Monthly reports

It is a privilege to be the Labour and Co-operative MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch. My monthly report which is one of the ways I am accountable to you.

If you would like to receive my monthly report by please e-mail hillierm@parliament.uk including your full name and address.

March 2006

Parliamentary Business
Equalities Bill
The first steps towards the proposed single equalities act have passed through Parliament. The Equalities Bill which received its third reading on 16 January allows for the establishment of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights which will eventually replace the Equal Opportunities Commission, The Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission.

Welfare reform
The Government has set out the next stage of welfare reforms in the green paper. It aims to extend the principle of rights and responsibilities that have been successful in tackling long term unemployment with the New Deal across the whole of the work and benefits system. The reforms aim to break the cycle of benefit dependency and hardship by focusing the welfare system on getting people into work rather than confining them to a life on benefit.

The Government plans are to offer something for something – increased support tailored to people’s needs in return for an increased obligation to take up that support. It is not about cuts, nor is it about forcing people who clearly cannot work to get a job. Hackney South and Shoreditch has the second highest number of residents claiming incapacity benefit of London constituencies with 7,400 claimants (only Regents Park and Kensington North is higher). Of these 63 per cent (4,700) are under the age of 49. More men than women claim – 59 per cent to 41 per cent.

I am keen to find out more about why claims are so high and particularly the connection with the higher than average number of people in Hackney with mental health problems. Given the relative youth of Hackney’s population (average age 32.9) and higher than average number of under 16s (22.1 per cent of the population) it seems particularly high.

Crossrail Bill
The Crossrail Bill is now being dealt with in a special select committee set up for this purpose. It will be meeting for three days a week for the next year. The remit of the committee was adjusted to enable it to consider petitions and issues raised about a possible extension to Reading in the House of Commons on 12 January. I was able to highlight the importance of this project to Hackney – the immediate impact will be to increase the frequency of trains in and out of Liverpool Street.

Health bill
The Health Bill had its third reading on
14 February which means it will become law once it has received Royal Assent. The bill set out measures for a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces and delivery of tougher hygiene standards in hospitals tackling infections, like MRSA. It also includes measures to improve the safety and effective use of controlled drugs and improve ophthalmic (eye) and pharmacy services.

MPs were given a free vote on smoking in the bill. I voted for a total ban on smoking in all pubs and clubs.

The Government predicts that around 600,000 people will give up smoking as a result of the change in the law.

Education bill
As this report goes to press MPs are set to vote on the second reading of the education and inspections bill (second reading is a vote on the general principles of the bills before detailed discussion in committee).

I will be voting for the bill. I believe that it strengthens the role of the local council as a children’s authority responsible for all aspects of our childrens’ future. Not every aspect of the bill is perfect but a lot of the negative headlines are about matters which are currently allowed under the law ie they are not all new. The committee stage of the bill is likely to be quite long and education secretary Ruth Kelly and education ministers have been keen to stress that the dialogue they have had since the white paper was launched will continue.

In many ways Hackney through the Learning Trust and local schools is already doing much of what the Bill proposes – a strategic education authority and strong political leadership with a vision for education; a mix of types of school committed to working within the Hackney framework and all underpinned by public funding across the board.

I hope to speak in the second reading debate to highlight issues which I still think need greater attention including support for parents in choosing a school and a mutual or co-operative model for parent councils.

But it is important too to highlight the often less debated elements of the bill: greater powers for teachers to discipline pupils; 14 new vocational diplomas on offer to all 14 year olds; the power to intervene with a failing school straight away and outlaws increases in selection by ability.

In Hackney we have seen the number of children achieving five A-C GCSEs rising from 17 per cent in 2002 to 47 per cent (higher than in Westminster) this year. But we still need to support the remaining 53 per cent of children.

Army deaths at Deepcut
Young soldier Geoff Gray died at Deepcut army training barracks in 2001.

The recent inquest into the death of James Collinson who also died at Deepcut returned an open verdict. The coroner said that a public inquiry should be considered.

After a long campaign by the family of Geoff Gray whose parents live in Hackney and other families there is a review of all previous investigations underway by Nicholas Blake QC. This was due to be published earlier this year but has been delayed by the Collinson inquest. I have met Nicholas Blake and am confident that his report will be robust and thorough. I remain open minded about a public inquiry but recognise that the difficulties Nicholas Blake faced in securing some evidence from people about events which happened a long time ago. I await Nicholas Blake’s report with interest.

Big Brother
Along with most other people I was dismayed by the fact that a member of Parliament can choose to absent himself from Parliament and deliberately choose to be incommunicado. I received letters from Hackney constituents concerned about this matter. Colleagues raised the matter with the House of Commons Speaker but there is nothing in the rules which prevents this from happening.

