Barry Sheerman

Category: Uncategorised

• An Easter Update

  Posted at 6:17 pm by joshnicholson98, on Apr 13, 2022

  Over the last two weeks, Parliament has paused for the Easter holidays. I thought this would be a good time to update you on some of my recent work. Of course, Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine remains the most substantial, tragic and urgent crisis that we face as a country and as a global community. I continue to be proud of Labour’s response to the crisis and I remain in awe of the courage of President Zelensky and people across Ukraine, from Mariupol to Lviv in their brave resistance to Putin’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression. The tactics which we are witnessing being deployed by Putin’s armed forces undeniably amount to war crimes; the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, the forced deportation of people into Russia, bombast of military tribunals against civilians, the deliberate limiting of humanitarian corridors and the cutting off of aid. On the 12th of March, I attended a Ukrainian fundraiser at the Sikh Leisure Centre, where we came together as a community to raise money for the people of Ukraine. I have been in contact with many people in relation to the ongoing invasion. Many people have reached out to me and my team seeking support in relation to the Visa scheme, the settlement programme, and other areas. The Government’s response to this crisis has been undoubtedly haphazard and patently unclear and Labour continues to call for an end to overcomplicated bureaucracy. People fleeing warzones do not have the capacity to obtain their utility bills; the Government’s approach lacks common sense, and we will continue to push them on this to improve the quality of provision to Ukrainians fleeing this brutal war. I have also been contacted by those on the ground in Ukraine. One of our residents, Richard Dass, has driven to the country’s eastern regions to provide medical equipment to doctors and healthcare providers on the frontlines. He urgently requires vacuum therapy apparatus for healing bomb-related injuries and cast tape for broken bones. He has established a ‘GoFundMe’ page which I have donated to which sets out his plight. If you know anyone who can spare some money to further this campaign for medical equipment, please do pass on the link below. I have also written to the secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development of Affairs, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Minister of State for Europe and North America. I have also raised Richard’s work to the Leader of the House of Commons on two occasions to ensure that the hospitals gets the equipment they need. He also seeks to assist the evacuation of refugees and house them. I will continue to support Richard however and wherever I can. I am also assisting several constituents who have family members that have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and are in the process of applying to come to the UK. Please see Richard Dass’ fundraising page here and my statement to the Leader of the House, here. The situation in Ukraine is truly dire. Before the recess, I attempted to secure an Urgent Question on the humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol where around 90% of buildings are expected to be either damaged or destroyed as the Russian aggressors continue to commit war crimes against the Ukrainian people. Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful, but you can see my parliamentary comments on the situation in Ukraine to the Government by following the links below. – The Secretary of State for International Trade – The Home Affairs Team – The Leader of the House of Commons Beyond the situation in Ukraine, we face a cost-of-living crisis here at home, which Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement did absolutely nothing to remedy. The Government might well blame the economic outlook entirely on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the fact is, under the Tories’ watch, cost of living and inflation have been rising for years. It is a symptom of their mismanagement, and it is beyond any doubt at this point, that they cannot be trusted with our economy, the finances of working people and the wellbeing of families across the country. Rishi Sunak has been proven to be, time and again, the most incompetent Chancellor that I can remember who has allowed fraud to go unchecked, cronyism to run rampant and for our national finances to be squandered – all to the detriment of working people, many of whom will be pushed further into financial difficulty and in many cases, poverty. Rachel Reeves, our excellent shadow Chancellor, gave a spirited and meticulous overview of the realities of the Spring Statement and demonstrated how Labour would turn things around for the economy and for working people. For too long, the scales have been tipped against working people who are carrying the burden of our broken national finances whilst oil and gas giants generate ludicrous profits. My other actions in Westminster this past month: In March, we saw the appalling behaviour of P&O Ferries, who sacked 800 workers with no notice. This, in 2022, is a disgrace. The Tories have presided over an erosion of workers’ rights nationwide and have time and again failed to shore up these rights by outlawing, once and for all, the egregious practice of fire and rehire. I spoke in Shadow Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh’s speech on this on Labour’s Opposition Day. I raised in the chamber, to the Leader of the House, the need for an urgent debate on teacher’s pensions. Pensions remain a real issue of concern for so many people across the public sector and it’s about time that the Government got a grip and made right this historic wrong. On numerous occasions, I have raised the issue of the Sub-Postmasters Horizon IT scandal. This is one of the most severe and impactful miscarriages of justice in our country’s history and I am elated that finally, the Government has devised a means to compensate those countless postmasters who had their lives ruined and had to live with the consequences for years and years. You can view these interventions here , here and here . I raised with the Health Secretary the need to assess the quality of management in our health service to ensure a high standard of patient care across the entire country and to make certain hospitals in every part of the United Kingdom deliver for those in need. I urged the Government to invest in Huddersfield to bring about and encourage green start up, green business and to facilitate the obtaining of ‘green skills’ for young people in our vibrant university town. This month, the Government’s Economic Crime Bill passed the Commons. I was of the view, alongside my Labour colleagues, that the Bill should go much further. The Government have dragged their feet on stopping dirty money filtering into our politics and our economy for too long. Putin’s cronies’ ill-gotten gains have been left in the shadows and we must reform Companies House, expand the scope of the Bill to include pre-1999 property purchases and ensure foreign entities notify changes to beneficial ownership within 14 days. You can watch here. I was in the chamber for the ‘unveiling’ of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda. The Prime Minister’s major domestic agenda is nothing more, like Northern Powerhouse, than pie in the sky which does nothing to correct and reverse the cuts to local services made in the last decade. We would love to level up. But this Government has yet to do anything to meet its own targets. You can review my comments here . Water pollution is a growing challenge in the UK. Not a single river in Britain is clean enough to swim in. This month, I raised with the Defra ministerial team the need to mitigate levels of water pollution in our streams, rivers and canals. As part of my work with the Westminster Autism Commission, I have supported the publishing of its major report on ‘Support Surrounding Diagnosis’ for neurodiverse people. I raised issue of waiting times and the need for greater investment into SEN services to ensure that young people and children get the assessment necessary to see their needs met. I am also campaigning on several issues affecting my constituents, including pressing the Government to maintain people’s access to cash following a continual reduction in the numbers of cash machines in Huddersfield. This is a real problem in some of our outlying villages and communities. Two years ago, the Chancellor told us he would introduce legislation to protect people’s access to cash; it still hasn’t been done. I am also raising with ministers the impact of their welfare policies. In Huddersfield, the benefits cap is affecting 135 families, who are seeing a real-terms loss of over £190 a month. In the wider country, there are 123,000 families affected. The Government must act to prevent further strain being taken up by the poorest families in our constituency. I hope that this has given you small idea of what I’m working on in Parliament. As Parliament returns next week, I look forward to getting back to the work of holding the Government to account and standing up for the people of Huddersfield. If any constituent has any need, please do contact me at barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk.

