Weekly Round-Up
This week’s announcement, delaying the lifting of restrictions for another four weeks, will have come as a heavy blow to many families and businesses across Enfield North.
The blame for this delay lies squarely with the Prime Minister, as despite repeated warnings he continued to pursue a reckless border policy that allowed the Delta variant to spread and take a hold in the UK.
It is thanks to this recklessness that the British people will have to pay the price, and it is crucial that the Government extends support for those businesses affected to ensure that they don’t suffer as a result of this decision.
Clean Air Day
This week marked Clean Air Day, which brings together communities, businesses, schools and the health sector to improve public understanding of air pollution and build awareness of how air pollution affects our health.
1 in 5 people in the UK live with a respiratory condition, such as asthma, worsened by air pollution and increasing vulnerability to Covid-19, and air pollution is responsible for 40,000 excess deaths each year.
I know that air pollution is an issue which matters deeply to many people in Enfield North, with hundreds of residents signing the petition I presented to Parliament earlier this year on the health impact of the Highways England’s Junction 25 (M25) improvement scheme.
Whether it’s campaigning on the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) to take traffic away from residential areas, or School Streets, to help make children safer and encourage walking or cycling to school, I will always do everything I can to fight for cleaner air.
You can read my thoughts in full here: https://bit.ly/CleanAirDayStatement
Letter to the Foreign Secretary
Following many constituents getting in touch to express their concerns about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, and a Westminster Hall debate on the issue, I wrote to the Foreign Secretary this week to convey those concerns and call on him to work for a secure and lasting peace in the region.
I firmly believe that a negotiated two-state solution, one that recognises the importance of security and stability and guarantees a viable future for both Palestinians and Israelis, is ultimately the only way the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider occupied Palestinian territories will be fully resolved.
This latest ceasefire should be seized by leaders on both sides to drive a renewed focus on a two- state solution, and long-term stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
You can read my letter to the Foreign Secretary here: http://bit.ly/LetterToForeignSeretary
Great British Railways
After the release of the “Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail” which will create Great British Railways, a new body to manage rail infrastructure, I questioned the Secretary of State on what assessment he had made on the impact this would have on fares for National Rail passengers in Enfield North.
His answer? None.
This reorganisation of the railways must not mean a backdoor fare hike for already stretched commuters. Commuters in Enfield North have faced consistently rising fares, and deserve better than more of the same when Great British Railways comes into operation.
You can view my question, and the reply, here: https://bit.ly/WPQAnswers