Weekly Round-Up
This week we saw the end of Pride Month, and although it has once again not been the same as usual with us not being able to march and celebrate together, it has been heartening to see the efforts everyone has made to show their solidarity.
Whether it be pressing Ministers on their work ensuring the UK is a leader on LGBTQ+ rights at home and abroad, or working with a range of organisations to push for a HIV action plan worthy of its name, I’ve continued to ensure LGBTQ+ issues are firmly on the agenda in Parliament.
Despite Pride month coming to an end, the fight for LGBTQ+ equality does not end here, and it is incumbent on all of us to continue to speak up and speak out.
As a proud ally, I pledge to continue to do everything I can to lobby the Government, and work in parliament to raise awareness of key issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
You can read my thoughts in full here: https://bit.ly/PrideMonthStatement
Plastic Waste
Thank you to the many constituents who have got in touch with me regarding the serious situation of UK plastic waste exports.
I share the concerns many have expressed and am distraught by the shocking findings in the recent report compiled by Greenpeace on this subject, which highlighted the illegal dumping and burning of UK plastic waste in Turkey.
People in Enfield North, and across the country, expect to see plastic exports banned, more recycling of materials at home and faster action on the climate crisis. It is up to Government Ministers to take firm and decisive action to stop this happening.
More broadly, I agree that the UK Government needs to work drastically cut the amount of plastic produced in the first place and must commit to significant reductions in single-use plastic by 2025, with a clear plan for delivering it.
Windrush
This week saw a debate in Parliament, following on from Windrush Day, emphasising the importance of the continued fight for justice for the Windrush generation.
The scandal is an example of the racial injustice which is still experienced by many Black Caribbean people across British society.
It is completely unacceptable that just 687 people have received compensation from the Windrush Compensation Scheme, from the 11,500 people the Home Office estimated might be eligible. While tragically, at least 21 people have died waiting for justice. The mishandling of the Windrush Compensation Scheme has heaped insult upon injustice.
As well as tackling the injustice the Windrush generation have faced, we can and we must do more to tackle the root problem of institutional racism in the UK, which is why the next Labour Government will introduce a Race Equality Act to systemically tackle the root causes of racism, and ensure that we never see a repeat of the Windrush scandal.
You can read my thoughts in full here: https://bit.ly/WindrushStatement.
EU Settlement Scheme
This week saw the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.
The shameful process, and backlog of hundreds of thousands of cases, has meant that many people have been unable to apply, and facing stress and uncertainty about their future, and concern about their future here in the UK.
It is imperative that the Government acts to ensure vital that EU citizens, many of whom are NHS staff, key workers, and make invaluable contributions to our community are not needlessly discriminated against.
I know the worry that many of my constituents in Enfield North are feeling about their future and would urge anyone who has had difficulties with the scheme to contact my team by emailing feryal.clark.mp@parliament.uk.