May 2023 Update
I am pleased to bring you my May 2023 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
There is rarely a quiet moment in politics and this month has been no exception.
Undoubtedly, however, the big event was the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. It was an incredibly important moment in our history, with the ceremony combining the ancient and modern – it was "rooted in longstanding traditions" but also "reflected the monarch's role today and looked towards the future".
It was a fantastic weekend, with celebrations taking place up and down the country to mark this historic occasion. Locally, I attended the brilliant event organised by the Friends of Pinner Village Gardens and was pleased to see the spirit of the coronation being enjoyed by the community.
Elsewhere, it has been a busy month both in the constituency and in Westminster, and I am pleased to share with you some of what I have been up to over the past few weeks.
As ever, if you would like to keep up to date, I encourage you to visit my website, or Facebook page.
Celebrating the King's Coronation at Pinner Village Gardens
In the Constituency
Surgeries
This month, I have been continuing to hold surgeries around the constituency, where I have the opportunity to meet with residents and to catch up with local business owners.
As ever, I am grateful to the teams at Maison du Soleil in Ickenham and Morrison’s Café in Hatch End, and to Cofix in Northwood who were excellent first-time hosts this month.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me at a future surgery, please email [email protected] or telephone 0203 545 2462.
Outside Maison du Soleil in Ickenham following one of my regular surgeries
Neighbourhood Superintendents
This month, I met with Neighbourhood Superintendents for both Hillingdon and Harrow, Anthony Bennett and Matt Cray, at Uxbridge Police Station and Something’s Brewing in Pinner, respectively.
In these meetings, I highlighted the need to really pay attention to policing priorities across the different areas of London. This is particularly pertinent in suburban communities such as ours that, while are relatively low crime, still require sufficient police presence and attention. It is often the case, however, that focus and resources are directed to areas with higher levels of violent crime.
While it is welcome that Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner is not one of these areas, I know that residents are concerned about vehicle theft, burglary and drug dealing. It should be a given to feel safe in our homes and neighbourhoods, but these incidents are a threat to that security. I understand from personal experience how distressing it can be to be the victim of crime, but we must also consider the community impact. While it may be the case, for example, that one vehicle is stolen from one driveway on a road of houses, the impact of this one incident on the neighbourhood can be hugely detrimental.
Furthermore, once reported, victims quite rightly expect a certain level of care and attention from police, and I am aware from speaking with residents that this could be improved upon. This is important in ensuring that people feel safe within their neighbourhoods and communities, but also addresses the bigger issue of rebuilding confidence and trust in the police. It was encouraging to hear that Superintendents Bennett and Cray, and their teams, understand this.
The conversations I had with both Superintendents did largely echo the one I had with Sir Mark Rowley last year, along with Conservative colleagues in London, and so I am encouraged that this renewed sense of commitment to tackle all crime in all areas of the capital is being reflected in neighbourhood policing at a more local level.
I am grateful to both for their time and look forward to keeping in regular contact.
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With Hillingdon Neighbourhood Superintendent Anthony Bennett at Uxbridge Police Station (top) and Harrow Neighbourhood Superintendent Matt Cray at Something's Brewing in Pinner (bottom)
Hillingdon Hospital update
I was elected on a manifesto that pledged to strengthen our NHS by committing to build 40 new hospitals across England by 2030. This includes the New Hillingdon Hospital, and I have been involved in a long-standing campaign to ensure that we see shovels in the ground at the site, previously pressing Ministers on this during Health Questions.
I am therefore delighted that the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, has confirmed that the New Hillingdon Hospital scheme is making progress. Construction work is expected to commence in mid-2025 once further enabling work has been carried out. I have been assured that existing facilities will remain open during construction, which will lessen the disruption for those currently receiving treatment at Hillingdon Hospital.
This is fantastic news for residents served by Hillingdon Hospital, and for all those involved in the campaign.
With Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, and Lord Markham CBE following the announcement
Grassroots sports in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
There has also been some positive news for grassroots sporting facilities in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. I welcome the £2,137 of Government investment that will be received by my constituency to transform sports facilities to get more people active and nurture future sporting talent.
Furthermore, residents may recall from previous updates that Hillingdon and Harrow will benefit from LTA Tennis Foundation and UK Government funding to refurbish and renovate park tennis courts, with the aim to support a new generation of tennis players to get into the sport.
There are already a number of projects underway at sites across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. I was recently able to see the finished results at the Northwood Recreation Ground at the relaunch of the park tennis courts, where I was joined by Cllr Henry Higgins, Northwood ward Councillor, and Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at Hillingdon Council.
The LTA is also working with Hillingdon Council and the National Tennis Association to deliver a range of activities catering to all ages and abilities. I hope that these improvements, together with warmer weather and the upcoming Wimbledon championship, will provide greater opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds to be active.
With Cllr Eddie Lavery and Cllr Henry Higgins at Northwood Recreation Ground
I also joined the EntainGroup to celebrate the ‘Pitching In’ programme in Parliament this month. It was a useful opportunity to discuss the support they have helped direct to fantastic grassroots football clubs in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. This includes Northwood F.C. who, along with Ickenham Youth F.C., Ruislip Rangers and Harefield United, are hugely valued by residents.
