Weekly Update – Friday 13th October 2020

I would like to start by sending my good wishes to everybody in Edmonton who is celebrating the festival of Diwali. With the restrictions that are in place, celebrations will look very different this year and for many who will be without friends or family, this may be a difficult time. However, I’ve no doubt that in the months ahead the situation is likely to improve and hopefully this time next year everybody will be celebrating with friends and family.

COVID-19 Latest

This week we heard the incredibly promising news that there may be a genuine contender for a successful coronavirus vaccine that could start distribution as early as December. While there are many hurdles still to jump, if successful this vaccine could signal the beginning of the end of this pandemic. However, it isn’t here yet and amid the excitement it’s important that we remember what restrictions are still in place and what we still need to continue doing to control the virus and protect the NHS.

Tragically, the UK passed the grim milestone of 50,000 COVID-19 deaths this week. In recent weeks cases of COVID-19 in Enfield have spiked, as have the number of patients being admitted to hospital with the Coronavirus. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we follow the restrictions currently in place. Stay at home as much as possible. Work from home if possible. Only travel if essential. Do not meet other households outside or indoors. The current national lockdown is likely to be relaxed to some degree after 2^nd December, but for now this is the best way that we can slow the spread of the virus and protect the NHS.

The Government must guarantee future of UK Refugee Scheme

This week I wrote to the Chancellor, ahead of the upcoming spending review, to ask that he guarantee’s the long-term funding of the UK Resettlement Scheme. The UK Resettlement Scheme is the main route which refugees can take to seek safety in the UK safely and legally. The Home Office was quick to pause the scheme as COVID-19 spread across the world but has been slow to un-pause the it, despite the organisations who deliver the scheme making it clear that it would be safe to do so. It was only this week the Government finally announced that they will now un-pause the scheme in March next year, though that decision remains subject to the changing mood of the Government.

Looking forward, it is essential that the Government now guarantees the future of this scheme. Without it refugees are forced to use increasingly dangerous methods to reach safety, whether it be crossing the channel in tiny overcrowded boats or being smuggled in the back of lorries by ruthless people smugglers. The consequences when the Home Office close off safe routes are real. Refugees fleeing persecution or violence will take the dangerous option as it’s always safer than staying where they are. These refugees have a right to seek safety in the UK and it’s our moral and legal obligation to ensure they have the means to do so. My hope now is that the Chancellor backs that role which we have on the world stage and announces funding for the UK Resettlement Scheme in the upcoming spending review.

Green New Deal

As a result of COVID-19, Brexit and other factors, our economy is facing its biggest crisis in living memory. At the same time, the realities of the existential climate crisis which is upon us has become increasingly clear over the last few years. These two emergencies are inextricably linked. Unless we tackle the climate crisis future economic prosperity will be impossible as a result of the devesting impact of climate change. At the same time, our economy, and this country, badly needs the boost which investment in a green economy would bring.

That’s why I’m excited by Labour’s green economic recovery plan. Labour is calling on the Government to deliver an economic recovery that will confront the combined challenges of unemployment and the climate crisis whilst stimulating jobs and growth in every part of the UK. The Government must start by bringing forward £30 billion in planned capital investment as part of a rapid stimulus package whilst accelerating investment in clean projects such as energy efficiency, flood prevention, cycling, offshore wind and more.

It’s vital that we move forward now and lead the world in the fight against the climate crisis. Doing so will be a win for the economy and the climate and put the UK in a better position for the coming decades in which the world will be forced to confront the climate crisis and evolve quickly to combat the many challenges ahead.

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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 MP