When to Contact Your MP
Everyone has the right to contact their MP to discuss national and local issues they feel are affecting them. However, MPs can only intervene in certain situations (see below for guidance). My staff and I will always endeavour to reply to anything you send me and let you know whether I can help.
It is also important to remember that MPs can only act on behalf of their constituents. The London Borough of Lewisham is covered by three MPs: myself (Lewisham Deptford) and my Labour colleagues Heidi Alexander MP (Lewisham East) and Jim Dowd MP (Lewisham West and Penge). If you are not sure which constituency you live in, you can check using the MP Finder Tool.
Here are some examples of situations in which I may be able to help:
Some issues raised, such as those surrounding benefits, may require detailed advice from experts. We will therefore recommend you contact other agencies in addition to ourselves.
It is also important to remember that MPs can only act on behalf of their constituents. The London Borough of Lewisham is covered by three MPs: myself (Lewisham Deptford) and my Labour colleagues Heidi Alexander MP (Lewisham East) and Jim Dowd MP (Lewisham West and Penge). If you are not sure which constituency you live in, you can check using the MP Finder Tool.
Here are some examples of situations in which I may be able to help:
- Immigration and other problems dealt with by the Home Office
- Problems with hospitals and the NHS
- Tax problems involving the HM Revenue and Customs
- Benefits, pensions, national insurance and other matters dealt with by the Department of Work and Pensions
- Crime and policing issues
- Problems with the Child Support Agency
- Transport problems involving TfL or other companies providing transport to the local area
- Policy issues relating to any of the government departments: Business, Innovation & Skills; Communities & Local Government; Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport; Defence; Education; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Health; Home Office; International Development; Justice; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Transport; Treasury; Wales; Work and Pensions.
Some issues raised, such as those surrounding benefits, may require detailed advice from experts. We will therefore recommend you contact other agencies in addition to ourselves.
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Lewisham Council policies are the responsibility of locally elected councillors - click here to find out who your local councillors are and how to contact them. However, I will make representations to the Council on problems raised with me by constituents.
Areas in which an MP DOES NOT intervene:
- Private contracts involving employers or goods and services
- Legal proceedings - if you need legal advice, try contacting the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB).
Address (Catford): 120 Rushey Green, London SE6 4HQ.
PLEASE NOTE: this list is intended to provide a general outline of the areas in which I might be able to assist you. Every case is different and I cannot guarantee that I will be able to help. See the Contact & Surgeries page to find out how to get in touch.