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• The invasion of Ukraine

  Posted at 11:14 am by thomascritchley, on Mar 17, 2022

   We have all been shocked by the horrific scenes emanating out of Ukraine over the last two weeks. President Putin’s cowardly and illegal war surmounts to war crimes. His attacks against innocent civilians are depraved and we all mourn the loss of life brought about by Putin’s senseless aggression. The images of nurseries and hospitals after being bombed are tragic and deserve the utmost condemnation and urgent diplomatic action.  

  In the face of such evil, I have been overwhelmed by the strength, resolve and bravery of the Ukrainian people. In the fight against tyranny and autocracy they have been unbroken in their desire for freedom, democracy, and self-determination. Standing beside the people of Ukraine is more important now than ever before. I have also been deeply moved by the spirit and love shown across the UK, as communities in Huddersfield and beyond have mobilised to provide aid to those in need in Ukraine. I was proud to attend a fundraiser this weekend in Huddersfield. 

  The hardest possible sanctions must be taken against all those linked to Putin and against the Russian government’s interests, working in a coordinated and unified way with our allies to ensure the Putin regime faces the severest possible consequences. Russia must be cut out of the global economic system. The sanctions package announced by the Government contains measures that are good in principle, but the words must match the reality as we scrutinise the details, and I believe we must go further. There are some glaring omissions in the banking sanctions, and individual asset freeze designations against Putin’s oligarchs are moving too slowly. I believe there is more that can be done on export controls and to strengthen the Economic Crime Bill.  

