blunders of Labour-run Haringey Council – such as their failure to build any new council homes in the last 25 years.

Lynne Featherstone MP has also made her impact in Government. Roles in both the Home Office and Department for International Development have seen her introduce Equal Marriage and lead the fight to eradicate FGM.

Following the reselection Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am simply delighted by the confidence the local Liberal Democrat members have shown in me. It was a fantastic evening, and I’d like to thank the members, the local party, and fellow Lib Dem MP Ed Davey for making such a great speech.

“It was also so special to have my political heroine, Baroness Shirley Williams, in attendance supporting me.

“Hornsey and Wood Green is a wonderful, diverse and vibrant area. It is such an honour to represent and fight for all of the residents here. I want to continue fighting for better services for local people, working together on successful campaigns like fairer funding – which secured a massive £7.3million for our local schools.

“The road to 2015 and beyond starts here!”

Haringey Liberal Democrat Local Party Chair Cara Jenkinson said:

“Lynne Featherstone is a fantastic constituency MP and a formidable campaigner. She works really hard for the people of Hornsey and Wood Green – everyone knows someone who’s been helped by Lynne. It was great that so many people came to the reselection meeting last night to support her.”

Lib Dem success as Hornsey Sorting Office closure is put on hold again

Posted on 2nd Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today expressed her happiness, as Royal Mail confirmed that the proposed closure of Hornsey sorting office has once again been put on hold.

Royal Mail had planned to close Hornsey sorting office and move the undelivered parcel collection point to Holloway. The move would have forced local residents to travel miles to collect their undelivered parcels, if they didn’t wish to leave parcels with a neighbour, or pay to have them redelivered.

The proposed changes prompted a quick response from the Liberal Democrat MP, who – along with the Haringey Liberal Democrats – started campaigning against the closures. The Local MP then presented a 3000 signature-strong petition to Royal Mail, demanding that the local parcel collection point remain in place.

Following this, Royal Mail put the plans on hold for 6 months to reconsider, giving the sorting office a reprieve. Today, they informed Lynne Featherstone MP that the plans had been put on hold again, for at least another 6 months.

Cllr Katherine Reece, Haringey Lib Dem Deputy Leader, comments:

“This is great news for people in Hornsey. We have been campaigning hard with the local MP Lynne Featherstone to make sure that Hornsey sorting office stays open and people can collect their parcels locally.

“I hope that this 6 months delay means that Royal Mail will listen to demands by local councillors and people for a local service and that in the long term the Hornsey office will stay open.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“This is a great day for all local residents who use Hornsey Sorting Office to pick up their undelivered parcels and secure mail.

“Once again, the combination of people power and the Liberal Democrats in Haringey has triumphed. A valued local service has been saved for at least another six months – which will include this year’s busy Christmas period!

“Thank you to all the residents who signed the petition and supported the campaign.

“Royal Mail have promised to be back in touch in six months time with any further news – I will of course pass this on to my constituents as and when I get it.”

Lynne Featherstone MP announces winners of Independent Shops competition

Posted on 1st Jul 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Picture Gallery here!

Lynne Featherstone MP took to the stage on Saturday to announce Brand New Start, Big Green Bookshop and Owen’s Food Store as the winners of the Hornsey and Wood Green Independent Shops competition!

The announcement took place at a summer fete event at Hornsey Town Hall.

Hundreds of residents joined the local MP at Crouch End Broadway, where local independent retailers exhibited and sold their products, and community groups displayed and engaged residents in their activities. There was also a local beer exhibition, games for children, hot food and a live band.

Since the local MP launched the competition in February, over 4000 votes have been cast by local residents across three separate categories: most attractive shop front, best customer service, and best overall independent shop.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to organise and host this wonderful event. Our local independents are so important to Hornsey and Wood Green – keeping our high streets vibrant and diverse and giving us great choice.

“This competition aimed to give publicity and support to our most valued independents during these tough economic times. It is part of our broader campaign to help independent retailers and save our diverse high streets. For instance, The Haringey Lib Dems and I are also running a petition for 30 minutes free parking on our local high streets, to help our local retailers.

“I’d like to thank all of the shops, community groups, volunteers and the band, who participated and exhibited at the event and made it such a great success. And particular congratulations, of course, to the winners: Brand New Start, Big Green Bookshop and Owen’s Food Store!”

Winners and Runners up list:

Most attractive shop front:

1) Brand New Start (Hornsey)

2) Dunns (Crouch End)

3) W. Martyn (Muswell Hill)

Best customer service:

1) Big Green Bookshop (Wood Green)

2) T Jewellery (Crouch End)

3) The Garden Shop (Hornsey)

Best all round independent shop:

1) Owens Food Store (Muswell Hill)

2) Tomfoolery (Fortis Green)

3) Sally Bourne Interiors (Muswell Hill)