Local MP backs stunning Crouch End calendar in aid of victims of summer’s riots

Posted on 30th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To back the stunning N8 calendar and meet the Crouch End traders behind it, Lynne Featherstone MP went to the Haberdashery on Middle Lane on Friday. The project is currently raising funds in support of initiatives to help rebuild communities following the summer’s riots

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP met the Haberdashery’s Massimo Bergamin, Budgen’s Andrew Thornton, FOOD from the SKY’s Azul-Valerie Thome, and Haringey Community Circles administrator Jazz Rasool, who have jointly backed the project.

All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go to Haringey Community Circles, a charitable initiative set up by the traders and YMCA’s Jim Shepley following the events in Tottenham and Wood Green in August.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“The stunning N8 calendar really captures the essence of Crouch End. Not only does it portray local traders, but more so, it really captures the generosity of this community, in raising funds to help fellow Haringey residents who have suffered following the summer’s riots.

“Massimo, Andrew, Azul, Jim and Jazz should be proud of what they have achieved in creating a beautiful calendar that I am sure will be a great stocking filler this Christmas, and in the process raise funds for Haringey Community Circles.

“I’ve got mine, and would encourage all Crouch Enders to get one for their homes, and in the process back a great cause.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes new campaign to help energy customers ‘Plug the Debt’

Posted on 24th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes a joint Consumer Focus/Citizens Advice campaign which aims to help advise people who are falling behind with their energy bills.

With temperatures starting to plummet, many people face the challenge of how to afford to keep their home warm this winter. 63% of people in London are unsure whether they can afford to pay their energy bills this winter, according to the watchdog Consumer Focus.

The most recent figures show that new cases of household energy debts nationwide have increased by 20%.² Consumer Focus and Citizen’s Advice are concerned that many more people will be pushed into debt to their energy supplier this winter, with average price increases of 14% due to hit homes. The organisations have launched the new awareness campaign – ‘Plug the Debt’ – to help people know what to do and what their rights are when they fall behind on their energy bills.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“With many of my constituents worrying about affording their energy bills, it’s very timely that Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice are reaching out to residents to provide information on how to cope.

“It’s clearly of concern that the number of people with debts on energy bills is set to rise and these residents need to get the right help. It’s essential that people know that they can turn to their energy provider for assistance with managing their debt.”

Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said:

“A toxic cocktail of higher energy prices, rising bills for other essentials and falling incomes could push more people into debt with their energy company this winter. We want people to know that help is out there. We’d urge people to get in touch with their energy firm as soon as they think they might have problems, before debts start to spiral. You can also get in touch with Citizens Advice or the Home Heat Helpline to find out how you can cut your bills.”

Gillian Guy, Citizens Advice Chief Executive, said:

“Each year we help thousands of people who are in debt because they can’t afford their fuel bills. Hikes in prices are making a tough time much harder for many. We urge people to check that they aren’t missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could ease the pressure on their finances – and if they are in debt, to get help immediately.

“Worryingly, around half of people in the UK don’t know their energy supplier has to help them if they fall into debt on their energy bills. Lynne Featherstone MP wants to let her constituents know that help is out there and to urge people to contact their energy company or local Citizens Advice Bureau if they are having problems paying their bills.”

Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice are making people aware of the following 5 top tips if they fall behind with their bills:

1. Always contact your energy supplier as soon as you realise you might have trouble with paying. Debts will build up and be harder to pay off, the longer you leave them. Your supplier has a responsibility to help you if you have problems paying your bill.

2. Tell your energy firm what you can afford to pay – they have to take this into account in agreeing repayments of the money you owe.

3. Ask your energy company, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or call the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 to find out about other free energy help available. For example, you could qualify for a discount off your bill or free insulation to help your home stop leaking heat and cut your bills.

4. Even if you are in debt you may still be able to switch to a cheaper deal with your current supplier, especially if you pay by cash, cheque or pre-payment meter. If you pay by pre-payment meter and have less than £200 of debt you can also switch to a cheaper deal with another supplier.

5. Financial help is available which could make it easier to afford your bills – check you are receiving all of the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to by getting in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visiting www.adviceguide.org.uk.

Anyone who wants to find out more about getting help or advice through the ‘Plug the Debt’ campaign should visit www.consumerfocus.org.uk/plugthedebt or contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau.

MP visits Job Centre to hear of hard work in tough times

Posted on 24th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To meet job seekers and the staff who work hard to help them get back into employment, Lynne Featherstone MP, on Friday, visited Jobcentre Plus in Wood Green.

