Weekly Round-Up

This week, I was pleased to host a pre-Budget roundtable with some of our local businesses and was delighted to be joined by so many of all sizes and natures from across Enfield North to discuss the pressures they are under and what they hope to see from the Budget relating to businesses. I was also pleased to be able to welcome representatives from the CWU union and Capel Manor College and hear the concerns that are being raised by their members and students.

I’m also very concerned that seven months after the Chancellor launched his ‘Plan for Jobs’ last July, 5,985 people are claiming out of work benefits and 8,472 people are still on furlough in Enfield North. The 8,472 people currently on furlough do not have the luxury of time and the Chancellor needs to up his game and announce a new ‘smart’ furlough scheme today. Without action we could see these jobs lost and people’s lives made even tougher during the pandemic.  We need urgent action to secure, recover and create jobs to help 5,985 people claiming out of work benefits in Enfield North. This must include a smarter furlough scheme, an overhaul of the failing Kickstart youth programme, and reform of the shambolic Green Homes Grant as part of wider action to ‘Build it in Britain’ and support the creation of new jobs. The Government needs to also address the gaps in support for our self-employed workforce. For too long they have been forgotten and this has put the squeeze on family’s incomes. We must see the SEISS set at 80% of pre-crisis profits now.

This week the Government announced its road map out of the lockdown restrictions, which will be followed provided the vaccination programme continues and rates of transmission remain low. From 8 March all children and students are set to return to face-to-face education in schools and colleges, childcare will resume, care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor, and people can meet another person from a different household outside. From 29 March outdoor sports facilities can reopen.

Step 2 will happen no earlier than 12 April and will see non-essential retail, salons and hairdressers, and public buildings like libraries reopen. Most outdoor attractions, such as zoos will also be allowed to reopen. Gyms and swimming pools will reopen, but people should maintain social distancing. Hospitality can reopen but only serve people outdoors and self-contained accommodation can also reopen. Funerals can continue with up to 30 people in attendance and weddings and other events can take place with up to 15 people.

Step 3 will happen no earlier than 17 May and will allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people, and indoors, the rule of 6 or 2 households will apply. Indoor hospitality and indoor entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen, as will the rest of the accommodation sector and indoor adult sports and exercise classes. Indoor performances and sporting events will be allowed a capacity of 1000 or half-full, whichever is lower, and outdoor venues will be allowed a capacity of 4000 or half-full. Up to 30 people will now be allowed to attend weddings and other celebratory events.

Step 4 will happen no earlier than 21 June, when it is hoped that all legal limits on social contact can be removed. For more detail, see the Government website.

Of course, this all relies on the uptake of the vaccination and the rate of transmission falling. In Enfield particularly, we are concerned at the lack of uptake among some groups in society, especially where there may be a language barrier hindering the access of information regarding the vaccine. We need to ensure that everyone is able to access the information they need in order to recognise the safety of the vaccine and its importance in protecting people and being able to open up our economy once more.

The UK has suffered much during this pandemic and needs a compassionate, competent Government to support its recovery, but we find instead a Government who have presided over 10 years of economic mismanagement, which is typified by the approach to local government funding. Despite the Chancellor having served as Local Government Minister, he seems to have a complete blind spot when it comes to local government. The Government have imposed cuts of over £190 million on Enfield Council over the past 10 years, making a tough job of protecting our communities even harder. Local authorities are the bedrock of our public services and they will be essential in supporting a green recovery, helping local people to regain skills, getting them into jobs and supporting our hardest-hit families.

The Government’s council tax bombshell will blow apart families’ finances and undermine the long-term sustainability of the services that we will all rely on. This is a regressive tax increase, as it will hurt most those with the least. It will see areas with the lowest tax bases struggle to recoup lost Government central funding. Once again, we do not see a levelling-up agenda, but a “decay down” programme. In Enfield, many will see a tax hike of £100 thanks to this Government—that is £100 that can no longer be spent in local businesses to protect our local employees through this horrific time. It is short-termism writ large. The Budget in the coming weeks needs to be forward-looking, but I fear we will see yet more of the same old story of Tories abandoning communities in their greatest need.

I was pleased to join a briefing from the Schools Minister on the reopening of schools. I am relieved that schools are reopening as it is so important that we get children back into formal education settings as soon as possible, but I am concerned that the Government is ill-prepared and repeating the mistakes of the past year. Schools need all the support to ensure that schools can open and remain open safely for children, teachers, and parents. Teachers must have adequate support – they cannot be expected to teach efficiently if they are worried about ensuring social distancing is maintained, that resources and facilities are cleaned regularly, and that adequate testing is taking place. Schools are vital for promoting equality and helping children reach their potential, but no one can reach their potential or be helped to reach their potential if concerns about Covid are on everyone’s minds.

In my previous update I mentioned the proposed developments for Palace Gardens in  Enfield Town. Very helpfully, the Enfield Society has launched a survey for residents to submit their views on the regeneration proposals for our town centre. Please do take a look and share your views https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TVKXWYC

My telephone surgery sessions are continuing, and if you would like to book an appointment, please do contact my office to arrange this. Although my office is closed to the public in line with Government guidelines, my team and I are working hard from home so please do get in touch on feryal.clark.mp@parliament.uk if there is anything we can help you with. Remember –stay safe, save lives – maintain social distancing and keep washing your hands!