Chuka Umunna MP

Today The Guardian has published an open letter calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to close in on personal tax avoidance which it is estimated costs the country around £15bn a year in lost public revenue. Chuka is a signatory to the letter along with child poverty campaigner, Professor Ruth Lister, Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students, Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and 12 others. The letter is produced below:

We write to highlight personal tax avoidance by some of the wealthiest in our country, and to urge the chancellor to take action to close in on personal tax avoidance in the budget. Over 15 times as much is lost through tax avoidance at the top than to benefit fraud at the bottom. If those at the top choose not to pay their fair share, it has grave consequences for everyone. It robs our society of the funds that could end child poverty, or the money needed to increase welfare benefits and help alleviate the conditions which drive the most vulnerable to commit things such as benefit fraud in the first place.

We call on the chancellor to close in on tax avoidance, close in on tax loopholes and deliver greater tax justice. Measures could include: abolishing the domicile rule; abolishing tax havens; taxing investment income equally to income earned through labour; introducing a new wealth tax for all those earning over £250,000; introducing a new tax on bonuses; adopting a general anti-avoidance rule; removing secrecy from all British-controlled tax havens and increasing the number of tax inspectors to allow more thorough investigation.

It is time to close in on tax avoiders, recoup public money and ensure everyone in society pays their fair share – we urge the government to act.

Professor David Byrne, Jon Cruddas MP, Gavin Hayes, Neal Lawson (Compass), Sunder Katwala (Fabian Society), Professor Ruth Lister, Richard Murphy, Guy Palmer (The Poverty Site), Ann Pettifor (Advocacy International), Nancy Platts (Labour PPC, Brighton Pavilion), Howard Reed, Dr Sally Ruane, Clifford Singer (The Other TaxPayers’ Alliance), Wes Streeting (NUS), Chuka Umunna (Labour PPC, Streatham).

I thought it was about time I posted on two stories that have featured in the news lately: first, the continuing revelations regarding MPs expenses and allowances; secondly, the disclosure of emails sent by an adviser to the Prime Minister, Damian McBride, who resigned over the weekend.

Let me say right at the start that the abuse of the system of MPs expenses and allowances, where it has taken place, is completely indefensible.  I also want to say that I regard the emails from Mr Mcbride as unacceptable and repugnant.

I decided to enter politics to change the world for the better and the world starts at my doorstep here in this constituency. In my experience, most politicians I have met – across all of the political parties – entered politics for similar reasons; they did not do so for personal financial gain nor to engage in the kind of activities exhibited in Mr McBride’s emails. This is why one gets so angry when one reads of stories like the expenses scandals and the McBride affair.

Labour politicians and associates have featured in the most recent reports, but politicians of all political hues have been found to be wanting over the years; I do not think the public make any distinction any longer given what they have seen and read on all sides. That said, I know that many Labour Party members will feel ashamed about what has been reported.

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Ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget on Wednesday 22 April, two local young people – Phoebe and Shola – tell us what they think about the present economic situation.

For information on the Chancellor’s Pre Budget Report of November last year and how it affects the Streatham parliamentary constituency (which covers Streatham and parts of Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton), click here: Pre Budget Report for Streatham.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, today backed Government plans to introduce compulsory licensing to deal with rogue wheel clamping companies in Lambeth.

Umunna welcomed the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that a consultation would be published shortly on proposals for a compulsory licensing scheme for wheel clamping companies.

This consultation will look at introducing compulsory licensing and industry-wide standards for:

• signage, including size and visibility;
• maximum penalties charged and payment methods;
• minimum time between immobilisation and removal;
• providing evidence that a parking infringement has taken place;
• security and location of pound where vehicles are impounded; and
• complaints and appeals policy.

The measures aim to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping companies whose dodgy practices include excessive penalties for releasing clamped cars, clamping emergency vehicles and those belonging to disabled drivers, impounding cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped, hidden or missing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place, and a lack of any appeals process for drivers.

