You’ve got the power!

Posted on 11th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Have you ever thought that you could run local services better? Wanted to save a local shop that was facing closure? Or wanted to see a idea to improve your community put into action?

With new community rights, you can do all of this and more.

As a Lib Dem, I believe that local people know what’s best for the area they live in. Previous Governments have centralised too much power, with people in Westminster offices making decisions about places they’ve never been to.

In the Coalition agreement, the Tories agreed with Liberal Democrat plans to give people the power make (or oppose!) changes to their community. This led to the Localism Act 2012.

These community rights granted in the Localism Act have now been in place for the past year, and have been used thousands of times by hundreds of local groups.

For instance, the Localism Act gives local groups the chance to purchase community assets before they’re sold to external developers.

A great example is the Ivy House pub in South London. Local residents found out it was going to be sold for redevelopment, so they got together to raise the funds to buy it. Almost 400 people bought shares in the pub! It has just reopened as a co-operative pub, with music and comedy nights, real ale and food.

If you and a number of your fellow residents want to make changes, you can. To do this you will need to organise, plan, and have a local vote to ensure your ideas are supported by the rest of the community. For the most part this will go through the Local Authority, but once approved by the public you will be in charge.

This means that you can take over local services through the Right to Challenge, build new houses with the Right to Build, or if a park is being sold you can protect it using the Right to Bid.

Additionally, the Neighbourhood Planning scheme allows residents to decide what facilities should be built, and the Right to Reclaim Land means that unused Council property can be put to better use.

You also have the right to create Community Shares for their community project, and if there is not already one in place you can set up a Town or Parish Council.

A full leaflet and guide can be found here.

This is a great opportunity to make positive changes to your local community, so go get involved! If you want to let me know what you’re doing or would like some advice – contact me!

Child T – another Haringey protection failure

Posted on 10th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

I am deeply saddened and shocked at news of another failure to protect a child in Haringey. A serious case review published this morning has identified multiple failings by local authorities – including social services – to protect a child, known only as ‘Child T.’

The report ‘evidences serious failures of management and professional practice at that time within and between the three key child protection agencies – police, health and social care services.’

Child T is alive, having been removed from the care of their parents more than a year after the first incident of abuse came to the attention of doctors and social services. However, the report states that, in the course of the year, Child T was taken to hospital twice with suspicious injuries, only to be returned to their parents. This is just one of the multiple failings listed.

Most people will be aware that it was also Haringey Council who failed to protect Baby P and Victoria Climbe. After these two horrendous failures – serious changes should have been made. But now, Child T has been failed too. Indeed, the review identifies features that are common between the Baby P and the Child T cases.

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.

I fully support the Haringey Liberal Democrat calls for an urgent, independent investigation. It cannot come quickly enough.

Continuing the fight against FGM

Posted on 10th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

I was delighted to visit Bristol yesterday, to see for myself the excellent initiatives taking place in this city to tackle Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and violence against girls and women.

My first stop was St Werburgh’s Primary School. Under the inspiring leadership of the school’s headteacher and her team, plus the outreach work of Bristol’s nurse for safeguarding children, the school has developed an excellent relationship with the local community. This enables them to have honest conversations with pupils and parents about a range of sensitive issues, including FGM. I am convinced that this kind of school leadership and approach to safeguarding children is vital in the fight against FGM and I look forward to meeting representatives from teaching unions and safeguarding boards soon to discuss this.

At the school and later in one of their homes, I met mothers from the local Somali community to hear their thoughts on how to stop FGM. These women are determined that their daughters will not be cut and say attitudes are changing. But they explained how the subject remains taboo within communities and is generally not discussed, even amongst women. And when these women have presented at clinics or hospitals in the UK, the medical staff often have little or no experience of FGM. I am very pleased to see Jane Ellison – a long-time, dedicated campaigner on FGM – appointed to the Department of Health this week and am sure this will be an issue she tackles as Minister.

In the afternoon I visited City Academy, home of the charity Integrate Bristol. I met staff and young people from Integrate who have been driving forward a campaign over the last few years against FGM. Later, the Integrate team delivered a fantastic event at Bristol’s City Hall, supported by Mayor George Ferguson, to celebrate the young people’s work and thank those who have supported them. It was a moving, funny and dynamic event, showcasing the work of the charity over the last few years – from a Newsnight appearance, to advising the BBC on their Casualty FGM episode, to writing and performing a successful play. The boldness and creativity of these teenagers is amazing and gives me faith that, as girls are educated and empowered, we will see an end to FGM.

