Welcome to my October e-newsletter.
Throughout my 15 years as local MP, I have campaigned to protect local green spaces. I have been fighting to save the agricultural fields at Whalebones. The proposal to build at Whalebones was considered earlier this month. I spoke against the application at the planning committee hearing and Barnet councillors turned it down. This is a welcome victory but now it goes to the Mayor to consider. So the campaign needs to continue. Thanks to all of the 830 people who submitted objections to the application.
I understand the concern felt about the recent vote on whether to extend free school meals to holidays. What everyone is agreed on is that no child must be left hungry. The only debate is about how best to do that. I set out my views in the statement in the list of article links below, explaining some of the support which is available via the welfare system. But I will be listening to constituents and engaging with Ministers on this important issue to ensure we are doing all we can to help disadvantaged families who have been hit by the severe damage the Covid outbreak has done to jobs and the economy.
In Parliament this month, I repeated my call for assistance for people excluded from the furlough and self-employed support schemes. I also urged Ministers to continue to expand testing so that mass testing can help sectors of the economy which have not been able to re-open properly after lockdown, such as aviation and events.
Finally, I understand the frustration with continuing Covid restrictions on our daily lives. Unfortunately the increasing number of hospital admissions does mean social distancing measures need to remain in place for now in order to keep the pressure of the NHS and save lives. I will be keeping up the pressure for Covid rules to be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so. Although Christmas will not be normal this year, I very much hope the situation will have improved enough by then for the rules to allow families to get together over the festive season.
For more information on my local campaigns and activities, you can click on the links below to articles on my website. Please pass on this email to anyone you think would be interested to see it or join my mailing list. You can also follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/theresavillierscb.
With warmest wishes
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Plans to build at Whalebones rejected
Residents and your local MP have welcomed the decision by Barnet Council planning committee to throw out plans to build over fields at Whalebones in High Barnet after local planners dramatically said no to the proposals after a tied vote. Read more...
Barnet MP visits North London Heat and Power Project
The NLHP in Edmonton is a project to deliver a new plant to deal with waste produced in Barnet and other North London boroughs and your MP has received assurances on its climate and air quality impact. Read more...
Happy Navratri!
I send my best wishes to constituents celebrating the Hindu festival of Navratri. The Covid emergency has meant that the usual community gatherings cannot go ahead, but I do hope people have still been able to celebrate with their families: Read more...
Defending UK food standards
Last night I rebelled against the Government whip to back amendment 16 to the Agriculture Bill. Thank you to all the constituents who got in touch about this important vote. Read more...
Villiers urges Government to drop new housing target algorithm
MP Theresa Villiers has formally responded to the Government’s planning consultation and explained she is strongly against the proposals that could double targets for new housing in Barnet. Read more...
How to contact Theresa
Your local MP and her team are working hard to respond to constituents’ concerns; but some changes have had to be made to the way Theresa and her staff are working in order to comply with social distancing rules and public health advice
If you need Theresa’s help you will need 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.
In order to comply with social distancing and avoid any crowding in her constituency office, all Theresa’s surgeries are now appointment-only and meetings will take place via Zoom where possible. The next surgery takes place on Saturday 7th November. Anyone 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 can be made using the contact details set out above.
The waiting room which is normally available during surgeries will be closed. Constituents will need to arrive at the time of their appointment and will be asked to queue outside if they are early, or if there are delays to the appointment schedule. We apologise for this inconvenience but it is necessary to minimise the number of people in the constituency office at one time.
Promoted by Dominic Lowe on behalf of Theresa Villiers both at 163 High Street, Barnet, Herts, EN5 5SU.
