Louise Haigh MP Fighting for Sheffield's future
As always, whilst Parliament has not been sitting during the Summer recess, I’ve been across the constituency, meeting with constituents and community groups to talk about the issues facing them.
It will come as no surprise that the top issue has been the cost-of-living crisis and the impending hike in energy bills that will be completely unaffordable to the vast majority of households. In the last couple of days, there have been warnings that half of all households could be pushed into fuel poverty.
Yet neither of the Tory leadership candidates have set out how they would help people through the imminent crisis or how they would deal with the issue in the long-term. The support offered so far has been roundly condemned as inadequate and people are really fearful for October when the cap increases, followed by further increases in January and April.
Energy prices are the main factor behind the fact that we’re the only G7 country with inflation in double digits and why we’re also seeing significant price increases in food and other essentials. I’ve set out in more detail below about how Labour is campaigning on these issues both in the short and long-term.
Cost-of-living crisis – Labour’s approach
The cost-of-living crisis is the main issue that people have been contacting me about. This is going to affect everyone, and people are worried about how they will make ends meet. I met one elderly lady who told me that she has started missing several hot meals because she can’t afford to heat her food. This is appalling and not something that should be happening in one of the richest countries in the world.
Labour has a plan to address this national crisis, which would ensure that energy bills wouldn’t go up by even a penny this winter. We’d freeze the price cap saving households £1,000 and ensure targeted support for those who need it the most.
This would be funded from a windfall tax on the unexpected profits of the oil and gas companies. We also have a long-term plan to insulate millions of homes, reduce the amount of energy we use, get bills back under control and invest in more sustainable energy sources.
Our Climate Investment Pledge would invest in the sustainable energies and green jobs that are needed to grow the economy whilst tackling the cost-of-living and climate crises.
Cost-of-living online resource
This is a worrying time for so many with energy bills rising to astronomical levels. If you need help it can sometimes be difficult to know where to turn. I developed an online resource which collates the details of organisations, services and charities that are available to help people manage their finances. It also includes a list of mental health charities based across the city to help manage your mental health at this stressful time.
Heatwave
The record temperatures this summer have demonstrated, if we ever needed more proof, the urgent need to tackle climate change and reduce our carbon emissions. I am working across the transport industry to look at what policies need to be in place to rapidly get us to net zero but it’s clear that we need to look at climate mitigation as well as adaptation given the appalling effects that the heatwave had on the country.
For example, I met with the local fire service to discuss their response, which came under such serious strain. We are going to have to reimagine a lot of services and fundamentally redesign the way we work if the temperatures we’ve seen this summer are going to become any more common.
Rail services – off track
Over the summer we have seen rail workers forced to take further strike action because Ministers are still refusing to negotiate with Trade Unions.
Workers are fighting for fair pay and better working conditions, and this is something that all employees should be able to expect. But rather than doing their job, Ministers are blocking the chance of a deal and attacking the rights of working people facing a cost-of-living crisis.
We have also seen other rail providers make huge profits for their shareholders, whilst passengers have been left with an abysmal service. Avanti who are the worst performing rail operators and have severely cut back services, last year paid their shareholders dividends of more than £11million.
Once again, this Tory government has rewarded abject failure, handing over millions of pounds in performance bonuses and fees to a failing operator. The system they have overseen has been a disaster for passengers and is one more reason why rail has to be brought back into public ownership.
P&O failings
It’s appalling that P&O Ferries will not face any criminal action over the sacking of more than 800 employees earlier this year.
This is a company that openly and brazenly admitted breaking the law. They trampled over the rights of British workers and have said that they would do it again. This is another example of how the Tories are not standing up for working people, instead, they have let P&O get away with this behaviour every step of the way. It is truly shameful.
Real Living Wage
Labour has unveiled our plan to offer the real Living Wage for every worker – once again making pay work.
Under our plan we would change the remit of the Low Pay Commission so that the minimum wage will for the first time reflect the need for working people’s pay to at least cover the cost-of-living.
