Rishi Sunak’s first anniversary as Prime Minister this month and how does he choose to celebrate?

By lifting the cap on bankers’ bonuses. 

On the very same day that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported 3.8 million people living in destitution in the UK, including a million children.  A figure that’s doubled in just five years, with millions more struggling with the cost-of-living, soaring rent, mortgages, food, and energy bills. 

Yet the Prime Minister thinks Liz Truss’ bankers’ bonanza is the priority. 

He doesn’t get it and he never will. 

After 13 years of stagnating living standards, creaking public services and political chaos, voters in Mid Beds, Tamworth and Rutherglen all agreed with Rishi that it’s “time for a change”.  But the change they want to see is a Labour Government.  Building the social housing we need, saving our NHS and getting Britain’s future back.

A General Election can’t come soon enough, and this month I have been campaigning from Newcastle Under Lyme to Bournemouth, as well as across the constituency.  Thank you to everyone who has joined me.  

Best wishes,

Catherine

It was great to be out on the doorstep with Hornsey & Friern Barnet Labour members supporting Alistair Strathern in Mid Beds – the first Labour MP ever to represent the area.

Israel and Gaza
I have watched events unfold in Israel and Gaza this month in sadness and horror.  Hamas’ brutal, indiscriminate attack and hostage taking at a time when Jewish people should have been celebrating Simchat Torah.  Now, a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza causing unbearable suffering for Palestinian civilians.  Already too many innocent lives have been lost, including children, and there is a desperate need for an end to the violence from all parties.

We need an immediate humanitarian pause to urgently ramp up aid so it doesn’t just get into Gaza, but it reaches the people who need it, and to secure the release of the hostages so cruelly held by Hamas. 

I’ve been receiving hundreds of emails from constituents over recent days about the situation in the Middle East, and my website has information on the actions Labour has been taking in Parliament including pushing for an escalation of humanitarian aid into Gaza and lifting the blocks on food, water, fuel and electricity which are causing so much suffering.  I will continue to keep this page updated. 

As many of you know, a few years ago I had the privilege of visiting Israel and the West Bank on a trip organised for Parliamentarians by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab British Understanding (CAABU).  I saw then how difficult life was for so many, and how desperately Palestinians and Israelis alike needed a political solution to end the violence and live in peace and security.  In these dark times, it can feel like we are very far from this aim, but making progress with the goal of a two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel will be a priority for the next Labour Government.  It is imperative that Hamas’ brutality does not become a catalyst for conflict in the wider region that will further set back the cause of peace.

Sadly, events in the Middle East are causing huge pain and fear to so many right here in our own diverse community of Hornsey & Wood Green.  This month I have attended prayers at Muswell Hill Synagogue and Highgate Synagogue, visited Wightman Road Mosque with my colleagues David Lammy MP and Yvette Cooper MP and attended an interfaith event to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week at the Alevi Cultural Centre (photo above) to stand in solidarity against hate and intolerance during these dark days.

None of us here are responsible for the actions of others thousands of miles away, and I have been deeply saddened that the Community Safety Trust and the Metropolitan Police have reported a steep increase in anti-Semitic incidents in recent days, including abuse and assaults. Tell Mama has reported a tripling of cases to their services, including reports of Islamophobia threats, abuse, and assaults.  There must be zero-tolerance to any intimidation or harassment directed towards our communities, and I am in close contact with Haringey Police as they work to ensure everyone feels safe and protected.  My website has details of how you can report any safety concerns.

Let’s get Britain’s future back: my report from Labour Party Conference
It was lovely to catch up with so many familiar faces in Liverpool and be part of such a united, energised conference working towards a desperately needed Labour Government.  In Keir, Angela, Rachel, David, and the rest of the shadow Cabinet we showed to the country that we have a team ready to deliver for the British people and we outlined how we are ready to give Britain’s its future back.  Read my conference report here – and above are photos of just some of the events I attended.

Renters Reform Bill
After nearly five years of foot dragging, the Renters’ Reform Bill finally came back to Parliament for second reading and Labour will be scrutinising it closely at committee stage.  There’s never been any good reason for this delay – Labour has always been clear we’d support measures to reform the rental sector and improve tenants’ rights.  But in the time we’ve waited for the Tories to act, over 70,000 households have been served Section 21 no-fault eviction notices including a growing number in my constituency.  That’s why I am extremely concerned that Michael Gove still seems to be trying to kick this issue into the long grass, stitching up a grubby backroom deal to delay any reforms until “court improvements” which could take years.  It’s the Government who broke our justice system using their own failure as an excuse to break their own promises.  If the Tories don’t act to strengthen renters’ protections – a Labour Government will.

Delighted to meet with Ann Linde and other progressive politicians in Brussels as part of the FEPS Europe Feminist Foreign Policy event.

Tory Criminal Justice Failure
On Parliament’s return from conference recess we had the sorry sight of a Justice Minister coming to the despatch box to admit that we’ve run out of prison places completely.  What a mess and a damning indictment of this Government’s collective ineptitude, that they are failing the first duty of Government, which is to keep our citizens safe.  Prison certainly isn’t always the answer, but this Government is failing on rehabilitation and community sentencing too, whilst placing hard-working prison officers in impossible conditions.  I wrote for the Ham & High about the crisis in our criminal justice system.

Safe Access Zones
This month, I visited the BPAS clinic in Finsbury Park to chat to staff about the vital work they do providing essential healthcare services for local women.  It’s a year since I voted for the introduction of “buffer zones” so women can access abortion care without being intimidated or threatened yet still the Home Secretary has failed to bring forward the legislation needed to create these safe access zones.  BPAS told me how distressing this ongoing harassment is for clients and for staff and it’s shameful that, despite Parliament voting this through, the Government has failed to act.  I’ve submitted a Parliamentary Question to demand a timetable from the Home Secretary for turning “safe access zones” into law.

