See below for an interview Chuka did with Compass Youth at the Progressive London Conference on January 24th. He spoke about youth engagement at a workshop entitled ‘Young London for a progressive future’ and was interviewed here in the conference hall.

Progressive London is a new coalition, launched by Ken Livingstone and a range of high profile Londoners from across the political, cultural, and artistic communities. It held its first conference last week, and Chuka chaired the closing session.

Find out more about the Progressive London campaign against public transport fare rises here, or visit the website for more information on the coalition.

Carys Afoko

Friends of Brixton Market (FBM) are selling bags for local residents to show their support for Brixton’s famous market.

The limited edition bags are made of re-usable canvas and sport an “I Heart Brixton Market” logo. They cost £4 and all profits go towards FBM.

Friends of Brixton Market is a voluntary, not-for-profit group for customers, residents and supporters of Brixton Market, who are working to protect the market and ensure it continues to thrive. You can find out more about their work and how you can help by visiting their website.

To order a bag just email brixtonmarket {at} googlemail(.)com or pick one up from a local retailer.

Carys Afoko

On this historic day when the first Black President of the United States of America is sworn in, two local residents tell us what the inauguration of Barack Obama means to them.

“I’m excited to see what Obama’s ground breaking Presidency will bring the millions of Americans who are suffering in the current economic turmoil. His Presidency also opens up a great opportunity for Britain and the rest of Europe to work together to build peace in the Middle East, an ambitious programme to tackle climate change and will provide impetuous to meet the UN Development Goals.”
- Anne Fairweather (left with Chuka), Streatham resident and Labour candidate in London for the European elections this June 

“It dawned on me that Obama’s election is not just about the election of the first African American president of the United States, it also means that we - the black community - are fast running out of reasons to remain at the periphery of human progress.  He has shown that racism alone is no longer the reason we should not aspire and make progress.”
- Bethel Anele, Streatham resident and Obama for America campaign volunteer (Florida, 2008)

“Barack Obama has shown us that politics can genuinely work to make the world better. In the face of despondency and apathy he has reminded us that every individual can have their own unique impact on their community, their city, their country and the world. To me, Obama represents hope, wisdom, strength and the dawn of a brighter future.”
- Alice Deville, Streatham resident

You can catch Chuka between 11am and 12pm today on the BBC News Channel’s Inauguration Special. Also, check out Polly Toynbee’s Guardian column today on the inauguration and its implications for British politics which features Chuka: “We will all remember where we were today – even in lazily cynical Britain”, Polly Toynbee.

Chuka will be joining in the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday 20th January. In the morning, he will be appearing on the BBC News Channel between 11am and 12pm, along with other leading political figures. You can watch the BBC News Channel live here: BBC News Channel.

In the afternoon, Chuka will be paying a visit to Lambeth College’s Brixton Centre and speaking to staff and students there about the inauguration and British politics in general. The Brixton Centre is about to undergo a £50 million government funded investment programme to make it a state-of-the-art technology centre for construction, engineering and media skills training. To find out more about the Brixton Centre, visit the website: Lambeth College – Brixton Centre.

Chuka is part of a cross-party coalition of Londoners calling for Boris Johnson’s above-inflation fare rises on public transport to be repealed.

A new coalition, Progressive London, led by Ken Livingstone (below) and a range of high profile Londoners from across the political, cultural, and artistic communities, is spearheading a campaign to repeal Boris’ price hikes and get a ‘Fare Deal’ for Londoners. Its members include MP John Cruddas, and Streatham’s London Assembly Member Val Shawcross, and its first conference will be held at the end of the month.

The price of a journey on London Transport rose by an average of 6% this January, an increase far in excess of inflation. In the case of some tickets, the price rises have been even higher, with single tube and bus journeys using an Oyster card now costing 10% more than in 2008. The impact on Londoners’ finances will be all the more severe given the worsening recession and rising unemployment we are likely to see in 2009.

Londoners need not be paying these fare increases at all. The Mayor’s decision to scrap Ken Livingstone’s planned £25-a-day charge on high polluting cars driving into central London, such as 4X4s has cost the city up to £50 million. Additional revenue was lost from the decision to exclude Kensington & Chelsea from the Congestion Charge zone and to scrap the “oil for expertise” deal with Venezuela. These measures could have helped to keep down the transport costs of ordinary citizens.

As a local campaigner on transport issues Chuka was deeply concerned at the Mayor’s price hike:

“This is yet another example of Boris’ tendency to favour super rich London over lower and middle income London – on the one hand he massively reduces the congestion charge for 4×4s and other large cars driven by the rich, on the other hand he increases fares on public transport used by the rest of us. That is why Val, Ken and I will be campaigning to ensure this latest increase is reversed.”

If you would like to join Chuka in campaigning to scrap Boris’ fare rises you can sign the online petition, and visit Progressive London’s website to find out the latest campaign news.

Carys Afoko

Myself and Keith Hill MP, MP for Streatham, had the honour of being invited as special guests to the Palace Project’s Christmas Pantomime over the festive period. The Palace is a community centre and youth group on the Palace Road Estate in Streatham Hill. It offers a range of activities for local residents of all ages, as well as a space for the community to relax and interact. We are pictured with Mr Francis Jnr!, Glen Neil, the Project manager, Heather Francis, and Bev Morrison, Chair of the Palace Road Estate’s Tenants and Residents Association.  There are two activities which I was asked to draw residents attention to, which take place at the Project:

Street Dance Classes – every Tuesday, 6.30-7.30pm

These classes are run by the Elite School of Dance and Drama. Street dance is a fusion of different styles including, breakdance, hip hop and locking & popping. It is performed to R&B, Hip Hop and dance music. It encourages confidence, positive attitude, flexibility, strength, suppleness, rhythm and co-ordination. Classes are open to all abilities and ages. The cost is just £1.50 per person per session. For more info email Heather Francis – funkyfeetuk {at} hotmail(.)com – or visit: Elite Dance and Drama.

