May Report

Queen's speech

After a two year wait, the Queen's speech was disappointingly light on content. There were 15 bills and 4 draft bills announced.

These include bills to reform the state pension; banking; the electricity market; and the House of Lords. There is also a bill on children and families which will cover a number of areas including parental leave and adoption.

There is a draft bill on social care which aims to modernise adult care; and also a draft bill which will allow police and intelligence agencies to collect data on digital communications.

Small businesses

In my speech in the debate on the Queen's speech I called on the Government to do more to help small and medium sized businesses and to tackle unemployment.

Hackney has many new start-up businesses. There are some very innovative business models, but many are struggling to get loans and often even, an overdraft facility from their bank.

It is not so much the level of a loan that is the issue but the fact that banks will not lend in the first place.

I also highlighted 12.7 per cent unemployment in Hackney.

Cooperatives

I was disappointed that the proposed Co-operatives consolidation bill was dropped. This would have provided the platform for more opportunities for mutuals and co-operatives. I also pointed out the opportunities for co-ops which could arise from the Energy and Water Bills.

Andy Coulson

I asked the Prime Minister at question time on about his former communications adviser Andy Coulson attending meetings without the necessary security clearance. I am concerned that someone without proper clearance may have had access to secret documents.

The PM gave an inadequate reply so I am following this up.

Local Government Finance Bill

The Local Government Finance bill had its report stage (when the committee amendments are reported to the main House of Commons) and third reading (when the bill is voted on in its entirety) in the House of Commons this month. The bill introduces a scheme to enable local authorities to retain a proportion of the rates paid by local businesses in their area. It also includes measures to give the responsibility of the administration of council tax benefit to councils.

This bill has been rushed through parliament without the level of scrutiny that a bill of such complexity needs.
The bill proposes a transfer of responsibility and risk to local authorities with less money and at the same time as the number of claimants is increasing. The extra cost to Hackney council, using figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government is estimated to be £3.1m in 2013/14.

The Government has claimed that local authorities will be able to recoup the cost by savings produced through reducing the benefit available to some people. London councils estimate that some London claimants particularly those of working age could see council tax benefit cut by between 14 and 30 per cent.
I am also concerned that the localisation of business rates will benefit the most well off areas of London, for example Hillingdon or Westminster who have large businesses in their area. An area like Hackney with a dominance of small and micro businesses must not lose out.

Anti-social behaviour white paper

Since May 2010 the Government have had two consultations on powers to tackle anti-social behaviour; one by the Home Office at the beginning of 2011 and one by the Department of Communities and Local Government which ended in November 2011.

The Government had promised that a bill to rationalise powers and orders would be in the Queen's speech. It has now published a white paper: Putting victims first. A white paper is a Government policy document which will often be the basis for a bill to be put before Parliament.

I have raised with ministers that anti-social behaviour orders are a useful tool to tackle the sort of criminal behaviour that can blight residents and tenants lives. The white paper introduces a new power to replace all levels of ASBO called the crime prevention injunction. This power is significantly weaker than an ASBO. A breach of the new order is not a criminal offence and does not result in a criminal record. Police or local authorities would have to pay to pursue civil proceedings against the person.

Financial Services Bill

I have written before about my concerns about payday loans (or benefit day loans) which are short-term loans aimed at people who run-out of money a few days before pay day.

These pay day loans are often at very high interest rates. They are targeted at financially vulnerable people and there is a danger that people who use them get into a spiral of further debt.

I therefore support my colleague Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow Central in her campaign against the so-called legal loan sharks who offer these high interest loans. Stella has put another amendment, this time to the financial services bill which had its third reading this month. Her amendment called again for the Government to support a cap on interest rates on pay day loans in attempt to get the Government to listen.

The vote was defeated comfortably by the Government, so there will be no cap on loans.

Listed buildings and VAT Changes

I am worried about the impact of planned changes to VAT relief on alterations to listed buildings, Hackney's heritage buildings and in particular, local places of worship. Hackney is home to many beautiful buildings including the 215 year old St John at Hackney Church.

I have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising my concerns.

Introduction of an arms trade treaty

This July final negotiations will begin on the introduction of an arms trade treaty. I know many of you have contacted me to pledge your support for this.

I agree that there should be international regulations on this global industry. Currently it is down to individual countries whether or not they have rules on arms trade. A global treaty would set clear guidelines that everyone had to stick to.

Diabetes

I had a health-check to test my potential risk of diabetes when the Diabetes UK roadshow came to Tesco on Morning Lane last week.