The announcement comes in the wake of local resident and singer-songwriter Leo Ihenacho’s well publicized dispute with South East Clamping Ltd (SEC) which featured on the BBC’s Watchdog programme on 2 March 2009.

While Ihenacho had been away from his home, the management company of his block had started to use SEC to patrol the building’s car park. During his absence SEC had towed Ihenacho’s car away without him knowing anything about it, which resulted in legal action. Ihenacho said:
“for someone to be able to come and take it like that without information, prior knowledge, etc…its unbelievable”.

Commenting on the measures the government is taking, Umunna said:
“The licensing of individual wheel clampers has gone a long way to reducing malpractice and improving standards in the industry.
“But I know that local people want further action against the small minority of clamping companies who indulge in sharp practices, including unclear signage and excessive fees.
“The Government is looking at introducing a scheme for compulsory licensing of clamping companies, with clear industry standards that they have to meet.”
“Rogue wheel clampers shouldn’t be able to get away with unacceptable practices and I’ll be working with the Government to clamp down on dodgy clampers.”

Currently, any individual undertaking vehicle immobilising must hold a frontline licence from the Security Industry Authority, with supervisors or directors holding a non-frontline licence. The new proposals would also make it mandatory for the company itself to be licensed to help ensure they sign up to upholding standards of conduct, which will be enforced if they are not met.

Last month, Chuka and Keith Hill MP organised the first ever Streatham Youth Summit.

The event, held at the House of Commons, brought together voluntary community groups and agencies working with young people. In attendance were representatives from youth centres and residents’ associations alongside Lambeth Council’s Youth Service and the Metropolitan Police. The event provided a forum for discussing youth provision across Streatham, demographically one of the youngest constituencies in the UK, giving local groups the opportunity to exchange views, forge new links and raise issues, enabling increased engagement between statutory bodies and voluntary groups.

The Summit was addressed by Keith and Chuka as well as Glen Neil of the Palace Project in Streatham Hill, who described it as an “invaluable opportunity to share expertise and knowledge, and network with other groups in the area working with young people”. Speaking at the event, Chuka contrasted the Streatham he knew growing up, of school fields being sold off and youth clubs closing down, with the funds currently being invested in youth provision by the Labour government. He highlighted the need to make sure “that as much of that money works its way to our local youth groups as possible”; The collaboration and dialogue of the Youth Summit will go a long way towards ensuring this happens.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, welcomes NHS measures coming into force this month which will provide free services to local people.

The Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP, has announced a series of measures which will transform the service the NHS provides, all coming into force this month:

• free health checks for local people aged 40-74;
• MRSA screening for all patients; and,
• free prescription charges for local cancer sufferers.

Health checks will become free for everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of an ambitious national programme to identify people’s risk to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. The checks will play an important role in preventative care, having the potential to stop 1,600 heart attacks and strokes and save up to 650 lives each year. Additionally, they allow diabetes to be detected earlier in patients, which can prevent sufferers from developing Type 2 diabetes. The health checks also provide personalised advice on how to lower health risks and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Hospitals will now offer MRSA screening for all patients, reducing the chances of receiving the infection or the bug spreading within hospitals. This will be an additional tool in the fight against superbugs. MRSA rates in our hospitals are already falling; Compared to four years ago, the number of infections has more than halved, while locally King’s College Hospital has seen a 64% reduction.

Thirdly, cancer sufferers will no longer pay prescription charges for their medication. For those living with cancer, who often pay upwards of £100 a year, this crucially means one less worry at such a difficult time. The move will benefit over 1,900 people diagnosed with cancer in Lambeth and up to 150,000 nationally.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, welcomed the changes:

“This illustrates Labour’s commitment to delivering a world-class health service in our area. Preventative care is crucial in making us a healthier society and reducing health inequalities. These are improvements which we can all be proud of.”

The announcements follow the news that Lambeth PCT has been ranked among the very best in the country by the Healthcare Commission, and that waiting times are at their shortest both locally and nationally since records began.

