Kate Osamor MP
UK Aid Cuts Kill As a Member of the International Development Select Committee and a former Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, I’m seen first hand how vital UK aid is abroad. For decades the UK has been a global leader on aid spending. Our spending saved lives, gave an education to those wouldn’t otherwise have one and delivered medicine to hard-to-reach places. In the process we helped reduce instability and insecurity across the world and managed to help people in their own country when they might otherwise have been forced to flee to safety abroad. The Tories drastic cuts to the aid budget and dissolution of the Department for International Development threaten to undo all that brilliant work and now the International Development Select Committee has this week revealed the devastating impact of UK aid cuts. The FCDO’s own equality impact assessment admits that critical aid to tackle malnutrition won’t be delivered, and programs supporting marginalised groups will face cuts. This could result in hundreds of thousands of women facing unsafe abortions and more deaths during pregnancy and childbirth. Yemen’s UK aid allocation faces a 45% cut, and Afghanistan suffers a staggering 76% reduction. This assessment provides rare and crucial insight into the real-world consequences of aid cuts, which are not typically made public. Last year, the government refused to produce this information voluntarily, but the international development committee obtained and published an assessment that revealed the impact of cuts. The figures presented in the report are distressing. Reductions in the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health Programme across Africa will lead to a significant drop in the number of unsafe abortions and maternal deaths averted. Vulnerable women and girls in Afghanistan will be left without vital services. The report has exposed the government’s erosion of international aid as a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable people. Restoring the aid budget to 0.7% of gross national income is not just a humanitarian imperative; it is an ethical responsibility to stand in solidarity with those in desperate need across the globe.
|
|
|
Fossil Fuel Madness Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to license new drilling for gas and oil in the North Sea is a deadly mistake. The world is currently hurtling towards a climate catastrophe, and although we no longer have enough time to prevent significant climate change, we may still soften the blow if we keep fossil fuels in the ground. The urgency to act cannot be overstated. Achieving net-zero emissions is crucial, and that entails a fundamental shift away from relying on fossil fuels. We simply cannot save the planet while continuing to extract and burn these carbon-intensive resources. By allowing more drilling in the North Sea, the Prime Minister’s decision is a complete capitulation to the oil lobby. His reckless decision won’t even bring down our energy bills. Private companies like Shell will drill for oil and sell it on the international market, making it no cheaper for consumers. Proximity to the drilling location does not translate into reduced costs for us. Instead, it is the already ultra-wealthy corporations who stand to benefit from this decision. Investing in renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and tidal power, is essential to achieving a sustainable and greener future. By embracing renewable energy, we can simultaneously address the climate crisis and create a pathway to a more equitable and affordable energy system. The Prime Minister’s decision to endorse increased drilling for fossil fuels not only jeopardises our climate goals but also misses a valuable chance to invest in a more sustainable future for the country. We cannot afford to delay any further. Climate change knows no borders and affects us. The choice is clear: we can either continue down the path of fossil fuel reliance or embark on a transformative journey towards a sustainable and greener future. |
|
|
Are you facing homelessness? The homelessness crisis in Edmonton and across London is reaching critical levels. Each day, I am contacted by individuals who are facing eviction or are already experiencing homelessness. The situation has become increasingly dire, and it is clear that urgent action is needed. Enfield Council, like many other local authorities, has been grappling with relentless budget cuts for the past thirteen years. Despite these challenges, they are forced to provide more and more services to cover the impacts of austerity on our residents. The strain on resources is overwhelming, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the council to meet the growing demand for housing assistance. The housing market in London is spiralling out of control. Rent has become unaffordable for the vast majority, even those who are in work. The dream of buying a house has become unattainable for the majority of my constituents. The lack of affordable housing options is pushing many families into homelessness. To make matters worse, Enfield Council has now exhausted its available temporary accommodation. This has forced them to resort to offering homeless families private rented accommodation in Northern England. But this homelessness crisis is not isolated to Enfield or London; it is a national emergency that requires immediate attention. But the Tories are frozen in their ineptitude and unwillingness to act. Despite the severity of the situation, even the Secretary of State for Housing, Michael Gove, has refused to meet with me or anyone else to discuss this pressing matter. Nevertheless, I want to assure all my constituents that I will continue to fight tirelessly on their behalf. Every person has a fundamental right to a safe, suitable, and secure home. If you or anyone you know is experiencing concerns or challenges related to housing, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am here to represent and fight for you, no matter how dire the situation may seem. |
|
|
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 |