Weekly Round-Up
We may be approaching Christmas, but it is still full speed ahead in my office with a great deal going on this week. But we must turn our attention to the sad situation regarding Covid-19 in London. Despite the efforts of residents over the past months, which have helped to keep the number of Covid-19 cases in Enfield North low, the number of people catching the virus across London is now increasing rapidly. The Government decided to increase restrictions in London to tier 3 from December 16th. This means:
You can only mix indoors with your household or bubble
You can meet in a group of up to six in permitted outdoor spaces, such as in parks
Restaurants and pubs must close except for takeaway and delivery services
Shops, gyms and personal care services, such as hairdressers, can remain open
You can find out what this means by visiting the www.gov.uk/coronavirus page which has all the relevant up-to-date information. The rise in cases in Enfield North and London will come as difficult and worrying news for many residents and businesses, especially so soon after a national lockdown. This year 7,200 Londoners have died in hospitals from Covid-19 and we must all come together to protect each other and prevent more loss. Please take extra care and follow the public health advice. This year’s festive season will be very different for all of us. I want people to enjoy this time of year in the safest way possible so we can protect our loved ones and protect local livelihoods. Though after an incredibly difficult year, this period may be one of the most challenging we have faced.
I was delighted to join the CPRE’s virtual launch of their ‘Litter in Lockdown’ study as a keynote speaker along with the Minister responsible for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This gave me a huge opportunity to press for fundamental changes in how this government approaches litter and improve our country’s ability to recycle. The independent report echoed these concerns and highlighted the need for a completely new approach to how the UK recycles and reduces its waste- not just what the consumer does but the role of the producer and the UK government in reducing plastic waste. Before the pandemic struck, UK supermarkets were estimated to produce 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste every year and we were witnessing the equivalent of a truck load of plastic entering our oceans every single minute. The Government have dragged its feet on introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme and a full Extended Producer Responsibility, an issue I plan to hold the government to account on.
Lockdowns have rekindled our love of visiting parks and outside spaces. With this rediscovered passion has sadly come increased littering – especially of single-use face coverings. The Government has a chance to make a real difference to people’s lives by strengthening the Environment Bill, as Labour has been trying to do, instead of what they continue to do in turning their backs on the issue.
The Health Secretary delivered a statement to Parliament on Thursday regarding Covid-19. I took this opportunity to press him about the concerns raised by Enfield North residents on access to vaccines. Many unpaid careers in Enfield North are concerned about access to the vaccine and they need to know when they will receive it. This is such an important issue that needs addressing as unpaid careers spend many hours with vulnerable people. They need to be sure that they are not passing on the virus and the vaccine is the only way we can do this. I will continue to stand up for our careers to ensure that they get the Covid-19 support they so desperately need.
This week I had the opportunity to raise local Enfield North policing issues with the Metropolitan Police Deputy-Commissioner. My particular concern with the Commissioner focused on police resources and I wanted to know when Enfield will get its share of the 20,000 police officers promised by the Government. I will continue to press for a decent policing settlement for our constituency and will update you as and when we get the breakthrough we need.
I held a meeting with our council Chief Executive and Council Leader to discuss the Local Government settlement. The settlement proposed is damning and means more austerity, more cuts and more pain for our local services and residents. It is another case of the Government using smoke and mirrors, outdated ideas to manage our country’s finances which only worsen the problem of the pandemic and slow the ability of our businesses to recover. The government pretend to be providing funding to local councils, however 85% of the funding they announced is based on council tax hike the government are pushing onto local councils. This is unforgivable, by failing to provide any additional funding for local government and public health services during the pandemic they are condemning communities, like Enfield North, to more pain. I will do all I can to get a fair deal for our constituency.
Supporting our foodbanks is so important, especially at this time of year. I will be volunteering at North Enfield Foodbank this weekend. Without them thousands in Enfield would go without food. We sadly live in a country where we need foodbanks. This week we learnt that UNICEF will feed hungry children in the UK for the first time in its 70-year history. This cannot continue. The Government must change its ways and invest in social security, improve education outcomes and tackle the horrors of in-work poverty. Without this holistic approach we will continue to see children go hungry and fail to unlock their potential.
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!
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.