WES STREETING ANNUAL REPORT FROM MP FOR ILFORD NORTH STANDING UP FOR ILFORD NORTH READ MORE INSIDE! Welcome to my annual report for the 2018-19 period. It's been quite a year! While Brexit has dominated the headlines, I've been working in Parliament and in our community on all the issues that matter - including Brexit. Promoted by Matt Goddin on behalf of Wes Streeting both at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, IG4 5EP. Printed by Print Express, Suite 1, Congress House, 14 Lyon Rd, HA1 2EN WES STREETING ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 WHAT A YEAR IN PARLIAMENT IF I CAN HELP, JUST LET ME KNOW... "I DON'T JUST CALL ROUND AT ELECTION TIME” KEEP IN REGULAR CONTACT BY LIKING MY FACEBOOK PAGE: 'WES STREETING MP' Standing up for Ilford North wes@redbridgelabour.org.uk FREEPOST WES STREETING www.wesstreeting.org 020 3475 7901 There isn't a street in Ilford North where me and my team haven't helped someone. People write to me or call me for help with all sorts of issues, from local issues like community safety or problems on their streets or personal problems like housing or disability issues. I also receive thousands of e-mails and letters about local, national and international issues that matter to t hem. Please do keep in touch with me if you think I might be able to help or if you want me to raise a matter in Parliament. I'm happy to help. With my volunteers and local councillors, I knock on doors throughout the year and deliver newsletters and feedback via Facebook. I don't just call at election time! my work throughout the last year. It feels like we could be in for a general election at any moment, but - alongside the doorknocking, community events, advice surgeries and newsletters I do - this is my usual annual report and I don't just call at election time! If and when a general election is called, I will be back in touch to ask for your support. Until then, don't hesitate t o get in touch if you need my assistance or if you would like to raise any issues of interest. I don't even know where to begin in trying to make sense of the past year in Parliament. Brexit has dominated everything. It's now claimed its second Prime Minister and we're now on our third. It has sucked the oxygen out of everything else. Throughout the chaos, I've tried to keep my focus firmly on the best interests of our community and our country - not just on Brexit, but on the wide range of issues that affect us all. From campaigning for more Police on the streets to finally - FINALLY - winning our campaign to save King George A&E, I've been active in Parliament and in our community. This report provides a n overview of WE NEED MORE BOBBIES ON THE BEAT FOCUS ON TACKLING BURGLARY I'm pleased to report that the numbers of burglaries in Redbridge have fallen significantly in the last year thanks to a solid effort from police, Redbridge Council and committed residents who've set up new Neighbourhood Watch schemes, Street Watch and neighbourhood patrols. There's no room for complacency and I want to reassure you that I will be keeping up the pressure to make sure that tackling burglary remains a priority. One burglary is one too many. I know from talking to victims of burglary that this crime has a lasting effect - beyond the theft of valuables and sentimental items - on how people feel about their safety. We all have a right to feel safe in our own homes and this will remain a priority for me. Pensioners' free TV licences at risk I am absolutely appalled by the Conservative Government's attempt to scrap free TV licences for pensioners and have joined the chorus of opposition in Parliament. The Conservatives promised in their manifesto that the free TV licence would be kept. They have broken their promise and I will keep on fighting to save it for every pensioner. STANDING UP FOR ILFORD NORTH ALL YEAR ROUND - I DON'T JUST CALL AT ELECTION TIME! During the last nine years, the Conservatives have cut more than 21,000 police officers - as well as PCSOs and p olice staff. Crime has risen as a direct result. This year, I launched a new campaign - 'Redbridge Needs More Bobbies on the Beat' - calling for more police on our streets. I've raised questions in Parliament, put pressure on ministers to deliver more police and met with senior p olice officers, including the Met Police Commissioner to discuss how we can make Redbridge safer. Thanks to pressure, the Prime Minister has promised 20,000 more police officers. We'll believe it when we see it. But even if he keeps his promise, this will mean fewer police officers than we had when the Tories came to power and they won't be able to replace the experienced officers we lost for years. Thanks to the Mayor of London, we do have new officers joining our Safer Neighbourhood Teams. You can rest assured that I will continue to fight your corner. Pensioners really value their free TV licence. It helps keep bills down and helps to stretch the pension further. For some, their TV can be the only company they have during the day. Young people declare climate emergency I was delighted to hear from many local schools about their plans to reduce car travel Fed up with the Government's inaction on taxi and private hire licensing reforms My patience has run out with the Government over its failure to introduce reforms to the system of taxi and private hire licensing rules that the Government has accepted are necessary. Over 1,000 people in Ilford North are professional drivers of one kind or another - including over 500 licensed taxi drivers. As founder and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis, I outlined the case for reform in a landmark report, the Government's own review accepted almost all of our recommendations and the Government has still failed to legislate. I won't stop campaigning until they do. It's in drivers' and passengers' interest. BREXIT IS A TOTAL MESS At the time of writing the future is unclear. However you voted in the referendum, I think we can all agree that the Government has made a total mess of Brexit. My view is very simple. If we are to leave the EU, it would be better to leave with a deal in an orderly way. 