This week I had the pleasure of meeting (virtually) with the year 6 students at Wilbury Primary school. The students have been working on a project looking at the positive environmental impacts of the lockdown and what action we can take to maintain those post-Covid.

A study looking at pollution levels in 2013 named Wilbury Primary Schools as one of many primary schools across the capital which was sadly exposed to illegal levels of pollution on a regular basis. Under Sadiq Khan, pollution levels have dropped by 90%, even before Covid. However, its clear why this subject is so important to the students and teachers of Wilbury Primary school. The students have come up with many bright and inventive ideas for improving their local environment and I will be writing to the Mayor of London to bring them to his attention. Judging by the enthusiasm of these bright pupils in Edmonton, our future is in safe hands.

The Government owes it to bereaved COVID-19 families to meet with them

Last week I met with the COVID-19 bereaved families for Justice and this week I was able to ask the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock why the Government are still refusing to meet with the group. COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice represent thousands of families who have lost loved ones to this deadly virus. They’re calling on the Government to immediately launch an independent inquiry into their response to the pandemic with a particular focus on issues that have emerged with the NHS 111 service.

The Government should not be avoiding bereaved families. The very least they owe them is a hearing. Despite what the Government keeps saying, the group are not in litigation with the Government and so they have absolutely no excuse not to meet them. I hope the PM and Matt Hancock will do the right thing and take some time to listen to people who have lost family members to COVD-19.

I will always vote to protect Human Rights

On Tuesday I voted against the Government’s Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill. The Bill did not provide the safeguards, limits and oversight necessary and as it stands will give undercover agents too much power to kill and commit other crimes without oversight. The purpose of the Bill is to officially bring undercover agents under the law. I support that intention; however, this bill unfortunately enables unnecessary and unlawful interference with the legitimate activities of trade unions, environmentalists, anti-racists and other campaigners.

I will always stand up for human rights and as we have seen over the last few years, the police and other agencies have a record of using their powers to spy on peaceful and legitimate groups. I cannot support any bill that continues to enable those kinds of activities.  For that reason, I voted against the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill.

The Government are using Brexit as an excuse to cut standards

Many constituents have been writing to me this week about the Agriculture Bill which will shortly come back to the Commons from the Lords. After months of debate, the House of Lords have sent a number of important issues back to us for further consideration – much of which I support. Vitally, these includes protections for UK food and farming standards and the requirement that new Trade Agreements meet our existing standards in food safety, animal welfare and the environment. I voted against the Bill when it was in the Commons because it didn’t include these protections. Unfortunately, it is likely that the Government will vote down these amendments and push through a Bill that fails to protect our farmers, food standards or animal welfare regulations. If that happens, I will be unable to support the bill again. The Government want to use Brexit to slash regulations in a race to bottom. I will always vote against that.

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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