After the summer recess and after a historic win in the General Election with a huge majority, it is now time for this Labour Government to work to change Britain for the better.

The King’s speech just before summer recess shows that Labour is focused on delivering a better future for our country. The Bills that were announced will fix the foundations of our public services, restore trust with a service-focused Government, and begin a decade of national renewal.

Nevertheless, there are still huge challenges ahead. The Conservatives created a massive hole in our public finances as they tried to mask their failure with unfunded gimmicks. Instead of making tough decisions, they simply ran away from the problem. As we said during the election, we are inheriting taxes at a seventy-year high, debt through the roof and an economy only just coming out of recession.

Meanwhile, Labour is unafraid of fixing the foundation of our economy. This unfortunately means taking and voting for tough decisions. Yet we must not forget that this was due to the previous Government’s mismanagement of the country.

Going forward, it is not all doom and gloom. Labour has lifted the ban on onshore wind, created a national wealth fund to grow our economy and worked with the unions to end the strikes that we have seen over recent years under the Conservatives. In addition, we spent the summer watching Team GB win 64 medals in the Olympics and 124 medals in the Paralympics.

Added to this, we now have a Labour Government committed to uniting the country in the shared mission of national renewal. To that end, please read what I have been doing as your Labour Member of Parliament since my last newsletter.

As always if there is something you would like to make me aware of, please email me via janet.daby.mp@parliament.uk

Minister for Children and Families

What we have achieved in helping to secure a Labour Government is seismic. The country voted for change, and it is vital that we now deliver this. I am therefore delighted to have been appointed as the Minister for Children and Families in the Department for Education in Government.

This is a huge responsibility, and I am committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity. My responsibilities include:

• children’s social care
• children’s unique identifier
• children in care and children in need
• looked-after children
• child protection
• adoption
• kinship care and foster care
• care leavers
• children’s social care workforce
• unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
• local authority improvement
• family hubs
• families support and parenting
• in the House of Commons Chamber during Oral Questions and debates I am also responsible for skills, higher education and further education.

This week I had my first Education Oral Questions where I answered fellow MPs queries on issues highlighted above. You can read the proceedings and my answers here. I look forward to many more appearances in the Commons Chamber highlighting the record of this Government and what we are doing to improve the lives of our young people.

International Stability

We are approaching nearly a year since the dreadful events on 7 October 2023 which sparked a horrendous conflict in Israel and Gaza that has killed thousands of people and ruined so many people’s lives. It is horrendous to know so many civilians and hostages have been killed in this conflict.

This new Labour Government will continue to use every diplomatic lever to urge de-escalation and push for peace. Furthermore, we will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

Many would have seen the news the UK will suspend some arms sales to Israel following a review of export licenses for UK arms, which found there was a clear risk they might be used to commit a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

As a result, roughly 30 of 350 licenses will be suspended. I know that so many people feel strongly about this conflict, and I will continue to follow it closely.

With regards to the humanitarian situation in Sudan, it is very distressing. Nearly half a million residents in the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur are living in a state of famine. This conflict has heavily disrupted the food system, initiated mass displacement and ruined so many lives.

The Government has announced an additional £15 million of vital assistance to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad to support vulnerable people forced to flee violence and seek safety. With that announcement, the UK has almost doubled its Official Development Assistance to Sudan to £97 million this financial year, most of which is vital humanitarian aid.

Nevertheless, the warring parties must do everything in their power to ensure that this wholly unjustified war ends immediately.

Riots

This summer I was shocked to see violent scenes occur across the country. What happened in Southport was incredibly tragic. The deaths of small children were simply horrific. Yet the riots that resulted afterwards were also concerning. Violent thuggery and criminal disorder on our streets cannot be tolerated.

I am pleased that in Lewisham we did not tolerate criminal behaviour, dangerous extremism, and racist attacks that go against everything our country stands for. I am pleased that those who took part in the violence throughout the country will face the full force of the law and pay for the consequences of their action.

Building Safety

Last week I was deeply concerned about the fire on a block of flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford. The fact that the London Fire Brigade sent nearly 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines demonstrates that this was a very serious situation.

Therefore, I am grateful to the emergency services and council staff who attended the scene. On the day of the fire, I visited the area with Brenda Dacres, our Mayor of Lewisham, along with Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness and Cllr James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and most residents were able to return home that evening.

Additionally, I am pleased that Lewisham Council ensured there were provisions for those who could not return home. I have been kept up to date on developments.

Going forward fire safety is very important, and I will continue to back the Government in doing more to protect people in their homes and to ensure that the recent phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report is taken seriously.

Scrap Metal Yard Fire

Many people will be aware of the alarming lithium-ion battery fire that took place in a scrap metal yard on Randlesdown Road, Bellingham in July. As a result, I visited the site and met with the Borough Commander, Kerry Whitehorn from the London Fire Brigade, the landowner, and those renting the site.

I am aware that residents were concerned about the loud sounds during the fire. Additionally, Lithium-ion Battery fires are a serious and growing problem. Therefore, I would encourage you to read this article from the London Fire Brigade on this incident. It also has links to more information on how to prevent others like it from occurring.

GSCE / A-level results

Last month, we saw our young people in Lewisham East and across the country receive their exam results. The success we saw was a sign of the potential of our young people. These pupils have experienced unprecedented disruption throughout the pandemic, the RAAC crisis and strike action that interrupted their studies.

I also thank staff, teachers and all who have dedicated time and effort to support our young people. Nevertheless, I and my Labour colleagues remain committed to breaking down the barriers to equal opportunities and helping our young people achieve their full potential.

Grove Park Carnival and Chinbrook Dog Show

Earlier this month, I attended the brilliant Grove Park Carnival and Dog Show in Chinbrook Meadows. It is always one of the highlights of the summer. During this event I asked residents to fill in a survey on what they want actioned to improve Chinbrook Meadows.

This is to build on the work of Friends of Chinbrook Meadows who have contributed so much to improvements to the park, including providing trees and an outdoor gym. They are to be commended for this!

Also, I was lucky enough to attend Grove Park’s wetlands official opening and to witness the work that was put into the restoration of the Wetlands. I thank everyone who helped out and contributed the hard work that was involved in this.

Forster Park Summer Market

During the summer I joined residents and local councillors at the Friends of Forster Memorial Park, Summer Market. We celebrated small Lewisham businesses and saw individuals and organisations rally together to fundraise to make the park a safe place for young people. This is a great initiative.

Thank you for reading this newsletter.

Best wishes,

Janet