Questioning Michael Gove on the Hotel Crisis

On Monday, I stood up in Parliament and confronted Secretary of State Michael Gove about the ongoing homelessness crisis in Enfield and across the country.

I questioned Gove regarding the immediate actions the government intends to take to provide councils like Enfield with the necessary resources and powers to tackle this housing emergency head-on.

Enfield’s hotel crisis is a direct result of a system that prioritises profit over people, perpetuated by a Tory government that has been in power for far too long. Families in our constituency are enduring unimaginable hardships, trapped in temporary accommodations for months on end due to unaffordable rents and a lack of suitable alternatives.

As the Member of Parliament for Edmonton, I will not rest until our constituents receive the support they deserve. I will continue to advocate for concrete measures that alleviate this crisis, demanding that the government provide the necessary resources and support for Enfield Council to effectively address the housing needs of vulnerable families. The privatisation of our housing sector has destroyed the dream of owning a home for millions and made even renting unaffordable for millions more. This failed approach must end.

Mental Health Crisis

After 13 years of Tory Government, our mental health services are at breaking point, and on Wednesday I voted for an important motion that urged the Government to address the mental health crisis it has created. We lost the vote by 185 to 280 votes with the Tories voting down the motion.

It is the patients who are paying the price for government incompetence. Waiting lists have soared, leaving patients with inadequate treatment and little hope. The scrapping of the 10-year mental health plan is yet another example of the Government’s failure to prioritise long-term planning for mental health services. Instead, patients are forced to travel long distances just to receive basic treatment.

Children are particularly affected, with many left languishing in overcrowded Emergency Departments instead of receiving appropriate mental health care. It is a devastating situation that demonstrates the struggles of our mental health services, which are now on their knees.

Labour offers a different approach. We will prioritise a truly preventative plan for mental health services, providing access to mental health professionals in every school and establishing open access hubs in every community. In government Labour will take decisive action to address waiting lists, guaranteeing mental health treatment within a month for all those in need. We will recruit thousands of new mental health staff to meet the growing demand and invest in training programs to enhance our healthcare workforce.

It is time for change. Patients should not bear the burden of a government that has failed them in their time of need. Together, we can create a future where mental health support is accessible, timely, and comprehensive, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Lack of Accountability in Teesside Deal Raises Concerns

Also, on Wednesday I voted for a humble address which would have forced the Government to come clean about the Teesworks deal.

I am deeply troubled by the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the public tendering process between South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks. The decision by the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, to deny the National Audit Office (NAO) the opportunity to investigate these allegations is both bizarre and concerning.

The NAO possesses the necessary experience, capacity, and independence to carry out a thorough investigation. It is unclear why the Secretary of State would prefer to establish a review under his own terms and with his own chosen members, rather than allowing an independent examination. This lack of clarity raises questions about the motives and transparency of the decision-making process.

Labour is calling on the government to release all relevant documents, including correspondence and advice from Ministers, Senior Officials, and Special Advisers, relating to the decision to commission a review. The breakdown of local accountability is alarming enough to warrant an investigation by the NAO.

Proper scrutiny is essential, particularly when it involves the expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds of public funds. It is unacceptable that a company, now 90% privately owned, has received such significant public investment without proper oversight. This issue has profound implications for the people of Teesside, who rightly expect their community to benefit from the resources and opportunities this project promised.

The people of Teesside deserve answers. Labour lost this vote by 272 votes to 166, with the Government blocking our attempts to look into this mess but we will not rest until we have clarity, transparency, and accountability for the sake of the residents of Teesside.

No-Resource to Public Funds APPG

This week, as Chair of the No-Recourse to Public Funds All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), I had the privilege of hosting a crucial discussion on increasing protections for migrant women experiencing domestic abuse. The event brought together advocates and individuals with lived experiences to shed light on the challenges faced by those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Megan and Eniola, members of United Impact, shared their personal stories of experiencing domestic violence while being subject to NRPF. Their powerful testimonies highlighted the dire circumstances that families with NRPF endure, from homelessness and hunger to the detrimental impact on their overall well-being.

Asmita Sood, Policy, Campaigns, and Partnerships Manager at Southall Black Sisters, spoke about the challenges faced in supporting individuals with NRPF who experience domestic abuse. She also provided insights into the efforts to secure protections for migrants in the Domestic Violence Bill, drawing lessons from past experiences and a recent pilot programme.

Elizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, Policy and Communications Manager at the Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS), discussed the ongoing campaign to include protections in the Victims and Prisoners Bill. She emphasised the importance of these protections and outlined actionable steps that MPs and others can take to support this process.

I also had the opportunity to address the gathering, updating them on the progress of the Victims and Prisoners Bill in Parliament and the initiatives underway to enhance protections for migrant victims.

We will continue to work tirelessly, both within and beyond Parliament, to ensure that these voices are heard and that comprehensive measures are implemented to address the challenges faced by those with NRPF.

——————————-

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