May Monthly Report

TWENTY YEARS AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR HACKNEY SOUTH AND SHOREDITCH

On 5 May 2005, I was first elected as the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, the diverse and welcoming constituency I have had the honour of representing over the last 20 years. The people are what makes Hackney. Over the years, I have met with countless constituents, from families that have lived in Hackney all their lives to organisations that support our many communities. Listening to their stories and struggles is what helps me to do my job – everyone in Hackney has valuable experience. Over 20 years I’ve visited many 100s of people in their homes and met face to face at community and drop-in surgeries. Since the murder of two colleagues, I have to consider security more but I still maintain that face to face contact. I firmly believe that accessibility ensures better representation. 

In Parliament, I have taken on many different roles - from a Minister in Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, to chairing the Public Accounts Committee for nine years and now chairing the Treasury Committee and the Committee of Select Committee Chairs. But my most important role has always been for and about Hackney in all its glorious diversity. 

HACKNEY'S HIDDEN GEM

National Centre for Circus Arts Based in the old Shoreditch Electric Light station is a jewel in Hackney’s crown: the National Centre for Circus Arts (which many still fondly remember as Circus Space). Its previous premises had a hole in the wall to enable the trapeze to swing - so it moved to its current high ceiling premises in 1994 with support from Hackney Council. Here young people can learn everything there is to know about circus arts from one of Europe’s leading providers. Young people from the ages of 3 can take part in courses during term time. It is also a registered higher education provider, with young people able to achieve a BA (Hons) in Circus Arts. Scholarships for young people are also available – although the application window for the next academic year has now closed. But see here for further details in case you or a young person you know might be interested in applying next year. 

PARLIAMENT

Assisted dying 

The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, a bill that would legalise assisted dying, began its report stage. This is where the bill is presented back to the House of Commons after being amended by a committee, and where MPs of all parties can suggest new amendments to improve the bill. I tabled two new clauses to the bill aimed at safeguarding vulnerable people and under 18s. We debated these and other issues, including protecting people with anorexia and obligations for hospices. The debate will continue on Friday 13 June. At this stage of a bill there is little chance to amend it – only the amendments of the bill’s sponsoring MP are automatically voted on alongside a handful of amendments selected by the Speaker. 

Tariffs 

In another unexpected position from President Trump, he threatened to introduce tariffs on the film industry. There were, as is often the case, no detail but his professed support for tariffs created significant uncertainty. Hackney is home to businesses working in film and television, as well as being a venue for production from further afield. With uncertainty on potential tariffs from the US, many are concerned about the economic future of their work. I raised the need for clarity and support for the film industry with Ministers – see here and here. 

Housing 

Hackney Council spends a staggering £54 million a year - and rising - on temporary accommodation. Not only is that costing the taxpayer dear, but it is tearing families and communities apart. The ripple effects of this can be felt across Hackney with the closure of schools, families living in hostels in overcrowded rooms or in far-flung areas outside of London. I had the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister a question about the dire temporary accommodation situation in Hackney. 

The Government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes, which I welcome. I was pleased the Prime Minister agreed that social housing is a priority for this Government. He assured me that the £2 billion of additional investment and the Government’s reforms will lead to 88,000 new homes in areas across London, including in Hackney. He also emphasised the need to tackle the root causes of homelessness. 

UK-EU trade deal 

The Government has been moving quickly to secure trade deals with the US, India, and now the European Union. The Prime Minister announced a new arrangement which will include easier access to biometric gates at airports, reduce barriers to trade of food and opens the door to a youth mobility scheme. Europe is one of our strongest partners, and it is important we have a secure arrangement going forward. See here for my question to the Prime Minister. I am very pleased that young people, most of whom were too young to vote in the Brexit referendum, will now have the chance to visit and work in Europe more easily. The scheme will be for young people up to the age of 30 and is likely to be for 2 years – final details are still be worked up. 

