Chuka Umunna MP

Commenting on the independent review of the IPCC’s investigation into the death of Sean Rigg, Chuka Umunna MP said:

The findings in this review completely vindicate the dogged determination Sean Rigg’s family have shown in getting to the bottom of what happened to him, and the review supports the serious criticism that has been made of the IPCC’s investigation.

I am pleased that the IPCC have accepted that their investigation and report into Sean’s death, and the events leading to it which occurred in my constituency, should have been more robust. The recognition by the IPCC that they need to develop and change their approach is welcome.

The important thing going forward is for those much needed recommendations this review outlines to be adopted by the IPCC to rebuild public trust and confidence. We will be watching developments closely to ensure that the review’s recommendations are properly implemented.

Lambeth MP Chuka Umunna has said that it would be intolerable if Clapham Fire Station closed and written to Boris Johnson to urge the Mayor to stand up to the Government to save the Station.

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) is consulting on the Draft Fifth London Safety Plan, which includes proposals on how £28.8m of savings could be made, involving the closure of 12 fire stations, including Clapham Fire Station, and the removal of 18 pumping appliances.

Clapham Fire Station, which provides coverage for constituents of Mr Umunna’s, is one of the 12 fire stations facing closure. Mr Umunna has written to Boris Johnson and Brandon Lewis, the Minister responsible for the Liberal Democrat/Conservative cuts. The MP told Mr Lewis that his ‘actions and decisions risk putting public safety in my constituency at risk’, urging him to rethink his plans.

In his letter to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, Mr Umunna wrote that ‘It seems certain that the proposals for a closure of Clapham Fire Station will lead to a lower level of protection for my constituents, and I find it intolerable that the people I represent could be put at risk for the sake of the government’s failing and discredited deficit reduction plan.’

Referring to the threat to Clapham station and the steps being taken by the Government which could lead to the privatisation of fire and rescue services, Mr Umunna told the Mayor that ‘I urge you to finally intervene and stand up for London against the irresponsible cuts and threat of privatisation from Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in Government’. 

The MP is urging local residents to respond to the consultation before the deadline of May 19 2012.

Commenting, Chuka Umunna MP said:

“Every second counts when it comes to tackling fires. It is intolerable that the government’s failing and discredited deficit reduction plan means it will take firefighters longer to get to my constituents in an emergency. 

Boris Johnson should stand up for London, not stand idly by whilst Liberal Democrats and Conservatives make cuts to vital frontline services – I want as many people as possible to respond to the consultation to make it crystal clear that we think Clapham Fire Station must stay open after this plan is finalised.”

Following the news of the fatal collision that occurred in Streatham Hill yesterday afternoon, Streatham MP Chuka Umunna has said:

I was deeply saddened to learn of the heart breaking tragedy that happened in the heart of our community in Streatham Hill yesterday afternoon.

My thoughts, and the thoughts of everyone living locally, are with the family of this young girl at this very difficult time.

Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna is to lead a trade mission, with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to Nigeria and Ghana from May 13-17.

The mission, which will visit Lagos in Nigeria and Accra in Ghana, gives small and medium sized businesses the opportunity to meet prospective clients as well as business organisations in both countries.

Africa has the fastest-growing middle class in the world, set to grow to 1.1 billion by 2060. Seven of the 10 fastest growing in the world are in Africa. Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in Africa and it is estimated that it will surpass South Africa as the continent’s largest economy by 2016.

The trip will coincide with UKTI’s export week, which is designed to help businesses export.

Commenting, Streatham MP & Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP said:

“London’s large Diaspora communities, historic links and deep cultural ties mean that we are uniquely placed to make the most of the strong economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa – our links give us a unique advantage to make the most of the enormous increase in demand and export opportunities emerging there so that local businesses at home can grow and create jobs in our community.

A lot of emphasis is rightly put on the need to increase our exports to countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China, but it’s also crucial that we push to boost trade with the next generation of emerging economies which include a large number of countries in Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to achieve a growth rate of over 5 per cent over the next two years and Africa’s middle class is forecast to grow to over 1 billion over the next five decades – a whole lot of demand that our area and our country has huge potential to make the most of.

That’s why I am looking forward to leading this trade mission for UK businesses to Nigeria and Ghana. We want this trade mission to help build stronger links between the economies of West Africa and the UK, and I am determined to do whatever I can to help make that happen.”

Commenting, Chief Executive of the LCCI Colin Stanbridge said:

“It is very clear that in order to drive growth we need to get companies exporting their products and services to a range of emerging markets.  We need to be grasping opportunities in these markets and encouraging more companies to get involved in exporting. 

“West Africa offers a huge market for British goods and I hope that the companies on our mission are able to make the most of all the opportunities on offer.”