  This sort of humanitarian crisis has not been seen since the Second World War. Over two million people have fled their homes. The British people have a long and proud history of providing refuge for those fleeing conflict and tyranny. The Kindertransport from 1938-1940 brought thousands of Jewish children to the UK from Nazi Germany, proving refuge and sanctuary. This is a legacy all of us can be proud of. Despite this, the Conservative’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has been chaotic and disorganised. The current system for family visas is far too restrictive and there has been complete confusion with refugees being unable to process their applications in Calais. People need a simple and safe route to sanctuary right now and the UK must play its part. The Labour Party and I are calling for emergency protection visas for those fleeing Ukraine who want to reach the UK. It would lift normal visa conditions, other than biometrics and security checks, which can be done swiftly en-route. This would provide a quick, simple, and safe route for sanctuary for all who need it.  

  We need to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine as a prerogative, medical supplies, sanitary products, and other limited items are in dire shortage. I have made a cash donation to this cause, and I urge people to help in any way they can. 

  The illegal invasion of Ukraine is a global catastrophe. It is an act of unprovoked aggression against a democratic and peaceful nation. The days, weeks and months ahead will be dark, but I firmly believe that the Ukrainian people will live under the light of peace and freedom once again, under their own Government, free from the horrors of war.    

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• An inalienable right to breathe clean air?

  Posted at 11:20 am by thomascritchley, on Feb 17, 2022

  Does each one of us possess an inalienable right to breathe clean air? Or do we settle for a poisonous alternative, an alternative whereby each one of us is subjected to harmful emissions, with devasting implications for our health and wellbeing? This is a question that I have been posing to each one of my colleagues in Parliament over the last few months. 

  As Chair of the Westminster Commission for Road and Air Quality, I was shocked to come across evidence that shows how 36,000 people die each year from causes related to air pollution. It is estimated that those who die prematurely in the UK are losing on average six months of life due to exposure to harmful emissions. In London, the figure is closer to ten-years. What has been the Governments response? The Conservatives have continually voted against implementing stricter air pollution targets that would bring us in line with World Heath Organisation recommendations. Is this just laziness, or is it because the Government know that levels of air pollution would break every legal limit. If we believe that each one of us possesses an inalienable right to breathe clean air, then there is certainly a great distance between our beliefs and the reality we are living in.  

  I certainly believe that each one of us possesses this right and have made it my mission to push for greater action in Parliament. That is why in the last month, I have presented two Bills that would reduce air pollution.  

  1. Air Pollution (Local Authority Audits) Bill 

  This Bill would ensure that local authorities conduct annual audits of air pollution in their local areas. This would ensure that polluters are identified, and actions can be taken to reduce levels of harmful emissions. The Secretary of State would be required to report annually on the result of these audits, meaning MPs could properly scrutinise air pollution levels in the UK. Good policy requires good evidence. This Bill would give us a Domesday Book of air pollution, identifying all the emitters and hotspots, meaning we can make evidence-based decisions to tackle the problem.  

  2. Motor Vehicle Tests (Diesel Particulate Filters) Bill 

  Diesel exhaust is a class 1 carcinogen. This means it’s one of the most dangerous types of particulates emitted into the atmosphere. The World Health Organisation have made clear the dangerous impact on the body, with particulates penetrating deep into the respiratory system. My Bill calls for the Government to update the MOT test to include an efficiency test for DPF filters with an emission limit set at 250,000 particles per cm^3. This would identify dangerous filters and ensure that they are taken off the road and fixed. The policies and frameworks are there, all the Government needs to do is update the law.   

  If you would like to watch the full footage of my speech in the House of Commons, you can do so here.  

  These two Bills could be quick wins for the Government. They’re easy to implement, the frameworks are there, and they would make a huge difference. They are both coming back to Parliament on Friday 18^th March 2022. Let’s see if the Government will do the right thing and back my Bills to ensure the inalienable right to breathe clean air. 

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• Diesel Particulate Filters – My Ten Minute Rule Bill

  Posted at 11:45 am by aaronhorsley, on Feb 9, 2022

  

  On Tuesday I had the privilege of presenting a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to the House of Commons. A Ten-Minute Rule Bill is a way that MPs can argue for a certain law to be made or changed. It’s very rare that MPs get the opportunity to present such a Bill, which means the decision over what issue to focus on is very important. I put a lot of thought into it and decided to present a Bill that would update the MOT test for diesel cars, specifically in the testing of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs).  