Supreme Court ruling on sex in the Equality Act 

Hackney is renowned for its welcoming and diverse community, and I know many people have chosen to live here for this very reason. Since the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act as at birth, I have been in touch with many constituents who are personally affected, and their friends and family. The subsequent interim guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has created real confusion and in many respects is just not practically deliverable. This affects the real lives of people caught in impossible situations and leaves them confused and hurt and many organisations in limbo. I know of one NHS employer which has been discussed spending £millions on additional toilets for trans people. The ruling also rips up the legal and social impact of gender recognition certificates (which enable trans people to gain a birth certificate in their acquired gender). As many trans people destroy their GRC once they have a new birth certificate, they would not be able to prove their birth sex in any case, let alone suffering the indignity and fear of being asked the question. I raised this in a Westminster Hall debate – see here. I am continuing to engage with trans constituents and will be looking closely at the EHRC’s full guidance – which will be finalised in due course – to make sure it is workable and prioritises the dignity of all people. 

There was always a recognition in the Equalities Act that there would be clashes of the rights of one group over another. The guidance around the Act was clear about how these issues should be managed. Examples of rapists in women’s prisons should never have happened – safeguarding has to be the priority in these situations. 

Israel and Gaza 

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is horrific and completely unacceptable. In response to Israel persistently blocking aid, the Government published a joint statement with France and Canada condemning the inhumane treatment of Palestinians and the severe escalation of violence. The Foreign Secretary also announced new sanctions on Israel and a suspension of trade negotiations – see here for my question to him. Ministers continue to engage with their international counterparts to find a diplomatic way forward to a ceasefire and longer-term stability in the region. 

SELECT COMMITTEES

Acceptance of cash 

The Treasury Select Committee, which I chair, published its report on the acceptance of cash. Many shops and businesses have gone cashless, particularly since Covid and as contactless payments have become more widely accepted. However, there is a risk that we could sleepwalk into a society that no longer takes cash – an important tool that many use for budgeting and maintaining autonomy – which could marginalise people who are often already vulnerable, such as those in domestic abuse situations who use cash to maintain safety. See here for our report and recommendations. 

I will be working locally to encourage and support businesses to accept cash to ensure that all local people can use our high streets. 

Banks and building societies 

The Committee also had the chance to quiz banks and building societies. We heard from both high street banks and challenger banks – smaller, digital-only banks that are rising in popularity. We discussed a range of issues, from mortgage rates and interest rates to customer service, keeping consumer interests at the heart of our work. See here for more information. 

HACKNEY

Jobs Fair 

I am hosting a Jobs Fair at the Morningside Community Centre on Friday 6th June from 1:30 - 4pm. If you are looking for a job or a career change this is a great opportunity to come along to meet employers and see what they have to offer you. 

It's an informal event, open to all ages, a chance to ask questions and make contacts. The team from the Jobcentre will also be there offer advice and support. You may wish to bring along copies of your CV if you have one. 

Don't worry if you haven't worked for a while, or if you are looking for your first job, everyone is welcome. Please let me know in advance if you intend to come along, by emailing meghilliermp@parliament.uk or calling on 020 7219 5325 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm). 

Kingsland Post Office 

In my April monthly report, I explained that the future of the Post Office on Kingsland High Street was uncertain as it had been marked for closure. However, it is now confirmed that as part of a national plan to turn all Post Offices into a fully franchised network, this Post Office will remain open but under new management. It will operate from the same premises – good news for Dalston’s residents. You can find out more information, and submit your feedback to the Post Office’s consultation on the change, here. 

Smithsfield and Billingsgate markets 

I met with representatives from the City of London Corporation to discuss their plans for Smithsfield meat and Billingsgate fish markets. The City of London is currently bound by law to provide these markets, but it wants to close them. It requires a change in the law in order to do this. However it has not guaranteed any provision for where the traders will go instead (a site in Dagenham which had been purchased and earmarked as a replacement for Billingsgate is now not going ahead). 

