Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes launch of Lib Dem ‘Million Jobs’ campaign

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A million jobs infographicLynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed the Liberal Democrat Million Jobs Campaign, which was launched by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.

More than one million private sector jobs have been created since the Coalition Government came to power. The Liberal Democrats now want to create a million more.

This will build on what Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have already achieved. Youth unemployment is down, and Business Secretary Vince Cable has overseen a record rise in apprenticeships, including 530 new apprentices in Lynne Featherstone’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green.

The million jobs have been created via investment in industry and employer incentives. To support jobs in manufacturing, for instance, £5.5bn extra has been invested into science, high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander has introduced £2,000 cash back on National Insurance contributions for employers who take on more staff.

Local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“The Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy in a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.

“That’s why Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have helped businesses create more than one million private sector jobs, and now we’re working to help them create a million more.

“I look forward to working with local businesses, community groups and schools and colleges to turn this ambition into reality in Haringey.”

Meeting the Somali Bravanese community

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The fire at the Somali Bravanese Centre on Coppetts Road two weeks ago has been shocking for the whole community. It has now been confirmed as an act of arson by the Police and it is hard to comprehend what goes through the mind of someone prepared to risk the lives of others in an act like this.

Last Friday I met with members of the Somali Bravanese community following the fire so that I could express my sadness but, more so, to offer my help. It was an opportunity for me to listen to their concerns and find out what can be done.

Lynne Featherstone MP meets with members of the Somali Bravenese community

Two weeks on, the leaders of the centre are determined – determined to move forwards, to rebuild, to reunite the community and come back stronger than before. The group spoke to me of the history of the Bravanese people and it is clear that they have a long tradition of carrying on, even in the face of adversity and I feel that this situation – though challenging – will prove no different.

The leader of the centre explained to me that their most pressing concern at the moment is finding a temporary location and equipping an office so that they can get back to work. A number of Somali Bravanese children and teenagers used the centre and it is vital that they have somewhere to go while the current building is out of action.

We also discussed what needs to be done in terms of getting the centre rebuilt as quickly as possible and I have written to Barnet Council in order to highlight some of the concerns raised. I will continue to offer my help in whatever way I can.

In the meantime, support from local residents has been overwhelming – I have received numerous emails asking me what can be done to help and I know those from the centre have received many more. It just shows how united the community is – if anything, now more than ever.

 

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes pensions boost for 15,863 self employed people in Hornsey and Wood Green

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Lynne Featherstone MPLocal MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed the news that 15,863 self employed people in Hornsey and Wood Green will benefit from pensions reforms being debated by MPs this week, which will bring in a simpler, fairer state pension for future pensioners.

In the past, self employed people missed out on a higher state pension because they could not qualify for the second state pension, despite having paid National Insurance contributions all their lives. This left them in reliance on a basic state pension of just £107 a week.

Under the new system, introduced by Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister Steve Webb MP, anyone who has 35 years of working or caring will qualify for a decent, flat rate pension of £144 a week.

The reforms will also mean 750,000 women will get an average £9 a week extra within the first ten years of its introduction. The reforms will value unpaid caring work just as much as a high-flying city job.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am delighted that these pension reforms, coming from a Liberal Democrat minister, will create a simpler and fairer state pension. For too long, hard-working self employed people and carers have been getting a raw deal, despite the incredibly valuable contribution they make to our economy.

“Now, the 15,863 self employed people in our area will be properly rewarded for their contributions and will not lose out later in life.

“This is especially good news as it comes alongside the Coalition’s triple lock, which has given pensioners the biggest cash increase ever in the state pension.

“I am proud to see the Liberal Democrats in Government restoring fairness and simplicity to our state pension system.”

 

Lynne Featherstone MP submits 1,000 residents' complaints to Haringey Council

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Lynne Featherstone MP inspecting a pothole on Linzee RoadLynne Featherstone MP last week submitted the results of her Annual Survey to Haringey Council. The local MP has so far received over 1000 complaints about the roads in her constituency. Over half of these complaints referred to potholes in local roads.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP and Haringey Liberal Democrats have spent years campaigning and calling on the Council to address the poor state of roads in the Borough.