Chuka Umunna MP wrote the following column for the April 26 edition of the South London Press.

Streatham High Road in my constituency is the longest High Street in Europe. It has fantastic shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. These businesses work because a huge number of people work incredibly hard to make them a success.

I believe passionately in the future of our High Road. Making sure that there is a positive future for businesses from all over our area has always been a huge priority for me as an MP. It is the reason I backed the campaign for the Streatham Business Improvement District (BID) from the very beginning.

The Streatham BID will bring together local businesses to get the best for the future of the High Road and surrounding area. It will mean more people will visit Streatham, more people will shop in local shops, more resources will be put into protecting our businesses from crime and more savings will be found from the cost of key services.

I am delighted that local businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating the BID and it was an honour to host their official launch in the House of Commons last week.

As well as being in the fantastic position of being able to support great local initiatives like the BID, I know it is crucial that the government gives our community more power to help ourselves.

One thing that local constituents and businesses bring up with me again and again is that they feel powerless to control the direction of local high streets. I know there is huge concern that some streets in our area are steadily filling up with betting shops and payday loan companies that take advantage of our community, rather than help us.

I know how frustrating that feels.

It is true that communities are powerless, say, if a high street bank closes down and a payday loans company moves in. Lambeth Council is powerless to stop it because they are classed as the same kind of business.

Labour would change that.

We would make it possible for communities to have a say, giving local authorities the power to place some premises in a separate planning category. This would allow them to refuse planning permission for things like new betting shops on the grounds that would constitute a change of use.

I have lost count of the number of constituents who tell me they want our local area to have this kind of power. I totally agree with them. I am absolutely determined to see our area thrive. Labour’s proposals for new powers over the make-up of places like our high streets will be hugely important in helping us to do that.

Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence, Chuka Umunna MP said:

Stephen’s murder serves as a reminder to us all and generations to come that we can never be complacent about defeating prejudice and hatred, whatever form it takes. As a country we will forever be in debt to the Lawrence Family for refusing to give up ensuring those who were guilty of Stephen’s murder were brought to justice – in so doing, they have transformed race relations in this country.

“Furthermore, out of tragedy Doreen and the Lawrence Family have built the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust to serve as a lasting legacy, capturing the spirit of what Stephen was all about – a fine young man taken in his prime and who had huge potential. It is fitting that the Trust is now focused on nurturing the potential in our talented young people and providing them with a platform to reach for the stars. The Trust deserves and it has our 1000% support.

Commenting on the news that the Greyhound Lane Bridge will reopen on May 7th, Chuka Umunna MP said:

“The area around Streatham Vale and Greyhound Lane has been hit really hard by Network Rail’s mishandling of the works to Streatham Common Station, but businesses in the area have shown absolute determination and admirable resolve to bounce back, and I know many have been buoyed by the strong community response.

“It is a huge relief that Network Rail have now said that the Bridge will be fully reopened by 7^th May and that businesses and local residents, including those taking their children to school, will not have months of contra-flow affecting them day to day.

“I have huge confidence that the local business community can recover from this, and they have my strongest support as they seek to do so.” 

Around 17,000 Lambeth residents will receive a council tax demand for the first time following the decision of the LibDem/Conservative government to cut support in place to help people to pay their council tax bills. 20,758 Lambeth households will face a reduction in financial support from April 2013.

In the 2010 Spending Review the Government announced that it would ‘localise’ support for individuals paying council tax, and reduce overall spending on this by 10%. In 2013/14 Lambeth will therefore receive £2.6 million less to give out to help people pay their council tax bills.

There are currently 36,000 Lambeth residents in receipt of Council Tax Benefit and Lambeth will be able to continue to help pensioners, many disabled people, war widows and widowers, carers and some families to pay their council tax. However, the Government’s decision will mean that even though the Borough has been able to ensure that Council Tax levels will be frozen for 6 consecutive years, approximately 17,000 residents will soon receive a Council Tax demand for the first time.

There will be reduced financial support through Council Tax Benefits for 20,758 Lambeth households. Lambeth has been writing to all Council Tax Benefit recipients to inform them of the upcoming changes. Lambeth MPs Chuka Umunna, Kate Hoey and Tessa Jowell are all opposed to the decision of the Liberal Democrat/Conservative government to cut Council Tax Benefit funding by 10%.

The cut in support from central government for Lambeth is greater than that faced by over 90% of local authorities. Lord Jenkin of Roding, the architect of the original Poll Tax under Margaret Thatcher, has likened the Liberal Democrat/Conservative Government’s changes to Council Tax Benefit to the Poll Tax.

