Weekly Update
This week marked one year since the tragic earthquakes in Turkey and Syria took place. This resulted in the deaths of more than 50,000 people while injuring a further 107,000. Over 9 million people have been affected to date.
The destruction that has followed has been heartbreaking, with families still rebuilding their lives after losing everything. Let us reflect on the lives lost, those affected, and the efforts to rebuild the affected communities.
At PMQs this week, the Prime Minister thought it was appropriate to make a crass jibe at Transgender people while Brianna Ghey’s mother was sitting in the public gallery. Keir Starmer rightly called this shameful slur out, but the Prime Minister refused to apologise (and has since refused to, despite Brianna’s father asking for an apology). This was utterly shameful behaviour and Members from across the House were right to call it out as such.
You all may have seen the pictures this week of the queues going around the corner outside the dental practice in Bristol, but this is just yet another example of 14 years of Tory neglect and its impact on our country. Some don’t have the time to queue and have taken dentistry into their own hands, with appalling consequences. This is the mess the Tories have left our country in. DIY dentistry in 21st-century Britain. Only Labour can fix NHS dentistry, with our offer to provide 700,000 new dental appointments focussed on areas of greatest need. The government this week adopted a part of Labour’s plans.
Debate on Knife Crime
This week I put my name to a motion calling on the Government to ban zombie knives and zombie-style machetes. Labour is demanding that the Government’s ban goes further and prohibits the sale of ninja swords, as well as consulting on a further extension and establish an end-to-end review of online knife sales and introduce criminal liability for senior executives of websites which indirectly sell illegal knives online.
We know that since 2015, knife crime has risen 77 per cent, and on top of that, we are seeing more and more dangerous weapons on our streets. Just two weeks ago we had a zombie knife attack locally in Enfield North.
We need to get these weapons off our streets as soon as possible. I closed the debate and made clear that if the government’s ban had actually worked in 2016, we would not be in such a perilous position.
I think most of us can agree on the fact that there are very few legitimate reasons to carry a 22-inch sword around with you on our streets. You can watch a clip of my response to the government on this motion to change the law on zombie knives.
National HIV Testing Week
This week is HIV Testing Week - a decade since it started.
Testing is free, quick, easy and confidential, and anyone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment & support.
It’s important to remember that HIV remains a critical global health issue, with millions of people living with the virus and many more at risk of infection.
In Parliament, each year there is a debate for National HIV Testing Week allowing Members to raise awareness and speak about the importance of regular testing to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV. It is also an opportunity to thank the amazing individuals and organisations for everything they do in this area.
You can get your free test kit here.
Never-ending misery caused by Section 21 Evictions
New data released yesterday revealed the number of Section 21 (no fault) eviction notices served in England increased by almost a third in 2023, as expected. Enfield as many of you know has been hit particularly hard by the eviction crisis.
So what is the Government waiting for? We were expecting the Report Stage of the Renters Reform Bill in Parliament in early February, yet there is still no sign of it.
We had to wait four years to debate the Renters Reform Bill, five months between the first and second reading, and now there are further delays.
Why should private renters in Enfield North and across the country be left to suffer due to this Government’s dithering?
Disappointing National Apprenticeship Stats
Figures show 230 fewer apprenticeship starts in Enfield North today than a decade ago, revealing the full scale of the Tories’ decade of decline in apprenticeships and training.
Apprenticeships are so important for our community and local economy, but 14 years of Conservative government has hollowed out the opportunities available to people in our area.
We have some fantastic colleges and local businesses providing exciting opportunities, but the Government needs to step up and match our local ambition.
Enfield North residents deserve better, and that is exactly what they would get under a Labour government.
You can see our plan for apprenticeships here.