'No Deal' would be a disaster that risks jobs, trade, supply of food and medicines and security co- operation. This is such a big decision that I believe that everyone should have the final say on Brexit - not just 650 MPs. My view was - and still is - that Britain would be better off as members of the European Union. I would campaign for remaining again. I know some disagree, but I want to be honest with you. KEEP IN REGULAR CONTACT BY LIKING MY FACEBOOK PAGE: 'WES STREETING MP' Campaigning for more funding for our schools I really enjoy visiting local schools, but there isn't a visit that goes by now without head teachers and governors raising the impact of school funding pressures with me. We have great local schools and I'm proud that we have every type of school serving our community, but pupils' education is put at risk if they aren't properly funded. Heads have been forced to cut staff, cut subjects and extracurricular activities. This isn't fair on pupils, staff or governors. I'm fighting for EVERY school to receive an increase in base funding and proper funding to meet special educational needs. The climate emergency is now on the political agenda thanks to inspiring young people fighting for our planet's future. Throughout the year, I've been bowled over by the quality of the presentations and questions put to me by young people across our community. They've raised crucial issues like air quality, biodiversity, recycling and the risks to our planet if we fail to act. William Torbitt Primary School and Oakdale Junior School have been awarded £10,000 each to tackle poor air quality, whilst Glade Primary, Clore Tikva Primary, Parkhill Juniors, and Caterham and King Solomon High Schools showcased their work as part of the Redbridge Air Action project supported by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. TOGETHER WE'VE SAVED KING GEORGE A&E BIG WIN FOR WHIPPS CROSS REBUILD PLAN Improvements to our parks and open spaces One of the best things about living in Redbridge is our access to great parks. This year we've seen new play and fitness equipment installed in Clayhall Park, Ray Park and Elmhurst Gardens and the Aqua Park at Fairlop Waters over the summer was a great success. I'm also proud that the Hainault Forest Masterplan that I helped get off the ground during my time on Redbridge Council has now been awarded £1.2 million to improve the facilities there and grow the ancient woodland. Whipps Cross Hospital is in desperate need of redevelopment. I'm delighted that Barts Health NHS Trust have won a funding bid for £350 million to help fund their proposals to modernise the hospital. I fully supported this bid and made representations to the Government calling on them to fund the redevelopment so that Whipps Cross Hospital is there for us for many years to come. Over 10,000 people signed my petition to save King George A&E. STANDING UP FOR ILFORD NORTH ALL YEAR ROUND - I DON'T JUST CALL AT ELECTION TIME! I also want to make sure that we’re recruiting and retaining the very best staff here in Redbridge. I remain vigilant to any future threats to services. Whipps Cross Hospital - Photo by Secretlondon [CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)] The Tory plan to close King George A&E has finally been abandoned thank s to our c ommunity campaign to save it. More than10,000 people signed my parliamentary petition, and thousands more besides have attended marches and public meetings to save King George A&E. NHS leaders have confirmed that the closure will not be going ahead and that their plans for King George Hospital will include a 24-7 type 1 A&E service. This is a great victory for people power. When I was first elected as Ilford North’s MP, I was told that we would never win, but we have! My focus now is on improving GP access, reducing waiting times and improving the quality of care received by patients. Leading Parliament's response to Islamophobia The appalling attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, brought home to us a painful reminder that hatred breeds violence. Hate crime and discrimination against Muslims is on the rise in the UK. That's why I was proud to launch the first ever cross-party working definition of Islamophobia, as co-chair of the All-Party We held consultation events across the UK, including one at the Gardens of Peace in Hainault KEEP IN REGULAR CONTACT BY LIKING MY FACEBOOK PAGE: 'WES STREETING MP' Supporting our Armed Forces locally and nationally This year I've been proud to join the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, spending time with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines around the UK and overseas. It was a fascinating insight into the brave men and women who serve our country and the work they do - not just in conflict situations, but in patrolling the high