GOSH – update

Posted on 21st Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Finally, on the last day of the parliamentary term, I receive the Secretary of State for Health’s response to my request for an investigation into the withholding of information from the 1st Serious Case Review by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

It’s a no! Dissappointed – yes. Surprised – no.

The Secretary of State has taken the view that things have been put right since the dreadful events surrounding Peter Connelly’s death – and that although the 1st Serious Case Review into Baby Peter’s death was inadequate – a 2nd was ordered and carried out and that if the Chair of the 2nd Serious Case Review, Graham Badman, did not get to see the Sibert Report – that is between him and Dr Collins. The Secretary of State concludes: ”I do not believe it would be beneficial to revisit these events once more’.

The Secretary of State did say he would look into the issues I raised and he has done so and come to a view.

My own view is that without a ‘judge-led’ inquiry into the withholding of the full Sibert Report from the 1st Serious Case Review and the consequences thereof – ‘witnesses’ will not speak out for fear of reprisals or because they are under gagging orders – and only the protection of giving evidence under oath would allow them to do so. So – yes – I am disappointed.

In all of this I am acting as a local MP and fighting for justice for Dr Kim Holt who is still (after nearly four years) on special leave as the whistle blower who spoke out about the conditions at St Ann’s Clinic where Baby Peter was taken and his injuries not recognised. Despite a NHS London independent investigation recommending her reinstatement by GOSH – she remains on full pay at taxpayers’ expense (an excellent paediatrician going to waste because she spoke out).

I simply observe, however, that it in terms of the current scandal over hacking being exposed despite the power of the press, the police and politicians – the truth is outing!

We will just have to see what happens next.

Male abuse

Posted on 20th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Here is my latest column for the Ham & High

Men who are sexually abused as youngsters may not speak for twenty or more years of what happened. Sometimes their stories are never told.

In my role as Minister responsible for tackling violence against women and girls, I have seen the evidence that the overwhelming volume of domestic and sexual violence is perpetrated against women and girls. One in four women experience domestic violence during their lifetime. It has more repeat victims than any other crime (repeat victimisation accounts for 76% of all incidents of domestic violence) and in 2009/10, 21 men and 94 women were killed by a partner, ex-partner or lover.

These are shocking statistics.

The prevalence of domestic and sexual violence against women means, quite rightly, that the majority of services and funding is directed to eradicating this appalling crime. But men are also victims. Having talked to a survivor of male abuse recently, it is clear to me that because of male reticence over speaking out about their experiences – we may not know the numbers of men and boys who are victims of rape and sexual abuse.

He spoke of the possible link between male suicide in the fifty year age group and abuse during childhood. He spoke also about the connection between drugs and those referred to male help organisations. He spoke about the pain, buried for years, finding coping mechanisms – like blotting out the past through drugs or alcohol – which ultimately never truly ease that pain. He spoke of the difficulty of most of the advisers in this field being women and the difficulty men have, therefore, in bringing their situation into the light. He pointed out that the vast majority of health service workers being women. The inference was that men would not and could not talk to a woman. And that the fear of a woman’s potential view that any male who had suffered such abuse was somehow less of a man. And in our society expectations and stereotypes run very, very deep.

Most of male sexual abuse and violence is, according to my witness, perpetrated by men on boys. But he also referred to the percentage that raise what he called ‘the last taboo’ – women (yes mothers) who abuse their sons. How impossible it must be to bring that into the light.

He also pointed to the common view that this is a ‘gay’ issue. No it is not. Any boy who is sexually abused is the victim of a crime. Sexual orientation is no part of this and no excuse whatsoever.

The Home Office has ringfenced £28million of stable funding to provide local services such as Independent Sexual Violence Adviser posts, Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and MARAC coordinator posts. We have provided £900,000 to sustain national helplines. One of these helplines is the Mens Advice line which provides advice and support to male victims of domestic violence. Over £10million is being provided by the Ministry of Justice for Rape Support Centres throughout the UK over the next three years. Some of these services provide help for men too.

I feel that the gendered pattern of violence against women and girls also needs to be better understood and acknowledged. We recognise that men and boys can be victims of violence and that it can affect whole families, including children. Men also have a key role in challenging violence and helping to change the attitudes and actions of their peers. We want to work with them to achieve this and I will raise these issues at the next Inter-Ministerial Group on Violence Against Women and Girls.

There are a number of places where male survivors of sexual abuse can get help – amongst which these three (amongst others) are in receipt of funding from the Government: First Step (Leicester area), helpline 0116 254 8535; Survivors UK on 0845 122 1201 and Mankind 01823 334244. Male victims of domestic violence can get advice and support from the Mens Advice Line 0808 801 0327.

