 Today is the Spring Statement. We urgently need to tackle violent crime by boosting police numbers. Over 70% of the Met's budget comes from the Government, and so every London Labour MP co-signed my letter to the Chancellor demanding more funding for the Met Police. It is very disappointing that NO Conservative MP wanted to add their signature.
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 Happy International Women's Day!
This year I’ve been celebrating with local trailblazers. From entrepreneurs to editors, councillors to charity CEOs, Tooting has so many inspirational women. There were such inspiring discussions from our wonderful speakers and audience. It was great to hear so many women talking about their journeys to success. I'm proud to work alongside each and every one of you.  It was fantastic to be part of the International Women’s Day Panel at Ernest Bevin College this morning. The students were actively engaged with the discussions, asked insightful questions, and were clearly determined to be part of the change to create a more equal world. I look forward to returning to continue the conversation soon!
 I spoke to The Guardian about the rising numbers of homeless people who are being admitted to hospitals with largely preventable illnesses.
Thousands of homeless people in England are arriving at hospital with Victorian-era illnesses such as tuberculosis, as well as with serious respiratory conditions, liver disease and cancer, with hospital admissions for such conditions surging over the last decade. It has been a tragedy to witness the rise in emergency department attendance and hospital admissions for the homeless. This winter, waiting rooms have been brimming with people desperate for treatment for chest infections. Furthermore, whereas previously drug and alcohol support was more readily available, long referral times and no access to a fixed address has meant many are lost in the system and unable to receive help when they reach crisis point. Read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/20/nhs-england-figures-show-soaring-homeless-patient-numbers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other  Since I was first elected in June 2016, I have been dedicated to providing opportunities to vulnerable young people across Tooting. Along with South Thames College, Tooting, I launched the 'Take One' scheme to encourage local businesses to take on apprentices from Tooting to ensure that our young people have the chance to develop new skills.
With this in mind, it was fantastic to organise and take part in a breakfast meeting at South Thames College, attended by some brilliant local organisations who all shared the same goal: improving opportunities available for young people in Tooting. We discussed ways in which their work can be promoted and supported by South Thames College and the wider community. I was so pleased to see all the connections that were being made on the day. Through our network, we can set up initiatives and support each other’s projects to better meet the needs of our most vulnerable young people. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this empowering event. I can’t wait to have a follow-up meeting in a few months to see the progress we have made together! A constituent has been in touch to raise concerns regarding the quality of care provided at Brightwell Crescent. The care is provided by Hestia, who were awarded the contract around nine months ago.
I am told that since Hestia took over the provision, standards have dropped significantly. I understand residents are not receiving the required levels of support in undertaking basic daily tasks. I have also been informed that rooms are not cleaned to an acceptable standard and overall hygiene in the building is a major concern. I have outlined these concerns to Chief Executive of Hestia, Patrick Ryan, and I expect a prompt investigation. NHS staff were the previous care providers at Brightwell Crescent, and I have not been made aware of any such problems during this time. This raises the question: Why did Wandsworth Council award the contract to Hestia over the NHS? I have raised this query directly with Liz Bruce, Director of Adult Social Services for Wandsworth Council, and I have requested an overview of the tendering process. The decision to award Hestia this contract is indicative of the Conservative Council's commitment to privatisation of our local services.  Tooting Parkrun turned 3 today, and even the chilliest weather couldn't keep us away!
The organisers and volunteers do an amazing job of keeping the event going. It's a great, accesible way of keeping fit, so make sure you head to Tooting Common one weekend and get involved. Parkrun attracts people from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, and you can run at your own pace with hundreds of other enthusiasts. Check out their Twitter page for more: https://twitter.com/Tootingparkrun  Multi-sector working is crucial in tackling violent crime. This is why I held a summit in Tooting, bringing together our community groups and local authorities. Today, I urged the Government to implement a similar initiative nationwide. Watch the video here: twitter.com/DrRosena/status/1087393639196774401  Many people have been in touch about unfair fines because of technical issues with Wandsworth Council's new parking system.
Recent cases show residents were notified that they had paid for their permit, but were fined for not renewing. I was glad to secure refunds. Contact me if you've had problems. |