Every month, I get the opportunity to press the Government on matters of policy relating to my Shadow Ministerial Brief. This afternoon, I had the opportunity to raise matters that affect my constituents: cost of asylum seekers and protections for our high streets.
I have been vocal in my support for Hillingdon Council as it bears the brunt of Government mismanagement. As the Government forces asylum seekers onto local governments across the country, it is port authorities, like Hillingdon, that are left to pick up the Bill. I have raised this issue separately with the Home Secretary and the Lord Chancellor but today I raised it with the Department responsible for providing direct funding.
The Minister didn’t answer the question or provide any reassurances to my constituents. This will be a disappointment to my constituents who are facing higher council tax bills to cover the shortfall in funding from central Government. Hoping for more substance in the answers, I asked the Minister about support for High Streets.
Residents will know that we are fortunate to have resilient high streets locally whether in Hatch End, Eastcote or Ruislip. Thanks to careful support from successive Conservative Governments and support from the council, local businesses thrive across the constituency. Sadly, the current Labour Government’s policies have put these institutions at risk.
Increasing business rates, shirking calls for rates reform and increasing National Insurance Contributions have put these small businesses at risk. Sadly, the Minister declined to offer any reassurances.
