Kate Osamor MP
Weekly Update – Friday 16 April 2021
Covid Update
This week many of us have been feeling the benefits of the latest relaxation in Coronavirus rules. Shops have re-opened, along with barbers and pub gardens. After the incredible work of the public and NHS, these changes are well deserved. However, restrictions are not over and many rules remain in place including;
- We should not socialise indoors with anybody we live with (excluding those in a support bubble).
- We should work from home where possible and minimise the number of journeys we make.
- Social Distancing and the wearing of masks should be observed whenever possible.
I also continue to be briefed on a weekly basis by local health authorities and Enfield Council. The latest data shows a 40% drop in infections on a week to week basis. More than 90% of residents aged 60+ in Enfield have now been vaccinated. The uptake of vaccination among certain communities and demographics remains worrying however and this is something that I’m keeping my eye on.
As ever, if you need additional support during this difficult period then I would recommend using Enfield Council’s resource page here.
I voted for an inquiry into Greensill – the Tories voted for a cover-up
The so called ‘Greensill scandal’ is corruption at its most basic. Politicians using their position to enrich themselves and their friends rather than acting in the public interest. That is exactly what has happened in the case of David Cameron and Greensill. The former PM has been caught out using his connections to push millions in public funds into the pockets of Greensill Capital and all those connected to the organisation, including himself.
David Cameron protests that he didn’t break any rules. That may well be the case and if it is it shows just how broken the current system is. Which is why this week Labour brought a vote to the Commons which would have established an independent and public inquiry into the scandal.
We know the Greensill scandal is just the tip of the iceberg of the cronyism rife in the Conservative party. The current ‘inquiry’ established by the Government will be led by a Government insider with connections to lobbying. In effect the Tories will be marking their own homework. If it goes ahead all we will get is another whitewash.
If the Government really wants to get to the bottom of this scandal and clean up politics, then they will back a public and independent inquiry into this issue and the wider problem of lobbying.
It’s time Black Maternal Health was taken seriously
Black African Women are 83% and black Caribbean women are 80% more likely more likely than white women to suffer a ‘near miss’ in childbirth. These are staggering disparities and I’m proud to be lending my voice to the campaign by FIVEXMORE to change the fact that black women are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth than white women.
It is time that this issue was taken seriously and I’m joining thousands of others across this country in demanding that action is taken now to reduce the increased risk faced by black women when they give birth. It’s time for the NHS to fully acknowledge the issue and commit to closing the gap. It is also essential that decision makers understand that black women are often not given the right information to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and childbirth.
That has to change. But it will only change if the NHS, government and others acknowledge that there is a problem in the first place. I will continue to campaign and raise my voice on this issue until that change happens. This really is a matter of life and death.
British Gas mass Firing are a disgrace
Yesterday, British Gas workers began their 43rd day of strike action as the company started to sack those who refused to accept huge cuts to their pay and conditions. This is an absolutely disgraceful act by British Gas who have chosen to reduce the quality of its services in an attempt to boost profits for its shareholders and CEO rather than reinvesting in a workforce who worked on the front lines and kept us all connected during this pandemic.
I’ve written to the CEO of British Gas to express my outrage but it is the Government who needs to step in and prevent companies from using ‘Fire and Rehire’ tactics to circumvent employment rights.
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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