Chuka Umunna MP

Dear Resident

Like the public in general I have been horrified at the evidence of abuse of the parliamentary allowances system. As an MP representing an inner London seat, with my home in Streatham, I knew nothing of the scope for manipulation of the second home arrangement and was amazed to learn of the £400 monthly food allowance. I eat all my meals in the week at the House of Commons and it had never occurred to me that an MP would not pay out of his or her own pocket for them.

I wanted to be an MP because I believed it to be a noble and decent activity and I have always tried to do the right thing. Now, alas, we are all contaminated and I shall retire next year from a tainted institution.

However, because the elected House of Commons is the lynch pin of our democracy we must act firmly to establish its integrity in relation to expenses and salaries. The Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the chairmanship of Sir Christopher Kelly, is due to report on expenses in the autumn. It seems likely that it will recommend an independent body to determine the nature and size of expenses and their independent audit – I shall support such proposals.

It seems to me blindingly obvious that MPs should not be voting either on their allowances or on their salaries. Indeed, in the mid 1990s I was one of the MPs who voted for their pay to be decided by the independent Senior Salaries Review Board and this was also the recommendation in Sir John Baker’s report on MPs’ salaries last summer. I hope we can stick with the independent determination of MPs’ pay instead of governments repeatedly meddling.

I have written at greater length about this issue on my website and would invite you to visit it at www.keithhill.org.uk for further details. However, I write now simply to reassure you that there has been no abuse of parliamentary expenses here in Streatham. Our local Labour Party is not of great means. Chuka Umunna, a local boy and our new parliamentary candidate, has spent just under £15K on his campaign to date, less than one fifth of that spent by other political parties in this area. His campaign is mainly funded from small donations from local people, with additional funding from local trade union members. That is the way it should be.

As ever, I am at your service. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance.

Best wishes,

Keith

Rt. Hon. Keith Hill MP
Member of Parliament for Streatham

The parliamentary constituency of Streatham covers Streatham and parts of Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton.

Last week’s Budget prioritised supporting employment, families and the housing market and the government’s commitment to tackle climate change. Its emphasis was on helping people through these difficult times and taking steps to build for our future, growing our way out of recession rather than cutting our way out.

One of the most important elements of the Chancellor’s speech was the promise that our young people will not be disregarded given the risks of long-term unemployment. While in the Thatcherite 1980s a generation became trapped out of work, this week’s Budget guaranteed that everyone under the age of 25 who has been out of work for 12 months will be offered a job or a place in training. Families will also be given extra help, with a significant increase in tax credits per child. Across Streatham, this will benefit 13,740 families and 23,900 under-16s. Opportunities for tax-free savings through ISAs will be extended as the annual investment limit rises to £10,200 next year.

Budget 2009 will also reassure homeowners and buyers. To meet demand for housing and make affordable homes available for those taking their first step up on the housing ladder, the chancellor pledged a £600m funding package for the building of new homes. Additionally, this will help create jobs and boost the construction industry. The Stamp Duty holiday for homes worth under £175,000 has been extended until the end of the year to help new buyers.

This was the world’s first Carbon Budget, as required by the Climate Change Act. Accordingly, we saw large invesment in renewable energy, with a programme of £5bn funding for wind and solar energy. Low-carbon industries will benefit from £1.4bn of support, while £375m was allocated to increase energy and resource efficiency in businesses, public buildings and households over the next two years. These measures will lay the foundations of Britain’s low-carbon economy, enabling us to meet our ambitious carbon emissions targets.

The focus of the Budget reflects the need to help people and build for the future right now, rather than cutting back when people need support most.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has welcomed the government’s priorities in this week’s Budget.

In the 1980s, a generation of young people suffered the risk of long-term unemployment – we must ensure that this doesn’t happen again. That’s why the government has guaranteed that everyone under the age of 25 who has been out of work for 12 months will be offered a job or a place in training in this budget. Over 2,000 young people have already benefitted from similar measures in the Streatham constituency since 1997.

There was a boost for families too, with an increase in the value of tax credits per child. Across Streatham, this will benefit 13,740 families and 23,900 under-16s. Opportunities for tax-free savings through ISAs will be extended as the annual investment limit rises to £10,200 next year.

Budget 2009 also focussed on the needs of homeowners and buyers. In order to meet demand for housing and to make affordable homes available for those taking their first step up on the housing ladder, the chancellor has pledged a £600m funding package for the building of new homes. This will also help create jobs and boost the construction industry.

The Stamp Duty holiday for homes worth under £175,000 has been extended until the end of the year to help new buyers. At present there are over 80 properties on the market under £175,000 in the Streatham area.

This week’s Budget was the world’s first Carbon Budget, as required by the Climate Change Act. £1.4bn of targetted support was pledged for Britain’s low-carbon industries, alongside a £5bn investment programme in renewable energy, particularly wind turbines and solar power.

Commenting on how the budget will help local people, Mr Umunna said:

“This week’s Budget reflects the need to help people and build for the future right now, rather than cutting back when people need support most.

“We know that if we don’t act now, it will cost us all more in the long run, which is why, for example, we have increased tax credits for over 13,000 families in this area and for over 4000 pensioners.

“The extension of the stamp duty holiday on properties under £175,000 may not mean much to the super rich, but to first time buyers on normal incomes eying up the 80 odd properties on the market at that price here, this will be massively helpful.

“We will also be introducing a new 50% top rate of tax next year for the top 1% of earners to help pay for additional support for others – it is right that those who can afford it, pay their fair share to help those who cannot.

“We have the confidence to invest in the recovery which is surely better than talking Streatham down.”

Chuka recently spoke to Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Olympics and Member of Parliament for the neighbouring constituency of Dulwich and West Norwood, on how the 2012 Olympics will benefit people in Streatham, Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton.  You can watch the video below:

( Due to a minor fault there is a slight time delay between the sound and the visual on this video)

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.

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.

On 2 April 2009, world leaders from the G20 countries – representing 85% of the world’s output – will meet in London. They will meet against the backdrop of the worst international banking crisis in generations.

The London Summit will take place against the backdrop of exceptionally challenging economic circumstances. But, just as after the Second World War visionary leaders laid the groundwork for 30 years of prosperity and growth, built on international economic cooperation, this crisis is also an opportunity.

The world’s leading economies can come together and lay the foundations not just for a sustainable economic recovery, but also for a genuinely new era of international economic partnership – a global deal, in which all countries have a part to play and all will see the benefits.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says,
“at the G20 we will be discussing ideas to lead the world from recession to recovery, and I want people to feel not just that they have a stake in those discussions, but that they also have a say”.

So tell us below what you want to say to the G20 world leaders before the summit and we’ll make sure we pass on as many of your comments as possible.