I am currently in Uganda, but I recorded a speech to the International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting, which is currently taking place in Rome. You can read more about the UK commitment to help end FGM here.
Giving young people a fair start in life!
Here’s my latest Muswell Flyer column, also available here: http://beckybeach.net/?p=8145
My early years were spent at Highgate Primary – one of the many great schools in Haringey borough. And the schools here are getting better and better, with particularly impressive exam results achieved this year by our bright students.
It’s so important that young people are given an excellent education, and have an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or situation at home. But I’m also aware that some students, through no fault of their own, are still finding it harder than others to achieve the results.
That’s why the Lib Dems in Government are working hard to ensure every child gets a fair start in life.
Last month at the Lib Dem party conference, Nick Clegg announced that, from next year, all infant school pupils will be eligible for free school meals.
Free meals do already exist for children from poorer backgrounds – but research showed that many were not claimed because parents were not aware of the option, or unwilling to admit they qualified.
Making all infant school children eligible will remove this stigma – for parents and children. In addition, it will save parents an average of £437 a year per child; and ensure that all children are receiving a nutritious, healthy and filling lunch – something which is proven to have a positive impact on performance at school.
The Liberal Democrat Pupil Premium has also been giving schools extra funding since 2010 – with the money specifically targeted to schools with higher numbers of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This academic year, schools in Haringey will benefit from an extra £13 million on top of their usual budgets.
Schools themselves can decide how they use the extra money. I have met with Head Teachers to discuss how the money is being spent. Employing extra support staff, employing staff with particular language skills, funding after school clubs and subsidising school trips for poorer students are among the best examples I’ve heard.
The Liberal Democrats in Government are also focusing on jobs and apprenticeships – particularly to tackle youth unemployment.
Just before the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010, people who didn’t go to university were being left behind. Youth unemployment in my constituency was 7.1%, which was far too high.
Since entering Government the Lib Dems have helped create over 1 million jobs and 1.2 million apprenticeships. Apprenticeships in particular are helping young people learn trades, earn money, and build a career.
They’re popular too. I organised an event in Wood Green to match up our young people with companies looking for apprentices – and over 130 youngsters turned up to try and secure an apprenticeship.
And I’m pleased to say that youth unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green is down by a third (to just 4.8%).
There is still a way to go before children and young people have equal opportunities to succeed and get on in life. But I believe these Lib Dem measures – free school meals, Pupil Premium and focus on apprenticeships – are a good start towards building a fairer society.
Lynne Featherstone MP joins apprentices at Hornsey Rail Depot!
Lynne Featherstone MP today went to Hornsey Rail Depot, to meet apprentices who are working on the site.
Volker Fitzpatrick is the company contracted to build two new train maintenance depots, as part of the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project. They currently have 5 apprentices (3 railway engineering and 2 business administration) and are looking for more.
The Liberal Democrat MP met two of the engineering apprentices, before putting on safety gear and taking a tour of the site – and seeing their work first hand.
The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was shown the building site, including the train wash and the under-construction maintenance depot. The local MP then discussed the local resident reaction to the works with the development managers.
Since the Liberal Democrats entered Government in 2010, over 1.2 million apprenticeships have been created. Lynne Featherstone MP held an event in August, matching up Haringey’s young people looking for apprenticeships with potential employers.
Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“Apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities, giving young people a chance to learn a trade whilst earning money and gaining qualifications.
“That’s why I held the event in Wood Green for young people to find out more about apprenticeships, and why I was so keen to go to Hornsey Rail Depot to see apprentices in action.
“Volker Fitzpatrick is clearly working very hard to build the new depots and facilities, and it’s great that they’re taking on apprenticeships to help. I’d like to thank them for taking the time to show me around!
“If any local resident has any questions or thoughts about the work being done on this site, please let me know.”
Unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green falls again!
Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed news that unemployment in her constituency has fallen again.
In Hornsey and Wood Green, unemployment is currently at a low of 4%, meaning there are now 869 less people claiming Job Seekers Allowance than when Labour left the Government in 2010.
Youth unemployment in the constituency has also plummeted – down from 7.8% in May 2010 to 4.7% now.
This comes alongside news that, nationally, the number of people in work reached a record high of 29.87 million in the quarter, up 155,000.
Creating jobs is a Liberal Democrat priority. Since 2010, the Liberal Democrats in Government have helped businesses create over 1 million private sector jobs, and have helped create 1.2 million apprenticeships. There are now more apprentices than ever before and 86% more than under Labour.