I have been working with Hackney charity Bags of Taste to support local fishmongers who may be affected by the Bill which would close both of these markets which is currently going through Parliament. Private Bills are a rare form of legislation where external organisations can propose bills to the House of Commons – see here for more information. 

I know many businesses in East London rely on these markets – if you or your business will be affected by the proposed closures, please do let me know. I am working with other East London MPs to make sure that traders have alternative places to sell and to protect this important part of our city’s heritage.   

Great Beyond Brewing 

Based inside a railway arch on Union Walk in Haggerston is one of Hackney’s many excellent independent craft breweries. It was great to visit them after the success of their food bank drive in partnership with Hackney Foodbank called ‘A Can For A Can’ (where you could receive a free can of beer in exchange for a can of donated food). And they are now also a permanent food donation point for Hackney Foodbank. See here for further details. 

Credit: Sean Pollock

Outstanding Hackney school 

Congratulations to the staff team at New City College for their Outstanding Ofsted rating. Formerly Hackney Community College, before the wave of mergers of further education colleges, the NCC Hackney campus has been a longstanding part of Hackney’s community, supporting many young people and adults into education, employment and training. It is good to see Hackney leading the way excellence in learning. 

E-bikes 

Many of you will know that I have been campaigning on the safety of electric bikes for some time. While the increased use of electric bikes has a positive health and environmental impact, there are still issues to be ironed out in how they are used and regulated. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking recently conducted an evidence session on e-bike safety. There were early-stage discussions around the possibility of introducing third party certificates, similar to an MOT certificate, which all e-bike owners could be required to have to ensure their e-bikes are safe to use. This would reassure bike owners and crack down on unsafe batteries, making the bikes safer on a larger scale. 

This idea is being discussed because of the continued danger that e-bike battery fires impose. Many people are buying their e-bike batteries online, through sellers who cannot guarantee safe batteries. If you need to buy an e-bike battery, please purchase them through a registered retailer. 

Please feel free to contact me with your views about this certificate idea for e-bike owners. I think it could add an unnecessary burden and might not stop the use of dangerous bikes, but the fire safety issue is a very real concern. 

Dalston Kingsland station 

As part of my campaign with Cllr Grace Adebayo for a lift at Dalston Kingsland station, I raised the matter with both the rail minister and the Secretary of State for Transport – see here. It is vital that public transport is accessible. I am pressing for Dalston Kingsland to be renovated to include step-free access so that both Hackney residents and visitors to our renowned Ridley Road market are able to use the station unimpeded. If you would like to add your name to the petition, see here for how to do so. 

Love Dalston shopfront award 

As one of our major shopping centres Dalston is home to many thriving businesses. I am proud to support our local independent high street businesses and the branches of bigger chains which keep our high streets alive. To showcase businesses and celebrate everything Dalston has to offer, I have joined forces with the Hackney Gazette to launch a Love Dalston Shopfront Award. This is a competition where you can nominate your favourite shopfront, which makes it stand out from the crowd – it can be any type of business, as long as it is in Dalston. To nominate your favourite business, see here. 

HOW TO CONTACT ME

Via email on meg.hillier.mp@parliament.uk or you can call me on 020 7219 5325. The main phone line is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.  

Visiting Parliament and Prime Minister’s Questions 

Tours of the Houses of Parliament can be arranged for groups of up to 20 people. Tours last up to 75 minutes and start between 9am and 12pm Monday to Wednesday, and between 9am-1:30pm and 3.30pm-5pm on Fridays. MPs are also given a very limited number of tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions. I operate a ballot system each month. The ballot is now open to attend PMQs in July. 

To apply for a tour, or be entered onto the ballot, please send your name, and full postal address (you must live in Hackney South and Shoreditch) to meg.hillier.mp@parliament.uk. If you would like to enter the PMQs ballot, please also supply a contact number. It is easier to arrange viewing tickets for other departmental question times or debates. To see what's on click here.