Welcome to my November e-newsletter.
The biggest news of the month has of course been the Autumn Statement. This involved some tough decisions to strengthen the public finances, after they were hit by global economic problems caused by the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. Despite these very difficult circumstances, funding for the NHS and schools will increase.
As set out in my last e-newsletter, in advance of the statement I highlighted schools funding with the Chancellor as especially important. He has listened and taken action.
Planning matters have dominated much of this month for me, after I secured the support of nearly 60 MPs for an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. This would abolish top-down housing targets which I believe are so high that they are opening the door to overdevelopment. Because of my amendment, the Government has postponed the vote on the Bill and discussions are underway to try to find a negotiated solution to tackle the problems caused by excessively high targets. More information is available on my website here.
The third big item of news is the decision of the Mayor of London to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone out to the Greater London boundary, covering the whole of Barnet for the first time (currently only the area south of the A406 was in the zone). I strongly oppose this new £12.50 a day charge. If you are against this ULEZ expansion too, please sign my petition here.
Activities in the constituency have included supporting Mitzvah Day volunteers at Woodside Park Synagogue, Parliament Week activities with HSS UK, laying a wreath at the Chipping Barnet War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, switching on seasonal lights for Cherry Lodge Cancer care, and giving evidence to the planning inquiry to determine a new local development plan for Barnet which will have a big impact on what is built here over the next ten years.
In Parliament I dropped into meet Radiotherapy UK to discuss their #CatchUpWithCancer campaign to ensure this important treatment is available to everyone who needs it. I attended events hosted by the National Farmers’ Union to #BackBritishFarming and by the Better Planning Coalition to hear from a big group of environmental organisations campaigning to improve the planning system.
I attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion to discuss the importance of protecting access to shechita and halal food for religious minorities. I took part in a Cyprus Information Day to discuss the prospects for reunification of the island.
In the Chamber I was able to raise my campaigns for more GP appointments in Barnet and for more police for local ward teams. I also continued to highlight concerns about human rights abuses in Iran and Sri Lanka. I have a longstanding interest in cracking down on plastic pollution and litter and highlighted the need for the Government to deliver the deposit return scheme which it has promised for drinks containers.
Media coverage has included extensive covering of my amendment on housing targets. I also appeared on BBC Politics Live, London Politics Live, the World at One, the Week In Westminster, Times Radio, Today in Parliament, GB News, and Sky’s Sophie Ridge on Sunday.
Lastly, the Boundary Commission have produced revised proposals for new constituencies. I am encouraging constituents to back the Commission’s latest plan. You can find out how to have your say by clicking on this link.
Further information on my campaigns and activities is available in the links below to articles on my website. Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested to read it or might like to join this mailing list.
All the best
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Villiers amendment secures Government rethink on planning targets
Theresa Villiers appeared on the flagship Sky News politics show. “Sophie Ridge on Sunday” to talk about her amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which has secured the backing of 56 MPs, and has led to the Government postponing the vote on this legislation. Read more…
Villiers condemns Mayor's new tax on driving in Barnet
Chipping Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, has condemned the Mayor’s decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) out to the edge of Greater London. This will mean that from August next year, many drivers in Barnet will have to pay £12.50 a day to drive, with the charging scheme extended to cover the whole of the borough for the first time. Theresa has been campaigning to stop this expansion. Read more....
Villiers asks Sunak to scrap top-down housing targets
Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has urged the Prime Minister to abolish excessive housing targets that are damaging suburban areas, such as Barnet. Read more....
MP demands more officers for neighbourhood police teams in Barnet
With the Met expanding to become bigger than ever before, Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has demanded more officers are allocated to local safer neighbourhood police teams. Read more....
Villiers keeps up the pressure for more GP appointments in Barnet
Chipping Barnet MP, Theresa Villiers, has challenged Ministers on improving access to GP appointments over the winter period. Tackling delays in GP appointments is an issue on which Theresa has been campaigning for some years and in Health Questions in Parliament earlier this month, she highlighted this with Minister Neil O’Brien. Read more....
Please back the Boundary Commission proposals for Chipping Barnet
In their latest set of proposals for new parliamentary constituencies, the Boundary Commission have proposed that Chipping Barnet retains East Barnet and Brunswick Park wards, and takes in Edgwarebury from Hendon. This is a better plan than their initial proposals and Theresa Villiers is encouraging her constituents to give the Commission their support. Read more…
How to contact Theresa
The best way to get help from Theresa is to email her on [email protected], ring her constituency office on 020 8449 7345, or write to her at 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
Theresa’s next diarised surgery takes place from 1030 to 1200 on Saturday 3rd December at her constituency office at 163 High Street. Constituents wishing to see Theresa or her staff will need to make an appointment in advance. You will NOT be seen if you turn up without a pre-booked appointment. Bookings for face-to-face meetings or Zoom calls can be made using the contact details set out in the preceding paragraph.