Locally, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has helped create new apprenticeships, by organising an event for local young people to meet companies offering apprenticeships.
Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“Work is so important to individuals and families. It pays the bills, gives us purpose and fulfilment, and provides security for our long term futures.
“This fall in the number of people claiming JSA is a welcome sign – particularly in Hornsey and Wood Green! 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.
“In Government and locally the Lib Dems will keep working hard to reduce unemployment, which in turn will help build a stronger economy and create a fairer society – enabling everyone to get on in life.”
400 responses on rubbish!
Last week I sent an email to my constituents, asking for their opinions on rubbish collection in Haringey.
Over the last two years, I’ve received hundreds of complaints from residents about missed collections, piles of stinking rubbish and bins being misplaced after emptying.
Some disabled residents have been unable to get out of their driveways because the bins were left blocking it, and other residents have had to deal with rat infestations. One person took to twitter to complain about the maggots which appeared as a result of missed collections.
The complaints started when Labour-run Haringey Council introduced fortnightly collections to the borough, in tandem with their waste contractor, Veolia. Some teething problems were perhaps inevitable – but two years on, enough is enough!
I asked Haringey Council whether they could fine Veolia for poor performance. The answer was: Yes we can, but we never have!
So despite all the problems, the Labour Council have never bothered to fine Veolia!
I’ve had 400 replies from local residents already, letting me know how they feel about rubbish collection in Haringey. We’re in the process of analysing them – and can report that so far – two thirds of residents are unsatisfied with their collections.
If you want to add your opinion – please do so via www.lynnefeatherstone.org/contact
Once we’ve collated all the responses, I’ll present them to Haringey Council and Veolia and demand action to improve collections. We pay one of the highest rates of Council Tax in London – and we deserve a better service!
Tackling the housing crisis
Many years ago I got a mortgage for my first flat (off the Archway Road) – which enabled me to get a first foot on the property ladder.
Owning a house is still an aspiration for many young people, who want properties as big, or bigger, than their parents. But times are tough – particularly for many young people in the private rental sector who cannot afford to save for a sizeable deposit.
The bottom line is that, up until 2010, not enough houses were built. Prices of existing properties have spiralled out of control and the younger generation have been frozen out of the market.
That’s why the Coalition Government introduced a number of measures to ease the housing crisis, build new homes and give young people assistance in getting on the property ladder.
And we are starting to see some changes. Housing supply is now at its highest since the end of the unsustainable housing boom in 2008, with 334,000 new homes built over the last three years. The number of first-time buyers is also at a five-year high.
Please do take a look at this document – which gives details of the schemes introduced by the Coalition Government to help first time buyers and ease the housing crisis. If you’re looking to buy your first property, or know someone who is, this is a must-read!
Any questions – just ask!
Lynne Featherstone MP calls for independent investigation into Haringey Children’s Services
Lynne Featherstone MP has today renewed her call for an independent investigation into Haringey Children’s Services, following news that Haringey Council has again failed to protect vulnerable children.
Haringey Council have previously been embroiled in scandals over their failure to protect both Victoria Climbe and Baby P.
After both cases, the Council’s Labour leadership gave assurances that lessons had been learned. However, the report into the more recent case of Child T evidenced serious failures of management and professional practice within social care services, similar to those in the Baby P case.
In a letter to Haringey Council’s Chief Executive, the Liberal Democrat MP slammed the ‘culture of defensiveness’ at Haringey Council, which she believes causes an ‘inability to properly accept responsibility for errors and to learn from them.’
The letter – co signed by Haringey Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson Cllr Katherine Reece – also said that an independent investigation, including a review of the role of the safeguarding children board, was the ‘only way to secure an honest assessment of the Department and the changes that need to be made.’
Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:
“It is just appalling that Haringey Council have become embroiled in another child abuse scandal. The local Lib Dems, local residents and I have long been calling on the Labour leadership to address the manifest failings of Children’s Services – but our calls have simply been ignored.
“What makes me even more upset and angry, is that Haringey’s Labour leadership have repeatedly told us that lessons had been learnt, and that Children’s Services had turned a corner. But this was evidently not true – and now another child has paid the price.
“Cllr Katherine Reece and I have renewed our call for an urgent, independent investigation. It cannot come quickly enough.”