Labour fails to say no to Pinkham Way

Posted on 19th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Labour councillors were accused last night of hiding behind the complexities of planning law to deflect attention from their failure to back local residents in the overwhelming opposition against the development on Pinkham Way.

Supported by hundreds of protesters in the public gallery and outside Wood Green Civic Centre, local Liberal Democrats tabled a motion highlighting the unsuitability of the residential site for a waste processing plant and lorry depot.

Speeches by councillors Solomon and Jenks reiterated the failures in the Council’s and the North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) public consultation and the way in which the Labour Council changed land use designation, which made the Pinkham Way proposals possible, without proper public consultation.

However, Labour members refused to back local people and claimed that the Council could not express a view on the application.

Campaigners finally get major concessions from authorities

Campaigners did receive welcome news that the Council, following talks with the NLWA, announced the planning application would not be heard until further details come forward and the waste plan is finalised.

Local Liberal Democrats, whilst welcoming the extra time for residents to have their say, branded this a diversion and have said that the last minute u-turn showed that Labour had not been listening and has only recently under pressure started to take the issue seriously. The concessions provided by the Council, Liberal Democrats said, were down to the determination of local campaigners; they vowed that their fight against the Pinkham Way proposals would continue.

Bounds Green councillors fail their residents

In a further twist, local Bounds Green councillors also failed to back the Liberal Democrat motion. Liberal Democrats have accused these Labour councillors of failing their residents by not standing up to the development despite saying they were against the plans.

Cllr Juliet Solomon (Alexandra Ward) comments:

“Labour have let residents down and, every step of the way, failed to put local people at the heart of this important issue. I’m glad that the Council has finally started to see sense but it is too little, too late. Labour would rather hide behind procedure than back their constituents against Pinkham Way – this was made very clear last night.

“The concessions from the Council are thanks to local campaigners backed by Liberal Democrats who have made Labour sit up and finally take notice.

“Whilst this is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough so I will continue the Liberal Democrat fight against Pinkham Way.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, adds:

“The huge crowds yesterday at the Civic Centre show the strength of public feeling on Pinkham Way. There are still so many questions hanging over Labour’s involvement in this issue, a few concessions on the timing of this development are not enough.

“This site is not suitable for this major development, and together with local residents, I will fight the plans tooth and nail. Rest assured, we are on your side.”

Local MP joins forces with residents’ group to improve Wood Green High Road

Posted on 15th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To aid the battle to spruce up Wood Green High Road, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone recently joined forceswith a residents’ alliance committed to regenerating the area.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP recently met up with Wood Green resident Tammy Palmer who, after getting fed up with the state of the High Road, decided to take matters into her own hands to help improve the state of the shopping area.

Through twitter and social networking, Tammy grew a network of over 80 local people committed to the cause. MP Lynne met up with the enthusiastic resident at the newly opened Karamel Café in the Chocolate Factory, to see how she could help.

The ‘I Love Wood Green’ group already has a range of ideas, including using empty shops as pop-up shops for local produce and artwork, guerrilla gardening outside Wood Green Library, and a food recycling cafe inside. The Hornsey and Wood Green MP will now be supporting the cause with advice, help and contacts

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Tammy is doing a great job setting up this community alliance. She is talented and hungry to make a difference, and an excellent example of why I love community activism. There are so many people out there who want to make a difference, but sometimes it takes someone like Tammy – with a vision and drive – to kick-start the work.

“I am a very strong supporter of the ‘I love Wood Green’ campaign. The area needs some TLC, and I will certainly be there to support Tammy in her work to make Wood Green High Road an exciting place to visit and live.

“If you want to join the I Love Wood Green Group, just get in touch with me and I’ll pass your details on.”

Tammy Palmer adds:

“I am really passionate about the local community and making Wood Green High Road as vibrant as possible – at the moment what it offers in terms of outlets isn’t really representative of the many independent retailers and communities that live locally.

“Wood Green has a lot to offer; there is a great community spirit and a lot of interesting and exciting cultural and community projects taking place already. This project is about bringing the community together and us all feeling very proud of where we live.

“It’s simply about loving Wood Green.”

Local MP nominates supermarket boss as Olympic Torchbearer

Posted on 14th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Because of his commitment to the environment and the local community, Lynne Featherstone MP recently nominated Budgens boss Andrew Thornton to be an Olympic torchbearer.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP put forward the supermarket boss for the prestigious job of carrying the Olympic Torch in Haringey on its way to the Olympic Park, because of his strong green credentials and real commitment to the

Crouch End community.

