Lynne Featherstone MP slams Haringey Council’s budget plans

Posted on 9th Jan 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has slammed the budget plans put forward by Labour-run Haringey Council, which include cutting £30 million from the social care budget.

The £30 million constitutes half of the savings that the Council are expected to make, as part of reducing the overall deficit. Haringey Labour’s plans includes a £10 million reduction in care packages, the closure of the remaining residential home and more.

The Liberal Democrat MP has urged Haringey Labour leader, Claire Kober, to go back to square one and make changes in other departments, which would be more manageable, have less impact on vulnerable residents, and benefit the Borough in the long term.

The local MP’s views echo those of local carers groups and community figures, who are also calling on the Labour-run council to think again.

The Haringey Liberal Democrats are in agreement with the MP’s call – and have suggested cutting the Council’s communications budget, as one alternative way to save money.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I’ve met with carers in the local area who have raised significant concerns about the £30 million the Council intends to cut from the social care budget.

“They are deeply concerned about the extra pressure this will place on carers and the impact on patients. They are also concerned about the lack of proper consultation on these plans, and the language used in the proposals – which often amounts to jargon.

“I share their concerns and believe that the savings could be made in a way which didn’t have such a terrible impact on the most vulnerable in Haringey.

“That’s why I am calling for a complete re-think of the budget, with proper engagement from all interested groups. I await a response from the Haringey Labour leader on whether she will do this.”

Deputy leader of the opposition on Haringey Council, Gail Engert, commented:

“The Haringey Lib Dems are behind Lynne’s call for a rethink. Haringey Labour have proposed sweeping cuts to the social care budget, regardless of the impact on vulnerable people.

“They have also failed to realise that cutting these services will not really save them any money – in fact it could cost them more. Many carers won’t be able to take up the additional work – meaning the Council will have to provide alternative social care at greater expense to themselves.

““The savings need to be made elsewhere. The council is still spending far too much on things like communications and the Haringey People magazine. And it was not that long ago that the Labour-run council wasted millions on bonus for home repairs.

“There needs to be a complete rethink of what the council spends money on.”

Funding for Haringey health services rises by £23.5 million

Posted on 6th Jan 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey’s health services – such as G.P.s, hospitals and walk-in centres – will receive an extra £23.5 million in funding this year.

The new funding, which is distributed to boroughs by NHS England, is a 5% rise from Haringey’s previous allocation.

This means that Haringey’s health services have received an extra £30 million in total since local MP Lynne Featherstone started her campaign for fairer health funding in 2012 – backed by over 500 local residents.

The increase also follows the extra £2 billion given to the NHS by the Coalition Government in the Autumn Statement last year.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has welcomed the rise in funding – but has also said she will continue to push for even more money for local services.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am delighted with the huge rise in funding for our local health services. The money will help our hard-working health professionals, and hopefully reduce waiting times and improve care for local residents.

“I’d like to thank the hundreds of residents who supported the campaign for fairer funding. Haringey health services now have more money – and we’re much closer to having the same funding levels as neighbouring boroughs like Camden and Islington.

“But there is still more that can be done – and I will keep putting the case forward for even more money for local health services – particularly our mental health services.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes £825 tax cut for working people

Posted on 5th Jan 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

The Autumn Statement last year revealed plans to increase the personal allowance, meaning workers get to keep more of their salary before they start paying income tax.

This means that, by April, the Liberal Democrats will have delivered a £825 income tax cut for working people across the UK.

Raising the tax-free personal allowance to £10,000 – a tax cut of £700 – was on the front of the Liberal Democrat 2010 manifesto

But by the end of this parliament Liberal Democrats will have gone further, and raised this allowance to £10,600.

In London this will lift at least 49,000 low-paid and part-time workers out of paying income tax altogether.

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

“This tax cut is a real budget boost for working people, and takes even more low-paid and part-time workers out of paying income tax altogether.

“The Liberal Democrats were the only party to put these tax cuts for workers on the front page of its manifesto – and now we have delivered them.

“We are also making sure those at the top pay their fair share too. In Government, we’ve clawed back £9 billion from tax dodgers.”

Campaigning for you in 2015

Posted on 3rd Jan 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s an email I sent to my constituents yesterday. If you live in Hornsey and Wood Green – please do fill in the survey!