  Why have I chosen this issue? Because I believe air pollution is one of the greatest public health crises of our time and that good policy can help to reverse some of its distressing implications. A DPF is a filter that captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel cars. If the DPF is faulty, a single vehicle can produce the same amount of pollution as a three lane, 360-mile-long traffic jam. That is the distance from Huddersfield to Land’s End. Shocked? So was I.  

  Diesel exhaust is a class 1 carcinogen. This means it’s one of the most dangerous types of particulates emitted into the atmosphere. According to the World Health Organisation, it has a dangerous impact on the body, penetrating deep into the respiratory system, causing lung cancer in humans.  

  Cleaning up our countries air will require a long, focused, and well-resourced campaign with cooperation between central, local, and devolved Governments. Tackling air pollution is no easy fix but despite this, there are some quick wins to score that will have a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing. My Bill is one of those wins.  

  With high-tech testing equipment available at a reasonable cost, now is the time to update the MOT test. Its already being done in the Netherlands, where a DPF efficiency test is being introduced that will identify faulty filters that emit a high level of dangerous particulates. In the UK we’re moving in the right direction, but more must be done. In 2014 and 2018, regulations for DPFs have been updated as we’ve uncovered more about their impact on dangerous emissions. In 2022, its time we act again.  

  My Bill calls for the Government to update the MOT test to include an efficiency test for DPF filters with an emission limit set at 250,000 particles per cm^3. This would identify dangerous filters and ensure that they are taken off the road and fixed. The policies and frameworks are there, all the Government needs to do is update the law.  

  Air pollution is a public health crisis that is causing thousands of lives to end early in the UK with millions more worldwide. It adds billions in costs to the health service and can severely impact people’s wellbeing. On Tuesday I presented my Bill to Parliament to call on MPs to get behind my campaign to clean up our air. I’ve also tabled the following Early Day Motion, calling on MPs to support my Bill. You can read it here. The costs are too great not to act. If my Bill becomes law, we will have made a significant step in protecting everybody’s inalienable right to breathe clean air.   

  If you would like to watch the full footage of my speech in the House of Commons, you can do so here. 

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments | Tagged Air Quality, clean air, climate crisis, Huddersfield, parliament, Road, WCRAQ, westminster commission

• ‘Levelling up’ must be sustainable

  Posted at 2:00 pm by thomascritchley, on Jan 17, 2022

  What is levelling up? Like many, this is a question I’ve pondered over the last two years since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister. With Michael Gove promising to finally release his long-delayed white paper on levelling up this month, the meaning of this catchword has come into question again.

  We’ve had a bundle of separate fundus announced, including the Levelling Up Fund, Towns Fund and High Streets Fund (a lot of which went to local councils of Tory ministers…). We’ve heard the announcement of the UK Infrastructure Bank that will invest in a green industrial revolution. Disappointingly, we have also witnessed the scaling back of Northern Powerhouse Rail and seeming intent of the Government acquiesce to the possible privatisation of Channel 4, risking the new base in Leeds. Levelling up? We seem to be scaling back. The potential for our region is limitless – if only Government’s matched our ambition with action.

  I don’t intend to be overtly political about levelling up. There is potential for meaningful, beneficial change for towns like Huddersfield, but levelling up can only be achieved with substantial bold action and a long-term commitment to provide the necessary funding. Levelling up must also be part of a broader environmental strategy to decarbonise the UK economy and gain an international advantage when it comes to the green industries of the future. Pontificating about Medici-style ‘renaissance towns’ from Michael Gove will not help the North or address the climate crisis; rather we he must recognise that the solutions to climate change and a failure to devolve real power and investment to the regions are the same.

  Levelling up must be sustainable. It can form part of a new integrated approach to the environment and economy that puts sustainable development at the heart. The more we wake up to the realities of climate change, the greater action we realise we must take to combat this serious and alarming threat. But with challenge, there is opportunity, and it is one which the Government to take. The opportunity is to develop our towns, cities, and communities sustainably.