Recently, the Labour Administration performed a U-turn on their strategy – lowering their intervention levels and agreeing to respond to complaints more quickly.

To ensure the Council live up to their word, the Liberal Democrat MP produced a compilation of her survey results so far – which identified the most complained about areas and roads in need of repair.  These have been submitted to the Leader of the Labour Group and Chief Executive of Haringey Council.

The Labour-run Council will make the decision on what roads and pavements get resurfaced tomorrow, Tuesday 18th June.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“So far, there have been over 1000 complaints about the roads in Haringey via my Annual Survey. I expect there will be many more to come as my survey is still being delivered in some parts of the constituency!

“The results are damning evidence of Haringey Labour’s failure to keep our roads in an acceptable condition. It has reached the point where the roads are not safe for motorists, cyclists or pedestrians – and we deserve better.

“After years of neglect, the Council have finally agreed to take action. I am intent on holding them to their word and am trying to make it as easy for them as possible – by presenting them with a comprehensive list of the most complained about roads and potholes in need of repair.

“Thank you to all residents who have filled in the survey so far. I hope to see repairs on all of the affected areas shortly.”

A million jobs created, a million more to come

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Work is the answer to so many things – outside of the most important ability to pay the bills – it gives all of us a place to be, a purpose, self respect and fulfillment. So jobs are at the top of the list of priorities and that is what LibDems in government are creating. Locally, we’ve helped treble the number of apprenticeships – vital extra help to give people in Haringey the skills that will help them, will help the community – and will help the economy.

A-million-jobs

Lynne Featherstone MP discusses future of Alexandra Palace with Chief Executive

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Lynne Featherstone MP at Alexandra Palace, with the television tower in the backgroundLynne Featherstone MP met with Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace, today. The local landmark recently secured funding of £16.8million to regenerate the Palace from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The local MP was updated on plans for the regeneration work, which is scheduled for completion in 2017 and will include a renovation of the theatre and the BBC television studios. The lighting in the great hall will also be restored and made more energy efficient.

Lynne was also informed about upcoming events at the Palace this year such as the Red Bull Soap Box Rally and the 150th Anniversary of the park. Celebrations will feature local bands, hot air ballooning, cricket and archery.

After the meeting Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am thrilled that Alexandra Palace has secured funding for its regeneration. It is a wonderful building and a source of great pride for the community. I’m very excited to see it return to its glory days.

“I wish them every success with the 150th anniversary celebrations this year and I look forward to seeing the end result of the regeneration project in 2017.”

Lynne Featherstone MP speaks at public meeting after fire at Islamic Centre

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Lynne Featherstone MP spoke at a public meeting last night alongside local Lib Dem Councillor, David Winskill. The meeting at the Muswell Hill Baptist Church was organised by Unite Against Fascism in the aftermath of the fire at the Coppetts Road Somali Bravanese Centre last week.

The meeting, which attracted around 250 local people, brought together religious leaders, local politicians and members of the local community in order for them to express their concerns after the fire.

The fire was condemned across the board with Lynne Featherstone MP telling the meeting that Haringey has a great tradition of working together in times of adversity. The community also widely expressed its commitment to rebuild the centre.

It is not yet clear whether the fire was started in a hate attack but Police have confirmed it as an act of arson.

Councillor for Crouch End, David Winskill, commented:

“I want to congratulate and thank Unite Against Fascism for calling this very important meeting. With 200 community languages, Haringey can lay claim to being one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet.

“This is Haringey. This is what Haringey does- it is home for people who come from all over the world. It does it well. This is who we are.”

After the meeting Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“The fire has been a terrible incident for the whole community but I am so pleased by the way that local people have rallied in recent days. It is in Haringey’s DNA to work together, particularly during difficult times.

“We are a united community and this will not divide us – it will only bring us closer together.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Rhodes Avenue Primary School for global education campaign

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Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, today met with children from Rhodes Avenue Primary School to talk about the Global Campaign for Education UK’s ‘Send my Friend to School’ campaign. 