Details of a series of measures coming into force this year, which will transform the service the NHS provides have been announced by Health Secretary Alan Johnson (pictured above with Chuka and Keith Hill, MP for Streatham).

As part of an ambitious national programme of preventative care, health checks will become free for everyone between the ages of 40 and 74. The assessments identify people’s risk to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes, and have the potential to stop 1,600 heart attacks and strokes and save up to 650 lives each year. Diabetes will be detected earlier in patients, which can prevent sufferers from developing Type 2 diabetes. The health checks will also enable people to receive personalised advice on how to lower risks and stay healthy.

The government has also announced a new tool in the fight against MRSA, as hospitals will now offer screening for the infection for all patients. This will reduce the risks to patients and the likelihood of infections spreading within hospitals. MRSA rates are already falling nationally, while King’s College Hospital has seen a 64% reduction in infections over the past four years.

Also coming into force are free prescription charges for cancer sufferers. For those living with cancer, who often pay upwards of £100 a year for medication, this means one less worry at such a difficult time. The move will benefit over 1,900 people diagnosed with cancer in Lambeth and up to 150,000 nationally.

These important changes illustrate Labour’s commitment to delivering a world-class health service in our area. Emphasising preventative care is crucial in making us a more healthy society and in reducing health inequality. Following the news that Lambeth PCT has been ranked among the very best in the country by the healthcare commission, and that waiting times are at their shortest both locally and nationally since records began, these are improvements which we can all be proud of.

Christians Against Poverty is a charity reaching out to those stuggling with debt. It operates through a network of advice centres based in churches, including in Tulse Hill at Holy Trinity & St Matthias Church, where Keith Hill MP holds surgeries.  The charity offers a debt counselling service which empowers people to help themselves out of poverty and eases the burden of overwhelming debts.

CAP’s support workers help those with debt problems by working out sustainable budgets based on income and living expenses, ensuring that essential bills are prioritised. Because the charity is recognised within the finance industry, it is able to work with creditors to stop unfair interest and charges where possible for those who need help. The charity can set up a CAP account, meaning debtors can pay a weekly or monthly sum through CAP to cover all their bills and debts in affordable repayments, allowing them to work their way out of debt without feeling pressured. This helps those who have experienced debt problems to get back their self-respect and take control of their lives again. Christians Against Poverty’s advice is free, non-judgmental and open to those from all backgrounds.

The charity has just been named – for the second year running – the Sunday Times best small company to work for and the Tulse Hill Centre was runner up at the CAP annual conference for best new centre. Chuka and Keith applaud their work and wish them every success in the future.

For more information, visit the website: CAP

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, congratulates NHS staff in Lambeth on the latest waiting list figures.

The NHS now has the shortest waits since its records began, Labour Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced on Thursday (26 March 2009).

New data shows that in Lambeth and across England the NHS has met its target to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP – an achievement which was unimaginable 12 years ago. Commenting on the figures, Umunna (pictured, right, with Johnson) said:

“This is a tremendous achievement by NHS clinicians and staff in Lambeth who should be proud of the difference their hard work has made to the experience of every NHS patient.

“Achieving the shortest waits since NHS records began has made a huge difference to patients’ experiences of the NHS. In the 1990s it was not uncommon for people to wait 18 months or more for their operation – with some people dying on the waiting list.

“The NHS is one of our country’s greatest achievements and I will always stand up for it. I’m proud that over the last 12 years, we have made sure the NHS has the staff it needs and backed them to deliver improvements in standards and driving down waits. Today’s news is further evidence that this investment has worked.”

This latest news also follows the roll out of extended GP opening hours which the government has made a priority. 44 of the 52 GP practices in Lambeth offer extended opening hours including the Exchange Surgery and Streatham High Practice both situated in the new Gracefield Gardens Health Centre in Streatham, one of 152 new GP led health centres opened or opening across the country.