1. SMALL BUSINESS SURGERY FOR PERSONAL CARE INDUSTRY

Another sector experiencing incredibly tough times is in the personal care industry. I am eager to meet with and listen to as many people as possible in this sector who have been impacted by Covid-19.

To that end, I will be hosting another small business surgery, on March 12th, specifically for Richmond Park residents and businesses in the personal care industry. If you own a hairdresser, a nail salon or any other kind of personal care business, and you'd like to share your experience and find out what you can do to support yourself in the current climate, please email [email protected].

2. REDUCING VAT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Yesterday I posed an Urgent Question to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in the House chamber. I asked him whether the Government would cut VAT on electric vehicles to 5% to help stimulate demand and contribute a green recovery. I believe this is the kind of strong measure we need to help us make the transition to a lower carbon economy and stimulate growth in industries of the future.

3. COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

In the first installment of my new Community Spotlight feature, I would like to shine a light on East Sheen Primary School and Swatland Butchers.

Year 6 pupils at East Sheen Primary usually raise money for leavers' hoodies and yearbooks with cake sales, Christmas and Summer fairs, and school concerts. To raise funds this year, pupils will be doing socially distanced litter-picking to improve the community. If you would like to support the students in this wonderful project, please consider providing sponsorship to help make this happen. The school is looking for sponsorship from friends and families, as well as local businesses.

I wish the students the best of luck for their transition to secondary school in September, and look forward to hearing about the wonderful impact this project will have.

Swatland Butchers on Upper Richmond Road West has received great feedback from my constituents for their excellent meats and the prize-winning sausages made on-site. In this difficult year it is wonderful to hear of outstanding and friendly customer service provided by our local businesses. In particular, nominators highlighted the amusing working models on display outside of the butchers, often with seasonal themes, entertaining kids whilst providing 25 years of customer service to Richmond residents.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your nominations for the community spotlight, and I look forward to reading more. If there is an individual, business or organisation you would like to spotlight, please send details to [email protected].

4. LITTERING MESSAGE FROM YOUNG RESIDENTS

Litter-picking has been a theme this week, with two young constituents sending me their helpful, persuasive and engaging podcast about the problem of littering. These civic-minded boys are calling for listeners to look for a litter clean-up in their area and help save wildlife by picking up discarded rubbish.

5. HEATHROW NIGHT FLIGHTS CONSULTATION – DEADLINE TOMORROW!

The government's current Heathrow consultation on night flights and aircraft noise closes tomorrow. I encourage as many people as possible to take part. To do so, you can send responses by email to [email protected] or complete the online form here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6MJQIF/.

6. TFL INTRODUCES NEW SAFETY MEASURES FOR LORRIES IN LONDON

Transport for London's Direct Vision Standard lorry safety scheme will now be enforced at all times on all roads in London, with free safety permits required for all freight operators. Under the scheme more than 30,000 dangerous heavy goods vehicles have been fitted with safety measures to protect people walking and cycling nearby.

HGVs are five times more likely to be involved in a collision resulting in a fatality, relative to their share of traffic. The new Direct Vision Standard scheme measures the driver's direct field of vision from their cab and rates it from 0 to 5 stars, depending on how much they can see.

More than 60,000 HGVs rated 1 to 5 stars have received a free safety permit, including the more than 3,000 5-star vehicles . The operators of lorries rated 0 star – currently around half of HGVs operating in London – are now required to fit safety systems including:

- Cameras covering blind spots linked to a video display in the cab

- An audible warning when turning left

- Motion sensors covering the sides of the lorry at low speeds

- A prominent warning on the back of their vehicle

I welcome these measures to make our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

7. RICHMOND SECONDARY SCHOOL OFFER DAY

This year, 2,264 children applied for a place at a Richmond secondary school; this was 122 more than last year. Their parents and carers were notified of the results of their applications yesterday.

60% of pupils have been offered a place at their first choice school, compared to last year's figure of 61%. In addition, 83% have been offered one of their top three preferences, and 90% have received one of their five preferences. Both of these figures are the same as in 2020.

Currently there are 114 children without an offer of a place, compared with 135 at this time last year. However, as parents respond to their offers over the next few weeks and months, it is anticipated that all children without a school place will be offered one. The council will be working to make this happen as quickly as possible. If you are holding a place you do not intend to take up, please do not delay in notifying the Council, as another family could be waiting anxiously for that place.

8. FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

Richmond Council is promoting the online Fairtrade festival, which runs until 7 March. The festival has an exciting collection of free online events and activities to entertain, educate and inspire everyone to start thinking about the people behind the food we eat. Highlights include a live quiz night on Friday 5 March.

To see the full line-up of activities and events, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk/choose-the-world-you-want

Richmond Council's Fairtrade Steering Group also offers these tips on how you can help:

Make sure you buy Fairtrade products from your local stores and supermarkets. Simply look for the Fairtrade mark. Some common products include bananas, cocoa, coffee, flowers, sugar, tea, honey, rice, wine and more. Each purchase of a Fairtrade product can make a real difference for farmers and workers around the world.

Try new recipes using Fairtrade products.

Donate to support projects to bring Fairtrade to more farmers and workers and to help them trade their way out of poverty.