Richmond Park News: 16 October 2026
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE QUESTIONS
Youth unemployment in the UK is reaching a crisis point, as 15% of young people in the UK are out of work, while this number reaches 25% in London.
The average costs to businesses of employing someone have risen on average by 11% since July 2024. This has hit businesses which operate under fine margins, such as in the retail and hospitality sector, significantly. These sectors are often young people’s first step onto the employment ladder, and the removal of these opportunities is reflected in the unemployment statistics.
I asked the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds MP, a simple question - if he would acknowledge that the government’s policies have contributed to the rise of youth unemployment. While the Minister made the case that the government is busy plugging other funding gaps, he did not address my serious concerns regarding youth unemployment rates.
You can watch a clip of this question and the Minister’s response by clicking here.
On Monday, the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, delivered a speech to Parliament in which he stated that refusing to explore closer ties with the European Union would be a ‘dereliction of duty.’
However, the Prime Minister refused to move on the government’s manifesto red-lines, which in Prime Minister’s own words, constitutes a dereliction of duty.
I put this point to the Business Secretary, who acknowledged that closer ties will bring economic prosperity, but insisted that the government’s current policy towards the EU is ambitious enough.
You can watch my question on the EU, and Jonathan Reynolds’ response, by clicking here.
WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE ON REJOINING THE EU
An e-petition which called for the UK to rejoin the European Union reached over 100,000 signatures, and therefore the debate was brought before Parliament.
Unsurprisingly, this debate was well attended by my Liberal Democrat colleagues, but I did manage to find time to speak by intervening on the speech made by Conservative’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Mike Wood MP.
The Shadow Minister defended his party’s position on Europe by stating that we would be offered a highly unfavourable deal if we were to rejoin.
As such discussions with our European partners haven’t even started, I questioned the legitimacy and self-defeating nature of his argument.
You can watch a clip of my intervention by clicking here.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ORAL QUESTION
Last year, the Public Accounts Committee warned that the government would not meet their manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls if they do not get to grips with the evolving nature of abuse.
Technologically facilitated abuse is growing rapidly, as referrals to Refuge rose by nearly 80% last year. However, over the past 3 years, the proportion of such cases resulting in a charge fell from 5.8% to 4.5%.
I therefore asked the Attorney General, Ellie Reeves MP, what steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates in cases of technologically facilitated abuse.
I was encouraged to hear that the Attorney General had met with the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) to discuss this specific issue over the summer, and that the CPS will be publishing an action plan on technologically facilitated violence.
You can watch my question and the Attorney General’s response by clicking here.
WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE ON SUPPORTING SUICIDE PREVENTION CHARITIES
Papyrus, a suicide charity, were forced to close last month due to financial challenges. The service that the charity and its staff provided will be sorely missed, and on Tuesday, I attended a Westminster Hall Debate on this topic.
Papyrus’ helpline, termed ‘HOPELINE,’ operated for nearly 30 years, and the service will have saved countless lives, while the NHS even signposted the helpline for those who may be struggling. The closure of the ‘HOPELINE’ will only push the demand for help onto other already stressed services.
The news delivered from the Minister for Mental Health, Alison McGovern MP, at the end of the debate that government officials are working with Papyrus’ administrators to attempt to keep ‘HOPELINE’ open is a promising development, and I hope that this service will remain available.
During the debate, I also referenced the ongoing review of central funding for the Cassel Hospital in Ham, and successfully asked the Minister to meet with me to discuss this matter.
You can watch a clip of my speech by clicking here.
MEETING WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE
Earlier this week, I met with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, alongside fellow London Liberal Democrat MPs.
The Commissioner provided an update regarding the various challenges facing the Met, raising that the court backlogs are presenting a significant concern. Sir Mark Rowley underlined that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep criminals off of our streets when prison spaces are nearly full, meaning more people are being released on bail, and while the backlog in the courts means that there are already 500 court cases scheduled for 2030.
On another topic, I asked for his views on Wandsworth Council’s plans to appoint 25 of their own dedicated Metropolitan Police officers, at the expected total cost of £5mn a year. The Commissioner reassured me that while the Council may have influence on where the officers are stationed, they will remain under the direct command of the Metropolitan Police.
STANLEY PICKER TRUST VISIT
Last week, I visited Stanley Picker Trust in Kingston for a tour of the Stanley Picker House.
Stanley Picker commissioned the house from architect Kenneth Wood in 1965, with family money made from the Gala Cosmetics company (which had a factory in Tolworth). He used his wealth to invest in many works of art, and the House today is not only a stunning example of mid-60s architecture, it also houses an exceptional collection of mid-century painting and sculpture, including pieces by L.S. Lowry, Elisabeth Frink and Henry Moore.
It was a real privilege to experience the house, which Picker shared with his partner Paul Kavanagh, and view the art collection. It’s amazing that such an artistic and architectural gem should be hidden away in this private corner of Kingston Hill.
The House is accessible for tours by appointment only, and information on how to book a visit can be found by clicking on the following link.
EBAY RECEPTION
Yesterday, I attended a reception hosted by eBay, in partnership with Small Business Britain, focused on unlocking entrepreneurship in the UK.
This event launched their report on the ‘Side Hustle Economy,’ celebrating entrepreneurialism while setting out the concrete policy levers that need to be pulled to break down barriers which small and micro-businesses face to enable them to grow at quicker rates.
I spoke to a range of representatives from eBay, as well as many small business owners, entrepreneurs and founders, who told me their experiences of entrepreneurialism in the UK. They highlighted the advantages of the flexibility that running a small business can bring for those who have caring responsibilities or certain health conditions.
COMMUNITY NEWS
THE HALLOWEEN HUNT
On Saturday 24 October, the Hare and Hounds Pub in East Sheen will be hosting the yearly Halloween Hunt.
The hunt is a fun activity for children, with participants being provided a map at the Hare and Hounds before setting off on the hunt around local shops and businesses.
You can book one of two time slots which last for two hours between 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00.
You can buy tickets for the hunt by clicking here.
KINGSTON COUNCIL KEEPING THE STREETS CLEAN:
The pavements in town centres across the country suffered from the lack of rain over the summer, but Kingston Council are proactively tackling this issue to keep the town centre clean.
This includes year-round pressure washing cleaning of the town centre’s 30,000sqm pavements, while other initiatives to keep the town centre an attractive and pleasant area includes the quick removal of graffiti and repainting street furniture items.
The Council also encourages residents to report areas that need cleaning, and you can do so by clicking on the following link.
KINGSTON JOBS FAIR:
On Tuesday 27 October, between 10:30-13:30, Kingston Council are facilitating a Jobs Fair at the Guildhall, KT1 1EU.
The fair will give people the opportunity to speak with employers, to gain CV advice, with the possibility of placements and trials on offer.
You can learn more about the event by clicking here.
