Kate Osamor MP
Domestic Abuse victims have been let down On Wednesday I secured an important debate on the criminalisation of victims of violence against women from ethnic minority and migrant communities. The current criminal justice system is failing victims of violence against women and girls. Black, Asian, and migrant women who have experienced abuse often find themselves facing criminal proceedings rather than receiving the support and protection they deserve. During the debate, I emphasised the urgent need to address the lack of understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse among professionals in the legal system. It is disheartening that many police officers, prosecutors, lawyers, and judges do not fully comprehend the complexities of domestic abuse, leading to a failure to identify and support victims effectively. Sadly, there is also a prevalence of misogynistic attitudes, myths, and stereotypes that further exacerbate the challenges faced by these women. Cultural competence is sorely lacking, which only adds to the barriers these women encounter. Surely it cannot be acceptable that in 21st Century Britain, ethnic minority and migrant women are overrepresented at every stage of our justice system as a result of systemic racism, so much of which we have recently seen exposed by reports into London’s police force. I used the debate to urge the Government to introduce statutory defences for victims of domestic abuse who are accused of offending, ensuring the protection of all victims of violence against women and girls from unjust criminalisation. I also called on the Government to increase investment in support services, and specifically addressing the barriers faced by migrants and ethnic minority women. Much work needs to be done before we have a justice system that truly protects and supports all victims of violence against women and girls, regardless of their ethnic background or immigration status. Whatever progress is made by the current Government, and it is likely that very little will be, this will be a daunting task facing a Labour administration should we win next years general election. But I know it is a struggle for justice that we are ready to fight and win. |
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75 years of the NHS This week marked the 75th anniversary of our NHS. A good time to reflect on its remarkable history and the principles that have made it one of the world’s best healthcare systems. However, after 13 years of Tory rule, the NHS is facing its worst crisis. Underinvestment and privatisation have threatened the very existence of the NHS as we know it. Over the years, we have witnessed the erosion of the NHS through market competition and the involvement of for-profit private companies. The 1990 “purchaser-provider” split introduced an internal market, opening the door to increased private sector participation. The 2012 Health and Social Care Act exacerbated the situation by introducing a competitive tendering process, allowing private companies to bid for NHS contracts. Today, nearly 10% of the NHS budget is spent on for-profit private companies, leading to a rise in private healthcare companies taking over NHS GP surgeries. NHS Trusts continue to struggle with historic debts from Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), diverting resources from patient care. Underfunding is another challenge, with real terms cuts and the UK spending less per person on healthcare compared to the EU average. Waiting lists have soared, forcing people to seek care in the private sector, creating a two-tier system that undermines equal access. But however grim this Tory made crisis is, the solutions to it are clear and can be delivered by a Labour Government. By reinvesting in our health service, ending rip-off NHS privatisation, establishing a National Care Service, and focusing on preventing ill health and not just treating we can once against establish the NHS as the beset health care service in the world. 75 years ago Labour created the NHS, we must now save it. |
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Plan to close ticket offices is a mistake Following news that Train firms plan to close ticket offices across the country I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport this week expressing my deep concerns about the plans. The proposed closure of ticket offices is a misguided move that will have severe consequences for many vulnerable people in Edmonton. Physical ticket offices remain essential, with one in nine rail tickets still being sold at these counters. This represents over 150 million journeys in the past year alone. Many elderly and disabled passengers rely on the support and guidance provided by ticket office staff and removing this valuable resource will leave them at a significant disadvantage. Moreover, research by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has revealed the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss when attempting to use ticket vending machines. Only 3% reported being able to use them without problems, while a staggering 58% found them impossible to navigate. This highlights the clear need for continued access to ticket office services for those who struggle with digital alternatives. The government’s track record in managing our rail services has been nothing short of disastrous. Delays, overcrowding, and rising fares have become all too familiar for our constituents. The closure of ticket offices will only exacerbate these issues, leaving passengers without the necessary assistance and support they deserve. I will continue to push for answers from the Secretary of State and demand accountability for the failures that have plagued our rail networks. But this plan is just one example of why the privatisation of our railways has been a complete disaster. We have the most expensive trains in Europe with some of the worst levels of service. Instead of paying for investment in the railways passengers are paying to sustain profit margins. That is why Labour will bring our trains back into public ownership so that we can invest in a rail network fit for the 21st Century that serves everybody in our communities. We will give greedy train companies the boot, and this latest decision shows exactly why the public will be overwhelming behind us when we do it. |
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 |