Richmond Park News: 5 December 2025

PENSIONS SCHEMES BILL REMAINING STAGES:

On Wednesday, I spoke in the remaining stages of the Pension Schemes Bill Debate. I spoke specifically about the proposal to mandate pension funds to invest in British markets. While it is advantageous to encourage pensions to invest in the UK, I asked the minister if there was not a risk that ‘mandation’ could be counterproductive if it reduces the returns on pension investments for pensioners.

I proposed instead that pension funds should be incentivised to invest more productively through the creation of appropriate investment vehicles in areas such as housing and social care which would support our economy. I also further spoke about the benefits  of encouraging investment in British start-ups to allow them to scale-up.

You can watch a clip of my intervention by clicking here.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE:

On Thursday, I was a lead member on the Public Accounts Committee session regarding tackling fraud and error in benefit expenditure over the last financial year.

The session focused on examining the DWP’s strategy for retrieving benefit overpayments, while also challenging the Senior Civil Servants in the DWP on benefit underpayments and unfulfilled eligibility. 

My question to the civil servants focused on examining the DWP’s strategy to detect when overpayments have been made, which can be difficult by nature as these payments would not have been made knowingly. 

The Permanent Secretary, Sir Peter Schofield, told the committee that the DWP has detected an estimated £25bn of fraud and error within the benefits system over the last year. The DWP’s current strategy focuses on prevention, with regular checks being applied to claimants’ eligibility criteria, including various other control measures.

You can watch a clip of my question by clicking here.

LOAN CHARGE APPG:

The Loan Charge Scandal has seen thousands of victims being retrospectively pursued for eye-watering sums following investments, which has led to a number of suicides and even more people suffering financially. I have spoken with several of my constituents who have been impacted by the scandal, and in my capacity as vice-chair of the APPG for the Loan Charge, I attended a meeting to discuss the recommendations that will be implemented by the government.

Following the review into the Loan Charge Scandal, termed ‘the McCann Review,’ the government committed to several of the recommendations which aimed to compensate victims. These included the removal of late payment penalties, discounts of up to £10,000 per year for the scheme fees paid to scheme promoters, and a flat reduction of £5,000 on the new settlement amount.

While the members and guests of the APPG spoke with a degree of positivity about the Chancellor’s announcements regarding concessions to the victims, there was also concern about the government making contradictory statements on this issue. I will make sure to hold the government to account on this matter to ensure that the victims receive the review’s recommended levels of compensation.

RADIO JACKIE:

This week, I sat down with Radio Jackie to talk about contemporary issues in the UK and local politics.

The interview began by discussing the Budget, and more specifically, my objection to the government’s planned introduction of a ‘Mansion Tax.’ I disagree with the government’s depiction of the additional Council tax levy on houses priced at over £2million as being a way of making tax fairer between poorer and more wealthy households. This is because some of the poorest households in Richmond Park will still be paying more Council tax than much wealthier homeowners in neighbouring constituencies. The Council Tax system is broken, and adding more layers to a broken system doesn’t make it any fairer. 

The next Budget related topic moved on to the government’s announcement that the two-child benefit cap would be limited. This is a matter that the Liberal Democrats have long called for, as this policy is the quickest and most effective way of alleviating child poverty in the UK. Introducing this benefit will also alleviate different pressures on the taxpayer which are caused as a consequence of child poverty, while also enabling children to have better future opportunities.

One of the last topics we discussed was the planned closure of Twickenham Police Station’s Front Counter. This week, Richmond Council launched legal proceedings against the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office regarding this decision and called for an immediate suspension of the closure pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. 

The Council’s proceedings set out concerns including: a failure to consult residents or elected representatives, a lack of evidence to demonstrate that the closure is justified or that alternatives were explored, and insufficient consideration of the impact on vulnerable residents requiring face-to-face support. I have repeatedly urged the Mayor and the Home Office to ensure funding is available to prevent the closure, so I will be following these legal proceedings with a keen interest.

You can listen out for my full interview by tuning into 107.8FM or online.

BARNES RAIL CRASH 70TH ANNIVERSARY:

On Tuesday morning, I visited Barnes Station for the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Barnes Rail Crash 70-years-ago. 

Admittedly, I had not previously heard about this tragedy, in which 13 people were killed and a further 41 were injured following a signalling fault. The sign which was commissioned by South Western Railway will serve to ensure that those who lost their lives are not forgotten.

It was especially interesting to hear from community members who had researched this topic via the Barnes and Mortlake History Society, which prompted SWR to install the signage, as I learnt that people at the station acted heroically to save as many people in the accident as possible. You can see a picture of me, alongside Councillor Nancy Baldwin, next to the sign below.

COMMUNITY NEWS:

BARNES FARMERS MARKET:

Every Saturday from 8:30-14:00, Barnes Farmers Market is open at Essex House Surgery and offers a range of fresh local produce. 

Barnes Farmers Market is one of the oldest farmers markets in London and it was recently awarded 2nd best farmers market in London and 8th in the whole of the UK. 

Every weekend, over 20 of the best food producers set-up their stalls in the market. Everything from award winning free-range organic meats, freshly picked fruit and veg, artisan breads, luxury cheeses, olives, fresh pasta, sushi, cakes, freshly ground coffee and more. 

You can find more information and a full list of the market’s food producers by visiting their website here.

MOMMENTUM’S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR:

On Thursday 11 December, there will be a Christmas spectacular event involving a selection of performances from timeless traditional carols to show-stopping numbers from beloved musicals. 

With poems, readings and opportunities for you to join-in, it’s a wonderful event that will be full of Christmas magic. 

The event will take place from 19:00-21:30 at All Saints Church, Market Place, Kingston, KT1 1JR, and is presented by Laine Theatre Arts Choir and conducted by the brilliant Choral Director Lawrence Broomfield. 

All proceeds from the night go directly to Momentum’s Children’s Charity, supporting children with cancer and life-challenging conditions across London, Surrey and Sussex. 

Tickets are £20 each and £5 for children under 14, and more information about the event can be found by clicking here.

RICHMOND REVEALED:

I’m delighted to have received this new book, see below, by local author Paul Jackson, with details of six walks around Richmond.  Full of beautiful photographs and packed with interesting detail. Sales of the book will raise funds for local charities, including The Vineyard Project and the Richmond Museum. 

Copies are on sale from The Open Book bookshop on King Street, Richmond, or from the Richmond Local History Society.