The Western Road centre helps many of Haringey’s unemployed and manages to support almost half of the job seekers in finding new work within three months. Although the number of new jobs available has fallen by a third from a year ago, the centre has advertised close to 2,000 new posts since the spring of 2011. Most of the posts advertised are in sales, the care sector and marketing.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP heard from a group of job seekers about their experiences. She was also introduced to some of the centre’s many initiatives to help job seekers get back into work, including enterprise clubs to support new start-ups, apprenticeship schemes and help with the cost of travel and smart clothes to remove barriers to residents attending interviews.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“These are tough times and Haringey has a large number of job seekers who need the help and support of the Job Centre to get back into work. I have been really impressed by the team here at Wood Green; they work really hard to guide, motivate and enthuse local residents.

“The team helps with skills and CV development, so that jobseekers can really sell themselves in this tough job market.

“They also work closely with local employers to run work experience and apprenticeship schemes that often translate into more permanent jobs, and run an enterprise club to support residents in starting their own companies.

“So yes, it’s tough out there, and it’s good to see that help and support is at hand at the Job Centre. It’s been really encouraging to hear of the hard work of the team here at Wood Green.”

Rhodes Avenue Student snaps up first place in MPs Olympic Christmas Competition

Posted on 21st Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Phoebe Brady from Rhodes Avenue School is the 2011 winner of Lynne Featherstone MP’s Christmas card competition, which this year is Olympics themed to warm up for next year’s games.

The year 5 pupil snapped up first place with her drawing of the three wise men visiting Mount Olympus, and will now go on an Olympic tour with the Hornsey and Wood Green MP. Phoebe was closely followed by runners up Nagarey Samey (Nightingale Primary), Kacper Nikiel (Campsbourne Primary) and Molly Flora Drew (Rhodes Avenue) who have all received certificates and Olympics themed prizes.

Lynne Featherstone MP comment:

“Choosing a Christmas card winner is one of the highlights of my winter diary, and this year it was really tough with lots of strong contenders from schools across the constituency.

“Phoebe’s piece was something very special, it was very Christmassy, with a strong Olympics theme, and it was really beautifully created. But the runners up Nagarey, Kacper and Molly were all close contenders for first prize.

“Congratulations to Phoebe and the runners-up, and a huge thank you to all pupils and schools who joined in this year. Now I look forward to joining Phoebe for an Olympic Tour.”

Local MP visits empowering arts project that boosts mental health and well being

Posted on 16th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP visited Studio 306 on Friday, to see how the inspirational art studio at the Chocolate Factory is using arts and crafts to help rehabilitate residents who are recovering from mental health illness.

At the studio, based in Wood Green, a group of skilled arts and crafts practitioners work with people recovering from mental health problems, in order to help them discover new skills and grow in confidence. The studio, which is part funded byHaringey Council and is an extension of their mental health service, was awarded lottery funding in the summer to run the Mental Health Well Being Project.

This weekend, the studio opened its doors so local residents could view and buy the jewellery, screen prints, ceramics and textiles, which had been produced by the artists. The private view was part of the Chocolate Factory’s Open Studios, where artists working in the Factory’s various studios are able to exhibit their best works.

Lynne Featherstone MP comment:

“It’s been really inspirational to see the work of Studio 306’s artists, new and old. At the studio, skilled artists share their knowledge with residents who have suffered mental health issues, and it’s clear that not only have they created some amazing works of art, the journey has also been really empowering and confidence boosting.

“It’s fantastic to see this lottery winning project working so well. Long may this successful partnership continue!”

Free early years education for two-year olds in Haringey

Posted on 16th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Free early education will be extended to 140,000 disadvantaged two-year- olds, and parents will be able to access the free entitlement more flexibly, under plans published by the Government on Friday.

In Haringey around 1,000 two-year olds are expected to benefit from the proposals.

Liberal Democrat Children’s Minister, Sarah Teather, announced a consultation on Friday on how this commitment will be implemented. The plans include proposals to help parents and children alike by making the free entitlement of 15 hours per week of early education more flexible, so it can be taken between 7am and 7pm across two days instead of the current three days.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Helping 1,000 two-year-old children from the poorest backgrounds with early education in Haringey will benefit them for years to come.

“Improving social mobility is a Liberal Democrat priority in Government and early years education is crucial to achieve this.

“We want us to give every child the best possible start – so free education for toddlers from the most disadvantaged homes will now be a right and not a privilege.

“Crucially the extra care will be flexible and easy to access. Parents across the country are bending over backwards to balance work and home. The Coalition wants to help in whatever way we can.”

Children’s spokesperson Councillor Katherine Reece adds:

“High quality early education is key to making a difference early in a child’s life and to help make Britain a fairer and more equal society.