seas, keeping shipping routes safe from piracy and assisting in humanitarian relief work. I was also delighted this year to have been made Honorary President of 241 Squadron Air Cadets. We are lucky to have the largest air cadet units in the country on our doorstep. Our uniformed services give young people unparalleled opportunities for personal development. Those involved are truly exceptional. Four years running as one of Parliament's most active MPs! This year I've kept up my record as one of Parliament's most active MPs. The number of debates I've spoken in was well above average and the number of questions I've put to Government have also been above average. As a member of the influential Treasury Committee I've taken part in a range of inquiries, from economic crime that harms businesses and customers through to green finance, as well as questioning senior figures like the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England. Most of my work in Parliament is focused on domestic issues that affect our day-to- day lives, but I also raise foreign policy issues raised with me by local residents - from the human rights situation in Sri Lanka to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and the impact it has also had on Bangladesh. If you ever want to know my views on any issue, or would like me to raise an issue on your behalf, don't hesitate to contact me. CONTACT ME E-mail me wes@redbridgelabour.org.uk Write to me at FREEPOST WES STREETING Phone the office on 020 3475 7901 even in our own community - from attacks on places of worship to violence directed at people who are Muslim or who are perceived to be Muslim. Let's stand together against hate. I'm proud Redbridge Council have signed up. Find out more about the definition at islamophobia- definition.com. Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. Our APPG definition provides examples of the sorts of behaviour that should not be tolerated. It doesn't prevent legitimate criticism of religious ideas, but does seek to protect people and places from the sorts of incidents that we have seen in recent years - STANDING UP FOR ILFORD NORTH ALL YEAR ROUND - I DON'T JUST CALL AT ELECTION TIME! With Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader of Redbridge Council, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan Improving local public transport for our community MY PLEDGE TO PROTECT OUR GREEN BELT I was proud to support the Save Oakfield campaign and delighted that it has protected playing pitches on the Green Belt for future generations. When it was proposed to bring some of London's most famous markets to Redbridge, I saw the opportunity in the proposals, but it was clear that any development on the Green Belt could not command public support. I know how strongly local residents feel about protecting our local Green Belt, which is why I have pledged to "defend the Redbridge green belt for current and future generations and to oppose any plans to build on it". I have also raised concerns with TFL and the British Transport Police about bus safety - in response to concerns from young people on my visits to schools. No one should feel unsafe on public transport. well as those with prams and luggage. As a fellow C entral L ine passenger I, too, have been victim to the unreasonably hot and packed commutes to work this year and I met This year step-free access opened at Newbury Park and South Woodford tube stations, making our part of the C entral L ine network more accessible for disabled and older residents, as to upgrade our trains. I'm delighted to report that the Mayor of London is planning improvements to local bus routes serving Hainault, Gants Hill and Ilford. T ransport F or L ondon to bring forward plans with the tube bosses to discuss the situation. They've made some timetabling changes to try and reduce congestion and I've made it clear that I want Priorities for the Keep up to date via by liking my Facebook page! Yes No Maybe MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS What would you like me to be working on as your MP? name phone email address Other CAMPAIGN FOR GREATER SCHOOL FUNDING IMPROVE ACCESS TO NHS SERVICES I'll be pressing for more GPs and investment in Whipps Cross and King George hospitals FIGHT FOR INVESTMENT IN LOCAL SERVICES I'll be pressing Government to reverse cuts to local councils that have left services more stretched than ever VOTE FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON BREXIT Brexit divides opinion and will affect us for generations, which is why everyone should get the final say In 2017 I voted: Now I’m voting: Labour Labour Tory Tory Lib Dem Lib Dem Other Brexit Didn't Vote Don't Know I want to know about your priorities... Please return the completed form to: FREEPOST WES STREETING (That's all you need to write on the envelope) I’d like to register as a Labour supporter Could you help me stay in touch by delivering leaflets down your street? 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For the Labour Party’s full privacy policy and how we use your data please see: labour.org.uk/pages/privacy I'll be demanding an increase in funding for all Redbridge schools to get the funding they need YEAR AHEAD I'll be fighting to make sure that Redbridge gets more po lice officers on the beat to keep us safe Promoted by Matthew Goddin on behalf of Wes Streeting MP at 12a Highview Parade, Woodford Avenue, IG4 5EP. Printed by Print Express, Suite 1, Congress House, 14 Lyon Rd, HA1 2EN