I was concerned to learn that in the City and Hackney area an estimated 8.1 per cent of adults have diabetes which is above the national average of 7.6 per cent. Of even greater concern is the estimated 18.9 per cent of adults in City and Hackney who remain undiagnosed.

Diabetes can be avoided and managed with a few changes in life-style.

Dangerous dogs

My colleague Chris Evans MP called a debate to discuss measures to deal with dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog ownership.

I regularly receive letters from constituents who are worried about the number of large dogs, in particular breeds like staffordshire bull terriers, and rottweilers which can be intimidating to residents.

So-called status dogs and their intimidating owners adds an atmosphere of fear in a local area like Hackney. I also understand that working dogs like guide dogs for the blind are also at risk of attack from other dogs. I support the campaigns by charities including the RSPCA and GuideDogs.

I support measures like compulsory microchipping of all dogs and proper enforcement of dog control orders to deal with dangerous dogs and to target those dog owners who are irresponsible.

Enforcement is the key to this. Just passing legislation is not enough.

De-regulation of childminding

Elizabeth Truss, MP has published a report for a think-tank called CentreForum calling for the de-regulation of child minders. She calls for "cheaper" child care and for childminders to be able to look after more children than they are able to do now. She also calls for local agencies to take over the monitoring of child minding.

There is a difference between cheap child-care and affordable child-care. I would be very concerned if quality was lost and standards reduced.

Hackney parents who I meet need affordable child care in order to work but they don't want low quality child care as a result. Also childminders I have spoken to have been pleased with the professionalisation of their job over the past few years and the value that has been given to childcarers.

I hope the Government do not take her proposals seriously. I will be keeping an eye on this debate as it progresses.

Olympic flame

I was pleased to learn that Homerton resident Sakinah Mohammed of Clapton Girls' Academy was chosen as one of five young people collecting the Olympic flame from Athens alongside Lord Coe, Princess Anne and David Beckham on the 17th May 2012.

Sakinah has been chosen due to her involvement in London 2012's Get Set education network and school linking programmes run by the British Council.

I am very proud that a young Hackney resident is able to represent her school, community and City on a global level.

Takeshi Bailey who is a sports coach on Wilton Estate and who I nominated will be one of the torch bearers when the torch comes through Hackney on 21 July.

Re-opening of Olympic park

Immediately after the finish of the para-olympic games an 18 month programme will begin to change the Olympic venues to be ready for their final use. In some cases this will involve the removal of temporary structures.

The park will be re-opened to the public in phases. The north park with the parklands, waterways and multi-use arena will open in July 2013; the velopark; tennis and hockey centres in December 2013, and the aquatics centre, and press and broadcast centre in March 2014

The tender process for the final users of the stadium has been extended until mid-July. The stadium is due to re-open in August 2014.

Hackney University Technical College

A new 14-19 college will be opening in September 2012 called The Hackney University Technical College. The new college will be based at the Hackney Community College site on Hoxton Street in a purpose-built building with state-of-the art technology

This college adds a useful addition to the education opportunities for 14-19 year olds in Hackney. It will offer a full curriculum focussing on digital and health careers. It is also establishing direct links with local employers and will provide a unique gateway for leavers to enter the workplace.

Royal Mail service during the Olympics

Royal Mail is adapting its service during the Olympics including earlier deliveries and collections. For further information please click "here":http://www.royalmail.com/serviceupdate

Olympics job surgery

As I reported in previous reports I held an Olympics jobs surgery on Kingsmead estate with recruitment agencies in attendance. Over 140 people attended the surgery.

G4S, one of the companies involved, has let me know that out of 55 people who put in a job application 28 secured a job during the Olympics.
I will be asking the other agencies to let me know the numbers of people who got jobs through them. This demonstrates that it is important to take job fairs and events to where people live and not just rely on borough-wide publicity.

Benefit cheque replacement

A new system for paying benefits is being rolled out from September this year. A new service will be provided by Citibank and PayPoint.

Benefit claimants who are unable to, or don't want to, use bank current accounts or the Post Office card account will be able to receive their benefits in cash at PayPoint outlets including those in local shops and convenience stores.

242 bus

Transport for London are consulting on changes to the 242 bus timetable and route.

For residents on Clapton Park Estate this is their only bus service and I concerned about the potential loss of, or reduction in this service. I will be working with Jennette Arnold, the Assembly Member for London North East and local councillors on a campaign. If you want to join the campaign please do contact me by email at meghilliermp@parliament.uk.

Hackney's new Speaker

Congratulations to Cllr Jessica Webb who is Hackney's Olympic year Speaker. Cllr Webb represents Wick ward which plays host to part of the Olympic park.

Her charities for this year are Amnesty International and Positive East.