The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill
As this cruel, unworkable bill came back for its third reading and the Tories squabbled amongst themselves about whether it was cruel enough, I yet again voted against it.  It is another shameful, unworkable, and reckless plan that won’t deter human traffickers and will breach the UK’s commitments on human rights. As this month we saw more lives lost in the cold waters of the Channel, it is a stark reminder that the job of Ministers is to put forward a serious plan to help refugees fleeing desperate situations. The way our country, under successive Conservative Governments, treats refugees is a source of national shame and Labour will continue to urge the government to scrap the Rwanda plan.

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
The government’s Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill is entirely incompatible with the UK’s international climate change commitments.  In Parliament my Labour colleagues and I continue to oppose it. At a time when we should be urgently investing in green energy and transitioning away from gas and oil, as we committed to do so in COP28, the Prime Minister would prefer to ignore the science and trash our international reputation. A Labour Government will build energy security and independence, reduce high energy bills, and enact a national home insulation programme. We would not grant new gas and oil licences and instead invest in home-grown green solutions.  Read my latest Climate Change & Environment regular report here.

 

SIGN MY PETITION: Save the Whittington Hospital maternity unit
I’ve been campaigning hard to save the Whittington Hospital maternity unit, following the news that the North Central London Integrated Care System have included its closure as one of two possible options in their consultation.   I’ve received so much support for the campaign, and you can get involved on my website at www.catherinewest.org.uk/save-whittington-maternity.  I’m also working with local Councillors to gather signatures at stalls in Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Stroud Green in the coming weeks.  Guardian journalist Rhiannon Lucy Coslett has written movingly on why it is so important our campaign succeeds.  As well as signing the petition, please formally respond to the consultation if you are able.  All the details are on my website.  

The Horizon IT Scandal
Without doubt, the Horizon scandal is one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in British history. Although Labour has been urging the government to act for many years, I am grateful that ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office has brought the story to a wider audience. There are serious questions that need answering – why have ministers continued to hand out millions to Fujitsu in procurement contracts and why was the former chief executive officer of the Post Office awarded a CBE? Justice must be served, and Labour is calling for all sub-postmasters to be exonerated in full. 
 
Action also needs to be taken so this can never happen again.  Whether it is the contaminated blood scandal, Grenfell, Windrush, Hillsborough or Horizon, the pattern is the same – victims having to fight for justice, whilst too many people in power try to cover up wrongdoing.  We urgently need a Hillsborough Law that would enforce a duty of candour on public officials and ensure victims have a parity of legal funding with public bodies.  That will be a priority for the next Labour Government. 

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Third Reading) 
I voted against this Bill at its third reading.  It was a poorly drafted piece of legislation that will effectively prevent perfectly legitimate areas of political or moral concern from impacting on decision making.  Labour tabled a serious proposal to address the problems we believe there are with the Bill, but the government refused to constructively engage.  I do believe that public bodies should be able to take ethical decisions, including upholding high standards on the environment, human rights, workers’ rights, and international law, but that these decisions must be based on consistent principles applied equally to all countries rather than singling out individual nations.

 

Dentistry crisis
NHS dentistry has been left to rot from 14 years of Tory failure.  I’ve heard from families who haven’t seen a dentist in years because they can’t find anywhere taking NHS patients. Others who’ve had the same NHS dentist for 20+ years now told they need to re-register as private patients with a hefty bill.  
 
In our Opposition Day debate, I voted for Labour’s plan to rebuild NHS dentistry including providing 700,000 more appointments.  I also spoke during the debate to highlight the link between poor oral health and cancer – watch here.
 
My month in numbers
Last month, I received almost 1,500 emails on policy issues with the situation in Israel and Gaza top of the list.  I believe we desperately need a sustainable ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and diplomacy to secure the long-lasting peace we all want to see.  Labour is absolutely committed to a two-state solution and the recognition of the state of Palestine, which Gaza must be part of. I continue to update my website with the work Labour is doing within Parliament and more widely to make that case – including the Urgent Question we secured on the first day of Parliament’s return.  Shadow International Development Secretary Lisa Nandy visited the region in January – something she will no doubt speak about when she visits the constituency next month. 
 
Lots of constituents have also got in touch to express their opposition to the Rwanda Bill, to raise concerns about the regulation (or lack of) for Physician Associates – something I have been asking questions about for some time – and to support the Animal Welfare Bill and our British farmers. 

