General Election 2017 Manifesto Constituency: Hackney South and Shoreditch

“Communities Together”

Regardless of age, background, religion, or gender: A progressive plan for Hackney South and Shoreditch.

Hugo Sugg

Independent

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#HackneyTogether // @HackneyTogether

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Hackney South and Shoreditch is a vibrant hub of difference, choice and diversity. Explore how Hugo Sugg (Independent) wants to help bring Communities Together in Hackney South and Shoreditch over the course of the next Parliament.

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FOREWORD

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COMMUNITY

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BUSINESS

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TRANSPORT

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ENVIRONMENT

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EDUCATION

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CRIME

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POLICY COSTS

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THANK YOU

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LEGAL

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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FOREWORD

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I want to bring the values of community cohesion

into an already vibrant set of communities. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and South Hackney including Shoreditch brings a wealth of people together in one location. As much as the above is positive I have seen different levels of housing deprivation, homelessness, unemployment and mental health services weaken under the lack of Central Government support. Young people in this constituency have also seen a drastic drop in youth services. Zero-hour contracts still exist in this community, meaning that hard work isn’t sustainable. High cost-low quality housing is an issue the Council can’t ignore: These are people’s lives. Homelessness and rough sleeping is increasing and there needs to be a comprehensive strategy to tackle this.

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Hackney South and Shoreditch has suffered 7

years under Austerity – let us not make it any more. HUGO SUGG, Independent

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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Prospective General Election 2017 Candidate Hugo Sugg pictured in Shoreditch

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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COMMUNITY A community is a collection of people. Hackney South and Shoreditch is a community in Hackney Borough itself, London, the United Kingdom, Europe and the world. Communities are vital to community cohesion and strengthening our bonds as citizens. Hackney has a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, beliefs and values and these can all be seen as communities. Hugo Sugg wants to look below the surface of these and address abuse of the homeless, stigmatisation of the mentally ill, the Islamophobia portrayed in the media and inequalities of the housing market. Over this Election, Hugo from “Communities Together” will be introducing himself and reaching out to religious leaders, the homeless on the streets and hostels, and residents of housing estates which haven’t seen redevelopment in the last few years. Listening to these different points of views will allow Hugo to create policies over this Election which are inclusive, diverse and with the people they represent at the very heart of them. As a qualified Youth and Community Worker and exhomeless person; Hugo has lived on benefits, sofa-surfed, worked 12 hour nights and lived in low-quality housing – and passionately believes in making sure the focus is on the person who is left behind after big politics takes over. A topical issue in this Election is the UK’s negotiations from Leaving the EU. Hackney voted overwhelmingly to Remain in the 2016 Referendum, however the UK is leaving the European Union and the benefits of this are yet to be felt.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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Being a strong Remain voter, Hugo believes in the notion of the European community and gaining the best for the EU employees, students and holidaymakers who come to London (and especially Hackney) to feel welcome and included. Homelessness in Hackney is increasing with a total of 33 homeless hostels and according to research is the 6th biggest homeless hotspots in England. Hugo Sugg will campaign and work with the Local Authority and agencies to help provide accommodation and support for the homeless when elected. There are many empty properties in the Borough which can be refurbished to acceptable living standards, and these can be used to take rough sleepers from the doorways and into bedrooms. In mainstream media, research has shown that young people disproportionately get shown to be trouble makers and burdens in society. Positive press in regards to young people in Hackney is below the amount of negative press which is deeply unfair and weakens the ties between our future generation and the rest of the community. In this Manifesto, we also pledge to campaign to the Local Authority for more funding to keep community centres and youth clubs open as this will help deepen integration between young people and the community. Alongside this, Hugo has also agreed to give up £15,000 from his Member of Parliament salary and dedicate it to improving opportunities for young people in the constituency. Mental Health illness is becoming less stigmatised and talked about more due to continuing research and campaigns highlighting the issue more than ever before. Homerton Mental Health services have been severely Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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affected by Austerity and lack of money. As a result to this underfunding and knowledge, there isn’t adequate services to support the needs of the mentally ill in the constituency or Borough. Research has shown that mental illness and homelessness are very closely linked – and Hackney has been one of the four London Boroughs that has had its specialist statutory Homelessness Mental Health Team cut and eventually stopped altogether since 2012. It is important to note that rough sleeping has risen across the Borough but the services to tackle the problem and subsequent issues has dropped. Due to his passion about the issue and his personal experience – Hugo Sugg pledges to do the following if elected;  work with local homeless charities and the Local Authority to come up with a joint action plan to tackle the issue  research funding to support homeless hostels and  make sure education around homelessness happens in our schools, youth clubs and community centres.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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Hugo Sugg talking to local entrepreneurs about their businesses and what they’d like to see out of the General Election 2017

