Lynne Featherstone and local traders meet with Haringey Council Chief Executive

Posted on 2nd Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and Muswell Hill traders met with Haringey Council’s Chief Executive Nick Walkley on Friday, to present him with sales figures from the previous few months.

Local traders have reported a huge loss in trade due to poorly planned council road works – which closed off part of the Broadway, caused traffic chaos and diverted buses away from the shops.

During the meeting, the Chief Executive acknowledged that there had been problems with notifying traders of the works, and the timing of the works – in the run up to Christmas.

The council is now considering the evidence submitted by local business, and will shortly decide what to do to mitigate the loss of trade. Lynne Featherstone MP and traders suggested rates rebates or cash compensation, and also pushed for measures such as free parking on high streets to help boost trade in the future.

The Chief Executive agreed to meet with the local MP and traders again, once the final decision has been made.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Local businesses really suffered because of the poorly planned road works, and the council need to take action to help traders out and mitigate the traders’ losses.

“Our local businesses and independent shops are such assets to our high streets – I will always fight to protect them and promote them wherever I can.

“I look forward to meeting again with the council, to find out what they will do to help the traders in the aftermath of the poorly planned roadworks.”

Lynne Featherstone celebrates campaign success as Alexandra Palace station earmarked for access improvements

Posted on 2nd Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her delight at news that Alexandra Palace station has been included in the ‘Access for All’ programme.

This means work will be done to install ramps and lifts – finally making Alexandra Palace station step-free and accessible for everyone.

It marks a success for the local Liberal Democrat MP’s campaign for more accessible local stations – which has attracted the support of over 700 local residents.

The Coalition Government will announce an extra £60 million in funding for the Access for All scheme during the Autumn Statement tomorrow. Part of that funding will pay for the improvements at Alexandra Palace station.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so delighted that Alexandra Palace will finally get improvements to make it step free, and also with the Government’s investment in the ‘Access for All’ programme. It will be will be so helpful for the elderly, the disabled, or those with heavy bags, pushchairs, or bikes.

“I’d particularly like to thank all the 725 local residents who signed my petition, calling on Network Rail and the Department for Transport to improve accessibility at our local stations.

“I’ve had discussions with both the Department and Network Rail in recent months and weeks to try and secure these improvements – and I am sure the strength of feeling behind the campaign made an impression on them.

“Of course, there is still a long way to go until all stations are fully accessible – but this is such a huge step in the right direction – and great news for Haringey!”

Lynne Featherstone MP puts Haringey health funding case to NHS England

Posted on 1st Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP met with NHS England last week, to put forward the case for extra funding for Haringey’s frontline health services.

The Liberal Democrat MP has campaigned for extra funding for years, after exposing the fact that Haringey gets less money per person than neighbouring boroughs such as Islington and Camden.

Last year, following the local MP’s campaign, the funding formula was changed, giving Haringey a £7.6 million funding boost – but it still left Haringey receiving less per person than neighbouring boroughs.

During the meeting, NHS England were supportive of the MP’s efforts for fairer funding for Haringey, and confirmed that they are working with North London health managers to try and reach agreement on a fairer distribution of money between the boroughs.

The NHS and it’s frontline services are all due to be given a boost on Wednesday – with the Coalition Government set to announce an extra £2 billion in funding.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Securing an extra £7.6million in funding for Haringey last year was fantastic – but we still lag behind the likes of Islington and Camden. And I won’t stop campaigning until we get truly fair funding.

“There are many pockets of deprivation in Haringey. We also have higher health inequalities and a large ‘hidden population’ who aren’t registered with GPs, but may well turn up at A&Es seeking treatment, which the borough must pay for. That means we need at least as much – if not more – funding than our neighbours. The funding formula should take that into account.

“It’s great that NHS England are supportive of our case, and are actively working to try and make the North London borough allocations fairer.”

Sign Lynne’s petition here

Tackling Violence against Women and Girls – Men and Boys must play a part

Posted on 25th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

We spend a lot of time blaming men (not without reason) for violence against women and girls – but they can be agents of change.

The coalition government is determined to tackle violence against women and girls in all its forms. These abhorrent crimes are not a women’s issue – they are everyone’s issue. And men can be central to bringing about cultural change.

In December last year, we re-launched the This is Abuse campaign which aims to prevent teenagers from becoming victims and perpetrators of abuse, encourage them to consider their views of abuse and the meaning of consent within relationships and signpost them to help and advice.