Commenting, Chuka Umunna MP said:

“When Labour Councillors have worked so hard so that Lambeth will be able to keep council tax frozen for six consecutive years it is an absolute disgrace that Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are using their power in government to raise taxes on our poorest residents and drag so many thousands into paying council tax for the first time – This attack on our community shows that the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are both heartless and hopeless when it comes to protecting our community.”

“I am deeply concerned about the impact these changes will have on my constituents, for many of whom these charges will be a complete bolt out of the blue – I would urge anyone worried about whether these charges affect them to contact the Council on 020 7926 1000 or view the information provided online.”

Commenting, Tessa Jowell MP said:

“Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in government found the money to give away a £100,000 pound tax cut to those earning millions at the same time as they chose to hike council tax payments for many thousands of Lambeth residents – I and my colleagues in the Labour Party are clear that these funding cuts are a huge mistake and should be reversed.

“I am extremely worried that these charges will be totally unexpected and that people will simply not be able to pay or be pushed into using expensive payday loans to absorb the huge increase to their monthly outgoings.”

Commenting, Kate Hoey MP said:

“Many of my constituents will get a huge shock when they realise they are going to have to find the money for Council tax for the first time this year. Lambeth has been hit really hard by these changes to funding. It is just not a fair allocation of funding from Government and those who can least afford to pay will be the ones who suffer. We will continue to campaign for the Government to reverse the cut and to recognise that Lambeth is being unfairly penalised.”

Streatham MP and Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has written to Boris Johnson, referring to his previous use of the phrase “namby-pamby health and safety”, after it was revealed Transport for London are adopting a zero tolerance approach to Advertising Boards on some of London’s most prestigious High Streets, including Streatham High Road, Europe’s longest High Street.

Mr Umunna wrote to Mr Johnson following a meeting with members of Streatham’s new Business Improvement District, who reported how concerned local business owners were after being told they would have to take down advertising boards outside their shops, even though local businesses are permitted to use tables and chairs outside.

TfL have selected a limited number of the highest profile ‘prestige category’ footways where they have considered it “practicable to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ approach’ to the use of advertising boards on the footway, where action is taken against each offender regardless of  how much or how little they obstruct the footway.”

Mr Umunna wrote to the Mayor of London that ‘In the context of our country’s current economic difficulties, a ‘zero tolerance’ approach requiring small business owners to remove advertising boards used to attract passing trade and meaning many will have to pay to replace them with other forms of advertising, seems to be far from what people expect of a Mayor who I think whole city wants to see properly focused on economic growth and action to help London businesses.’

Commenting, Streatham MP and Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna, said:

“Health and Safety is incredibly important, but adopting a zero tolerance approach to advertising boards put up by small businesses in my constituency who are working incredibly hard in a challenging economic environment is not.

“Businesses in my constituency need a Mayor that backs them. Given Boris Johnson’s previous comments on health and safety it’s likely most people in London will astonished that this sort of thing is happening under his watch. I hope he will reconsider and spend a bit more time doing the hard work needed to help businesses I represent and a bit less time standing idly by while a Conservative-led government makes life harder.”

“Advertising boards are really useful because they allow businesses in my constituency to advertise their fantastic products to passersby. Removing advertising boards when tables and chairs are permitted seems frankly ridiculous.” 

Chuka Umunna MP wrote the following column  for this month’s edition of the Brixton Bugle

We are living through a cost of living crisis – people throughout our community are living with the reality that prices are rising, wages are stagnating and new work and new jobs that are all too scarce.

Our community is full of enterprising, dynamic, hardworking people, so I am positive about our future and what we can achieve. But the cost of living crisis is hurting our community now; month-to-month people are struggling to pay their bills and get by, especially when it comes to paying for the high cost of transport, housing and energy.

I passionately believe that the government needs to act to ease the cost of living crisis, but the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are not choosing not to do so. Worse, they are choosing to take action that not only fails to help, but that will make the crisis much worse for some of our most vulnerable residents.

This April, around 17000 people in Lambeth will have to pay council tax for the first time, because Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in government chose to slash more than £2.5million from the amount it gives the council to help make sure the poorest do not have to pay – almost 21,000 households in total will have to pay more as a result.

These policies, and a number of others, will come in this April. They are ill-thought out, badly designed choices that pay no heed to the needs of our community. I am resolutely opposed and intensely worried. People who are being placed in this situation will now have to somehow find a way to make ends meet and deal with what is being imposed on them by the Government this April. I would urge everybody worried about these changes to contact the Council on 020 7926 1000 or view the information provided online.

I will continue to do everything I can in Parliament to stop the Government taking from hard working middle and lower income families at the same time they have been giving out tax cuts in excess of £107,000 to people earning millions of pounds – choices they make like these are unfair and wrong.