16 October 2025
Dear resident
Getting you a hearing from those who are meant to serve you is for me one of my most important jobs as your Member of Parliament.
So since being elected last year, I’ve convened over a dozen meetings for residents to talk directly to their local housing providers, the police, Transport for London, the Port of London Authority and more.
You can read more below about the results for residents – improving their homes, moving towards a step-free Putney Bridge Station, making our area safer and supporting people’s health.
Nigel Farage’s Brexit and Boris’s weak deal with the EU continue to cause problems across Chelsea and Fulham, with onerous red tape for businesses and fewer opportunities for our young people. I’m continuing to press for our “reset” with the EU to be more ambitious.
In Gaza, I’m extremely encouraged that a ceasefire is now in place and all living hostages have been freed. There are a huge amount of details to work through but at last we have some hope for a lasting peace and the rebuilding of Gaza.
As always, if there’s anything I can do to help you, please do get in touch.
Best wishes
Ben
Many residents living in blocks of flats tell me they don’t feel heard by their housing association, council or managing agents. So I’ve been convening estate-wide meetings with chief executives and senior officers. I ensure we get clear commitments and hold follow-ups to drive progress.
Usually 50-60 residents attend – it gets lively! For many, it’s their first such meeting.
Much more needs to be done across the area. I’ll keep giving residents a voice and pushing for change.
We’ve had a breakthrough in my campaign alongside residents for Putney Bridge Station to be made step-free and accessible. The stairs are a nightmare for older and Disabled people or those with buggies and luggage.
Transport for London has now agreed to undertake a detailed feasibility study on step-free access. This is the most hopeful moment for years. Once the study reports, we’ll press for funding.
Huge thanks to all campaigners, including the Fulham FC Disabled Supporters Association and the more than 800 signers of my petition. This has been invaluable in my meetings with the Mayor and his team.
I’ll keep you updated.
Residents tell me that the 14 bus, which is meant to replace the 414, is regularly overcrowded, especially at rush hours. At my request, TfL did a usage survey before the summer.
However, they didn’t look at rush hours or the stops between Putney Bridge Station and the Royal Brompton Hospital, where the problem is most severe, so I’ve asked them to redo the survey. I hope this will evidence the need to make the 14 more frequent.
Separately, I’ve convened three meetings to ensure TfL and the council listen better to Chelsea residents about the work to make the Battersea Bridge junction safer. People in neighbouring streets are now getting a better hearing for their concerns about increased congestion.
Neighbourhood health
I’m keen to help make a reality of the government’s drive towards a “neighbourhood health service” so people can get better care locally, including at home, rather than having to go to hospital.
I’ll be getting together with local health leaders to explore how we can make this idea work across Chelsea and Fulham. As a member of the Health and Social Care (HSC) Committee, I’ve pressed the Health Secretary on how the plan will be resourced (see Q111 here).
Food and weight loss jabs
The country has a huge problem of unhealthy but cheap food being the only easily available option for some people. This is increasing obesity and tooth decay from an early age.
So on the HSC Committee we’ve launched an inquiry into access to food and weight management, including the new anti-obesity injections. I’m particularly focused on how as a country we can make healthy food affordable to everyone.
By the way, I’d really recommend reading Ultra-Processed People by Chris Van Tulleken, who you may have seen on TV. I did so over the summer and was repelled by the way so much food is formulated. It’s put me right off Pringles!
Black maternal health
It’s shocking that Black women are still twice as likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth. Our new HSC Committee report highlights systemic racism in maternity care and sets out clear solutions, including improving leadership, training, data collection and accountability.
The report is not saying anything that isn’t already well known – what would be new and radical would be actually to implement the changes needed, so I’m looking forward to the government’s response.
Sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease can cause intense pain, organ damage, strokes and even early death. Yet to our shame it’s too often overlooked as it mainly affects Black and minority ethnic people.
I recently visited the sickle cell emergency department at Hammersmith Hospital, which offers rare, swift pain relief and vital care to sufferers in Chelsea and Fulham. It is one of just seven places in the country to do this but funding is only guaranteed until the end of next April. I am pressing for it to continue.
