Weekly Round-Up

Its been another busy week in the House of Commons.  On Wednesday, Labour put forward a motion that would compel the Government to do more to support those affected by the cladding scandal. 17 buildings in Enfield have been identified as having potentially dangerous cladding, with 2506 people living in those buildings affected. Less than 50% of the buildings identified have had remediation work completed, leaving too many people with concerns over whether their homes are safe as well as worries about the financial impact. The Government has been far too slow to compensate those affected and too many people are left paying for expensive Waking Watches and sky-high insurance premiums while they wait for remediation work to take place.  Sadly, not a single Tory MP backed our motion, and so householders remain trapped in this terrible limbo.

I was pleased to be able to speak during Northern Ireland questions this week and ask Michael Gove about the importance of ensuring stability for businesses and communities in Northern Ireland via the NI Protocol, as well as working with the EU to reduce the potential mountain of red tape on food products when the grace period ends in April. The EU is our closest partner and however many opportunities the world holds for us in terms of trade and cooperation, we must not forget that much of our production is destined for the EU. We also need to stand strong together in the face of many challenges relating to climate change and the environment, the refugee crisis, and the growing belligerence of Russia. Stability and prosperity will rely on good, cooperative, and transparent relations and will benefit us all in the long-term.

The vaccine rollout is going really well in Enfield, and I want to say thank you to all the NHS staff and everyone else involved in the vaccination programme. The uptake in the east of the constituency, however, is worryingly low at the moment, and I will be working with community leaders, councillors, and Council services in order to promote and encourage greater take-up of the vaccine. We must ensure that information is accessible to everyone in order to reassure those who are concerned that the vaccine is safe, and make sure that everyone who is able to attends their jab appointment when the time comes.

I was pleased to meet with the Enfield Society this week to discuss our concerns around the development proposals for Enfield Town Centre. I oppose new proposals from Palace Gardens owner Deutsche Bank for redeveloping Enfield Town with the demolishing of much of the shopping centre to build a 26-storey tower block and a mixed retail area with restaurants, bars, and a boutique cinema. I am not opposed to redevelopment and indeed support some proposals to improve the shopping thoroughfares and create a night-time economy, but Enfield Town is in a conservation area with a historic market – we do not want a 26-storey tower overshadowing the centre.  I know many residents share my concerns and I will make sure they are heard.

Thursday was World Cancer Day and a moment for us to think about the added strain that Covid has brought to those with cancer diagnoses. The world has not stopped for Covid, although it may sometimes seem like it, and illnesses such as cancer continue to require diagnosis and treatment. It really is heart-breaking to think of all those who are waiting for news and having treatment delayed or who are having to go through the difficult treatment alone without their family’s support. But Macmillan Cancer are still there and are able to offer support, advice, or even just someone to talk to on their support line, open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm, on 0808 808 00 00. And please remember that if you have any concerns about worrying symptoms, do get in touch with your GP and make sure you get things checked out - the NHS is still there to help.

I was pleased to meet with representatives from Enfield’s Citizens Advice Bureau this week to discuss the many issues facing constituents during the pandemic, in particular, the Government’s plans to slash Universal Credit and the impact of legal aid cuts. So many people are faced with financial difficulties and uncertainty because of Covid-19 and it is unconscionable that the Government are seriously considering making this hardship worse. The impact of legal aid cuts has also forced people to rely on Citizens Advice to seek justice, and although they have fantastic and dedicated staff, they should not have to step in to provide legal advice that a qualified solicitor should be rightfully providing. This is neither just nor fair.

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 contact us 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!