Monday 8th January

• Justice Minister, Mike Freer MP responded to concerns I have previously raised about the Tottenham Park Cemetery by confirming that the Ministry of Justice has not been provided with satisfactory assurance by the new owners that the cemetery is being managed appropriately. The Government will now seek to discontinue burials at the Cemetery, which I think is the right decision under the circumstances.
• After long delays, Newlon Housing Association agreed to take steps to remedy disrepair at my constituent’s property. The disrepair has been impacting greatly on my constituent’s health over the winter period and needs to be urgently addressed by her Landlord.

Tuesday 9th January 

• On Tuesday at the International Development Select Committee, we held an emergency evidence session so that we could be provided with an update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We heard from Dr Ghada Al Jadba, Chief of Health in Gaza at the UNRWA. We also heard from Rohan Talbot, from Medical Aid for Palestinians and Nebal Farsakh from Palestine Red Crescent Society. The evidence presented to us made it clear that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. 90% of people in Gaza have been displaced, disease is rife and the risk of famine is increasing. Israel is destroying Gaza and its people. We need a ceasefire now to save the survivors of this slaughter.
• On Tuesday in the Commons, I asked the Justice Minister two questions. Firstly, I raised the case of my constituent who sadly took his own life in Pentonville prison last year. The Government is not doing enough to tackle the mental health crisis in prisons and I asked the Minister if he would look more closely at this issue. I raised the issue of disparity in the justice system, particularly the fact that women from minorities are disproportionately more likely to be held on Remand. On both issues the Minister failed to provide me with an adequate response, however, I will raise these problems in writing and continue to press the government to tackle our failing prison systems.

Wednesday 10th January 

• On Wednesday I voted against the Anti-Boycott Bill. If passed the anti-boycott Bill would force Local Councils to do business with states who committed horrific human rights abuses. Rather than letting local communities decide how money in their local community is spent, the Government has stepped in and decided that Westminster knows best. This Bill is a deliberate attack on the peaceful Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions campaign against Israeli occupation which seeks to take money out of territory that has been illegally occupied by Israel in the West Bank and elsewhere. This is a peaceful form of resistance against actions which the UK Government itself says are illegal under international law.
• On Wednesday I was delighted to host United Impact UK, a community group led by those with lived experiences of No-Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), in Parliament for their photo exhibition about the realities of living under the NRPF condition. NRPF prevents individuals under certain migration restrictions from claiming access to welfare benefits and other important sources of security. As a consequence, many families are forced into destitution, as they are also often banned from working while waiting for the Home Office to process their claims.

Thursday 11th January

• This week I was deeply saddened by the news that a woman, now named Laura Maria Sone-Demetrious, 28, had been killed by a car on the A10 in Edmonton. I have previously written to Enfield Council and TFL urging them to take action to tackle speeding on this stretch of road and following this tragic event I’ve written again asking that speed cameras be installed and other measures taken to reduce speeding and protect pedestrians.
• Following long delays the Home Office finally agreed to grant my constituent Leave to Remain, meaning they can now move forward with their lives.

Friday 12th January 

• I received more than 300 emails from constituents this week, with the majority of constituents contacting me asking me to urge the Government to support South Africa’s case against Israel for Genocide, which it has taken to the International Court of Justice. The Government refuses to hold Israel to account for the war crimes it has committed, but I will continue to speak out for human rights and an end to the killing in Gaza.
• Following representations, Enfield Council agreed not to force my constituent to move out of London and will be providing suitable interim accommodation to my constituent and their family.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my latest update, if you have any issues that you would like to raise directly with me then please do email  edmontonconstituency@parliament.uk. I’m always happy to help whenever possible.

Kind regards,

Kate Osamor

Member of Parliament for Edmonton