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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BUSINESS Much of our local economy is driven by business in the area, and providing services to its community like hairdressing, food and lifestyle. With gentrification and development growing in North East London, in particular Shoreditch, it is becoming a more desirable place to live and work. However businesses exist with employees to staff their operations. Whether it’s the technology start-up, an office block or shop in the street – employers have many overheads. Business rates and wages take over the majority of costs and become a reason why independent shops may close. “Communities Together” happens when the economy is thriving and the costs are kept to a minimum to allow for maximum effect. Voting for Hugo Sugg as Member of Parliament in this constituency, would see a comprehensive campaign to the Local Authority to freeze business rental rates for the 2018/19 financial year. This freeze would also allow employers to consider changing zero-hour contracts into permanent roles or raising the pay of their employees. Business owners are included in this section as they make the high street shop, office in a tower-block and hardworking entrepreneur who has suffered recent hikes in business rates, taxes, duties and increasing costs of living. From working in a start-up Monday-Friday himself during the launch of this very campaign, Hugo has seen first-hand the struggles his managers have suffered over the last 2+ years.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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Hugo wants to put the working person in the heart of his local economy stance. Many residents in the area have high rent and bills, but little money. This policy reaches out to the thousands who work for the food on the table and roof over their heads. Our local cleaners who keep our spaces clean, the bar tenders who serve our social needs and the receptionist which facilitates our appointments. “Communities Together” symbolises that people who work in business and have a home, or people who work but don’t have a home being interlinked.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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TRANSPORT Hackney South and Shoreditch is a hub of transport links. Trains, cars and buses flow through and help keep us moving between our social life and work life. Hackney also boasts a growing cycling community which proves to be economical as well as environmental. There are many ways to travel Hackney South, and there are travel links in all directions around the Borough. It provides a straight through link between Harringay & City and Stratford to Camden. Uber has been of particular concern to London taxi drivers due to the unfair pricing structure they have. There have been many calls for regulation – and Hugo Sugg backs these calls. Hackney Borough has many routes and ways of people to get in, out and around the area. Hugo Sugg pledges to keep this as accessible as possible. By building more cycle lanes, keeping train lines open as long as possible and campaigning to regulate Uber taxi prices, we hope to make travelling easier for our most vulnerable. As an MP, Hugo would work with his counterpart in Hackney North & Stoke Newington, Hackney Council and Transport for London to make the above become a reality.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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ENVIRONMENT The air we breathe and the green areas we live in should be preserved and clean for our enjoyment. Hackney South has many open spaces for the community to enjoy – and this should be continued. Earlier this year (2017) the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced that London levels of pollution are at illegal levels and aims to combat this. As an MP for the Constituency, it would be essential to support the Mayor’s plan to cut air pollution. As mentioned earlier in this document, residents in Hackney South and Shoreditch are increasingly using cycling as a mode of transport to get around, which brings possible health implications for individuals with the current illegal levels of air pollution. Smog over Hackney has decreased over the last decade, and this is to be recognised however not to be forgotten that more work needs to be done. Hugo Sugg campaigns for a better environment, better recycling facilities and supports the Mayor’s plans to tackle illegal pollution. As MP, Hugo would work with the Environment Agency, Department for Health, Transport for London and the Mayor’s Office to create a comprehensive plan for these issues.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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EDUCATION Hackney as a Borough has high performing schools and grade attainments. Young people are getting average or above in the Borough compared to the rest of London and the country. This is a record of achievement for both constituencies and should be encouraged. Young people make up a large proportion of our community according to the Hackney profile 2016 and have good schools which will help them progress onto apprenticeships, jobs and university. University for many young people is seen as a good stepping stone from school and into an earning member of society. The costs associated with education have risen greatly over the last 7 years of a Conservative-led Government. Hugo wants to support this and work with school leaders, teachers, students and parents to help create even better education for our future generation. Apprenticeships also help build our workforce, and Hugo pledges to work with the Department for Education and the Jobcentre Plus to help employers take young people on. Education doesn’t just happen in the classroom or workplace however, and that is why Hugo has an emphasis on youth clubs during this election. Youth clubs provide excellent informal education about sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol, crime, homework and CV writing. As mentioned earlier, Hugo Sugg is pledging £15,000 of his MP’s salary to youth clubs in Hackney South and Shoreditch, to help young people develop their skills out of education. Another pledge by Hugo will be helping to lobby the Government to reinstate the means-tested £30 a week Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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Education Maintenance Allowance and also challenge the rising cost of living whilst in education.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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CRIME Knife crime incidents are rising rapidly which causes mass unease amongst our community. The Metropolitan Police Hackney team work extremely hard to tackle anti-social behaviour and in particular knife crime. In February 2017, the Metropolitan Police dealt with a mixture of over 180 crimes in Hackney Central alone. A recent report by the Home Affairs Committee in Parliament has found that there are about 32,000 sex workers in London. The number in Hackney is unknown, however this does not mean it doesn’t exist. Hugo recognises this can be an overlooked issue, however he wants to work with the Police, housing, women’s refugees and Jobcentre Plus to best support these workers into sustainable and safe lifestyle and employment. Knife amnesties have been proven to reduce crime in other areas in the Capital and UK, and this is something Hugo wants to apply for Government funding to run these at regular intervals in the Borough, working with Hackney North. One particular incident that made national headlines very recently was the unprovoked acid attack at a nightclub in London Fields. Because of the quick responses of the nightclub owner and the Police – the offender was caught and jailed for life just days before this Manifesto was published. Hugo would like to praise all those involved, including the public and the Judge who helped see justice being served.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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There is also a rise of drive-by mobile phone theft incidents and these are being addressed currently with a campaign to help keep constituents aware. Hugo Sugg pledges;