I am very grateful to all involved for an instructive and inspiring day. A particular thanks to Nimco Ali from the campaign group Daughters of Eve, who has worked with communities, schools and local groups over many years to raise awareness about FGM and campaign for its end.

Bristol is pioneering an approach to tackling FGM which combines strong leadership, empowering girls and women, and working across government sectors. There is a long way to go, but great strides have been made. I have come back to London with hope and with ideas!

Black History Month in Haringey!

Posted on 9th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

October is Black History Month – a great time to reflect on and celebrate our diverse history both locally and nationally.

I have been MP for Hornsey and Wood Green since 2005, and I am so proud to represent an area with such a rich cultural heritage. My constituents come from a very wide range of backgrounds – over 100 languages are spoken in Turnpike Lane! – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The British Isles have always been a major destination for migration, dating back beyond the Romans. Until the end of World War II, BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) people accounted for about 0.1% of those living in the UK, which rose to 7% by 2000.

North London generally, and Haringey in particular, has always been a popular place to live for those in the BME community. In 2001, 34% of Haringey’s population came from a minority ethnic background, which increased to 39% by 2011.

A number of well known BME people have lived in the Borough, including Oliver Tambo, Ho Chi Minh and Bernie Grant MP. Given the high proportion of young people in the Borough, I have no doubt there are many Haringey children from BME backgrounds who will make similar significant contributions in the future.

Members of BME communities also play a key part in politics across the UK.

The first ever Asian MP was Dadabhai Naoroji, Liberal Party member for Finsbury central in 1892. However, there was quite a distance between Mr Naoroji and his successors before we had our first female BME MP, Diane Abbot, elected in 1987.

Since then, there have been a number of notable firsts – Paul Boateng, the first BME Minister, Piara Khabra, the first Sikh MP, and Mohammad Sawar, the first Muslim MP.

The House of Commons is gradually moving towards an institution more representative of the people that it serves, which is something I welcome wholeheartedly. In the 2010 elections the number of BME MPs increased from 14 to 27. This is a step forward, but does not yet reach the 10% mark, which is roughly the population of the BME community in the UK.

There is still much to be done to improve engagement and representation across the board, to ensure that everyone’s voice, no matter their ethnicity, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation, is heard. This is something I was taking on first hand in my previous role as Equalities Minister, and I continue to work on this in the Department for International Development, and in my Hornsey and Wood Green constituency.

There are a number of seminars, workshops and plays taking place in Haringey for Black History Month. These can be found at http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/haringey-black-history-month/4579376813.

Get stuck in, and happy Black History Month!

Lynne Featherstone MP backs local Credit Union

Posted on 7th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP have urged local residents to support and join the London Capital Credit Union – in response to news that Muswell Hill Broadway will soon feature a payday loan shop.

Joined by Helen Baron (Chair of the Credit Union board) and Don Kehoe (Secretary of the Credit Union board) the local Lib Dems and the MP handed out flyers about the Credit Union on Muswell Hill Broadway.

The Credit Union can supply quick loans to members without high rates, whilst also providing an ethical investment option for people who are looking to save money.

They are seen as a safe alternative to payday loan companies – which charge exorbitant rates on loans.

The Coalition Government has recently invested £38m to support and expand credit unions and the Financial Conduct Authority has just announced proposals to clamp down on pay day lenders.

Local Lib Dem councillor, Martin Newton, comments:

“Despite our and residents’ protests, a payday loan company will soon be opening up shop in Muswell Hill. I urge anyone who is facing a hard time paying their bills or who needs a loan, to use the Credit Union and avoid the massive interest rates charged by payday lenders.

“For those who are looking for an ethical investment the Credit Union is ideal, by saving with them you could help a local family to pay their bills or get their washing machine fixed without having to resort to going to a payday lender.”

Credit Union Manager, Martin Groombridge, comments:

“We will continue to campaign against the payday loan companies because they are driving people into unmanageable debt. It’s time that people sought more ethical providers for their savings accounts or their borrowing. We hope that these campaign events will make more and more people aware that the Credit Union offers a real practical ethical alternative in the financial services sector.”

