Lynne Featherstone MP holds FGM conference in Haringey

Posted on 18th Feb 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone yesterday held a conference on ‘Working Together to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM.)’

The conference, which took place at Hornsey School for Girls, was attended by over 100 health, social care, education, police and community professionals from across north London.

The conference was opened by Lynne Featherstone MP, and included speeches from campaigners Nimco Ali and Alimatu Dimonekene. During the opening session, students from Hornsey School for Girls presented a dramatic piece.

Throughout the day, the attendees were split into smaller groups. They discussed the work already being done to end FGM, and how the different sectors could work together to spot warning signs and protect girls.

While a minister at the Department for International Development, Lynne Featherstone announced a £35 million programme to support the African-led movement for change. As Minister of State for Crime Prevention, the Lib Dem MP recently announced that frontline professionals will have a mandatory duty to report cases of FGM.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“FGM is an unacceptable practice. In a truly fair society, where everyone has equal opportunity to get on, FGM would not happen. That’s why we have to keep working together and raising awareness until the day when no girl is at risk of FGM.

“Thanks to brave campaigners like Nimco and Alimatu, ending FGM is now very much on the agenda. As a Minister for Development and now Crime Prevention, I have worked with them and my team in Government to launch a £35 million programme to support the movement to end FGM, and more recently, to announce mandatory reporting.

“And of course, I want to tackle FGM and protect girls locally, too. That’s why I put together the conference – and it was fantastic to see professionals from across North London come together to discuss how to work together to prevent FGM.

“I’d like to thank all the speakers, those who helped organise, and particularly to Hornsey School for Girls for hosting the conference – it was a great success, and hopefully the first of many!”

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

Lynne Featherstone MP nominated for another MP of the year award

Posted on 28th Oct 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has been nominated for ‘MP of the Year’ award. The awards are being hosted by the Patchwork Foundation, in association with 3FF, Mosaic, UpRising and The National Union of Students.

The Patchwork Foundation believes in promoting and highlighting best practice in the area of under-represented, deprived and minority community engagement. The society rewards MPs who work closely with such communities and deliver excellent representation and coverage to otherwise underrepresented segments of society, by acknowledging them as ‘MP of the Year.’

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 5^th November.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has also been nominated for the ‘Politician of the Year’ award by Stonewall, for her work on equalities.

The Liberal Democrat MP was nominated by one of her constituents, who said:

“Lynne has worked hard to help minority groups. She has pushed hard for better NHS funding and support to help those who are deprived and rely on the NHS services more than most. She always shown support for the BME community and recognises the vital role BME communities play in the UK and that they need to be supported further.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It’s such an honour to be nominated for this award by one of my constituents – I’d like to thank them for taking the time to put me forward.

“I am lucky enough to represent a very diverse area of London – with over 180 languages spoken in my constituency alone. I do my best to meet as many of the local communities as possible, to see if there are any issues I can help with. I also keep them informed about my work as an international development minister, and the many visits I make to Africa.”

Unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green drops to just 3%

Posted on 16th Oct 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Local MP Lynne Featherstone has welcomed yesterday’s employment figures, which show that 30.76 million people in the UK are now in work, the highest level on record.

The number of people unemployed has fallen below 2 million for the first time since 2008, while youth unemployment has seen the largest annual fall since records began.

Over the last year every region and nation in the UK has seen a fall in unemployment – again, the largest annual fall since records began, which brings the rate to a new 6 year low of 6%.

In Lynne Featherstone’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green, unemployment has fallen to just 3% – down from 5.2% in 2010. Youth unemployment locally has halved.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“The employment rate is back up to the pre-recession levels – and it’s no surprise, with nearly 1.3 million more people working full time since 2010.

“I’m so pleased that we’re leading the way in Haringey, with local youth unemployment down by half since 2010.

“The apprenticeship event I held this year was full young and ambitious people looking to get into work. I’m glad that they have a better chance to find work now than they did before 2010.”

Update on New River Village repairs

Posted on 15th Oct 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has met with Circle 33’s Managing Director for an update on the ongoing problems with social housing at New River Village.

Residents at the Colorado apartments remain unhappy with living conditions, reporting ongoing damp and problems with the lift and roof.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green brought the issue to light last year, with a video showing the extent of the problem. Some repairs have been made and many residents have been relocated, but the situation remains unacceptable for the remaining residents.

Circle 33 have been involved in ongoing discussions with developers St James, as studies have now revealed problems with the way the apartments were built by the developers.

Circle 33 hope to reach an agreement with St James about how to make, and fund, the complete repairs as soon as possible and to minimise disruption to residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I have long raised concerns about the quality of development of the Colorado apartments. Residents have suffered for years with leaks, damp and broken lifts and doors.

“Circle have reacted to the problems and have relocated residents – but it seems that more substantial repairs are needed to the building itself.

“If the problems do lie in the way the building was built, St James must act without delay to rectify them – even if that does mean stripping everything back and rebuilding. I won’t let this issue drop – and will carry on pushing for better living standards for my constituents.”

Barclays and Tottenham Hotspur among companies confirmed for MP’s Apprenticeship Event

Posted on 21st Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Eighteen companies, with hundreds of vacancies between them, have signed up to attend Lynne Featherstone MP’s annual apprenticeship event.

The event – which takes place at 2pm, on Thursday 28^th August, at Haringey Civic Centre – gives young people the chance to meet with companies who are offering apprenticeships, and get advice about making applications.

Barclays and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation are confirmed, alongside the National Apprenticeship Service and companies like Hawk training.

The event, which is backed by Wood Green Jobcentre Plus, is open to all young people – not just Haringey residents. Last year, one young person was taken on the day after the event.

The event follows news that youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency has halved since 2010.

