MP columns

Despite its focus on reducing the deficit, the Government is not adverse to spending money on new projects.

However, the economic situation requires it to priorities projects that can be relied upon to bring a return. One of these is Crossrail, which will strengthen London's underground and overground rail connections.

The news that Thames Water has chosen Carnwath Road on the south Fulham riverside as its new preferred site for the drill shaft of its Super Sewer will bring years of misery to my constituents across both Fulham and Chelsea.

Buried in the small print of the documentation is the fact that some 29,000 lorries will travel along the Kings Road, the New Kings Road and Wandsworth Bridge Road to go to and from the site, transporting construction equipment to and from the tunnel site.

Residents in Kensington are familiar with large protests, having endured regular embassy protests over a number of years.

Yet over the last 12 months, the number of protests taking place in Central London has increased dramatically.

Demonstrators have marched in opposition to tuition fees, gathered outside Parliament to protest a range of causes, and positioned themselves in the City of London to call attention to 'corporate greed.'

Every month, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, MP for Kensington, talks about issues facing his constituents. This month, he addresses the controversial 50% tax rate.

Over the last month, there has been much talk about the health of the UK economy and the 50-pence tax band.

Some feel that the measure, introduced as a temporary expedient, should now be eliminated. Others think it should stay in place.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind, MP for Kensington, has his own views on what should be done about rioting and looting across London. He writes:

We have all been shocked by the instances of rioting that erupted earlier this month.

While other parts of London were more heavily affected than Kensington, there were saddening incidents.

This week, Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea, urges residents to take part in public consultations which could affect the future of services in West London.

Two important consultations are taking place at the moment, one effecting public services in Fulham, the other in Chelsea.

In Fulham, Transport for London is consulting on adding more District Line trains to the Wimbledon Branch.

Crossrail has been long in the making. Plans on this scale usually are.

The new rail line will simultaneously connect locations as far afield as Maidenhead with central London, ease congestion in the centre of the capital, and strengthen commuter links east of Canary Wharf.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind gives his view on the referendum next month.

May 5 is an important date for all Londoners, except many probably don't realise it.
While most British voters will be going to the polls in local elections, many Londoners may feel like they have the day off.

They know that at the end of the day, their councillors and assembly members will remain the same and the Mayor will still be in office.

Every month, the Citizens Advice Bureau will be providing advice for Chronicle readers with a special question-and-answer style column.

In the first of the series, the bureau addresses the difficulty many private tenants face in paying their bills.

Q) I'm a private tenant but it's a struggle to pay my other essential bills after I've paid the rent.

There just doesn't seem to be anywhere cheaper to rent round here. Is there anything I can do?

There was good news for Kensington recently, with the announcement that the Western Extension Zone will finally be made a thing of the past.

After much opposition, and an overwhelming reaction to a public consultation, the Zone will be eliminated on Christmas Eve - ensuring Santa Clause won't be taxed for delivering his presents!

This will be a great benefit to those who live and work in Kensington, and I am delighted that the Mayor of London has been able to fulfil his pledge to bring the scheme to a close by the end of the year.