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

“Credit Unions are ethical money lenders and a safe alternative to payday loan companies. It is fantastic to have a Credit Union operating in Haringey, and I am happy to help promote them – particularly on a street where a new payday loan shop will soon appear.”

Lynne Featherstone MP campaigns to clean up Russell Park

Posted on 1st Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday met with local campaigners, Friends of Russell Park, and residents to discuss the upkeep of Russell Park in Wood Green.

In previous months, complaints have been made about the state of the park. Residents have been concerned about unsafe play equipment, dog fighting, antisocial behaviour and weeds.

Along with local campaigners Craig Brown, Roberto Robles and Colin Heinink, the Liberal Democrat MP launched a petition, calling on Haringey Council to take urgent action and clean up Russell Park, including fixing the damaged playground areas.

On the visit, the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green spoke about the steps she was taking to push the Council into action, and noted down the residents’ further concerns.

Following the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Russell Park is a lovely green space and community asset. There are play areas, a community centre and plenty of open grass.

“Unfortunately, though, the Labour-run Council has not been looking after the park properly. Swings have been chewed by dogs, the play areas are not locked at night, and weeds are overgrown in many areas.

“There are some fantastic local residents and friends of Russell Park, who work tirelessly to try and keep the park in order, but they need help.

“That’s why the local Liberal Democrats and I launched a petition, calling on the Council to take action. I hope as many residents as possible sign it!”

Pinkham Way – one step closer to victory!

Posted on 30th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

I have just sent the below comment to the local papers regarding the North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) decision to end their procurement process for long term waste management services.

In short – they have decided to keep using the waste facility in Edmonton and keep waste management under control of the local authority (rather than contract them out to a private bidder).

There are now no current plans to use the Pinkham Way site for waste management. I’d like to echo the words of the Pinkham Way Alliance: ‘This is very good news!’

Here’s what I’ve told the local papers:

“The decision to end the procurement for long-term waste management in North London marks a great victory for the Pinkham Way Alliance, the local Liberal Democrats and local residents, who have campaigned hard against the NLWA’s plans.

“From day one, the whole process has been a farce and the strategy deeply flawed. The plan to use Pinkham Way for a waste plant, for instance, was simply inappropriate. They should have been looking at ways to reduce wastage – not thinking of building huge incinerators in unsuitable places.

“It’s all very well the NLWA saying they’re saving us money now by keeping waste management services ‘in house’ – but what about the public money wasted to date on their flawed plans?

“I am of course glad that the NLWA has finally seen sense – but it shouldn’t have taken this long to realise their existing Edmonton site would be suitable.

“We must remain vigilant, though. Although there are now no immediate plans to use the Pinkham Way site, it is still an asset of the NLWA, and different plans to use the site may surface in the future.

“The local Lib Dems and I will be sure to keep residents updated as and when we receive information.”

Lynne Featherstone joins the world’s biggest coffee morning!

Posted on 30th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday visited local businesses as part of cancer charity Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event: the world’s biggest coffee morning.

Macmillan runs the coffee morning event annually. They ask businesses, community groups and individuals to hold a coffee morning, where donations can be made. In 2012 115,000 people signed up to the coffee morning, raising a record £15 million.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green enjoyed coffee and cake at Barclays in Wood Green and then visited Coffee Republic, who had kindly provided Barclays with the food to raise money with.

The Liberal Democrat MP spoke to the shop staff and representatives from Macmillan, including Director of External Affairs Hilary Cross, about Macmillan’s work and aims for the coming year.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was a pleasure to participate in such a fantastic event. It was great to see local businesses taking part in the coffee morning – so thank you to Barclays for hosting it and to Coffee Republic for so kindly providing all the food.

“There were plenty of other coffee mornings in and around Haringey, too. I hope Haringey has made a significant contribution to Macmillan’s fundraising efforts.

“Everyone knows someone who is affected by cancer – and it’s comforting to know that charities like Macmillan are working hard to raise money and support those in need.”

Making a difference

Posted on 28th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here is a copy of the recent article I wrote for Modern Gov magazine, about my work as parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for International Development…

Investing in international development is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do.

This is what this coalition government firmly believes and that is why we have stood by our shared commitment to invest 0.7% of gross national income on development support.

