November Newsletter — Navendu Mishra MP

Hello and welcome to my November newsletter!

November has been an incredibly busy month, full of local visits, casework enquiries and business in the House of Commons. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the work I have been doing across Stockport and in Westminster.

This Remembrance Sunday, it was a privilege to attend Stockport’s Civic Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial Art Gallery, the Cenotaph Service in Reddish, and the Stockport Normandy Veterans Memorial Service. Each service was an important reminder of the courage, loss, and enduring spirit of those who gave so much. This year held special significance as we marked 80 years since VE and VJ Days and 100 years of the Stockport War Memorial.

I tabled an Early Day Motion on Mission Marigold, recognising the contribution made by people from India, South Asia and other Commonwealth nations in the First and Second World Wars- https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/64689

Labour has delivered £20 million for Brinnington through the Pride in Place Programme and I am urging local residents to help shape how this money is spent. You can share your views on my local survey here- https://forms.gle/jT3i6X2Mq89JdvHX6

This month, the Chancellor delivered the Budget. In Stockport, the Chancellor's measures will mean that living standards will rise, child poverty will fall, and our public services will be renewed.

Earlier in November, a brutal attack took place on a train at Huntingdon and my thoughts are with all those who were affected. In the House of Commons, I raised concerns regarding the funding of the British Transport Police (BTP). Their work is vital in keeping our transport network and passengers safe and I was also pleased to meet with BTP officers at Stockport station to discuss rising crime rates and staff shortages. Following this meeting, I wrote to both Avanti West Coast and the Department for Transport to raise my concerns about insufficient funding arrangements and low officer numbers at the BTP.

Several constituents from Stockport have contacted me about the horrors taking place in Sudan. I share their concerns, and I am appalled by reports that 3.5 million children under 5 years of age are suffering from acute malnutrition. I have raised this urgent issue twice in the House of Commons.

The Government tabled the Railways Bill in the House of Commons this month. This landmark legislation will create Great British Railways, owned by the public, for the public.

It was a pleasure to welcome volunteers Steve and Sharon, and Chair Khadija, from Headway Stockport to the House of Commons. They are a wonderful local charity and have been providing help and support to people affected by brain injury for over four decades.

Many people in Stockport are concerned about the potential changes to the BNO visa scheme which supports people from Hong Kong. I urged the Government to exempt the BNO visa scheme from the B2 English requirement and the contributions rule.

With the increasing regularity of flooding of both the River Tame near Meadow Mill and River Mersey at various points in Stockport constituency, I also called on the Government to provide more funding for flood prevention in Stockport.

I joined Unite the Union in Westminster to show my support for the campaign to end cross-border taxi hire.

November marked Islamophobia Awareness Month and I was proud to co-sign a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, urging the Government to adopt a formal definition of Islamophobia/anti-Muslim hatred - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1218696430070010&set=pcb.1218696533403333

From April next year, half a million more children across the country will benefit from Labour’s Best Start free breakfast clubs and I am calling on all eligible schools in Stockport to apply to join the next wave of the programme- Free Breakfast Clubs for Half a Million More Children — Navendu Mishra MP

Recently, several residents have raised concerns about Hollywood Park. As one of the few accessible green spaces in the area, particularly valued by those living in Hollywood Towers, I want to ensure it remains a welcoming and safe space for everyone. After visiting the park with Mike Naylor, Labour’s candidate for Edgeley, we have written to the Leader of Stockport Council to highlight these concerns. You can read the letter here- https://shorturl.at/pBEFZ

I was joined by parents with experience of the SEND system in Stockport who shared their powerful testimonies and experiences at my community roundtable. I will be sharing residents' views and ideas with the Secretary of State for Education.

Russ and John from Greater Manchester Blood Bikes shared their concerns that volunteer riders are still subject to bus lane fines when delivering life saving medical supplies during peak traffic hours. With this, I have written to Stockport Council to ask that they also allow an exemption for riders delivering supplies in the Stockport Borough.

NHS workers from Stockport who are part of UNISON's migrant workers' campaign told me they are facing the possible loss of their jobs, and potentially their right to remain in Britain, because of recent changes to Home Office salary thresholds. I have raised this with Ministers in the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, and Manchester Foundation Trust.

I am always keen to support the annual Stockport Fairtrade & Eco Christmas Fair. Fair pay and justice for the people who produce our food and materials is so important. It was inspiring to see so many visitors who feel the same at the Stockport Guildhall.

Our libraries are an important public resource and Stockport Council has a duty to protect them. I have written to the Leader of Stockport Council regarding the continued closure of Stockport Central Library. You can read the letter here- https://shorturl.at/WO5R7

Great to visit Progress School and Brinksway School as part of UK Parliament Week. It is fantastic to see both schools getting involved and encouraging students to learn more about our democracy, how Parliament works, and the importance of having their voices heard. UK Parliament Week is all about inspiring young people to engage with the issues that matter to them, and it was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.

I was pleased to say a few words at the Stockport Unity rally at St Peters Square. We must stand against all forms of hate, discrimination and bigotry.

It is always a pleasure to speak with residents at constituency surgeries. I returned with Councillor Wild and Councillor Wright to Davenport & Cale Green ward, and separately to Edgeley.

My constituency office is open to visitors from 10:00am to 3.30pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays). I hold regular constituency surgeries as well as coffee mornings across our constituency. Please get in touch with me if you wish to discuss any issues.

You can contact me with the details below:

Email - navendu.mishra.mp@parliament.uk

Telephone - 0161 480 0833

Website - www.navendumishra.co.uk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NavenduForStockport/

Kind regards,

Navendu Mishra MP