  For example, the UK Infrastructure Bank has a mandate to tackle climate change and level up, what potential this has to kickstart investment in green industries across the North. From investment in hydrogen fuel and storage to carbon capture, with targeted support and real commitment, the UK could be at the cutting edge of developing the new industries of the future. We can also level-up our natural environment, by investing in nature recovery networks and rewilding, simultaneously tackling the biodiversity crisis, and boosting health, wellbeing and quality of life for all those across our communities.

  The Government must follow through on its plans to level-up, not just to follow through on a ‘commitment’ they’ve made, but because missing the opportunities of sustainable development would be mad. Towns like Huddersfield could be at the forefront of these new industries, creating jobs for thousands across the whole North. The reality is that if the Government misses this opportunity, those jobs will go elsewhere, leaving our country worse off than before.

  I’m calling for the Government to commit to levelling-up our towns and cities sustainably, and to take the opportunity that transitioning to a green economy provides. I have written to Michael Gove asking for a commitment to make levelling-up sustainable to ensure that our regions benefit as we transition to a greener way of life. The opportunities are there. My question to the Government is – are you bold enough to take them?

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• The latest inflation forecasts

  Posted at 10:08 am by thomascritchley, on Jan 10, 2022

  On the first Prime Ministers Questions of the year, Angela Rayner caught Boris Johnson off-guard by grilling him on the latest inflation figures. Angela’s pointed questions come off the back of worrying rises in inflation, with some economists expecting levels to reach 7%, not seen since the 1990’s. Whilst I welcome the low unemployment rate, it is imperative that the Government gets a grip on the rising levels of inflation and to mitigate a further squeeze in living standards for working people. Shop prices rose by the fastest rate in almost three years in the run-up to Christmas amid the highest rate of inflation for fresh food in almost a decade. Retailers will be unable to absorb the entire rise in inflation and it will by reason be passed onto the consumer. Angela rightly pointed out this is a crisis of Boris Johnson’s own making. He failed to get a grip on the HGV driver shortage, which pushed up food prices, he failed to tackle the energy crisis, with 27 companies having gone bust last year, and he has failed to put more money in the pockets of working people. 

  Like my constituents in Huddersfield, I want the Government to take firm action to get a grip on the inflation crisis. Alongside colleagues in the Labour Party, I am calling on the Government to commit to three actions that would help ease the burden on working families. 

  1. Reverse the planned hike in National Insurance 

  Last year the Government voted to hike up National Insurance by 1.25%, breaking a promise and putting Britain on course for the highest overall tax burden since 1950. A cost-of-living iceberg is looming, and this tax rise will take more money from the payslips of the poorest in society. The truth is that this Government is shielding the richest and most privileged. Instead of asking private landlords owning and renting multiple properties to pay their fair share, they have picked on the most vulnerable.

  • Cut VAT on energy bills 

  The number of UK households living in fuel poverty could climb to the highest level on record this spring unless the Government acts. Energy bills were already too high for most families, even before the October price cap hike. Therefore, Labour and I are calling for the Government to cut VAT on energy bills. Boris Johnson promised during the Brexit campaign that VAT on energy bills would be cut after Britain left the EU. Why is he now so hesitant to take this step? VAT is currently 5% on energy bills and if it was removed, it would make an enormous financial difference to the average household. 

  • Reverse the £20 cut in Universal Credit 

  The Government must reverse its dangerous and damaging cut to universal credit that is costing six million families over £1000 a year. The Labour Party and I have been campaigning throughout the last six months on this and have repeatedly asked the Conservatives to reverse this ill-conceived and political decision. The £20 cut will hurt households’ finances and must be reversed to support people through the current cost of living crisis. 

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• A Christmas Update

  Posted at 1:23 pm by thomascritchley, on Dec 17, 2021

  As Parliament breaks for Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity to update my constituents on what I have been working on over the last month. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. 

  As some of you may have seen, I have announced that I will not be standing again at the next general election. It has been an utmost honour to have represented Huddersfield for the last 41 years in Parliament. In the meantime, I will continue to work as hard as ever to represent you in Parliament and campaign for the Labour Government that our country needs. You can watch my standing down statement here. 

  The Pandemic 

  Like me, I am sure many of you are worried about the rise of the Omicron variant and the implications this will have on Christmas plans. I want to make sure that everyone in Huddersfield can enjoy Christmas with their families and friends this year. I also want to make sure we protect our NHS – which is already under severe strain from a Tory-induced staffing shortage and chronic underfunding. By acting now, we can try to prevent a worsening situation and the need for further restrictions.