You can read my latest Parliamentary Questions on subjects from the continuation of the Household Support Fund to housing for refugees.

 

Get protected against measles as cases rise
As we see a worrying rise in measles cases in the West Midlands, I attended a briefing with Ministers and I’d urge anyone who isn’t vaccinated to come forward for their free MMR vaccine.  It’s a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, but here in London we have the lowest vaccination rates of any region.  Parents should check their children are fully vaccinated with 2 MMR does, which gives 99% life-long protection, and if they’re not please make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.  Find out more here.
 
Wood Green Post Office is OPEN
I’m delighted that after all our campaigning, and against a backdrop of Post Offices closing up and down the country, Wood Green has finally opened the doors on a new branch at Unit 38 in The Mall.  It has been really missed and you can find out more about its opening hours and services here. 
 
Still time to sign my petition: save Barclays in Crouch End
Closing Barclays in Crouch End would be a terrible decision for customers and for our high street.  It’s a busy branch and I don’t believe that Barclays have made an accurate assessment of its usage – after pushing, they admitted that their “regular customer” numbers only include people who don’t do any online or telephone banking or visit any other branch.  I don’t think that’s representative and will be presenting my petition in Parliament next month. Please sign and share.  Together with Crouch End’s Labour Councillors Lester Buxton and Cressida Johnson I’ve also now raised our concerns with the Financial Conduct Authority.  Labour will act where the Government has failed so that every community has access to face-to-face banking.
 
Councils in crisis
This month, I met with the Local Government Minister Simon Hoare MP to discuss the Local Government Finance Settlement.  I pushed for the continuation of the Household Support Fund which has provided £4.8 million to Haringey, supporting some of our most vulnerable families and I have since followed up in writing to the Secretary of State.  I also made the case for a long-term multi-year settlement so councils can plan.  The reality is that more and more councils are being pushed to the financial brink, putting at risk the services so many people rely on.  The Government must act and ensure the pressures councils are facing in adult social care, children’s services and temporary housing demand are properly addressed in the financial settlement.

Safety on our streets
I went on a walkabout with Muswell Hill Traders before Christmas to hear their concerns about a surge in commercial burglaries.  I’ve followed this up with the Police and am now in direct contact with Haringey’s Burglary Focus Unit who are aware of the issues in Muswell Hill and around Wood Green and working with traders and the business community.  Safer Neighbourhood Team patrols in the area have also been stepped up. 

With the start of the new school term, I’ve also been back in touch with Haringey Police about keeping children safe as they travel to and from school.  Do get in touch if these issues affect you.
 
Mental health re-admission figures
I was concerned to read that the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust was flagged as having one of the highest seven-day readmission figures and I have written to the chair of the BEHMT to ask for a full briefing and what action plan they have in place to reduce these numbers.

Shadow Foreign Affairs:

Pakistan
As a key country in the region and a vital part of the Commonwealth family, ongoing and productive contact with Pakistan is a priority for the Labour Party. As shadow Asia Minister I met with the new High Commissioner from Pakistan to discuss our bilateral relationship, Pakistan’s recovery from the historic floods last year, and the upcoming elections in Pakistan. I’ll continue engaging with Pakistan on a regular basis as a demonstration and commitment to our partnership.
 
Afghanistan
Since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in summer 2021 the situation in Afghanistan has all but disappeared from public discourse. In a recent Westminster Hall debate I raised the need for there to be a genuine strategy to ensure that the hopes and dreams of Afghanistan, which British, Afghan, and allied forces fought so hard for over 20 years of engagement, are not entirely eroded.

Taiwan
Taiwan’s recent elections have been watched with close interest, given the potential for a significant escalation in tensions and Beijing’s regular bellicose rhetoric. On Labour’s behalf I sent my congratulations to the incoming President, and thanked the Taiwanese people for their participation in their democracy. Peace and stability across the Taiwan straits are of vital importance and Labour will continue calling for restraint from both sides.

Yemen
Tensions in the Red Sea have reached a boiling point in recent weeks with the attempts by the Iranian-backed rebel Houthis in Yemen launching missile and drone attacks against civilian shipping, despite repeated warnings and UN Security Council Resolutions to cease their activities. In response to these attacks, and further such attacks against British and US naval vessels, targeted air strikes were conducted against Houthi weapon sites. Labour has underlined our support for these limited strikes, with it being clear that continued Houthi actions risks civilian lives in the Red Sea and critically important shipping, such as grain from Europe to the global south.