by Paul Scully | Feb 7, 2017 | News |
Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Crossrail site at Bond Street alongside another London MP and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP.
Crossrail, or the Elizabeth Line as it will be known once completed, is the new high frequency, high capacity railway for London and the South East. When the service opens Crossrail trains will travel from Reading to Brentwood, with branches to Heathrow Airport and Greenwich.
Whilst Sutton will not be having a Crossrail station coming here (but will benefit from Crossrail 2), Sutton has still enjoyed many benefits from the construction of Crossrail. 16 local people have been taken on by Crossrail and 2 Sutton residents are currently on an apprenticeship.
Crossrail has also benefitted local businesses. The project has created work for G4S and Lerch Bates Ltd, two big companies with offices in Sutton, but also for eight small and medium sized businesses based here:
- Activ-Air Automation Ltd on the Kimpton Industrial Estate,
- Armadillo Safeguards Ltd based in Lower Road, Sutton,
- ENOTRAC UK Ltf based in Sutton Town Centre,
- IRIS Group based in Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam,
- JR Hoarding based on Reigate Avenue, Sutton,
- S D Engineering based in Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam,
- and Transitions London C.I.C. based in Willis Avenue, Sutton.
Crossrail will bring huge benefits to London and whilst Sutton may not be getting a Crossrail train coming here yet, I am glad that we are benefitting in other ways.
by Paul Scully | Jan 30, 2017 | News |
The Sutton Job Centre is being moved to Wallington as the lease is coming to an end on their current site.
Currently based at Helena House on Sutton High Street, the Job Centre will be moved to Carew House by Wallington station before March 2018.
In a letter from Damian Hinds MP, Minister for Employment, I was advised that:
“I am writing to let you know about a proposal to relocate the Jobcentre at Helena House, 348-352, High Street, Sutton, SM1 1PX to Carew House, Railway approach, Wallington, SM6 0DX.
“This move is part of DWP’s continued drive to deliver public services in more innovative and cost effective ways. We have sought to ensure that the estate from which we operate continues to meet the changing needs of our business and our claimants.
“This proposal supports the on-going transformation of our services, providing us with the opportunity to deliver an improved customer service in close partnership with local services. It will also reduce costs to the taxpayer by making better use of the space we occupy.
“Subject to further consideration of the proposal we hope to relocate all 96 staff and services from the current Jobcentre to Carew House, Railway Approach, Wallington, SM6 0DX by a date to be agreed before March 2018. Moreover, we are recruiting and expect to have more Work Coaches in every nation and region of the UK in March 2018 than we have today.
“The new site is just 2.7 miles from the existing site. As you will hopefully already be aware, Jobcentre Plus is able to reimburse travel costs for those claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance or the equivalent claimants in Universal Credit for any attendance above their fortnightly signing appointment. In addition, those claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support are not generally required to attend their local Jobcentre regularly.”
Following my meeting last year at the Sutton Job Centre (pictured above), I have written to the local Jobcentre Plus District Manager to hear more about how they will be handling the move, and how they will be helping their customers with the transition.
by Paul Scully | Jan 24, 2017 | News |
I welcome the clarity that we have following the decision in the Supreme Court 8-3 in favour of Parliament having to approve the invoking of Article 50. I hope we all respect the independence of the judiciary and not attack the judges who delivered their verdict.
Now let us get on and have a vote quickly so that we can get on with the job on delivering on the will of the people. I’m concerned by the rhetoric from some MPs who are clearly trying to frustrate the result which will only cause prolonged uncertainty for business and migrants, both EU citizens here and British citizens in the EU.
I remain focused on making Brexit work for everyone as per the PM’s 12 principles, rather than causing divisions by replaying the referendum.
by Paul Scully | Jan 9, 2017 | News |
Today the Justice Minister was responding to an urgent question in the House of Commons regarding the government’s emergency review into domestic abuse in family courts.
This is something I raised in a debate in Parliament last year.
I used this opportunity to ask the Justice Minister, notwithstanding getting the review right, to ensure that legislation is brought forward quickly after the review is completed to ensure that no-one has to go through this again.
You can watch my question and the Minister’s response here.
by Paul Scully | Jan 6, 2017 | News |
I am delighted that, following the hard work by Women’s Aid’s Child First campaign, Justice Secretary Liz Truss has called for an emergency review to examine domestic abuse in the Family Court system.
In September of last year, I made a speech in Parliament regarding domestic abuse in family courts. This came after a report by Women’s Aid titled ‘Nineteen Child Homoicides’ exemplified cases where children’s lives were cut short when the courts granted access to someone who was known to be violent.
This issue is very close to home for Sutton following the tragic murder of Ellie Butler after the courts granted custody to the parents when the father was known to be abusive.
The report calls for certain changes to be made to the family court system, such of banning the practice of domestic abuse victims being cross-examined by their former partners, providing separate entrances, waiting rooms and arrival times to court, and ultimately, putting the child’s interests first in family court situations.
I want to thank Women’s Aid for helping to bring this about through their hard work, and the Justice Secretary for taking this important step. I look forward to seeing the results of the review.
Crossrail, or the Elizabeth Line as it will be known once completed, is the new high frequency, high capacity railway for London and the South East. When the service opens Crossrail trains will travel from Reading to Brentwood, with branches to Heathrow Airport and Greenwich.