Weekly Update

It was a relief to learn that finally, a new Covid-19 testing site will open at Boleyn Hall in Enfield North over the coming days. It will form part of a pilot of new “walk-through” local test sites across England. We need an increase in testing capacity if we are to tackle the increase in infections and ensure that there is testing available locally for all those who need it. I am pleased to see this pilot in Enfield North and encourage all constituents who are concerned about possible Covid symptoms to book a test via the NHS Covid-19 app or via: nhs.uk/Coronavirus. If you have any of the following symptoms, book a test immediately: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and/or loss of taste or smell.

I was very disappointed this week that the Tories voted against providing free school meals to vulnerable children during the holidays until Easter 2021. We know the terrible economic impact that Covid is having on families up and down the country, exacerbating the difficulties that 10 years of Tory austerity have brought. For me, this is not a political issue; it’s a moral one. Do we want to be in a country where we let children go to bed hungry? The stats are shocking; in Enfield North 35.7% of children (9506) are living in poverty.  I don’t want to see a single child going hungry - and I can’t imagine how anyone could.

We’ve seen a number of spurious and untrue accusations from Boris Johnson this week, week, regarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s running of TFL.  The truth is, that since 2016 - when he replaced Boris as Mayor! - Sadiq has reduced TFL’s deficit by 71%. TfL’s current financial problems have been caused by Covid and the significant drop in revenue as lockdown meant the end of commuting and tourism for months. The Prime Minister wants to increase fares, increase the congestion charge, and increase taxes, and end free travel for children and older Londoners. Playing party politics before a mayoral election may be expected, but it is unconscionable at a time when we are fighting the hugely damaging impact of a pandemic. This is unnecessary, vindictive, and petty, and it will ahrm all Londoners. In normal times, London contributes massively to the UK economy and we need to ensure that its constituent parts are there to support the rebuilding of the economy of the whole country once the health crisis is behind us.

Along with the other members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness, I met with the Minister for Rough Sleeping this week. Before the pandemic, according to Government figures reported in February 2020, 4,266 people were estimated to be sleeping rough in England on a single ‘typical’ night. That is an increase of 141% since 2010. The very fact that the 1824 Vagrancy Act is still in force and criminalises sleeping rough shows the lack of progress on this issue. With offences including begging at risk of incurring a maximum £1000 fine, rough sleepers are pushed further from help. We need a national strategy that will not only support those who are sleeping rough on our streets – in all weathers – but will aim to tackle the root causes of homelessness. This problem will not be solved by criminalising those down on their luck and will need support from the housing sector, the health sector, as well as the police.

I was very pleased to attend a meeting with the Young Mayors of Enfield. Young people are the future of this country and it’s so important that they feel engaged with politics and that it applies to them. The world is a very different place for young people today than it was when many MPs were leaving school and university and we must ensure that we listen to their experiences, their concerns, and their wishes so that we are representative of all the people we represent. I was very excited at the enthusiasm and motivation among those at the meeting and look forward to meeting with them again to discuss the issues facing young people in Enfield North and London.

I was also able to meet with the developers this week behind the Enfield town centre proposals. Areas like Enfield North are in desperate need of some investment, particularly in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are some great proposals coming from the developers – gym facilities to support the health and wellbeing of the community, co-working spaces, and food and shopping facilities. However, I am concerned about the proposals around the 26-storey tower. A number of concerns around high-rise living have come to light over the last few years, from the safety aspect following the tragedy at Grenfell to the health and wellbeing aspect with families trapped in small flats during Covid with little access to green space. Our modern lifestyles are changing with many more looking for more flexible and home working and our growing awareness of the impact of our housing on our health - developers must ensure that they take these new concerns into account.

I also met with the CEO of the Royal Free Group about the major changes to children’s A&E in the area. In order to cope with the combined effect of winter pressures and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Royal Free Hospital are closing their children’s A&E until further notice, moving instead to North Middlesex Hospital. I was able to discuss with the CEO the numerous concerns that have been raised by constituents about this change and the impact it will have on children and young people. You can read the NHS’s full press release and find the frequently asked questions here.

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!