Weekly Update
This week in Parliament we had the Spring Budget, the last roll of the dice and the last desperate act for the Tories that have failed Britain. The economy is in recession, we are still in a cost-of-living crisis, the national credit card is being maxed out and despite the measures announced on Wednesday, we have the highest tax burden for 70 years.
This is also the first Parliament since records began to see living standards fall. That is the Conservatives’ record, and it is still their record—give with one hand and take even more with the other. Nothing they do between now and the election will change that.
Over 14 years, we have seen our fair share of delusion from the Conservative party: a Prime Minister who thinks the cost of living crisis is “starting to ease”, an Education Secretary who thinks concrete crumbling on our children deserves our gratitude and a former Prime Minister who still believes that crashing the pound was the right path for Britain.
The Chancellor also announced that finally, after years of resistance, they would accept Labour’s argument to abolish the non-dom tax regime. This begs the question: has there ever been a more obvious example of a government that's totally bereft of ideas?
The best rabbit the Chancellor could have pulled out of the hat on Wednesday for the economy and the country is a general election. Anything less will only subject us all to higher taxes, higher prices and broken public services. It’s time for change in this country.
Housing Oral Questions
On Monday I got the opportunity once again to question the Government’s failure to ban no-fault evictions that have blighted the lives of so many private renters in Enfield.
The Minister had no answers to my question and could provide no end to the suffering of many.
As many will know, Enfield topped London’s league table for Section 21 evictions last year, setting a grim record and resulting in a dramatic rise in homeless families approaching the Council for help. At its peak, the borough had 400 families approaching the Council for help in one month, yet Government Ministers are unwilling to stand up to their own backbenchers.
There is also still no additional support for local authorities to support the rise in homelessness due to no-fault evictions.
I’ve raised this with the Government relentlessly, but we’re still no closer to ending this cruel practice. So, when will the Government stop pandering to the interests of their backbenchers and prioritise renters by ending Section 21 evictions? See the clip here.
World Book Day
Yesterday was World Book Day, a brilliant initiative that changes lives through a love of books! Reading has an enormous impact on a child’s development, and I’m glad to see so many local schools take part!
I’d encourage all to get involved in Enfield North and beyond!
Sadiq’s Fare Freeze
While train fares soar under the Tories, with national rail fares increasing again by 4.9% this week, Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan has frozen Transport for London’s bus and tube fares again for the 5th time. He has proudly stood up for Londoners during a cost of living crisis.
This is the difference a Labour Mayor can make, and the difference Labour can make in power.
Business Oral Questions
Yesterday in Parliament I raised the fact that businesses in Enfield North are being let down by this Tory government, not just in the most recent Spring Budget, but over the last 14 years. There has been a serious lack of ambition from this Government.
I speak to businesses all the time and I know many have to contend with rising costs and spiralling bills, as well as no Government industrial strategy and a serious lack of individual tailored support. This lack of ambition is holding our businesses back. You can read the exchange here.