November 2012 Monthly Report

Parliamentary Business

Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill

The Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill had its second reading on 19 November.

Supermarkets bring huge value to our economy. However, we know that abuses by retailers against suppliers occur and there is evidence supporting the need for a groceries code adjudicator.

The bill will establish an independent adjudicator who will have the power to investigate complaints from direct and indirect suppliers and take action against major retailers who breach the groceries code. The adjudicator's powers will include: the power to recommend changes to retailers which would bring them in line with the code, the power to name and shame retailers by forcing them to publish information about the investigation and finally the power to fine retailers with the permission of the Secretary of State.

I support the bill and welcome the introduction of an adjudicator to bring an end to the abuses by retailers against suppliers. However, I am concerned that the adjudicator could be rendered powerless to tackle breaches of the code if the power to fine companies is not available from day one. The bill needs to ensure a fair deal for farmers and producers and deliver better outcomes for shoppers in terms of price, quality and service.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

On Wednesday 7 November, there was a debate on the Government's proposals to cut the criminal injuries compensation scheme. Opposition day debates provide an opportunity for all political parties who are not the Government to raise and debate an issue or topic of their choosing.

The Government is proposing to cut between £40-60 million from the scheme which is available to victims of crime in recognition of their pain and suffering and to compensate for loss of earnings and special care costs.

I am concerned at the Government's proposals which could see almost 90 per cent of eligible victims affected. Compensation for victims of crime is important in supporting victims with both the financial and emotional cost of crime.

Housing benefit for under 25s

The Government is considering plans to restrict entitlement to housing benefit for people aged under 25.

I contributed to a short debate on 21 November arguing against this.

Hackney is a very young borough which has seen an increase in population of 30,000 people in the last eight years. The majority of this increase is made up of under 5s and 20-30 year olds. There are also many Hackney residents who are under 25 and also parents themselves. Nationally of those accepted as homeless in 2011 one third were aged 16-24 and 10,000 of these said that they had lost their last home and their parents could not, or would not, house them.

The answering minister was a Liberal Democrat who was keen to distance himself from the policy.

I will remain vigilant because the impact on Hackney will be very great if under 25s are denied housing benefit.

Housing supply

I continue to keep up pressure on the Government about the need for affordable housing. The increase in Hackney's population and the increase in the unemployment rate underline the need for greater supply.

I pressed the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander about the needs in Hackney in the House of Commons. The Government keeps promising supply from housing associations which have already used up the bulk of their reserves to fund the last round of affordable housing.

I also attended a round table discussion with MPs and London social landlords about the challenges ahead. The combination of the housing benefit cap, the bedroom tax (which hits families with children of the same gender under 16 who will lose part of their benefit from April 2013 if the children do not share a room); employment levels and supply will have a huge impact on some families. One large Hackney social landlord has established that 250 families will be hit by the cap and the bedroom tax.

It will be difficult for families affected to find solutions between now and April. If they can work or work more hours this will be hard to achieve in time. Many are in work but on low incomes and a number need to acquire work skills before they can apply for jobs.

I am planning a housing summit in Hackney in early 2013. Please email meghilliermp@parliament.uk to register your interest.

Living Wage

I was able to ask the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg about his support for the living wage when he stood in for the Prime Minister at Question Time on 7 November.

Nick Clegg has said he supports the living wage so I asked him how many councils run by his party pay this (currently £8.55 in London and £7.45 elsewhere).

Answer came there none. I have since learned that only one small district council has committed to pay it. Not exactly leading by example.

Tech City and skills needs

On 19 November I was able to follow up concerns raised by Shoreditch businesses about recruitment when I quizzed the immigration minister in Parliament.

The minister has agreed to meet me and local businesses who have had problems recruiting certain specialist staff because of the immigration rules.

Family migration rules

The Government is making it harder for family members of British citizens to join them in the UK. I am supporting a number of constituents who are British but do not earn enough to support a spouse or children under the new rules.

In one case one partner earns above the minimum income threshold but because he started the job five months before his wife's visa expired she has had to return to her country of origin (where she has not lived for several years) until he has been six months in his job.

This is just one case of a number which show up the Government's attempts to reduce family migration as the complex, unfair and ineffective practice that they are. I believe that the courts may well rule a number of the measures illegal.

Please let me know if you have experienced any difficulties because of the new income rules. Email meghilliermp@parliament.uk

Defence procurement

As a member of the Public Accounts Committee I have been questioning the Ministry of Defence about its spending.

This month the committee quizzed the top management about the cost and management of defence equipment. The forces have been ordering at least £500m more equipment than is needed every year. The systems for recording the content of storage facilities are inadequate which means that the MoD does not know exactly how much equipment it has.