A significant focus of the campaign is targeted at boys and young men to help them identify and challenge abusive behaviour.

Just Google ‘this is abuse’ and you will see the campaigns from the Home Office. They are really potent. A while back I went into Channing School to talk to the sixth form and I asked who in the class had seen the This is Abuse campaign – and nearly the whole class had. It really reaches out to young people negotiating the difficult territory of relationships and what is ok and what is not.

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) – which I wrote about yesterday – appeared in 1991 and has become one of the largest men’s anti-violence programs in the world. It has now spread to over 57 countries around the world.

Julien Blanc is a pimple on the ugly face of Violence Against Women

Posted on 24th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

I am glad that the Home Secretary banned Julien Blanc from coming to our shores.

I had made my view (as Ministerial Champion for tackling violence against women) quite clear – he should be banned. His seduction teachings as a ‘pick-up’ coach – including the use of the hashtag ‘chokinggirlsaroundtheworld’ with copious pictures of him with his hands on girls throats – crossed the line. This wasn’t about free speech. This was incitement to violence – against our laws – that is why the Home Secretary banned him.

But Julien Blanc is just a pimple on the ugly face of Violence against Women and Girls.

Tomorrow is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – which kicks of the 16 days of activism. Events are held right around the world – to raise awareness of the dreadful and all-pervasive violence that women and girls endure. Right across the world there is a living and horrifying living tableau of what women and girls suffer.

In the UK we have two women a week killed by their husband or ex partner. One in four women experiences domestic violence in her lifetime. As you go across the world – and as the UK Government’s Ministerial Champion for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Overseas I have seen first hand – how that violence worsens. Whether it is rape as a weapon of war, breast ironing, acid attacks, defilement, rape, sexual harassment or just brute violence – where women have no rights, no voice and no power – they are brutalised. And as DFID Minister for two years – giving women voice, choice and control over their own lives was my mission.

Now at the Home Office – it still is my mission. And tomorrow I am focusing this world day on ‘Men as Agents of Change’. I am going to King’s College with the White Ribbon Campaign for an event focusing on men.

The White Ribbon Campaign is the UK branch of a male led, global campaign to make sure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women. They ask men to make a personal pledge to take a stand against violence and pledge never to commute, condone or remain silent about men’s violence against women. Organisations such as councils, police forces and towns are able to apply for White Ribbon Status.

The event has been arranged with the help of the National Union of Students who recently published a survey called Lad Culture and Sexism in September 2014 which found that one in four students have suffered unwelcome sexual advances, defined as inappropriate touching and groping in universities.

Misogyny, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, domestic violence, stalking, grooming, trolling, everydaysexism – this is not OK. Everyone needs to stand up against this tide of violence against women.

We have one world – and we need to share it equally, peacefully and with respect.

Primary schools in Haringey to receive £16.8 million boost

Posted on 24th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Primary schools in Haringey are set to receive an extra £16.8 million to boost achievement, the Liberal Democrats have announced.

The ‘pupil premium’ funding for 2015/16 will help teachers support those children at most risk of falling behind their colleagues. The money is targeted at schools with higher numbers of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Schools in Haringey have benefitted from the extra money since the Pupil Premium was introduced by the Lib Dems in Government in 2011. Locally, it has been used to fund extra staff members and after school clubs, and to subsidise school trips for poorer pupils.

Evidence shows raising the attainment of pupils by the end of primary schools has a direct impact on future exam results.

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Every child should be able to reach their full potential, whatever their background.

“The pupil premium will get extra money to schools in Haringey, targeted at the children who need it most. Liberal Democrats are determined that teachers have the resources they need to give all pupils the best possible start in life, regardless of their background.

“Teachers in Haringey do a great job, and I can’t wait to see how they use this additional funding to help all our children and young people succeed.”

Secretary of State addresses packed public meeting in Muswell Hill

Posted on 21st Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, answered questions at a packed public meeting on Wednesday night, at the Birchwood Centre in Muswell Hill.

The meeting, organised by local Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone, gave local residents the chance to discuss environmental issues and green policy.

Residents raised concerns and questions about fracking, renewable energy, consumerism, progress on international climate agreements, and more.

