10 things we did this year…

…launched ‘Take One’ Apprenticeship Scheme
At the end of November, in partnership with South Thames College I launched a new apprenticeship scheme for local small businesses.

During my election campaign, I promised to champion local businesses and promote apprenticeships. I am delivering on that promise and will continue to work with South Thames College to see successful apprenticeships set up.

 …worked with young people in Tooting
I want to ensure that all young people in Tooting are getting the best start in life possible. To do this I met with a group of young men to discuss what can be done in Tooting, and further afield, to empower young people to create opportunities. There was a great discussion and I plan to move forward with this work.

 …started to tackle fly-tipping in Tooting
Fly-tipping is a major problem in the Tooting area. Hundreds of local people joined my campaign to help combat it. Huge thank you to everyone who got involved, we made a real difference.

After discussions, the Council announced in October that they would be drafting in more prevention officers, deploying mobile CCTV units to hotspots and ensuring perpetrators are fined. We also managed to get the chewing gum removed from the pavement area outside Tooting Broadway Station.

 …celebrated with Ronald McDonald House
St George's Hospital Ronald McDonald House turned ten in September. This organisation does some fantastic work for families going through toughest times. I was delighted to be invited to present a funding cheque this week as well as having worked with them throughout the year.

 …suffered because of Southern Rail
In my first 100 days of being MP for Tooting, Southern Rail services have arrived late more than two-thirds of the time. I have written to the Transport Secretary and joined calls from Sadiq Khan pushing the Government to hand over control of the franchise to TfL.

 …donated to refugees in Calais
At the start of September I drove to the Jungle Refugee Camp in Calais. So many Tooting businesses and residents donated food and supplies for the visit, the response was incredible. See the video here

The situation in Syria is devastating and I recently spoke about the situation in Aleppo, you can watch it here.

 …supported Gatwick expansion
In August, I met with the Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport, Stewart Wingate, to discuss the potential expansion of Gatwick Airport.

I am disappointed the Government gave Heathrow the go-ahead. Gatwick expansion would create thousands of new jobs, disrupt less homes with night flights, provide easier access for more people and lower costs. I believe Gatwick is the right option for expansion.

 …campaigned to bring Crossrail 2 to Tooting
Balham doesn’t want Crossrail 2, Tooting does – together we’ve campaigned to try and make this happen.

With a decision expected to be made in spring next year, I will keep on pressing the Government and Mayor of London to ensure Crossrail 2 comes to Tooting. We must ensure it works for everyone. Community assets must be protected, affordable homes built and disruption during construction kept to a minimum.

 …held negotiations over Earlsfield Station closure
With Earlsfield Station scheduled to close for three weeks next August, with your support I have been negotiating for South West Trains to ensure local people don’t face too much disruption.

This has the potential to cause a commuting nightmare for thousands of local residents. I want South West Trains to provide a dedicated Rail Replacement Bus from Earlsfield Station to Wandsworth Common or Clapham Junction but they have not yet agreed and are still looking into it.

They have a draft agreement with TfL for extra 77 buses to be put on but I don’t think this provides enough capacity to deal with the amount of commuters and is quite inconvenient.

 …stood up for our NHS
Over 3,000 signed my letter to Theresa May, demanding she halted imposing new contracts on Junior Doctors. I’ve challenged the Government on many things over the last few months.

St George’s Hospital went into Special Measures, I’ve met with the Board and am confident they have a plan in place to deal with the issues but ultimately the Government are stripping the NHS back to the bone and without adequate funding the situation will only get worse.