It’s almost twenty years since I first got involved in local politics here in Haringey. I joined a residents’ group and we protested against an unpopular parking scheme being imposed on us by the Council.

We were successful – and it showed how a small group of determined people could make changes, benefitting a huge number of residents. After this, I became a local councillor and then MP for our area.

I believe in a fairer society – it’s what I work for day in, day out – in Haringey and in Parliament.

That’s why, along with local residents, I launch campaigns to protect and improve our local services: like hospitals, libraries, stations, parcel collection points, bus stops, police front counters and more.

It’s also why my local team and I worked so hard to secure fairer education funding for Haringey – and now we’re pushing for fairer funding for our health services too.

Creating a strong economy is also important, to support our public services. That’s why my party took the difficult decision to enter into coalition in 2010 – to be part of a stable Government, capable of rebuilding the economy.

Now, both the deficit and unemployment are down. Youth unemployment here has halved – giving so many more young people a better opportunity to get on in life. But there is still work to be done.

I am standing again to be the MP for our local area at the General Election in May this year. Do I have your support? You can let me know who you’re supporting by replying to this email, or filling in this survey.

In the survey, you can also let me know of any issues or problems you’d like to raise with me. I’ll get back to you asap.

Thank you, and Happy New Year,
[Lynne Featherstone's signature]
Lynne Featherstone
Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green

Alexandra Palace Station to become accessible for all

Posted on 16th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP joined Baroness Kramer from the Department for Transport at Alexandra Palace station this morning, to formally announce extra funding for the ‘Access for All’ programme.

The programme – which was given a £60 million boost in the Coalition Government’s Autumn Statement – will allow for work to go ahead on Alexandra Palace station to make it step-free and accessible for everyone by 2019 at the latest.

The Liberal Democrat MP welcomed the announcement as a step towards building a fairer society, where all residents can access rail services.

Along with over 750 local residents – Lynne Featherstone MP has long campaigned for more accessible local stations – and the announcement marks a success in the campaign.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“As a Liberal Democrat, I believe in creating a fairer society. And in a fair society, rail services should be accessible for everyone – including the elderly, the disabled, and those with heavy bags or pushchairs.

“That’s why I started a campaign for more accessible local stations. I’m so happy that over 750 local residents signed up to support the campaign, and that we’ve been successful in securing the extra funding for improvements at Alexandra Palace.

“Of course, there are a number of other local stations – both rail and underground – which also need improvements. But this is a great step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of more to come.”

Lynne Featherstone MP launches campaign to save Muswell Hill Library

Posted on 15th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone and local Liberal Democrat councillors have launched a campaign to save Muswell Hill Library, an historic listed building.

The future of the library is in doubt after the Labour-run council announced plans to relocate the library. The plans are due to go ahead even though the council admits in the budget report that the library is ‘well used and popular.’

No alternative location for the library has so far been identified, raising fears that the library will close with no replacement in place. The Labour council’s draft budget only has vague references to alternative sites and suggests the library site could be used for development.

Ms Featherstone is calling on the local community to support the Lib Dem campaign to keep the library on Queens Avenue open. She fought to save Muswell Hill Library from closure by Labour in the 1990’s and is determined to fight to save it again.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments:

“Budget papers show Haringey Labour’s clear intention to close Muswell Hill Library. And they haven’t given any assurance about where the replacement would be – leaving local residents very concerned about the future of the service.

“Libraries play such an important role in local communities, providing space for people to meet, hosting community events and giving people access to books, newspapers, computers and more.

“We need the library in Muswell Hill – and money should be spent making the existing library more modern and accessible, rather than relocating the service. That’s why I’ve launched a campaign to protect the service from closure. I hope the local community will support the campaign.”

Gail Engert, Lib Dem councillor for Muswell Hill, comments:

“I am very worried that the council’s budget papers imply that Labour has plans to use the library for a development without giving a firm commitment to keep a local library service in Muswell Hill.

“The closure of Muswell Hill Library, which occupies a precious listed building, would be a great loss to the local community. We will be fighting hard to keep the library open.”

Almost 5000 young people in Haringey help hit two million apprenticeship goal

Posted on 9th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed news that two million apprenticeships have been created in the UK since 2010, including 4830 in Haringey.