The entire school came out to greet the local MP, visiting in both her capacity as a local MP and as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of International Development. Each child had made a paper model of their perfect teacher which were shown to the MP as she arrived.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green made a short speech about the importance of schooling for all children across the world and the UK’s role in helping that become reality. Lynne answered questions from the children about education and the Millennium Development Goals after which the children sang a short song.

In one class the children made a presentation about what makes a good teacher, while another year group outlined to Lynne how important it is to have good teachers.

The Minister for the Department of International Development was then handed letters written by the children on the value of a good education.

After the visit, Lynne Featherstone commented:

“It was wonderful to visit the children at Rhodes Avenue Primary School today and I was overwhelmed by their welcome.

“They have really taken the ‘Send my Friend to School’ campaign to heart and it is clear that they feel very strongly about it. I feel hugely proud to see a local Hornsey and Wood Green school engaging with such an important issue.

“It was a true pleasure to see the hard work they have put into making the models and writing their letters about the value of teachers internationally. A very special visit.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen

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Lynne at Soup Kitchen

Lynne Featherstone MP visited the Muswell Hill Soup Kitchen School for Volunteers last Friday and spent time talking to those currently training at the school.

Run by local resident, Martin Stone, the soup kitchen was opened in 1994. Based at the Muswell Hill Baptist Church, volunteers run the centre five nights a week with the kitchen serving around 8,000 meals a year.

The training programme at the school enables volunteers to learn about working with people who have multiple needs. The school also trains guests of the Soup Kitchen who have started to volunteer themselves in the areas of housing, housing law and supporting people.

After the event, Lynne Featherstone MP commented: 

“It was a pleasure to see the work that is being done at the soup kitchen and to meet the volunteers training at the school. I would like to thank Martin for inviting me down to see the great job they are doing.

“It is a wonderful local initiative both in terms of the soup kitchen itself and the teaching that the school offers. I wish the volunteers every success with their studies.”

Potholes in Haringey

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This is my most recent column published first in the Ham & High.

Every week, at least one local resident contacts me about the state of their roads. This comes as no surprise to me. I regularly walk and drive around my constituency, and am constantly making mental notes of the new, hazardous potholes which have appeared on the road surfaces.

Along with local residents, the Haringey Lib Dems and I have run a long campaign, calling on Labour-run Haringey Council to do something about this urgently. After all, we do pay one of the highest Council Tax rates in London – the least we deserve in return are safe roads!

Don’t let anyone try to tell you this is a non-issue. These holes in the road damage cars, and cost motorists dearly. They also increase the chances of accidents, as drivers instinctively swerve to try and avoid them.

They are also incredibly dangerous to pedestrians. Just recently, Haringey Council were ordered by a Court to pay a local man £1million in compensation – after he tripped in a pothole in Hornsey and suffered a serious brain injury.

For years, Haringey Council has refused to step up and take action – preferring to pay out money on compensation for injuries, rather than investing the money in improving the roads. And this isn’t about their cash flow – they were as negligent back in 2009 when Gordon Brown was throwing money around, as they are now when we have all had to tighten our belts.

So where do we go from here? Well, under enormous pressure from local residents and the Haringey Lib Dems, the Labour Council have finally admitted that the current state of our roads is not acceptable. They are going to lower their intervention levels (that is, the criteria at which they will repair a pot hole) from 6cm deep to 3cm deep.

We now want to make sure that they do the job properly. Already, I have exposed a huge flaw in the Council’s strategy. Their road condition survey is inaccurate. For instance, one of the roads the Council marked as in ‘general good condition’ is in fact riddled with holes.

To keep the Council on track, the Local Lib Dems and I have been asking local residents to identify the most dangerous holes, so that we can pass on the information. We’ve asked residents via emails, via my 2013 annual survey and on the doorstop.

We are part way through collating the results, and already we have identified almost 400 potholes on 173 roads across the Borough. We will continue to put the results together and send a full list to the Council for their attention. I hope they will finally take this seriously and do some proper repairs!

Any local resident who wants to add information can contact me here.