Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, has written to the Immigration Minister, Brandon Lewis, and the chair of the Home Office select committee, Yvette Cooper, calling for changes to the way asylum applications are handled by the Home Office regarding victims of torture. 

A recent report form Freedom from Torture, highlighed a number of problems with the process for victims of torture asylum applications. Such problems include ignoring or dismissing expert medical evidence. 

Within the letter, Mr Thomas highlighted the reports findings that there are "endemic, incorrect and inconsistent treatment of medical evidence by Home Office caseworkers". Further stating that 76% of refusals examined were overturned at appeal, which strongly indicates "that the decision making process is being prolonged unnecessarily, as the cost of the tax payer, and causing the individual concerned further distress."

The letter pressed the government to set out how they aim to improve the way in which Home Office caseworkers consider asylum claims from victims of torture, following the publication of the report from Freedom from Torture. Particularly in regards to fully implementing a new training programme.

Mr Thomas has also pressed for the chair of the Home Affairs Select committee, Yvetter Cooper, to launch an inquiry into these issues. 

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, wants to tackle the proposed growth of RAF Northolt as he believes it will have a serious effect on those living close to it.

Through this petition, which calls for a public consultation on the expansion of the military base, he hopes to ensure that residents have a say.

He also wants the Government to explain why such changes are being made when there are, in his eyes, more pressing matters at hand.

“At a time when NHS services, the police force and schools across Harrow are facing damaging cuts, it is wrong that the Government is spending such a significant amount on RAF Northolt with no justification or transparency,” he 

said.

“It’s not right for the Government to hide behind RAF Northolt’s military designation to increase airport capacity in London by stealth.

“That’s why I’ve tabled a series of questions in Parliament to try to find out more and am determined to make sure that residents’ views are heard.”

Last year, there were 10,000 commercial flights out of RAF Northolt, compared to 3,800 military flights.

As the Ministry of Defence explores “a range of options for the future development” of the airport, the number of commercial flights could ultimately grow to 50,000 a year.

Mr Thomas argues that the Government, in its plan to re-surface the base’s runway at a cost of £45 million, is taking advantage of the fact that it is not a commercial airport.

He explained that, if it were, it would be required to apply for planning permission to carry out such a procedure.

He added that a public consultation would have been carried out due to the expansion of the number of flights.

Words from Harrow Times.

To sign the petition, follow this link

http://www.gareththomas.org/northolt

Gareth Thomas responds to the growing issue of Rats in Harrow. 

Gareth Thomas, MP for West Harrow, has responded to the growing issue of Rats within Harrow, calling for urgent measure to combat the spread of Rats. 

Writing to Michael Lockwood, Chief Executive of Harrow Council, and Sajid Javid, Communities Secretary, Mr Thomas wrote: 

"It is inevitable that such severe budget cuts would have an impact on services, but I'm sure you will agree that urgent measures are required to combat the spread of rats in our public spaces."

"I would be grateful if you could set out what steps the council is taking to tackle rats, particularly in the sites identified in video footage in Greenhill Way and in the area in front of Morrisons"

"Please can you also set out what the council is doing to tackle fly tipping and to encourage residents and businesses to help keep our streets clean?"

Gareth will continue to monitor the situation, working closely with Harrow council to ensure the problem is tackled as soon as possible.