MP urges residents to have their say on Hornsey High Street future
Lynne Featherstone and local Liberal Democrat Councillors have encouraged residents to take part in their Hornsey Depot survey, following a planning application for the site by developers St James.’
The old Depot on Hornsey High Street has been unoccupied and derelict since 1998 – as Haringey Council continually failed to strike a deal with a developer.
The developers plan to demolish the existing structures to make way for a supermarket, car park, over 400 flats and a gym.
Before the application was submitted, the local Liberal Democrats made representations to the developers and secured amendments to their proposals. For instance, they reduced the height of a 10-storey block of flats in response to Liberal Democrat, local residents’ and traders’ concerns.
Concerns have also been expressed regarding the impact upon local traffic and the quality of the plans themselves.
Residents have until October 20th 2013 to respond.
Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“I believe that as many local residents as possible should get to have their say on the future of Hornsey Depot, and they can do so via our survey. We will present the survey results to the Council as part of our official response to the planning application.
“I’m happy that after all these years, an application has finally been made. But, we must ensure that what they propose is right for Hornsey. For instance, it is vital that this development is community focussed and that the housing is good quality. We do not want any negative impact on our local area.
“So, if you have any concerns about the development, the developer, or the general impact on Hornsey, now is the time to get your voice heard!”
Hornsey Depot – Have your say
The depot site on Hornsey High Street (N8 7QB) has been unoccupied and derelict since 1998 – as the Labour Council continually failed to strike a deal with a developer.
A planning application has now finally been submitted for the site – and there’s still time to make your views heard.
In the application, the developers say they will demolish the existing structures to make way for a supermarket, car park, over 400 flats and a gym.
Before the application was submitted, the local Lib Dems made representations to the developers and secured amendments to their proposals. Most notably, they reduced the height of a 10-storey block of flats in response to Lib Dem and local resident & trader concerns.
However, local councillors have also expressed concerns regarding the impact upon local traffic and the quality of the plans themselves.
The local Lib Dems are keen to find out your views and concerns on the development on Hornsey Depot, so please do fill in our survey. We will present the survey results as part of our official response to the planning application.
If you’d rather respond directly – you can do so on the Council’s website, using application number is HGY/2013/2019.
Liberal Democrats and people power in Haringey strikes again!
Our local trains serve thousands of residents every day – including me! It’s great when they run smoothly, but all too often our current trains into Moorgate are overcrowded, delayed or even cancelled.
Last year, the Haringey Lib Dems and I welcomed the coalition government’s announcement of a massive £6billion investment in rail services in and around London – which will mean new, longer trains and more services at peak times.
It’s part of the largest investment since Victorian times – which is great news.
But, at stations like Hornsey and Harringay, platforms are too short for longer trains to stop. We became worried that these stations could end up receiving fewer services, while the new, longer trains whizzed by.
So, we launched a campaign opposing any service reduction at Hornsey and Harringay. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 98 per cent of residents agreed with us!
We sent all of your responses to the Department for Transport (DfT), and on the day of the announcement, I went down to the department to make one final plea to save our services.
And I’m pleased to say that our hard fought campaign has been successful! The DfT have now announced that there will be no service reductions at any local stations, including Hornsey and Harringay.
In addition, the DfT also confirmed that, under the new franchise, evening and weekend services would now run into Moorgate as well as King’s Cross, and that Hornsey and Harringay stations will now be permanently staffed.
This is a great victory for local commuters, rail users and the Lib Dems – our train services will be improved and no services will be lost!
Last week, there was also very good news about Pinkham Way. The local Lib Dems and I have campaigned for years against the North London Waste Authority’s plans to build a huge waste plant on the site, which is situated just off the North Circular.
For years, residents lived in the shadows of this thoroughly unsuitable plan – worried about the effects on the local environment and property prices. The Labour council also turned their backs on us – waving through the plans without question.
But after years of Liberal Democrat and Pinkham Way Alliance campaigning, countless petitions, legal challenges and more, the waste authority has finally seen sense and cancelled plans for the Pinkham Way site!
We still remain vigilant on both issues. We will keep an eye on plans for the rail services and on the Pinkham Way site, to ensure that local residents’ voices are heard.
But for now, the battles have been won. I’d like to thank every single resident who took part in these campaigns. The local Lib Dems and I have worked tirelessly on them – but couldn’t have achieved success without the significant support from local residents.
The combination of Liberal Democrats and people power in Haringey strikes again!
Lynne Featherstone 