Emma reacts to “unforgivable” homeless figures

Emma Reynolds MP

Responding to the latest statistics showing homeless deaths have risen 24% in the last five years, Emma said:

“It is shocking that the number of homeless people dying has increased, and there are so many people who have no place to call home. This is an issue which is getting worse each year, and the Government’s response is not good enough. When Labour was in office, we brought homelessness down by two-thirds. Since 2010, it has more than doubled.

“Across England and Wales 597 homeless people died in 2017, a rise of 24%. Research by Shelter revealed this week that Wolverhampton is a homelessness hot-spot with more 470 homeless people, and 19 known rough sleepers.

“The statistics show the vast majority of people who are homeless in Wolverhampton are not sleeping rough, but are ‘hidden homeless’ so could be sofa surfing, or rotating between friends and family. There are so many underlying issues which contribute towards homelessness, including social housing, drug support, and local Government.

“The Government claims it wants to end rough sleeping, but after 8 years in power, cuts to housing benefit, cuts to social housing, cuts to local government services that help people with addiction problems, and a huge failure to tackle the mental health crisis shows they are not backing up their words with action.

“This week, a rough sleeper died outside Parliament. Every homeless death is a tragedy, but this was so close to those in power. The Government are not prioritising this and they need to get a grip. It is unforgivable that so many people are dying on the streets because of policies pursued by our Government.”

Emma reacts to rise of unemployment in Wolverhampton

Emma Reynolds MP

New statistics show Wolverhampton has experienced a 5.3 per cent rise in unemployment in the thee months to October 2018. The situation marked a contrast to national figures showing record numbers of people in work.

Highlighting the contrast between national and local figures, Emma said:

“The recent figures show another increase in unemployment. Here in my constituency, long term unemployment and youth unemployment are up again this year for the eleventh month in a row.

“The number of claimants in my constituency has gone up by over 20% in the past year alone. I am deeply concerned by these recent rises.

“The government likes to boast about the national figure but these mask big regional variations. It is not good enough to talk about previous unemployment figures or highlight figures from other parts of the country, when unemployment in Wolverhampton North East is still more than double the national rate.

“This Tory government is clearly failing to grow our economy equally across the country and create jobs in and around Wolverhampton.”

Emma supports Royal college of Nursing at Brexit event

Emma recently met 12 frontline nurses in Parliament as part of the Royal College of Nursing’s “Nursing at Brexit point” campaign. At the event, Emma heard about the challenges faced by nurses and the experiences of working in the NHS since the Brexit vote.

Following the event, Emma said:

“Brexit is causing uncertainty for nurses from the EU in the NHS. I was pleased to meet nurses from across the country who shared their experiences and concerns about what might happen after Brexit, and its impact on the future supply of medicines, public health and nursing regulation.

“Over 10,000 EU nurses and midwives have left the UK workforce since the referendum, and we need to ensure that whatever happens, the NHS is still able to recruit enough nurses to give patients the treatment and care they need.”

Emma on reports that JLR is to make redundancies

Emma Reynolds MP

Responding to news that Jaguar Land Rover is planning to make up to 5,000 people redundant across its workforce, Emma said:

“Reports that Jaguar Land Rover is planning to make 5,000 staff redundant in the new year at extremely worrying.

“Last month the company announced that the Engine Manufacturing Centre, on the i54 on the outskirts Wolverhampton, would be temporarily moving 500 staff onto reduced hours. There have been a thousand job losses of agency staff at Solihull.

“Staff at JLR will want transparency over their futures, and the company must be open with their employees and the trade union Unite over what their plans are.

“When I spoke to Jaguar Land Rover about the Wolverhampton factory moving to reduced hours in the run-up to Christmas, I was assured that this was temporary and that jobs were not at risk. I will be seeking further reassurances over these plans, and what impact, if any, there will be on staff in Wolverhampton.”

Emma visits Wolverhampton Citizens Advice Bureau

Emma and Helen Child, Wolverhampton CAB

This morning Emma paid a visit to the Wolverhampton Citizens Advice Bureau to meet Chief Officer Helen Child, talk in more detail about the services they offer, and discuss some of the big issues they deal with.

The CAB provide information, advice, guidance, and specialist support to the people of Wolverhampton. They can help with a wide range of problems, including debt, housing, benefits, work, family issues, discrimination, consumer complaints and many more.

If you need any support from the CAB, they are based at 26 Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, WV2 4AD, or can be contacted at 03444 111 444