After cutting services through Earlsfield station for commuters since the pandemic, South Western Railway have announced that no services will run through Earlsfield from 19 December until 2 January, ostensibly due to industrial action.

SWR is keeping 28 stations open in London through this period, of which 21 have lower passenger usage than Earlsfield. Only big hubs, such as Clapham Junction, Wimbledon and Waterloo, have higher passenger numbers than Earlsfield - this is simply not good enough!

Add your name to my open letter calling for an immediate reconsideration of the decision not to run services through Earlsfield and a full explanation of why this decision was taken in the first place.

Today, Justin Madders MP and I met with the Retail trade union Usdaw and a group of retail workers in Westminster to talk about how the cost-of-living crisis, rising violence and abuse in stores, and the impact of Christmas holiday trade is affecting the mental health of customers and colleagues.

Far too many people are facing this Christmas period worried about how to provide for their families. With so many Usdaw members having their mental health impacted as a result of the cost-of-living crisis and increased levels of abuse in the workplace, it is deeply important that we, as politicians, take the time to listen.

Recently, I visited the fantastic team at Love Triangle, a brilliant pizza restaurant situated between Balham and Tooting Bec. 

They’ve been selling pizza to the community for two and a half years now, but things are getting increasingly difficult. 

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting small businesses hard, with customers having less money to spend to things such as meals out, and the cost of energy and supplies rising astronomically. 

Will, who owns Love Triangle, told me that despite trying many different creative ways to stay afloat, things are only getting more difficult. Love Triangle have tried different opening times, and an array of different promotions and deals to help combat the challenges, but it is still far from easy, just to keep their head above water. 

The rising  cost of food and energy, coupled with the reduction in disposable income for many is proving a difficult picture to navigate.

Speaking to Will, and other business owners in our community, one message stands out. It is crucial to support local businesses where you can, or we risk losing more of our fantastic local businesses from Tooting, and across the country. 

Watch my visit to Love Triangle here:
https://twitter.com/DrRosena/status/1599084624847642624?s=20&t=xq-atIy2mtAe0cDqI51dLw