Thornton’s Budgens has launched a number of initiatives to help make the local area greener, including the ‘pennies for plastic’ scheme, sourcing local produce including growing the supermarket’s own greens on the roof of the shop, and

recycling 94% of the shop’s waste. The Broadway shop has also recently launched a community hub, available for local charities to use as a platform to meet local residents.

Residents who want to nominate a Haringey hero for the prestigious job, can still do so through Lloyds bank, by going to http://www.lloydstsblondon2012.co.uk/carrytheflame.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Andrew really is a Haringey Hero – he is truly committed to being green and helping Crouch Enders do the same, by

cutting the number of plastic bags used in the area and sourcing local produce. And you don’t get much more local than buying ‘food from the sky’; greens grown on the roof of the shop!

“Andrew is a great role model, and that’s why I think he deserves the honour of carrying the Olympic torch in Haringey. But if you have your own hero here in Haringey who you think deserve the job, there is still time to nominate. But don’t delay – time is running out!”

Local Liberal Democrats visit new school in heart of Wood Green

Posted on 12th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone, Katherine Reece, headteacher Simon Garrill and Heartlands students

To see how pupils and staff are settling into the new Heartlands school in Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP and Councillor Katherine Reece, on Friday, got a special guided tour by students.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP and the Liberal Democrat Childrens’ Spokesperson explored the brand new Station Road school, together with students representing the different ‘houses’. The pupils guided the Liberal Democrats through the amazing top of the range facilities, including a drama hall, sports hall, numerous IT rooms, music rooms, arts hall and restaurant.

Heartlands, which opened its doors to students in September 2010, has so far taken on 160 students in Year 7. By the time the school is full, it will be teaching over a thousand 11-16 year olds from across the Wood Green area.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s been really inspirational to see such an amazing space. The school has absolutely top notch equipment, and all the rooms and different spaces young people could ask for. And it’s clearly an inspirational space for this group of pioneering students, who are the first caretakers of this fantastic school.

“I especially like the star-themed ‘houses’ that they have here at Heartlands. This sense of belonging to a group, feeling pride and working with the group’s best interest at heart, using the Hogwarts houses as inspiration, seems to really work.”

Cllr Katherine Reece, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children and Young People, adds:

“The school clearly has excellent leadership in headteacher Simon Garrill, and kids who are keen to learn in this great environment.

“I wish them all the best for their continued journey in the next academic year, and look forward to seeing the school grow in years to come.”

MP supports local school in fight for education for all

Posted on 12th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

On Friday, Lynne Featherstone MP visited Alexandra Park School to support a Year 7 class in its campaign to get schooling for the 67 million children in the world currently out of education.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP heard each student talk about what had inspired them to back the ‘Send My Sister to School’ campaign, and in turn promised to write to the Prime Minister with their stories. The campaign aims to get school children across the world to call upon their governments to deliverer on a promise that the world’s countries made in 1999, to give all children access to primary education by 2015.

The coalition government is already taking steps to reach the goal. Through the aid budget, it has already secured schooling for 11 million children by 2015.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s very heartwarming to see the students getting involved in such an important campaign. It is utterly wrong that so many children across the world don’t have access to education, but I think this campaign has the potential to really make a difference, with over 4000 schools following Alexandra Park’s lead.

“The government is committed to delivering more education to children across the world; within the current aid budget, there is scope to deliver education for 11 million children. To add some extra pressure, I will certainly be passing on the Alexandra Park students’ concerns to the Prime Minister as well.”

Local MP Awards Gold to Stroud Green Shop

Posted on 12th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To celebrate the special role that the Londis shop in Stroud Green plays in the local community, Lynne

Featherstone MP, on Friday, presented the owner, Bimal Patel, with a Gold Award for Community Retailing.

The Ferme Park Road shop was awarded the My Shop is Your Shop (MSYS) award because of its prominence in the Stroud Green community and the exceptional standard of service provided to local people. The Federation of Wholesale Distributors, which runs the MSYS campaign to support the fantastic work of small independent retai

lers, awarded Mr Patel’s shop Gold for constantly working to improve and develop its service.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Small local shops play an invaluable role in the local community, and the Londis shop on Ferme Park Road is an outstanding example of that. They constantly strive to improve their range of products and the standard of customer service, to always be at the top of their game. And there’s no doubt, they have succeeded.

“The Londis shop is a real asset to Stroud Green, and I’m delighted that they are receiving national recognition for the excellent work they do.”