Boogie Babes – every Tuesday 9.30-11.30am

Boogie Babes is a mother and baby group with a dance class for mums. It gives mothers the opportunity to meet other mums and “get fit and funky whilst your baby plays”. It is also part of the Elite School of Dance and Drama and is run by fully qualified dance teachers. It is drop in group, so you should just feel free to just turn up. Dance starts at 10am (approx.) with tea and coffee before and after. It costs £5 per person per week. For more info email Heather Francis – funkyfeetuk {at} hotmail(.)com.

I think all of the activities the Palace puts on are fantastic and a huge asset to the community in Streatham – I would highly recommend local people take advantage of what it has to offer!  The Palace Project has an excellent website here: The Palace.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, releases figures showing the number of people completing apprenticeships in Lambeth has risen by 256%.

This week, during his regional tour across England, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced £140 million of extra funding for an additional 35,000 apprentices across the country in the next twelve months. The Government is already committed to increasing spending on apprentices in the next year to just under £1billion and this £140m is in addition to that and will expand the programme even further over the next twelve months.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, has obtained the latest figures from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, showing the number of people who completed an apprenticeship in Lambeth rose by 256% over the last three years from 36 in 2002/03 to 128 in 2005/06.

Umunna, has welcomed the latest funding boost which could see more apprenticeship places available for young people and adults in Lambeth. For many people an apprenticeship provides a high quality route into a skilled job and the additional funding will extend the opportunities so that even more people can benefit from on-the-job training in skilled professions.

Commenting on the figures, Umunna said:

“In the current economic downturn, it’s vital that we continue to invest in the economy and make sure people in Streatham and the rest of Lambeth have the skills they need to succeed in the future.

“Every month the need for more apprenticeships is raised with me by local residents, who remember apprentice schemes of times past.”

“In our area we’ve already seen a revival of apprenticeships with a 256% increase in just three years. The funding announced by Gordon Brown this week means we can have even more apprenticeships in the coming year.

John Denham MP, the Skills Secretary (right), with whom Umunna is speaking at a regional event in Southampton on 31 January 2009, added:

“This is an important initiative and is a further signal of our determination to give people the chance to get the practical training they need to get on and to help ensure the country has the skilled workers it needs to benefit from the upturn.”

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, headquartered in Lambeth, said:

“In order to ensure Britain has the necessary skills for the future it is essential to properly train young workers now so that we avoid skills shortages which will prolong the recession and slow down economic recovery.”

For the latest news, information and events on apprenticeships, local people can log onto the Labour government’s Apprenticeships website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Chuka has signed a joint statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The statement calls for the immediate and permanent cessation of military activities by all combatants, urging the UK and International Community to prioritise renewing and rebuilding the Middle East peace process.

Its signatories condemn the bombing of UN schools as “both unnecessary and avoidable”, and support efforts to end the blockade of Gaza to allow the free movement of civilians and distribution of humanitarian aid.

The signatories also welcome the UK Government’s early call for a ceasefire between the two sides, but contrast it to “the deafening silence of our country’s leaders during the Lebanon conflict in 2006.”

Commenting on the crisis today, Chuka added,
 ”I appreciate the desire for Israel to act in the face of rocket attacks by Hamas targetting Israeli civilians, but Israel’s use of force in response – leading to the deaths now of over 700 Palestinians – has been totally disproportionate”.

You can read the full statement here.

The Labour government gives out cold weather payments to the old and vulnerable in Streatham, Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton to help them cope with the recent cold spell.

Cold weather payments for the most vulnerable have been increased from £8.50 to £25 a week by the Labour government and the annual Winter Fuel Payment has been increased by £100 to £400 for over 80s households and by £50 to £250 for over-60s households.

The cold weather payments kick in every seven consecutive days that temperatures fall – or are forecast to fall – below 0 degrees. As a result of the cold snap this fortnight, thousands of older and vulnerable residents in Streatham, Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton will get the payment to help them through this cold spell.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, said,
“It is absolutely essential in these tough economic times, in the face of high energy prices and bitterly cold temperatures, that we have a responsive government taking action to help the most vulnerable in society, which is precisely what the Labour government is doing here”

The measures have attracted support from groups campaigning for older people. Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said,
“Many older people are worried about making ends meet this winter, but finding out they can get more money in their pockets can really make a difference.
“Tripling the Cold Weather Payment has made it a useful amount that will give an extra boost when the weather is cold.”

Rosie Winterton, the Pensions Minister (left), said, “We know that older people are facing tough times and that’s why we are acting now to make this real help available.”

To find out whether you are eligible to receive cold weather payments, Call Job Centre Plus on 0800 055 6688 or, if you are a pensioner, the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 08459 15 15 15. For more info click here: Cold Weather Payments.

We Love Brixton Hill, an excellent new website, has just been set up by the Brixton Hill Labour Action Team. The website is a community information site for residents living in Brixton Hill ward and you can log on to it for updates about local meetings, campaigns, and information about Brixton Hill – SW2 – and the local area.  There is also a regular We Love Brixton Hill newsletter you can subscribe to on the site.  Log on to the site here by clicking on this link: We Love Brixton Hill.