We all want our front line forces to have the equipment they need but we also need to make sure that taxpayers money is not being wasted.

Other matters

DVLA services at local post offices

Earlier this month, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that DVLA's front office counter services contract has been awarded again to Post Office Ltd.

This means that driving licence applications can be made locally as well as supporting the viability of local post offices.

Childcare campaign

My campaign on childcare cost, quality and provision continues. Thanks to the parents and carers who are responding to my survey.

I am working with a think tank to model the real costs to families of childcare. If you would be willing to provide your full income and expenditure details (in complete confidence) the Resolution Foundation will be able to help me analyse affordability so I can lobby Government and opposition on the basis of real family's costs.

If you have any experiences or views about local childcare provision as a parent or a childcare worker, (or both) please email me on meghilliermp@parliament.uk.

Energy contracts

A Hackney business owner recently contacted me about the problems he has had with his contract with his energy provider.

The owner tried to renegotiate his contract before it was due to expire but was told that he had missed the deadline to renegotiate, even though he had made contact ahead of the end of the contract. The company automatically renewed his contract for a further 12 months.

This business owner tells me that he could be saving money if he had been able to switch providers and I am concerned that other businesses may also be affected by these rules.

I have raised my concerns with Ofgem and ministers at the Department for Energy and Climate Change.

If you or anyone you know has also experienced these problems then please do let me know on 020 7219 5325 or email meghilliermp@parliament.uk.

Events in Gaza

After a week of violence I am relieved that a ceasefire has now been agreed.

The international community must work together to ensure that this ceasefire holds and that the UK continues to play its role in trying to find a long lasting solution for peace in the region.

I will be meeting a number of constituents concerned about Palestine on 28 November at a lobby of Parliament.

Violence against women

International end violence against women day was on 25 November.

I raised my concerns with the Attorney General in Parliament that there are not enough specialist domestic violence and rape prosecutors in the Crown Prosecution Service.

Rape convictions are rising but are still far too low. Specialist lawyers can help secure a conviction and also make the experience swifter and less traumatic for the individual victim.

Hackney Issues

Threat to Kingsland Fire Station

Recently leaked London Fire Authority papers highlighted plans to close Kingsland fire station as well as a number in neighbouring Clerkenwell and Bethnal Green.

The leaked report threatened to close this station which serves a large swathe of south Hackney. Hackney South and Shoreditch has higher than the average number of incidents across London.

The London Fire Authority was due to consider the closure plan on 22 November.

Please click here to sign the petition to save the station and protect local people.

Hoxton Hall gets funding boost

This grade II* listed former music hall has just been awarded almost £1.8m funding to restore the building.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant adds to funding received from Government and the council to run a wide range of youth activities. The Hoxton Street venue hosts music rooms with recording space, rehearsal rooms, a dance studio, design suite, meeting rooms and a cafe.

Next year Hoxton Hall celebrates its 150th anniversary. It is the only remaining music hall of over 30 that used to be located in and around Hoxton. Hoxton Hall now has to raise a further £425,000.

Police stations

Proposals over the future of police stations across London are expected to be presented to the Mayor before Christmas.

I have pressed Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and Hackney's borough police commander about my dissatisfaction with the service provided at police stations and over the phone.

In Hackney we have three police stations: in Stoke Newington, Hackney Central and Shepherdess Walk off City Road. I want to see police on the streets, in our communities and easily contactable.

Basic service standards for response times do not seem to exist outside of 999 calls and I was one of a number of MPs calling on the Commissioner to improve the basic level of service to the public.

Co-op expands in Hackney

The Cooperative Group will be buying the Costcutter store on Homerton High Street. The Co-op will be employing the one member of staff currently employed there and will create an additional 10 jobs.

As a Co-op MP I welcome mutual business with ethical working practices.

Local convenience stores in Hackney employ 605 people according the Association of Local Convenience Stores.

Tours of the Olympic park

London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) recently announced the first tours of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Bus tours will run until July 2013 when the park begins to re-open with priority being given to people living closest to the park.

LLDC want to give local people access to the park whilst it is closed to learn about its future plans.

Tours run Wednesdays and Thursdays and some weekends. They can be booked by emailing parktours@springboard-marketing.co.uk or calling 0800 023 2030.

Further information on the tours and who will be leading them can be found through the LLDC's website or by clicking here

Congestion charge changes

Transport for London is currently asking for your views on a number of proposed changes to congestion charging.

These changes include increasing the penalty charge from £120 to £130, removing the option to pay the charge in shops and petrol stations and creating a new ultra low emission discount to replace the greener and electric vehicle discounts.

To respond to the consultation before 8 February 2013, complete an online questionnaire by click here