Mr Bimal Patel, owner of the Londis store adds:

“Being a small business owner can often be difficult, especially when competing with the big supermarkets. My team and I work really hard to provide outstanding customer service to Stroud Green residents, and I am so proud to have our work recognised with a My Shop is Your Shop Award.

“We always strive to offer an excellent range of products and to serve local people. At the request of customers, we will soon be opening a coffee shop in the store, something that currently is missing on this parade of shops.”

James Bielby of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, which organises the My Shop is Your Shop campaign, adds:

“Stores like this play to their strengths and use their unique connection with their customers to provide a level of community service which the national chains are not able to match; that’s what makes them such an asset to their neighbourhoods.”

Liberal Democrats highlight Labour’s three failures that “gave the green light” to the Pinkham Way development

Posted on 11th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Labour’s support of unsuitable plans for a waste site and lorry park at Pinkham Way are revealed today in a damning response from local Liberal Democrats to the North London Waste Plan and in a motion which will be debated at the next Full Council meeting.

Cllr Juliet Solomon has revealed in her response to the consultation on the waste plan that Haringey Council’s Labour administration facilitated the progress of the Pinkham Way development by;

1. Changing the designation of the land from employment to industrial use in November 2010 without full consultation of local residents on the effect of the change. Furthermore, in a motion to the Full Council meeting on 18th July 2011, Liberal Democrats highlight that Labour members on the North London Waste Authority

2. Failed to object formally to the proposals to build a waste facility and depot for Barnet’s waste lorries.

3. The third failure by Labour is the lack of communication by the Council to its residents on the proposals for Pinkham Way which have been progressing for many years.

Liberal Democrats, including Lynne Featherstone, who have spearheaded a campaign against the proposals at Pinkham Way will now call on the Council to write to the Chief Executive of the NLWA to suggest that the plans are withdrawn.

Cllr Juliet Solomon (Alexandra Ward) comments:

“Labour has failed to put residents at the heart of this decision. The secrecy behind the change of land-use last year, the fact that Labour failed to stand up for Haringey in the North London Waste Authority and the lack of communication with local residents are three failures that gave the green light to the Pinkham Way development. Labour must be held to account for their failures.

“The way in which the Pinkham Way plans have dictated the whole North London Waste Plan rather than the plan shaping individual projects seems to be a totally unprincipled way of dealing with planning issues and flies in the face of good practice.

“I hope that the NLWA, the Council and Labour members take note and take action now.”

Lynne Featherstone MP, added:

“I am appalled to find that Labour has so fundamentally failed to stand up for local residents, and given the green light to this development that will blight the area around Pinkham Way and negatively affect thousands of local residents – residents they should represent, not ignore.”

Sparkle

Posted on 10th Jul 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

On Saturday I had the pleasure and honour of opening the 7th Sparkle in the Park in Manchester. Sparkle is the biggest event of its kind for the transgender community.

The transgender community as a group suffer a great deal of discrimination. It is a community that is small and little understood by the population at large. That most basic of questions when a child is born – is it a boy or is it a girl – is something that most of us never question or even have to think about.

But for those to whom the answer to that question is less clear as they grow – a lifetime of trying to exist in a binary gender system when those descriptions conflict with feelings – is what is born.

But things are changing. Sparkle, which as I said is in its 7th year, is a public statement from the community that they are standing out there and standing proud.

The Equality Act gives protection to the transgender community from discrimination in the same way as it gives protection for gender, sexual orientation, disability, race and other protected characteristics. But protection under the law is one thing. Hearts and minds need to follow – and whilst much has been achieved – there is still a hugely long way to go.

The trangender community suffer from a great deal of hate crime, discrimination at work, access to public services and generally a lack of understanding about what it means to be transgender. Whilst it is often joined to the LGB agenda as LGB&T – there is a world of difference between sexual orientation LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) and T (transgender) which is about gender identity and quite separate from sexual orientation.

Currently we (the government) has a consultation going on all the issues for the transgender community because we recognise that there are issues that need addressing separately from those that are addressed by our LGB&T workplan. We have had over 1200 responses so far – making this the largest ever in the UK.

These responses will form the basis on which we can make informed decisions about what changes are needed. I can’t promise that every aspect can be met – but we will use the information to do as much as is possible.

When I left Sparkle, having given the opening speech and met a number of those taking part and organising the day, the sun had come out – and Sparkle was sparkling. The turnout for this event in the park was huge. And it was striking that in a park where only a few years ago the transgender community wouldn’t have even dared to walk – now they were holding a party in that same park.

A huge thank you to Bella and her team for all the organisation – and a thank you for inviting me to share the day.