I feel enormously privileged to be a minister at the Department for International Development (DfID), which is having such a positive and transformative impact on the lives of the world’s poorest people.

As the minister responsible for our work in Africa, I have seen for myself the life-changing impact the UK is making, especially in improving access to healthcare, education and in making countries self-sufficient through economic growth.

In the last year alone, the UK’s investment in development has enabled 30 million people to work their way out of poverty by providing access to financial services; prevented 13 million children and pregnant women from going hungry; reached 8.7 million people with emergency food assistance; and supported 6 million children – half of them girls – to go to primary school.

But as the UK meets its 0.7% commitment, it is clear that people need to see that we are spending money wisely, effectively and in the right places. That is why transparency and accountability are woven into everything we do, helping to achieve better value for money for UK taxpayers and improve the effectiveness of our work.

At DfID, our focus is very much on supporting countries who want to progress and move forward. We want to help create economies and societies that can grow; this is not just in their interest but ours also.

Prosperous and stable societies reduce the need for UK intervention and also open up potential markets for UK businesses to trade with.

Under the UK’s leadership, this summer’s G8 committed to doing just that by helping developing countries increase their ability to trade and maximise the income from their land, extractives and taxes – helping them to help themselves out of poverty.

A fundamental responsibility for DfID is always going to be to save the lives of those in imminent danger. We remain a leader in responding in global emergencies, such as providing vital humanitarian support to refugees of the conflicts in Syria and Somalia, responding to the food shortages in East Africa and the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy in Haiti.

But it is not just conflict and disaster that halts a country’s development. Our G8 Nutrition for Growth event saw donors pledge an unprecedented £2.7bn towards eliminating malnutrition – the biggest global killer of children under-five, which can also undermine the earning potential of adults by 10%.

Tackling poverty is impossible if half the population is left behind. We know that when a woman generates her own income she re-invests 90% of it in her family and community.

Sustainable development means giving women and girls equal access to education and jobs, ending violent and oppressive acts, allowing women the choice of who to marry and when to have children.

Improving the lives of girls and women is a top priority for DfID and as the government’s champion for tackling violence against women and girls overseas, it is particularly close to my heart.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is just one of the areas of abuse where we are taking a lead. FGM is one the worst kinds of gender violence, causing a lifetime of damage, sometimes even death.

Britain is backing the African-led drive to eliminate FGM by committing the biggest ever fund to tackling FGM, investment which will also benefit diaspora communities in the UK.

The prime minister also used his co-chairmanship of High Level Panel on Post 2015 Development to argue for a stand-alone goal to empower girls and women and achieve gender equality, because what is good for girls and women is good for society as a whole.

The UK has never stood on the sidelines when it comes to its international responsibilities and with around 1.4 billion people around the world still living in poverty we cannot afford to start now.

The UK should be proud of what this country has done to help others less fortunate than us to live better lives, but there is still a long way to go.

The government will continue to work hard with international organisations and the governments of poorer countries to help end poverty and strive for the world we want.

Local rail services saved!

Posted on 26th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Following a yearlong local Liberal Democrat campaign, the Department for Transport (DfT) today announced that there will be no service reductions at any local stations, including Hornsey and Harringay.

The good news was also confirmed by Transport Minister Simon Burns MP in a meeting earlier today with Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone – who went to the DfT to make one last plea for no loss of local services.

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Lib Dems launched the successful campaign last year, in response to the announcement of a new Thameslink rail franchise.

Services at Hornsey and Harringay were threatened with reductions, as newer, longer trains would not have been able to stop at the shorter platforms.

While the newer trains will still be in operation, the DfT has specified to franchise bidders that current services to Harringay and Hornsey must be maintained alongside the newer services.

The DfT also confirmed that, under the new franchise, evening and weekend services would now run into Moorgate as well as Kings Cross, and that Hornsey and Harringay stations will now be permanently staffed.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“This is fantastic news for everyone who uses Hornsey and Harringay stations. Service levels will be at least kept at current levels, and may even increase!

“Thank you to everyone who filled in our survey and took part in the campaign. A whopping 98% of you agreed with our campaign to oppose loss of services, and we made sure the DfT heard your voices by sending them the results.

“The combination of people power and the Lib Dems in Haringey has paid off again!

“The local Lib Dems and I will now turn our attention to the franchise bidders – and make sure that their bids provide us with the best services possible.”