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to work with the Police authorities (including Transport Police), Home Office and the Local Authority to tackle this and help reassure the public

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to ask for more funding from Central Government to help keep the Police on the streets and back office departments adequately staffed

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work with the local Police teams and go out with them on their rounds to talk to constituents and reassure their safety is our main priority

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have regular weapons and knife amnesties in the Borough where current or potential criminals can surrender their weapons

It is vital that we feel safe when we go to the shops, see friends, visit family and travel to work. A vote for Hugo would help improve security for the constituency.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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POLICY COSTS All the above policies and the ones mentioned throughout the Election Campaign will need money to allow them to work or bring them to life. Hugo Sugg recognises this and wanted to include this into the Manifesto. The idea behind Communities Together is to help build up resources through people but not just taxes. Hugo Sugg wants to commit to working with the Local Authority to help keep Council Tax at an affordable level for residents – especially those who are struggling financially. One way of funding these policies is through external means – like businesses, charitable donations, Grants and initiatives by the private sector. Hugo recognises the impact that high cost has on every-day workers, and therefore will work with members of the community to help support applications for funding.

Hugo Sugg believes that the vision of stronger communities, in Hackney South and Shoreditch working together, can win this Election and put these policy proposals into action – stopping any more Austerity.

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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THANK YOU Hugo Sugg would like to pass on his thanks to his Campaign team, donors and members of the community who have helped him stand, collaborate on this Manifesto and put the community first. Communities together make our Borough better, safer and stronger. Please vote for Hugo Sugg, Independent candidate in Hackney South and Shoreditch constituency and help put his progressive plan for the area into action. THANK YOU FOR READING.

Please support our Campaign by following our social media: - Website: www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com - Twitter: @HackneyTogether - Hashtag: #HackneyTogether | #VoteHugo - Facebook: .com/HackneyTogether - Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com

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“Communities Together” Regardless of age, background, religion, or gender: A progressive plan for Hackney South and Shoreditch. Hugo Sugg

Independent

General Election 2017 | Hackney South and Shoreditch

Registered Address: HUGO SUGG 4 Derby Court, 2 Overbury Street, Homerton, E5 0TE

Twitter: @HackneyTogether | Email: [email protected] | www.hackneytogether.wordpress.com