At the 'Pitching In' reception in Parliament this month
HOAC update
Residents may recall that last month I met with Lesley Davies and Tim Hall from the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust at Broadwater Lake. Something that we discussed was Hillingdon’s plans for the new HOAC site (Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre), and how we can ensure that any further disruption to the environment is minimised.
Last week, I visited the site in Harefield to see plans for the new activity centre, alongside Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Property, Highways & Transport, and Perry Scott, Corporate Director of Place at Hillingdon Council.
I am encouraged by the proposals, not least because of the beautiful setting, but also because there is an emphasis on carbon neutrality and biodiversity, which is really important. I look forward to keeping up to date with developments.
At the new HOAC site in Harefield with Perry Scott and Cllr Jonathan Bianco
Out and about
It was such a pleasure to accept an invitation to Adolphus Care's 20th anniversary celebrations in Pike's End, Eastcote, alongside Hillingdon Mayor Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana.
Adolphus Care was established in 2003 to provide care and support to vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs in the constituency.
It was great to meet with Yetunde Esan, General Manager, and the wonderful staff who are clearly very passionate about the work they do, as well as the service users and their loved ones, who had only positive things to say about the care and support they receive.
Joining Adolphus Care Home staff and Hillingdon Mayor, Cllr Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, for 20th anniversary celebrations
Also this month, I was delighted to receive a warm welcome from Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community UK (SKLPC-UK) at the foundation laying at India Gardens in Northolt, alongside Cllr Anjana Patel.
For those who are not aware, the India Gardens Complex is a self-funded project which aims to champion the unity SKLPC promote within their membership, which has grown to 30,000 since the charity was established in 1972.
The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony, otherwise called Shilanyas Ceremony is a very sacred Hindu Ceremony and is conducted before any building works commence.
At the foundation laying at India Gardens in Northolt
Lastly, I was grateful to attend the event hosted by Community ConneX in Hatch End earlier this month, where I joined local councillors Janet Mote, Jean Lammiman, Matthew Goodwin-Freeman and Norman Stevenson.
I was pleased to see such a great turnout and funds being raised for this local charity, which serves residents in and around the community.
In Parliament
Treasury Questions
Parliamentary questions are a vital part of parliamentary scrutiny, allowing MPs to raise issues of both local and national significance. During the recent Treasury Questions, I chose to question Ministers about the work being done to support individuals on a low income.
Since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, it is clear that countries across the world have been struggling with increased costs that has led to inflation and debt spiralling. This disproportionately affects those on the lowest incomes, and it is these people who stand ready to benefit from a strong economy. We know that in order to achieve this we need to reduce debt, reduce inflation and balance the books. I am glad that this formed a key part of the Prime Minister's five pledges that were made at the beginning of the year.
In the Minister’s response, he outlined the work already being done by the Government to restore economic confidence and to provide immediate relief for vulnerable households. This support includes targeted support for the most vulnerable in our society through additional cost of living payments and the uprating of benefits by 10.1% this year.
The Government has also increased the national living wage by 9.7%, representing an increase of more than £1,600 in the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the national living wage. In total, this support is worth £3,300 per household on average over this year and last.
Interestingly, the Minister outlined that this meant that households in the bottom half of the income distribution will see, in cash terms, twice as much benefit from Government support as households in the top half of the income distribution.
You can watch my question to the Minister here.
APPG on British Jews
Following a meeting with Daniel Sugarman and Joe Crossley from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, I was delighted to accept an invitation to become Co-Chair of the APPG on British Jews in Parliament, alongside Dame Margaret Hodge. I welcome this positive move, particularly given the local demographic of the constituency I represent.
In addition to the important topics of differing attitudes towards the current Israeli Government and proscription, we discussed post-Brexit trading opportunities and ways in which we can showcase what a UK/Israel trade deal would offer.
It was a useful meeting and I look forward to working with the team in the future.
With Daniel Sugarman and Joe Crossley from the Board of Deputies of British Jews
APPG on Migration - Delegation to Paris
In May, I visited Paris as part of a British delegation in my role as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration. I met with French counterparts in the France-UK-Friendship Group and the Chair of the Constitutional Acts, Legislation and General Administration Committee. I also met with the British Ambassador to France and officials from the British Embassy
I participated in useful conversations on migration and other Franco-British issues. I particularly stressed the importance of mutual cooperation between our nations to tackle Channel crossings as well as ensuring we have a migration system that works for all stakeholders.
Speaking with delegates in Paris earlier in May
Bright Blue panel event
Housing and planning policy continues to be at the centre of important debates, both locally and nationally. As Chair of the APPG on Housing and Planning, it is an area in which I take great interest.
I was therefore pleased to be on the panel as a key speaker at Bright Blue's event for the launch of their essay collection with Shelter entitled "A true property-owning democracy: a modern and radical conservative housing policy".
I am grateful to the team for facilitating this excellent event and important discussion, which I am sure we will see continue in Westminster over the coming months.
Speaking at Bright Blue's panel event on Conservative housing policy
I hope that residents have been able to enjoy the warmer weather, making the most of the wonderful greenspaces we have on our doorsteps in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.
Once again, I am grateful to residents who have taken the time to contact me this month, and look forward to speaking with more of you over the coming weeks.
Kind regards,
David