Since entering Government in 2010, the Liberal Democrats aimed to boost the number of young people taking up apprenticeships – whilst scrapping the arbitrary target of getting 50% into university.

Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone holds an annual apprenticeship event in her constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green. This year, over 100 young people came through the doors to meet companies and find out more about apprenticeships.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of building a stronger economy and a fairer society. If young people are able to earn and learn, then they have the opportunity to get on it life.

“I am delighted that young people in Haringey have benefitted from fantastic training and employment opportunities that apprenticeships offer.

“I’ve met many apprentices and companies at my annual apprenticeship fair, and seen the benefit apprenticeships can give to young people.”

Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills Vince Cable MP said:

“Reaching the two millionth apprenticeship is testament to Liberal Democrats’ commitment to apprenticeships. Apprenticeships give young people the chance to start a career and give businesses the talent to grow.

“This isn’t just about numbers. From space engineering, to TV production, to legal services, apprenticeships are the ticket to a great job and a route employers trust to access the skills they need.

“That is why the Liberal Democrats made them a priority when we entered office and I am delighted that we have been able to deliver on our promise to have two million apprentices start in this Parliament.”

The gender pay gap

Posted on 9th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Women and men should be paid the same if they do the same job. It sounds obvious, but in reality it doesn’t happen. In 1997, when records began, the difference was a very alarming 17.4%.

Since entering government my Lib Dem colleagues and I have worked hard to reduce the gender pay gap to the lowest ever level (9.4%). This is welcome, but there is much more to do.

The Lib Dems want to close the gap completely, just as we have eliminated other inequalities between men and women.

Our introduction of Shared Parental Leave has made it easier for parents to care for their children. Older men and women will receive the same basic state pension from 2016. There are now many more women on company boards. All Lib Dem commitments, all delivered.

We want to go further – our manifesto for next year includes a roadmap to ending pay inequality completely.

We will make it a legal requirement for companies employing more than 250 people to publish their average pay for male and female workers.

With this simple change, staff will be able to see whether they are treated the same as their colleagues. Shoppers will know whether a company has a pay bias against women.

The pressure from both sides will force employers to account for, and abolish, any gender pay gap. Equal work should mean equal pay.

Lynne Featherstone MP attends Whittington Ambulatory Care Centre opening

Posted on 8th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week attended the official opening of the Whittington Hospital’s brand new Ambulatory Care Centre.

The £3 million same day treatment centre enables Whittington doctors and nurses to treat patients faster – avoiding unnecessary admission to hospital, and supporting the busy A&E.

The local MP was accompanied by the Liberal Democrat Health Minister, Norman Lamb MP, who cut the ribbon.

The opening happened the day after the Autumn Statement, where the chancellor announced an extra £2 billion for the NHS, following pressure from Lib Dem MPs. The Lib Dems in government have also introduced the first ever waiting time standards for mental health patients.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone is also campaigning for fairer funding for Haringey Borough’s health services – to bring local funding in line with that of Islington and Camden.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I’m so happy that the hospital is going from strength to strength. I’ve been a patient at the Whittington a few times myself – I just can’t imagine it not being there!

“I still remember back to late 2009, when I exposed the Labour Government’s plans to close the Whittington’s A&E. I raised questions in parliament and started a campaign – backed by thousands and thousands of residents – to save it.

“Now, we still have our A&E and this wonderful new Ambulatory Care Centre to support it – which is fantastic for the hospital and local residents alike.”

Lynne Featherstone MP takes part in Shop Local events

Posted on 8th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP attended two local markets this weekend, to support and promote local small and independent businesses in the run up to Christmas.

The Liberal Democrat MP attended Christmas markets in Crouch End and Bounds Green, where she visited the stalls and spoke to traders.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green then tweeted pictures of the traders, pictures of their products, and links to their websites to over 18,500 followers.

Saturday 6^th December – the day of the Crouch End market – was Small Business Saturday, a national event which encourages people to shop local and promote small businesses.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to see so many local people and businesses taking part in Small Business Saturday. The people who organised the markets, the traders who had stalls and the customers all came together to give our local businesses a huge boost.

“I was more than happy to send out tweets encouraging other local residents to come to the market. Our independent shops and retailers are such a huge asset to our area – and I’m more than happy to support and promote them.”