Here is a summary of my work for Brighton Pavilion locally and in Parliament from January 11-17. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need my help with anything.
The Housing Bill
Last week it was revealed that rents in Brighton have gone up by 18% in just one year – the joint highest rent rise in Britain. These record rent level rises mean a typical flat now costs £1,078 a month and an average earner pays 65% of their salary for a typical two-bed flat.
On the same day that these figures were released there was a vote on the Housing & Planning Bill in the House of Commons. As I outlined last week the Bill is a disaster – and looks set to make the housing crisis worse.
On Tuesday I spoke in Parliament in favour of my amendment to the Bill which would introduce a Living Rent Commission a - proposal I had promised to take forward as part of the housing charter I published before the election. The remit of the Commission is simple: to establish what a living rent should be and how to get there.
In a piece I wrote for the Guardian I outlined what a Living Rent Commission is, and why I think it’s so important.
Doctors' Strike
On Tuesday morning I joined fellow Green Party Politicians on the picket line with junior doctors. Because of Parliamentary commitments I was in London – though I know that doctors in Brighton were out in force too. Doctors take the Hippocratic Oath extremely seriously - and will always do all they can to avoid putting patients at risk. They've been forced to strike because they are not being heard. They have been telling Jeremy Hunt that this contract change is not just unfair on them but potentially unsafe for patients too. But the Government has refused to listen - instead they've reverted to bully boy tactics and a campaign of misinformation to try and impose this contract.
After joining the doctors on the picket line I wrote this piece for the Huffington Post: http://www.
Basic Income
What would you do differently if you were guaranteed a minimum income every week, regardless of how you choose to spend your time?
Spend more time caring for – or just with – your children? Learn a new skill? Start your own business?
In a piece for the Independent I outlined the arguments in favour of a Basic Income, and urgent the Government to commision research into the topic: http://www.independent.
Trade Union Bill Rally
On Monday I spoke at a protest against the Trade Union Bill outside Parliament. The demonstrations took place as the House of Lords was debating this repressive and undemocratic new law being pushed through by the Government. I’ll be working with MPs from across the political parties in fighting this draconian piece of legislation as it continues to pass through Parliament. If the Bill is passed into law, I would be prepared to join trade unionists and others in taking non-violent direct action to resist it.
Guardian Debate on Sustainability
On Tuesday I spoke at a Guardian event about the role of business in tackling climate change. I believe that many businesses – from small firms in Brighton & Hove to some of the larger multinationals – are really getting to grips with the adaptions they have to make to be party of the fight against climate change. Unfortunately Government policy is failing us – influenced no doubt by the fossil fuel industry. You can listen to the event on the Guardian’s website. The other contributors were Katherine Garrett-Cox, CEO of investment firm Alliance Trust, Ikea’s sustainability chief Steve Howard, head of responsible investment at Nordea Asset Management Sasja Beslik and leading climate change scientist Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research.
Freedom of Information
Earlier this month I tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for the Government to think again about their plans to curtail the use of the Freedom of Information Act. As things stand, FOI requests are free and a key way for citizens to keep an eye on what the Government is up to. It’s not surprising that Ministers want to weaken the rules, but it is totally unacceptable.
The Green Party has started a campaign to save the Freedom of Information act. Sign up here and get your own MP (if it’s not me) to sign the FOI EDM: http://foi.greenparty.
Becoming Chair of Parliamentary CND
Last week I became the Chair of Parliamentary CND. As the pro-Trident political consensus crumbles I’ll be highlighting the growing case against renewing these extremely costly and utterly unnecessary weapons.
Nuclear weapons do not make us safer, indeed by updating Trident we’re sending a dangerous signal to the rest of the world that security is dependent on the acquisition of nuclear weapons.
Every pound spent on Trident is a pound not spent on the public services upon which we all rely. Spending billions on nuclear weapons while children’s centres are shut down and hospitals are stretched beyond the limit is simply immoral.
I tabled an Early Day Motion opposing Trident, which you can read here: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/
EU Debate at Brighton Chamber of Commerce
On Friday I took part in a debate with the Conservative MEP, Daniel Hannan, on whether or not the EU is good for British Business at a packed meeting organised by the local Chamber of Commerce. It’s clear that many people still need more information before they are ready to make up their minds in the forthcoming referendum - but a rough poll of the audience suggests around two thirds are in favour of remaining in.
Stop the VAT on Headstones
Last week I tabled an Early Day Motion which urges the Government to change tax rules to ensure that bereaved people aren’t hit with an additional charge for memorials to the dead.
Most UK goods and services are subject to 20 per cent VAT although there are a number of exemptions including lottery tickets, antiques, books, newspapers, burials and cremations. Yet VAT is imposed on memorial stones and planters.
My action was spurred into action by one of my constituents, Phil Edwards, who lost his son in the 1990s and is campaigning to scrap the VAT on headstones, planters and other memorials.
The Daily Mail covered my EDM here: http://www.dailymail.co.
Launch of CASE
I was honoured to be asked to formally launch the Community Advice, Support and Education in Hollingdean - formerly the Unemployed Workers Centre. CASE offers key support to some of the most vulnerable families in the area.
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