Heidi Alexander

As well as writing to Ministers at their Government departments, and asking questions in the House of Commons, Members of Parliament can submit written questions to Ministers. I often table these questions as they are a great tool for MPs to obtain detailed information on policies and statistics on the activities of Government departments.

I recently tabled a series of questions on the proceeds of crime after meeting with local Lewisham resident Tom Mann from CURV (Communities Understanding and Reducing Violence). At the meeting we discussed what happens to the proceeds of crime recovered by the Police, and what organisations that money is pooled back into. In particular, Tom mentioned the Community Cashback Scheme which was piloted by the last government to give local people a say in how recovered criminal assets should be distributed in local communities.

After the meeting, I did some research on provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act and into the workings of the Community Cashback Scheme. I was concerned that there seems to be little transparency in what happens to this money, and how it is used, and so tabled the following questions to the Secretary of State for Justice (see here, here and here).

These figures raise questions about whether this money is being put to the best possible use. In particular, it seems a total of £157million has been generated from the proceeds of crime and more than half of that goes straight to the Home Office. It is unclear what this money is used for.

While I never take interns in my office (I believe if there is a job to be done, that person should be paid), I do try to take as many work experience students from my constituency as I can.

This year I have had a number of young people on placements to see how my office works and shadow my work. I believe it is important for young people to know how our Parliament works, and see first hand what their MP does.

Below is a post from Camilla, who has just spent a week of work experience in my offices. It was a delight to have her around and I wish her luck for the future!

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My name is Camilla Yahaya, I’m 15 and live in Catford. I’m in year 10 at Prendergast Ladywell Fields College in Brockley.

This week I was on work experience shadowing Heidi Alexander, in both Westminster and the constituency office in Lee Green. I had met Heidi a few times before, as part of my work with Young Citizens.

It was a busy and interesting week where I got to do lots of varied things, including sitting in the gallery for the Department of Work and Pensions questions and attending event were Heidi was chairing. My favourite moment of the week was a constituency visit to Lewisham Parents and Carers’ Forum where I learnt about the experiences of those caring for children with disabilities.

The week was also an opportunity for me to develop my skills through helping the office with admin and researching Government proposals.

Working with Heidi and her office this week was a great insight into the work of an MP and has strengthened my dream of one day becoming a Member of Parliament myself.