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

“I am very much looking forward to this year’s event. We have a diverse range of companies attending, and I know Haringey is full of bright, ambitious young people, who will come along to meet the companies and find out more.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career. You get paid to learn a trade, and you get a qualification at the end. You also get to make contacts within an industry, which could help secure full time work.

“Youth unemployment here has halved since 2010 – I want to work with businesses and local young people to make even more progress.”

Local apprenticeship event and falling youth unemployment

Posted on 14th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Youth unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green (my constituency) has fallen again! In fact, youth unemployment here has halved over the last four years – down from 7.1% in May 2010 to just 3.1% in June.

This means more and more local young people are getting into work, learning skills and earning money – which is definitely a step in the right direction.

Under the previous Labour Government, education standards fell and youth unemployment rose. Some young people got stuck in the benefits system. Labour threw endless money into this system, and they ended up trapping people, who found they would get more money being unemployed than they would in a job. This is no way to incentivise young talent into work!

When the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010, creating jobs and apprenticeships, and getting all able people back into work, was one of our top priorities.

Working with businesses, we have helped to create one million jobs since 2010, and 1.8 million apprenticeships. Employment rates are now at a record high as the economy continues to recover.

And I want to make sure we keep up in Haringey. Our young people must be aware of, and able to access, all of these opportunities.

That’s why I’m holding my second annual apprenticeship event, on the 28^th August at Haringey Civic Centre. There will be companies at the event with hundreds of vacancies, which local young people can ask about and apply for.

You can also come just to find out a bit more information and ask questions.

An apprenticeship really is a great way to kick start a career. They take between one and four years to complete and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

And you get a qualification too – an advanced level apprenticeship is equivalent to two A level passes, and others can lead to the attainment of a Foundation Degree.

Last year, the apprenticeship event was a great success – one young person was taken on the very next day! I hope we can do even better this year.

So if you are a young person, unemployed or just looking for a new challenge, do come down to the Civic Centre (High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE) on the 28th August between 2pm and 6pm – to meet employers and find out more!

Youth unemployment in Lynne Featherstone’s constituency halved

Posted on 7th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has welcome news that youth unemployment in her constituency has halved since 2010.

In May 2010, the youth unemployment rate in Hornsey and Wood Green was 7.1%. Four years on, the figure in June 2014 is just 3.1%.

Overall unemployment in Lynne Featherstone MP’s constituency is also down – from 5.2% in 2010 to 3.2% now.

Getting people into work is a Liberal Democrat priority in Government. Since May 2010, over 1 million new private sector jobs and 1.8 million apprenticeships have been created.

Local MP Lynne Featherstone holds an annual apprenticeship event in Hornsey and Wood Green, to try and boost the numbers of young people getting into work. The next event will take place on the 28^th August.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so pleased that youth unemployment in my constituency has halved since 2010. Getting young people into work is so important, that’s why it was and is a Liberal Democrat priority in Government.

“With one million new jobs and 1.8million apprenticeships created since 2010 – it’s easy to see why unemployment – particularly youth unemployment – is falling so drastically.”

Lynne Featherstone MP calls for better replacement services as Royal Mail pushes ahead with local closure

Posted on 5th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and Haringey Lib Dem leader, Cllr Sarah Elliott, met with representatives from Royal Mail last week to discuss the closure of the local Hornsey Sorting Office and parcel collection point.

The local MP for Hornsey and Wood Green had campaigned to halt the plans to close the current site on Tottenham Lane and move the services to the Bush Industrial Estate in N19. Over 1000 residents signed the Lib Dem MPs petition supporting her call.

At the meeting, representatives from Royal Mail told the MP that they would be pressing ahead with the closure, but will be trialling a new service to minimise the impact.

Delivery of all parcels in the area will be attempted between 7am and 9am in an effort to ensure a high successful delivery rate. If the resident is not available to receive the parcel, redelivery will automatically be reattempted the next day between the same hours.

This will be the first time that the service has been trialled anywhere in the country outside of the busy Christmas period, and comes as a result of direct pressure from local residents and Lynne Featherstone MP’s campaign to protect or replace the current service.

But, Lynne Featherstone MP is continuing to press for a like for like replacement service and more flexible redelivery options, in order to offer local people as little disruption as possible.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented

“Royal Mail are reluctant to replace the Hornsey Sorting Office with a like for like alternative in the area, for financial and logistical reasons. But local residents that rely on the service must come first. I do not feel that Royal Mail’s proposed solution goes far enough.

“Customers need the level of service and flexibility they have now and this scheme does not provide that. I think there needs to be more specific redelivery times, which can be specified by the customers – to avoid disruption and spending any hours waiting in for a parcel at the weekend.

“I will be watching their pilot scheme closely but at the same time I shall continue to campaign on the behalf of local people for proper replacement services.”

Lynne Featherstone MP holds summer street surgeries

Posted on 31st Jul 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Hornsey doorstepping (2)

Lynne Featherstone MP has spent the past week giving street surgeries across Hornsey and Wood Green, where she met and discussed a wide range of issues with local residents.

During the surgeries, Lynne Featherstone spoke with residents in Muswell Hill, Hornsey and Fortis Green, offering advice and assistance on a range of concerns including housing and repairs. The local MP also discussed problems with the Labour-run Haringey Council, dumped rubbish and immigration cases with local people.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green will continue to hold street surgeries throughout next week in residential areas in order to allow locals to raise any issues or concerns with her directly.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It has been wonderful to bring my advice surgery out onto the street. These visits are a great way for local residents to meet with me at a location convenient to them. I hope it will make it easier for people to come along and raise any issues.

“With more street surgeries next week, it will be great if as many people as possible take the opportunity to come and talk about any worries or problems they may have.”