Weekly Round-Up

This week, in his Economic Statement, the Chancellor has betrayed our key workers, who have worked so hard for us during the pandemic, by handing them a real terms pay cut.  This is an inexplicable decision that will hamper the economic recovery by forcing people to tighten their belts at a time when we need to stimulate the economy.  He has also continued the inhumane plans to cut Universal Credit, despite a tacit recognition that the original level was not enough to live off as it was raised to support people during the Covid-19 crisis. To cut it now is cruel in the extreme. We need investment, not tax hikes and pay cuts - especially with Brexit just around the corner (something that the Chancellor avoided mentioning!).  There was also a lack of intent in the statement in pursuing a strong green recovery, which is vital if we are to reduce inequality, reduce health risks associated with poor environmental conditions such as air pollution, and reduce household bills with energy efficient buildings. This was not a Spending Review to support the people of this country recover from the pandemic.  The Chancellor has made the wrong choices.

We heard from the Health Secretary this week that London will be in Tier 2 from next week.  Unfortunately, with most of the country in Tier 2 or Tier 3, it seems the Government have not used the breathing space bought by people’s efforts during lockdown to boost our faltering test and trace system.   We know that test and trace is vital for tackling the spread of the virus and fixing the system would have the added benefit of allowing us to open up the economy, instead of watching businesses flounder and fail because the Government will not provide the support that is needed to those in the higher tiers. However, as frustrating as it is, I know that constituents of Enfield North will pull together and continue to follow the rules to ensure that we work together to bring the rate of infection down.  There is light at the end of the tunnel - we just need to keep working together through the winter.

I was pleased to be able to speak following the Prime Minister’s statement on the Covid Winter Plan this week and asked what additional financial support would be made available for schools struggling to cope. We are all agreed that school is the best place for our children – the lockdown has had a serious impact on their education and on equality of chances. However, before they have even thought about opening their doors to hundreds of children, schools face mounting costs – the cost of enhanced cleaning, procurement of laptops for where virtual lessons must take place, and the skyrocketing cost of covering teachers who are absent due to ill-health or self-isolation. Schools were already struggling with extremely tight budgets before this crisis; they cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of the Covid pandemic alone – they need more financial support.  The Prime Minister must step up.

Following this question, I was pleased to host a roundtable with local headteachers to hear their views on how we can ensure that no student is left behind by this pandemic. The Labour Party has repeatedly called on the government to ensure that every pupil who is not in school or college because of Covid-19 can access learning remotely, so that nobody loses out on their education through this Government’s incompetence. The Labour Party and I are also pushing for effective testing with children, teachers, and school staff prioritised along with other key workers to ensure that schools are not impacted by closures and children are not regularly sent home to self-isolate.  It was great to hear the views of professionals on the ground. 

I was pleased to join the Enfield Over 50s Forum AGM to discuss the Government’s irresponsible and unnecessary restructuring/abolishment of Public Health England, especially considering that the pandemic is not behind us. We also discussed my work to lobby for fairer Public Health funding for Enfield. 30% of our population are over 50 and we have relatively high levels of diabetes and depression in comparison to other areas.  I’ll keep pushing the Government on this issue.

I also met with Heidi Alexander, the Deputy Mayor of London, this week to discuss the financial challenges faced by TfL.  I was able to raise the transport issues affecting Enfield North constituents, for example the frequency of bus routes, much of which I discussed with the Enfield Transport Users group when I met them earlier in the week. Local public transport will be vital to the recovery of the economy, to ensure that people can return to work, shop locally and use local hospitality and entertainment venues. I understand the financial considerations that are involved in planning routes and the frequency of routes, but the mobility of constituents will be vital in giving the economy a boost. 

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!