“Targetting early education at those who stand to benefit most is crucial in achieving this goal. Disadvantaged children’s healthy development will be greatly benefitted by this initiative. This should help them from falling behind before they have even started primary school.”

MP meets charity heroes in celebration of Trustees’ Week 2011

Posted on 7th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To mark Trustees’ Week and highlight the important work these volunteers do for charities, Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday met trustees at Haringey Race and Equalities Council (HREC).

The Turnpike Lane based organisation has been working to promote equality and diversity in Haringey since the 1960s. They offer a casework service to combat discrimination against local residents and provide a support service to black and minority ethnic, refugee and disability groups so they can help more people locally. HREC has 16 trustees, who freely give up their time and skills to lead the Council and make sure they continue to provide this much needed service for the people of Haringey.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Haringey Race and Equality Council does great work for the people of Haringey, and the charity is warmly appreciated by local residents.

“This is to a great extent thanks to its dedicated trustees, some of whom have been with the HREC almost since its inception. Charity trustees here and at so many other organisations across Haringey are often unsung heroes, and it’s great to highlight their special work this Trustees’ Week. Long may it continue!”

MP Lynne in running for Sports Parliamentarian of the Year

Posted on 7th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has won a spot as one of ten MPs in the running for Sports Parliamentarian of the Year, after being nominated by a local sports organisation.

Haringey Sports Development Trust recommended the Liberal Democrat MP for nomination for the award, organised by the Sports and Recreation Alliance, for her local work to promote and protect the interest of sports. Lynne’s work earlier this year to help fight for Haringey’s London Youth Games to go ahead, and her visit to the Whizz Kids Programme to help promote access to sports for disabled children, were some of the activities that won her a place among the shortlisted MPs.

The final winner will be announced on the 14^th December.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s a real honour to be nominated as Sports Parliamentarian of the Year by Haringey Sports Development Trust.

“They do a tremendous job of offering young people the opportunity to learn different sports, and the Whizz Kids programme for disabled children is just fantastic.

“I’m so proud that they are there for young people in Haringey and I always do my best to support them when I can. It’s very heart-warming to see that my support has been recognised with this nomination.”

Welcome funding boost for school places

Posted on 4th Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

The Government has this week announced that Haringey will get an extra £1.3 million to manage the shortfall in the borough’s school places.

Haringey is one of a hundred local authorities that will receive a share of an extra £500m because finding preferred school places for some of the borough’s children has proved difficult.

Today’s extra funding comes on top of the £800m funding announced in December 2010 – double the normal annual level of support – which means that in 2011-12 a total of £1.3billion will have been allocated to fund additional school places.

This is also in addition to the extra £5.3 million local schools will receive this year from the Pupil Premium.

The funding comes in the form of capital grants, which are not ring fenced. Local Councils will be able to decide what projects this additional funding is spent on.

A recent report from the Council suggested that Alexandra, Muswell Hill, Fortis Green and Northumberland Park had a shortage of school places.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is good news that the Government is investing an extra 1.3 million in schools’ capacity in our area.

“This money will be a welcome boost to ensure everyone gets a place at a good school. It will also be welcome news for local jobs and businesses, as building can now ahead.

Liberal Democrat Children’s spokesperson Councillor Katherine Reece adds

“There is more work to be done and this extra cash will not solve our problems overnight. I will be working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Government on this, in order to ensure our children get the fair start in life in the good schools they deserve. The Council clearly has areas like Alexandra, Muswell Hill and Northumberland Park that would benefit from extra primary school places.”

Government action on housing would mean thousands back for local investment

Posted on 3rd Nov 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

The Coalition Government has published proposals to end the requirement for councils to offer a discount of between 10-50% on council tax if the home is not someone’s main residence.

In Haringey, it is estimated that last year, the council missed out on close to £100,000 because of discounts on second homes. These reforms will give councils thousands of pounds back to support services and investment in communities.

Additionally, the proposals go further to tackle the problem of long-term empty homes, which are a waste of housing. The reforms will give local authorities more freedom to tackle the problems of empty homes in their area.

Liberal Democrat Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell has announced that councils will be allowed to charge an Empty Homes Premium on council tax, of up to 50%, on any home left empty for two years or longer.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“We have a real housing problem here in Haringey, with thousands of families on the housing waiting list and young people unable to get on the property ladder because there aren’t enough houses available.

“Yet we have almost 500 homes, which stand empty most of the year while their wealthy owners live miles away.

“Ending the mandatory discount will bring thousands of pounds back to our councils, something Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for. Councils will be able to use this money to support services and drive investment in our communities rather than helping those who can afford multiple homes.

“Together with the reforms to tax long-term empty homes, these plans will help bring back scores of homes into use over the coming years, easing pressure on our housing stock.”