Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken, shared her reflection on 2022,
Happy New Year! 2022 could hardly be described as a quiet year. Pandemic restrictions were finally lifted; war broke out in Europe with Putin's invasion of Ukraine and, having thanked her for her outstanding public service throughout her Platinum reign, we bade farewell to our Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
In Parliament, I have continued working on your priorities. I want to reflect and share some of the work that I campaigned on over the last year on your behalf.
I continued my work with St Mungo's, The Passage and Crisis to support rough sleepers, and was delighted to secure the repeal of the Vagrancy Act.
With your support, I also persuaded the Government that a pedicab licensing scheme is needed for central London, and I look forward to working with Ministers when the Transport Bill comes to Parliament.
I am pleased to confirm a registration scheme for short-term lets. Whilst they can be great for tourists visiting our neighbourhoods, I've heard again and again about the issues they cause when it goes wrong. Thank you to everyone who shared their experience and signed my petition. Local authorities will soon be empowered to take action against problems caused by short-term lets.
I spoke out on the cost of living crisis, and lobbied Government to put in place extra packages for those who need the most support. Next year, I will continue to work with Ministers to ensure you have the information and help you need. Immediate information is available here.
I launched the Fertility Workplace Pledge, encouraging employers to provide more help and awareness for people undergoing fertility treatment.
We saved our buses. Bus routes including the 14 and 24 no longer face the Mayor of London's axe, and I'm continuing my campaign to save routes 11 and 211.
I am incredibly grateful for all your support. I wish you all the best, and hope for a happy and healthy 2023.
Here's to 2023!
