October 2008

Parliament's attention has naturally been focused upon the financial crisis. However whilst we need to restore confidence in the banking system we should not forget the impact upon small businesses and individuals. At a meeting I arranged last week with traders in Green Lanes the pressures on high street retailers were all too evident. Central and local government need to urgently relieve the burdens of excessive enforcement and taxation.

The problem of personal indebtedness, which is at unprecedented levels in the UK, has been a significant issue in my advice surgery long before the credit crunch. For those on low incomes debt becomes a huge millstone around their neck with doorstep lenders and loan sharks snapping at their heels. The work of organisations like CAB is particularly important at this time. I was involved in a policy review last year which highlighted that debt goes deeper than finance with nearly 11 million people suffering relationship problems because of debt. Debt is also one of the biggest causes of family breakdown. The early months and years of a child’s life are pressurised and financial strains can make life very difficult. We need to support excellent organizations like ‘Homestart’ which for many years has been helping support families who are often in crisis.

I was pleased to have meetings with reputedly the 2 most influential men in London – Mayor Boris Johnson and Deputy Mayor Sir Simon Milton. I was trying to make sure their influence is focused upon the North Circular Road and New Southgate which have suffered from such neglect over the years. I am optimistic that progress will be made to regenerate this needy area of my constituency. Whilst the economic climate does not lend itself to property development, there can be no more delay in redeveloping the blighted properties along the A406. The Mayor may well be looking at the legacy from the Olympics but I would hope that he could in time look back on a regenerated A406 area with pride.