This would ensure the genuine National Living Wage applied to every adult worker.
Bus cuts
This month, the government finally announced that they were going to extend their Covid funding for bus services for another six months. Labour has been demanding action for months and while Ministers sat on their hands, we saw vital bus services axed.
The threat of further cuts to services is still very real. I and Labour Councillors are calling on the government to extend funding long-term and save our bus services across Sheffield.
Sign our petition: https://stoptorybuscuts.com/
Chancet Wood bus route
I’ve been contacted by residents of Chancet Wood who are really worried by the news that their bus service, the one they rely on to get this out and about, is being cut. They shared their stories with me about how the changes to the bus services are impacting their lives.
They’re worried that this cut to the service will mean that they are not able to get back from the city centre and they will find it difficult to make doctors and hospital appointments. These are the real-life effects of these bus cuts.
Rose Garden Café
There has been a huge amount of concern about the sudden closure of the Rose Garden Café in Graves Park. I have met with the Friends of Graves Park group, the café owners and Sheffield City Council to discuss the next steps to reopen the café.
The Council are exploring options about the future of the building, and they have committed to work with the Friends group and café owners to find a solution.
I will continue to stay close to this issue to ensure a suitable solution is found as soon as possible.
Waste collections
I have long been campaigning for kerb side food waste collections and I’m pleased to say that a selection of households in Meersbrook, Woodseats and Arbourthone will be taking part in a trial starting this month.
Houses chosen in the trial scheme will receive and information pack, a food caddy to collect food in the kitchen, a roll of liners for the caddy and an outside bin which will be emptied weekly.
Community Safety
Many people have contacted me over the past few months concerned about what they see as a rise in the number of criminal and antisocial behaviour incidents across the constituency. I recently met with Inspector Katie Rowland-Wilson to discuss these and other issues.
The Police are working hard to respond to incidents that occur and are working with other organisations including schools, the council and youth services to try and address some of the underlying issues.
I am committed to supporting the Police provide safer communities across the constituency, but I also want to hear from you.
Complete my survey below and let me know what issues concern you about you community but also what you like about where you live and work.
Baby basics
Earlier this month I opened my office to take donations for a local charity Baby Basics. Residents and businesses showed how generous they can be, especially in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis by donating more than 1,000 items of baby clothing, nappies, moses baskets, toys and baby wipes.
I was overwhelmed by the donations we received and delighted to be able to drop these off at Baby Basics.
Lloyds Bank
We have been notified by Lloyds bank that they plan to close their local branch in Manor Top. This would be a devastating blow for the local community and would mean that they have no face-to-face banking service in their community.
I’m working with Local Councillors and calling on Lloyds to reverse their decision and together we are asking for a further review into this decision.
Credit Union
I’ve visited Sheffield Credit Union to see the great work they’re doing to support people across the region with their finances and to help them build the habit of saving.
I met with the Chief Executive, Jackie Hallewell who said that their loan books have grown by more than 14% and many more people are coming to them for support with day-to-day costs, such as paying for food, heating and bills.
Door knocking
I’ve been out across Batemoor and Gleadless speaking to residents about issues that are concerning them about their community.
Concerns were raised by residents in Batemoor following the recent shootings in the area. They were worried about community safety, and I worked to reassure them that I have been working closely with the Police who have increased their patrols in the area and we’re working to address the underlying issues.
Kalyna Café
I’ve visited a great charity that supports Ukrainian refugees with job opportunities. Kalyna Café is a great organisation that not only provides work and training opportunities but also English language courses, mental health support and provision for those who have arrived in the UK.
So many people across the city opened their homes to Ukrainians that have been forced to flee the war and hundreds of people have now arrived in Sheffield.
Eurovision
It’s great news that Sheffield has been shortlisted as one of the host cities for Eurovision 2023. If we’re selected to host this prestigious international event it will provide a much needed, and welcome economic boost for the city as well as showcasing us as a City of Sanctuary, as well as showing solidarity to our Ukrainian friends.
Finger crossed that Sheffield is selected.