The Secretary of State responded to the questions, and spoke about the Lib Dem record of delivery on green issues during this Government, including: the creation of 200,000 new green jobs by investing in renewable energy; doubling the amount of electricity generated from offshore wind; and planting 1 million new trees in England.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2015 election will include plans for five new green laws to protect the environment – including legal targets for clean air and water, an end to dirty coal power stations and an ambitious decarbonisation target for the electricity sector.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It was great to see so many local residents at the meeting and interested in green issues. I’d also like to thank the Secretary of State, Ed Davey, for updating us on all the work he’s doing to push the green agenda in Government

“As can be seen from our record of delivery, and the five ‘green laws’ in our next manifesto, the Liberal Democrats are the only major party that is putting climate change at the top of the agenda. Indeed – we were the first party to talk about climate change in Parliament – back in the 1980s when the environment was an unpopular issue.

“I hope to hold further public meetings with ministers, and will keep local residents updated when dates are set.”

One local resident tweeted:

“Excited! Climate change is taken seriously by @lfeatherstone @EdwardDaveyMP at the public meeting in Muswell Hill!”

Lynne Featherstone MP joins calls for £1.5 billion extra NHS funding

Posted on 20th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone,who is already campaigning for fairer health funding for Haringey, has joined her colleagues in calling on the Government to urgently commit up to £1.5bn extra for the NHS.

This was backed by Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb, who has led the call on the Government to free up extra cash for the NHS in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

The Liberal Democrats want some of the extra funding to focus on improving mental health care particularly for children and young people, a key priority for the party.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“People in Haringey know how vital NHS services are to local residents. This is why I’ve been campaigning for fairer health funding for our hospitals, GPs and walk-in centres.And this is why I’m calling on the Government to commit up to £1.5bn extra to protect our NHS.

“We need proper funding for our NHS for the future, and to provide better care, both for physical and mental health. And this needs to start straight away.

“Securing extra money for the NHS must be a high priority for the whole Government in next month’s Autumn Statement. And the Lib Dems want at least an extra billion pounds put in to the NHS every year in the next Parliament too.”

Lynne Featherstone call for urgent improvements to local rail services

Posted on 19th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone has contacted local rail service providers, Govia, following weeks of disruptions on the Thameslink & Great Northern route.

Trains to and from Bowes Park, Alexandra Palace, Hornsey and Finsbury Park station have been delayed and sometimes cancelled, causing overcrowding, inconvenience, and frustration for commuters and other rail users.

Govia have agreed to meet with the Liberal Democrat MP to discuss the concerns in more detail. They have also provided the MP with a response, saying that over-running engineering works have adversely impacted on their ability to run a good service – and that they have challenged Network Rail on the management of their weekend engineering.

Govia are also consulting on the changes they intend to make to services – including plans to extend operating hours at Moorgate, to allow services to operate there later in the evening and at weekends.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Delays and overcrowding are incredibly inconvenient for commuters and other rail users. Alternative travel arrangements can also be costly, and few of us have the time to spare.

“That’s why I contacted Govia last week, and made it clear that the continued delays and cancellations are unacceptable. I’m glad to hear that they are working with Network Rail to prevent further problems.

“I really hoped that services would improve when Govia took over from First Capital Connect – and I will continue to push them until things get better!”

Alternative local collection point for Hornsey refused by Royal Mail

Posted on 18th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with Royal Mail, to present the complaints received by residents following the closure of Hornsey Sorting Office.

Royal Mail closed the office – which was also a parcel collection point – in September, despite a campaign led by Lynne Featherstone MP, which had the support of over 1000 local residents. The new Royal Mail sorting office and collection point is located in N19.

Following the closure, Royal Mail promised the local MP and local residents that a new free re-delivery service would start, which would mean residents would still receive parcels without having to pay extra, or travel to N19 to pick it up.

However, residents are not satisfied with the replacement service, with dozens reporting delays and errors with the service.

During the meeting, Royal Mail refused the request to install a free, local collection point – but they did commit to investigating all the complaints and acting on them to improve the service they provide.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“The closure of the local sorting office was a huge blow. Residents and I worked together for two years to hold off the closure, but eventually the service was relocated by Royal Mail.

“And if the complaints I’ve received by my constituents are anything to go by, the Royal Mail redelivery scheme clearly isn’t working as it’s supposed to. Residents are having to pay more for redelivery, or make the long journey to the Bush Industrial Estate to get their parcels.

“This is not convenient for elderly or disabled people, those with small children, or people with limited free time. I will forward all the complaints and keep pushing Royal Mail to improve services, particularly in run up to Christmas.”