Kate Osamor MP
A Global Approach to the refugee crisis As your Member of Parliament and a Member of the International Development Select Committee, I was pleased to contribute to an important report released by the International Development Committee ahead of the upcoming UN Global Refugee Forum. The report calls for meaningful debate on how the international community can effectively support host countries. It also emphasises the need to transition from initial humanitarian responses to longer-term development approaches that consider the needs of the host communities. Jordan and Lebanon have been at the forefront of the response to the Syrian crisis and have hosted Palestinian refugees for decades. Jordan faces severe water scarcity, with some households experiencing reduced water supply frequency. Urgent replacement of housing units in the Za’atari refugee camp is necessary while Lebanon’s economy has contracted since 2019, impacting healthcare and education. Approximately 90% of Syrian refugees in Lebanon live in extreme poverty. Host countries bear a disproportionate share of the costs associated with hosting refugees, straining their economies and social cohesion. Long-term international support is vital to address these challenges effectively. The International Development Committee urges the international community to demonstrate lasting commitment and provide certainty of sustained support throughout the refugee response. By combining humanitarian assistance with long-term development strategies, we can create an inclusive and resilient future for refugees and host communities. Our shared responsibility demands working together and finding political solutions to alleviate immediate challenges and facilitate the safe return of refugees. |
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Kept Animals Bill This week, the Tories abandoned their manifesto pledge to “crackdown on the illegal smuggling of dogs and puppies”. By scrapping the Kept Animals Bill, which aimed to address live animal exports and puppy smuggling, they have shown a disregard for animal welfare that is truly shocking. Under the last Labour government, significant strides were made in animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Hunting Act 2004 were implemented, putting an end to cosmetic testing on animals and banning fur farming. The appalling practice of puppy farming cannot be allowed to continue. We must exert pressure on the Tories to put an immediate stop to this cruelty. If you agree, I urge you to add your name to the petition today. |
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Homelessness Crisis 13 years in the making Following the increasing severity of the homelessness crisis across Enfield, I’ve joined my fellow Enfield MPs in writing to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Housing, urging him to intervene. I’m deeply concerned about the situation faced by families residing in temporary accommodation at Edmonton Travelodge and elsewhere. Urgent action is needed now to prevent families from spending months and months in hotel accommodation after being made homeless. During the last quarter of 2022, Enfield experienced the highest number of repossessions in London, with 298 households at risk of homelessness due to Section 21 notices. This marked a notable increase from 124 households in the previous year, making Enfield the area with the highest rate of Section 21 evictions in London. These distressing figures underscore the reasons why families are placed in temporary accommodation, such as hotels, in the first place. Unfortunately, the lack of protection for families in our borough has only exacerbated the homelessness crisis. Additionally, there is a severe shortage of suitable housing in Enfield, exacerbated further by government intervention to halt house building in the area. Of immediate concern is the potential relocation of vulnerable families away from their families, jobs, education, and community. Many of them face significant challenges in returning to Enfield due to limited means. This is an issue not limited to Enfield alone; it is a problem happening across the country. In September 2022, approximately 99,300 households were in temporary accommodation, with a staggering 91% increase in households with children placed in bed and breakfast facilities compared to the previous year. My letter to Mr. Gove sought clarification on the plans of the Department of Housing to support these families in Enfield and across the country. I highlighted the urgent need for interventions to address the crisis in our borough and outlined the necessity of future strategies to ensure an adequate supply of social housing. It is imperative that we continue to advocate for the rights and well-being of these families and work towards finding sustainable solutions that provide them with the support and stability they deserve. This is a crisis 13 years in the making. Billions of pounds worth of cuts to local government, the destruction of social housing and the deregulation of the private rented sector have created a humanitarian crisis on our doorstep in which thousands of families are being forced to call hotel rooms home. This cannot become the new normal and I’m committed to continue fighting for my constituents who has become the victim of this Tory housing crisis. |
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Thank you again 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 |