Constituency Update – September 2023
Dear friend,
I hope you had a wonderful Summer. Parliament was back for a short period of time and broke up on Tuesday for Conference Recess, but it has by no means been quiet!
Tragic murder in New Addington and two charged
As a community, we have all been devastated by the tragic murder of Bradley Hutchins in New Addington last week. I cannot imagine the pain his family and friends are going through. I spent a lot of time with the community last week and saw the professional and effective response from the police. It is reassuring that two men have been charged. I know that the emergency services battled to save Bradley’s life and I am so grateful to them for that. I also know that Pathfinders, local councillors, the Family Centre and other local organisations and faith groups have been giving people support. We are lucky to have such a strong and supportive community.
Action to tackle robberies on tram network
I called a meeting this week of British Transport Police, the MET and local schools following increasing robberies on the tram network – in particular Woodside Arena, Blackhorse Lane, Lloyds Park and Sandilands. Several parents have been in touch with me to tell me their children have been targeted before and after school. Many of these crimes go unreported as families are scared of the repercussions. We agreed a plan of action and are reconvening in three months to monitor progress. If you, your child, or someone you know has been affected by crime on the tram network, please get in touch with me
Reshuffle news: I’m Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation
I am delighted to have started my new role as Labour’s Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation, working as no 2 to Ed Miliband and Jonny Reynolds across two teams. I have already got stuck into my new brief, challenging the Minister of State about the risk to about Tata Steel jobs. I was pleased to talk to Community Union who represent most of the workforce in Port Talbot. I have also been busy with media, discussing Labour’s plans to tackle the cost of living crisis and to grow the economy after years of decline. You can find a recent clip here.
Cost of living crisis pushes up casework in Croydon
Since the beginning of June I have received 5,763 casework emails. In the last three months I’ve had some really great casework wins, including one constituent’s case with the Department of Work and Pensions where there had been a communication error and he was reimbursed by almost £4,000. I am also glad that some constituents who were initially rejected from the ULEZ scrappage scheme were given it after we appealed.I have recently been supporting a man who has been sleeping rough for a long time and finally helped him secure safe and suitable housing. Finally, I have also been working with local partners to address anti-social behaviour. There was one lady who was facing constant verbal abuse outside her house. Thankfully following an intervention, the abuse has now stopped.
Since my election in 2017 I have received almost 113,000 emails asking for help or giving views. Huge thanks as ever to my small team who work super hard and get results!
Celebrating Croydon Pride
I had a fantastic time with friends and colleagues at Croydon Pride in Wandle Park. I am so proud to represent Croydon where community, diversity and culture are the very heart of who we are. Thank you so much to all the volunteers and organisers who make it possible every year, the festival wouldn’t happen without them!
Celebrating a very happy Sapparam at the Shree Sakthi Ganapathy
It was an absolute honour to be welcomed to the Shree Sakthi Ganapathy on the 9th day of the Chaturthi. It was a night of wonderful music of Nadhaswaram and Thavil, “mangala isai” played by Artists from India, Srilanka and Malaysia. A feast of sight and sound!
Blown away by the beauty at the Choose Love Garden Launch
Thank you so much to Good Food Matters in New Addington for welcoming me to the celebratory launch of the Choose Love Garden in New Addington. Lovingly designed by Jane Porter (Gold-Medal Winner at the Chelsea Flower Show 2022) and show-cased at the Chelsea Flower Show, the Choose Love Garden is inspired by migration. The garden is absolutely beautiful, and everyone I met there was an inspiration. Please have a look at their website if you would like to volunteer with them.
Celebrating victory with Croydon Women’s Football Club
It was fantastic to be at Croydon Sports Arena supporting Croydon WFC as they won their first game of the FA cup in a penalty shootout against Hammersmith! It has already been an amazing year for women’s football, and Croydon WFC is no exception. Stay up to date with their fixtures and results here.
MET police under the spotlight in Croydon
Croydon recently welcomed Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Met Police to Fairfield Halls to talk about policing in Croydon. I know that confidence in the Police is low, and that a lot of work needs to be done to make Croydon safer and to build back trust and confidence in policing. I am extremely proud to represent Croydon and to know the amazing community figures and activists who are fighting every day to make this a reality. We have a long way to go, – especially following the charging of a police officer for the murder of Chris Kaba – but I support the work that Sir Mark Rowley and Lynne Owens are doing to turn the Met around. We have high expectations and we are hopeful they will deliver the change needed.
Well done Croydon’s kids!
Congratulations to all pupils in Croydon and beyond who received their exam results last month. Their results are a celebration of their hard work and resilience. Our young people have faced immense challenges in the last few years. I also want to say thank you to all the teachers and education staff in Croydon without whom pupils’ achievements wouldn’t be possible.
Contacting me for advice or support
My surgery is at New Addington Library this week (Friday 22 September 10-11:30) . If there is anything I can do as your MP to support you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. My team and I are always on hand to offer any advice and support that we can offer. If you think I can help, please email me at sarah.jones.mp@parliament.uk. Alternatively, my office phone lines are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10-12 and 2-4. Please call me on 0208 191 7066. |