My latest Climate Change & Environment Report
Visit my website to read a copy of my latest climate change update including my letter to the Secretary of State on the damning 2023 State of Nature report and my statement on Sunak’s “green bonfire”.

Crumbling school buildings
The drip, drip of schools being added to the RAAC list is yet more evidence of chaos from a Tory government that has no grip on the extent of crumbling school buildings.  In my last newsletter, I updated on works taking place at Hornsey School for Girls, and now four more local primaries are working with building surveyors to determine if they are similarly affected.  I’ve been in touch with all four schools to see if there is any support I can provide, and in Parliament will continue to push for urgent reassurance and answers on the steps being taken to help schools, ensure children can get back into their normal classrooms and to rebuild classrooms riddled with unsafe crumbly concrete.  I’m also continuing to push for our schools with Dickensian sports facilities, dilapidated toilets and unsafe asbestos to get the repairs they have long needed – and the Government has long failed to provide.

I welcomed some of the brilliant North Middlesex Hospital staff shortlisted for the 2023 NHS Parliamentary Awards to Parliament to thank them for everything they do.  I’d nominated Melanie, who leads their team providing special tailored support for those who regularly use A&E services.  Their work has seen these patients, who often have complex needs, receive a more holistic service and reduce A&E admissions.

• I marked Black History Month at Haringey Council’s wonderful evening of dance, music and poetry at Bernie Grant Arts Centre.
• I also visited Wolves Lane Centre for their Black History Month celebrations, featuring community activites for all the family.  Find out more about the free climate change workshops they’ve got coming up for local residents.
• I joined a local after-school police patrol in Tambo Rec to discuss the work going on to keep children safe as they travel to and from school.  I also attended my regular catch up with Haringey’s Borough Commander where we discussed issues including police response to mental health call-outs and anti-social behaviour in the run-up to Bonfire Night.  Following this discussion, I joined a Safer Neighbourhood Team patrol on the Campsbourne Estate to see the work going on locally including around firework safety.
• My office team and I enjoyed learning how to make dolmas at the fabulous Roj Café in Ducketts Common.

Thank you to all the volunteers who help make Wolves Lane so special.

• I was at Hornsey Library to celebrate the official opening of the newly restored fountain, refurbished town square and new ‘Library Garden’.  It was great to see investment in our libraries, such vital community spaces.
• I enjoyed Crouch End Players’ fabulous production of “Vanya” at the Moravian Church, set in the backdrop of Brexit Britain.
• Hornsey and Wood Green has a wealth of artists and Hilary Jacobs is one of the best. I was delighted to see her private exhibition and to bump into her sister, Ruth and former MP Andy Love.
• I gave the closing remarks at Hornsey & Friern Barnet Labour’s excellent local meeting on primary care, nursing and palliative care with Shadow Secretary for Health, Wes Streeting MP.
• I attended the 60th birthday celebrations for local charity C Potential and listened to Raisa express how it has changed her life and the benefits of integrated rehabilitation.
  I took part in the voting for the 10th annual Chinese Information & Advice Centre women of the year awards.  It’s always a privilege to hear about the incredible work being carried out by dedicated volunteers to support our Chinese community.

North Korea

News from North Korea continues to be deeply worrying, with reports of continued food shortages and the never-ending cycle of human rights abuses. Now, these reports have been amplified with the horrifying reports that hundreds of north Koreans have been forcibly deported from China back to North Korea, to await an uncertain fate. As shadow Asia Minister I met with Kyu Kim, and heard the heart breaking story of her sister who is among the hundreds who we fear has been deported.  The international community must make it clear to China that this is not acceptable.

Feminist Foreign Policy

It was great to attend the Foundation for European Progressive Studies conference in Brussels as part of the Fabian Society delegation to discuss our perspectives on a feminist foreign policy. Far too often foreign policy is a male dominated space, but across Europe there are strong female voices forming progressive foreign policy perspectives and it was a pleasure to hear from so many strong voices and share my own perspectives as a shadow Foreign Office Minister on how we balance out this policy space.

I joined a Safer Neighbourhood Team patrol on the Campsbourne Estate to see the work going on locally including around firework safety.

Last month my office responded to 1,514 casework emails and opened 227 new cases.  I’m seeing a continued number of constituents caught up in the Tory record asylum backlog, with cases now stuck for an average of FOUR years.  What a damning indictment on a Government that seeks to demonise vulnerable refugees for headlines but in reality is spending £8 million a day of taxpayers money on hotels because they can’t process applications.  It’s scandalous incompetence and it is the trademark of Rishi Sunak’s Government.

I joined the Police on a walkabout in Tambo Rec following safety concerns that had been raised with me from parents anxious about their children travelling home from school.  It’s good to see that the reassurance patrols are having an impact and this work will continue.  If you haven’t already seen my “back to school” update, you can read it here.

Many residents have been in touch about ongoing problems with their housing association landlords, from a failure to deal with disrepair, anti-social behaviour, or just not getting responses to queries.  This month I met with L&Q bosses to push for more proactive responses to constituents concerns.

I’m also continuing to hear from residents experiencing delays in having their Universal Credit claim or PIP application processed.  These delays have a huge impact on people’s lives, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, and I have raised Parliamentary Questions to push the Government to do better.

Fabulous artwork by Haringey Learning Partnership students at Haringey Council’s Black History Month 2023 opening event at Bernie Grant Arts Centre.

My regular advice surgeries take place on the second and fourth Friday of the month.  Do get in touch if I can be of any assistance.

Best wishes,

Catherine