  This is why I voted for the Government’s Plan B measures, including the requirement for Covid passes demonstrating vaccination status or proof of a negative test for entry to large venues and mass gatherings. Watch my question to the Secretary of State for Health here. I also voted for other common-sense measures such as mask wearing in indoor spaces. 

  The best thing we can all do to protect ourselves and loved ones is to get a booster jabs. I was pleased to make a statement to my constituents outlining the importance of getting vaccinated and I urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their jab yet to come forward now. 

  Sustainability

  One of my most important causes is the Sustainable Towns initiative. Two years ago, I set up the Sustainable Huddersfield initiative and I am now asking the Government to support similar initiatives across the country. I tabled an Early Day Motion which you can read here. I also had the opportunity to urge the Secretary of State to commit to 500 sustainable towns and communities across the country. Watch my question here.  

  I believe that by championing sustainability initiatives in towns and cities across the country, we can implement the COP26 Glasgow Pact at a grassroots level, that empowers people in their local communities. In Huddersfield we are working with the Kirklees Climate Commission to advise the Council on how they can become more sustainable. We are bringing together businesses, community leaders and members of the public to come up with a roadmap to make Huddersfield a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place. 

  Clean Air

  Campaigning for better air quality is a longstanding passion of mine. This month I tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the Government to make provision for local authorities to take annual air quality audits to identify where and who is causing air pollution. If the Government committed to my idea, we would have body of evidence identifying air pollution hotspots ready and waiting to be used to direct policy. Good policy needs evidence, and this is what I am calling for. You can read my Early Day Motion here. I am also hoping to present a private Bill to Parliament on this issue in the new year. In addition, I will also be giving the first reading of my Ten-Minute Rule Bill on diesel particulate filters and MOT tests early next year.  

  Integrated Rail Plan

  Last month the Government published its Integrated Rail Plan, scrapping the eastern leg of HS2 and downgrading plans for ‘Northern Powerhouse Rail’. Whilst I welcome the planned upgrade of the line that runs through Huddersfield, I was disappointed that the plan lacked the ambition needed to truly ‘level up’ the North, as promised by consecutive Tory Governments and breaking several manifesto promises. I asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he would go back and re-consider his proposals. Watch here.

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• An update on my parliamentary work

  Posted at 11:45 am by thomascritchley, on Nov 18, 2021

  Return from November Recess

  As Parliament broke for Recess this month, I thought it would be a good time to provide an update to my constituents on my latest work in the House of Commons in the week leading up to the November break.

  Sir David Amess

  As Parliament returned from Conference Recess in October, we were confronted with the tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP. Sir David was a dedicated Parliamentarian and one of the kindest colleagues I have had the pleasure to meet. Sir David was an outstanding MP, campaigner and colleague; all of us in Parliament will miss him dearly and cherish memories of him.

  I wrote an article in the Yorkshire Post which outlines my views on how we can prevent a tragedy like this ever happening again. You can read it here.

  The Environment and COP26

  The news this month has been dominated by environmental issues and the importance of COP26 in delivering the meaningful action our planet desperately needs. I have been pleased to raise these issues several times with ministers over the last month.

  On 2^nd November I held a Westminster Hall debate on the topic of COP26 and air pollution. As Chair of the Westminster Commission for Road and Air Quality I know the severe impacts air pollution has on the health and wellbeing of people all across the UK. I firmly believe any solutions to tackling climate change must also commit to reducing the toxic levels of air pollution that envelop our towns and cities. I challenged the Government to commit to real action at COP26 to reduce air pollution and commit to meaningful climate policies. You can watch my speech here.

  The Environment Bill has also been making its way through the House of Commons this month. The Tories have repeatedly refused to make this Bill stronger by voting down every Labour amendment. Labour colleagues and I have been campaigning to hold water companies to account for leaking raw sewage into our waterways and for proper, World Health Organisation, air pollution limits. I asked the Minister why the Government’s approach was so glacially slow, you can watch here.

  Only a few days after COP26 finished, I asked the Prime Minister what he was doing to materialize the Glasgow Pact in every town and city across the UK. For COP26 to be a success, I believe me must mobilize every town and city across the country with a new sustainable agenda. It will be through empowering communities that we make COP26 a success. Watch my question here.