Other matters

Qualifications for dance teachers
The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers has its headquarters in Shoreditch. I recently visited to discuss the issue of qualifications for dance teachers – currently not all teachers have to be qualified and the ISDT is keen to see qualification compulsory.

Walk in health centre, Liverpool Street
Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt officially launched the UK’s first NHS commuter walk-in centres on 24 January so that busy patients can see a doctor or nurse on their way to work. One of these is near Liverpool Street – the first of seven planned NHS commuter walk-in centres, as part of a £50 million make-over of services outside hospitals.

Hackney issues

North London Line
I am delighted that the Government has agreed to transfer the north London line to Transport for London from November 2007. This will mean more frequent trains; extra staff at stations and, at last, pay as you go Oyster will be accepted.

I have high hopes that we will see an improvement of services on the line. I have already been in touch with Transport for London to urge them to consider how best to mark this change on the tube map. Currently the line is on larger tube maps but I believe that Hackney deserves a more visible presence. If you have any suggestions about what colour the line should be please let me know and I will pass suggestions on to Transport for London.

Dalston Theatre and transport plans
A number of constituents have contacted me about the plans for a new transport interchange and housing at Dalston junction. As MP I have no direct power or influence on planning issues. A resident living adjacent to a site subject to a local planning proposal has more legal rights than I do. Even the Mayor of Hackney is, by law, unable to intervene directly in local planning decisions which are a matter for the council planning committee.

I have long been a supporter and advocate for a proper modern transport interchange at Dalston and the parameters were set for this in the London Plan and the Mayor of London’s transport strategy which were initially published in 2002. I am not in favour of preserving the theatre. For it to be retained there would need to be funding as a theatre or an alternative venue. In my four years on the London Assembly when I was closely involved in Dalston transport and planning not one person raised the theatre with me.

I do differ with the Mayor of London on his constant desire for tall buildings and in the past Hackney council and London planners have had disagreements over this. I hope that the planners will take into account the many issues raised by the current proposals for the tallest buildings. The biggest question mark over the new interchange is the affordability of developing anything. Some development over the station is the best chance of securing the money for a new station.

I am talking to Transport for London’s (TfL) rail chief about the future of the east London line. With the north London line being taken over by TfL we are better placed than ever before to investigate better links between the two stations.

Please let me know your views on transport issues in Dalston – what you think currently works and what doesn’t so we can all work to secure the transport links and quality infrastructure that Hackney deserves.

As well as the transport issues we need to recognise that only 7p in every £1 spent by Hackney residents is in Dalston, compared to 50p in Wood Green or the West End.

Sebright School
Sebright school is in Haggerston immediately adjacent to Haggerston Park. It is housed in buildings which have been adapted from a Victorian school building and badly need replacing. Headteacher Keith Howdle is keen to use the opportunity presented by the development of the nearby Bridge Academy and in particular its gym building to secure a new school building. The matter is currently being considered by Hackney Council’s cabinet and I am raising the matter with education ministers.

I fully support the schools plans and the sensible and well argued way in which they have put them forward. We now need to work together to see if the new building can be delivered as a stand alone project rather than as part of the wider Building Schools for the Future programme.

Ivy Street Centre
This centre has been refused planning permission for redevelopment because it is housed in a listed former pub building. As it owns its land and building it is in a potentially good position to look at other ways of funding its services and maintaining a local base. I am in discussion with a local school about possible collaboration over services for under 5s. I will keep you posted.

School investment
The Government has just launched a programme to transform half of all primary school buildings with additional investment of £1.15 billion and up to £7 billion extra in total.

The Government is already investing around £2 billion a year in primary schools and early years. At least 1,000 primary schools (over 5 per cent) have already had major building works over the last five years.

The proposals for consultation will involve demolishing or rebuilding over 900 of the worst condition primary schools and significantly improving a further 8,000 primary schools. All other primary schools will continue to receive annual funding for maintenance and improvements.

The money will enable primaries across the country to act as centres of the community offering a whole range of services including pre school facilities, breakfast clubs, after schools clubs and adult education. The poorest condition five per cent of all primary school buildings across the country being rebuilt or taken out of use and another 45 per cent will be improved or refurbished.

KICC and the Olympics
I recently met Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre to discuss the Olympics. KICC currently owns a large site in the Olympic precinct area. KICC want to stay on the site while the Olympics is developed, which is not possible, but we discussed whether there was any chance of KICC returning to the site after the Olympics – possibly taking over one of the stadiums. I have raised the matters with the London Development Agency.

We also talked about the Charity Commission’s inquiry into KICC and Pastor Matthew took me through the changes which have been made to management structures as a result.