Welcome to my October 2021 e-newsletter. This month in Parliament has been overshadowed in Parliament by the shocking attack on Sir David Amess. Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of sympathy. David will be greatly missed. We worked together on a number of issues, especially our shared goal of more compassionate treatment of animals. It is a tragedy that his life has been cut short by this senseless and brutal crime.
Turning to more cheerful matters, I have welcomed the help for local high streets in the Budget, which will see Business Rates cut by 50% next year for 90% of small retail and hospitality businesses. I have been pushing successive Chancellors to reduce the burden of business rates on local town centres.
I have continued my campaign to save Barnet Police Station and you can sign my petition on this here. I am also stepping up my efforts to save our suburban station car parks. I am organising a rally outside City Hall on 18th November, the day of Mayor’s Question Time, so my constituents can hand in petitions demanding that the Mayor and TfL drop their proposals. Please come along to join us. Details of the event are posted on my website here. RSVPs need to come to me at this email address ([email protected]).
Other issues I have raised in Parliament this month include NHS workforce planning and retention of front-line staff; cracking down on scammers who target vulnerable elderly people; and re-imposing sanctions on Iran because of their violation of the JCPOA nuclear deal.
I’ve been out and about in the constituency too. I hosted a busy careers, skills, and jobs fair to try to help people get the apprenticeships and opportunities they need. I had a great morning at Christ Church School in High Barnet hearing about their tree planting efforts. And I cut the ribbon at the formal opening of a brand new bench in Whetstone High Road, provided by Barnet Council and Love Whetstone.
I met staff at Barnet Hospital during a visit there to hear about their dedicated work to catch-up on the backlog which has built up during the Covid emergency. I highlighted some of the concerns they raised with me later that day in a question to Health Ministers in Parliament.
I was one of a cross-party group of MPs to visit the Chancellor’s official residence in Number 11 Downing Street to ask for a new funding settlement for maintained nursery schools. I also raised this issue directly with the Chancellor in a meeting this week.
Further information on my campaigns and activities is available in the links below to articles on my website. Please pass on this email to anyone you think would be interested to read it or might like to join this mailing list. I am always keen to hear the views on my constituents so I hope you might consider completing a short opinion survey on my website here.
Regards
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Deputy Mayor urged to keep the police in Chipping Barnet
MP Theresa Villiers has written to the capital's policing Deputy Mayor urging her to retain a base for officers in Chipping Barnet, following the threat that the police station will be sold off by the Mayor of London. Theresa told Sophie Linden that closure would mean officers having to travel all the way from Colindale to police the streets and suggested that new premises could be found for officers as a compromise. Read more....
Budget help for high street businesses welcomed
After the Chancellor announced a 50% cut to Business Rates next year for 90% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, Theresa Villiers has welcomed the move as a boost for local high streets in Barnet. Read more….
Villiers shows support for NHS staff at Barnet Hospital
Barnet Hospital hosted a visit from local MP, Theresa Villiers, this week. The MP for Chipping Barnet met Debbie Sanders, CEO of the hospital, and front-line staff. Their discussions covered a range of issues including new Covid treatments; resumption of patient visiting; recruitment and retention of staff; progress on clearing the backlog of treatment and reducing waiting lists; social care and discharges into the community; access to GP appointments; and high levels of A&E attendance. Read more….
Statement by Theresa Villiers MP on Sir David Amess MP
I would like to pay tribute to Sir David Amess MP. He was a loyal friend, a kind and good man, and an energetic, enthusiastic and assiduous constituency MP. I am horrified by what has happened. Read the full statement….
MP hosts skills and apprenticeship fair in Barnet
Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has hosted a skills fair to bring together a range of employers with school pupils, young people and constituents of all ages seeking jobs, apprenticeships or new careers. Pupils from Ashmole Academy and Finchley Catholic High School were amongst the those who came along. Read more….
Barnet school's tree planting efforts praised
During a visit to Christ Church primary school in High Barnet, MP Theresa Villiers has praised their work on planting trees and sprucing up the green spaces around their building. Read more….
Villiers speaks up for Cyprus to new Foreign Secretary
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has written to the newly appointed Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, to highlight the importance of freedom for Cyprus. Read more….
MP calls for sanctions to be re-imposed on Iran
The borough of Barnet is home to a significant British Iranian community and Theresa Villiers has taken a longstanding interest in the campaign for democratic reform in Iran. Earlier this month, she took part in a debate on Iran's failure to comply with its obligations under the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (or JCPOA). Read more….
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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 Theresa Villiers MP, 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
Theresa’s next diarised surgery takes place from 2.30 to 5pm pm on 19th November 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.