  Autism Diagnosis

  I have a close, personal interest, in issues that affect autistic and the wider neuro-divergent community. As a result of this interest, alongside a cross-party, cross-sector group of Parliamentarians, autistic people, parents/carers, academics and health professionals, I set up the Westminster Commission on Autism in 2016. This month the Commission launched its latest report: “Support Surrounding Diagnosis: An inquiry into pre-and-post support for the Autism Diagnosis Pathway”. Our report brings together the latest research in the field and will go on to make a huge difference to the autism diagnosis pathway. You can catch up on the report launch here.

  Questioning the Government

  Over this last month I have been pleased to have several opportunities to hold different Government ministers to account. I raised the issue of sustainability with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and asked if they would commit to using the Sustainable Development Goals to put health and wellbeing at the heart of our communities. Watch here.

  I also raised the issue of forensic science with the Ministry of Justice. There are many who are concerned about the quality of forensic science in our country, and as Chair of the All-Party Group for Miscarriages of Justice, I know that mistakes can have awful results for the individuals and families involved. I asked the Minister if he would work with us to put right the current flaws in the system. Watch here.

  I am sure many of you are concerned about the escalating situation on the Poland – Belarus border, with Belarus, supported by Russia, using refugees as a weapon against the EU. I asked the minister what he was doing to work with NATO to stand up to Russian aggression. Watch here.

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• Westminster Commission on Autism Report – “Support Surrounding Diagnosis”

  Posted at 1:00 pm by aaronhorsley, on Nov 2, 2021

  westminster-commission-on-autism-report-support-surrounding-diagnosisDownload
  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments

• Westminster Commission on Autism – Report Launch

  Posted at 10:10 am by barrysheerman, on Oct 29, 2021

  

  I have a close personal interest in issues that affect autistic people and the wider neuro-divergent community, as well as a professional interest having previously chaired the Education Select Committee. As a result of this interest, alongside a cross-party, cross-sector group of Parliamentarians, autistic people, parents/carers, academics and health professionals, I set up the Westminster Commission on Autism in 2016. The aim of the Commission is to produce evidence-based policy recommendations that help create a more autism-friendly world to improve quality of life for autistic people. 

  The Commission has reconvened to produce a third report titled “Support Surrounding Diagnosis: An inquiry into pre- and post- support for the Autism Diagnosis Pathway.” The report was produced by taking evidence from over 600 members of the autism community including self-advocates, academics and health professionals. The Commission fundamentally believes in the power of policy and practice being genuinely centred on autistic people’s voices and those of their families. 

  The period surrounding an autism diagnosis is often stressful and uncertain. For the sake of autistic individuals and their families, easy access to the right support is vital. Yet for many people, their needs are not met. Seeking an autism diagnosis should be a helpful process rather than a source of additional stress. We must listen to what autistic people are telling us about what they need. Our recommendations should not be viewed as a criticism of the organisations working hard to offer support but instead we suggest how support can be best organised to make it easily accessible to those who need it. 
   
  The report will be launched on Tuesday 2^nd November 2021 at 1pm and will take place on Zoom. The event will feature discussion from members of the Westminster Commission on Autism, the Centre of Applied Autism Research, the John and Lorna Wing Foundation as well as featuring contributions from people with lived experience of the support available to those seeking an autism diagnosis. 
   
  The panel is set to include: 

  • Huw Merriman MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism,  
  • Helen Ellis an autistic member of the Westminster Commission on Autism,  
  • Dr Ailsa Russell and Professor Mark Brosnan from the University of Bath, Centre of Applied Autism Research. 

  Strong participation from MPs, academics and members of the neuro-divergent community are vital if the report is to reach its full potential of change to benefit those seeking support in all stages of their diagnosis for autism. 
   
  If you have any questions about the event, please direct them to either Amy Hibbert (amy.hibbert@parliament.uk) or Aaron Horsley (aaron.horsley@parliament.uk) and they will be able to assist you. 

  You can register for the event with the following link – Meeting Registration – Zoom – I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 2^nd November. 

  Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments | Tagged autism, westminster, westminster commission, westminstter commission on autism

• Search

  Search for:
• My Tweets