Following an incident of serious disorder in Fulham last month, I convened a meeting for local residents with the police, the Law Enforcement Team and local councillors.
I’m pleased the police acted decisively to stop further trouble and are working to take action against the perpetrators. I’ll be bringing people together again next month to explore further steps to address the issues behind the disorder.
I hold regular meetings with police leaders in Fulham and Chelsea. I was glad to hear that none of their officers had been involved in the shocking revelations in the Panorama documentary about conduct at Charing Cross police station. I was also reassured to hear about extra measures to protect our local Jewish community in the wake of the horrific terror attack on a Manchester synagogue.
MetEngage
Met Engage is a surprisingly good new and free messaging service that delivers local crime alerts, safety advice, police updates and scam warnings directly to your phone. You can also use it to report issues directly and help shape policing in your area.
I’d encourage everyone to sign up here.
PSPO Consultation
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is currently seeking residents’ views on borough-wide Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). These could prevent anti-social gatherings and outlaw face coverings used to intimidate or cause distress.
You can respond by 24 October here.
It was good to take Chelsea and Fulham to Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
I liked the focus in Keir Starmer’s speech on national renewal and being honest about our country’s challenges – and his ambition for two-thirds of young people to go to university or have a gold-plated apprenticeship.
Beyond the main hall, the conference featured hundreds of “fringe” events where MPs, ministers, experts and campaigners discussed specific issues.
I spoke at six – on being more ambitious about getting closer to the EU; boosting people’s health through better local coordination; fighting online gambling harm; supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families; backing supported housing; and new investment in Morocco, for which I’m the trade envoy.
It was also great to catch up with brilliant charities like Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK and Health Equals, and with the Falkland Islands’ representatives.
It’s shocking that Nigel Farage wants to end Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status for people who have already made a home in the UK, breaking up families and expelling taxpayers who contribute to our country. The government are considering changes just for new applicants.
I’ve called on ministers to give skilled workers seeking ILR status the reassurance they deserve – see here.
Lots of residents are contacting me about Fulham FC’s proposal to hold concerts at Craven Cottage from next summer. People are worried about potential noise, traffic congestion and anti-social behaviour.
The club say they will be submitting a planning application later this month. I’ll be reading this closely and will be asking the council – as the relevant planning authority – to ensure mitigations are in place to address residents’ concerns.
I was sorry to hear of the death of Iain Coleman, who was MP for the former constituency of Hammersmith & Fulham between 1997 and 2005. Iain was passionate about making people’s lives better. His many contributions included improving social care locally and across the country.
I send my condolences to his family and many friends.
Helped launch Leap’s affordable, cutting-edge lab space for startups in Fulham
Listened to local business concerns at the King’s Road Partnership
Enjoyed the North End Road Summer Festival – ten years after I launched the first of these traffic-free markets in Fulham
Caught up with Chelsea Pensioners at the Brompton Cemetery Open Day
Was honoured to judge the BTRC Parsons Green Dog Show and the Fulham Palace Apple Day cake competition
Dropped into Carnival Comes to Chelsea on the World’s End Estate
At the Chelsea Theatre, enjoyed a vocals and songwriting workshop and heard about the new management’s vision
Visited Cancer Research UK’s excellent King’s Road shop
Joined the Armed Forces Minister at the launch of the Afghanistan Veterans Community at the National Army Museum, Chelsea
Regretted the council locking out the Smart charity in Chelsea without warning
Enjoyed a community day out, with tea and cake at St Mary’s The Boltons’ autumn fair, followed by a dance at Lancaster Court’s Fun Day in Fulham
Joined CheriCoco’s Afrobeats at Chelsea Youth Club
In Parliament
Help with childcare costs
The cost of childcare can force parents, especially mothers, to reduce work hours or leave their jobs and can making returning to work financially unviable.
So we’re giving working parents of children aged between nine months and four years in England access to 30 hours a week of childcare during term time.
For details, click here for Fulham, and here for Chelsea.
Cracking down on unhealthy baby food
We’re tackling the scandal of so much baby food being sold as healthy when it’s actually oversweetened, unnutritious mush that contributes to childhood tooth decay and obesity.
Manufacturers now have 18 months to reduce sugar and salt levels and provide clearer labelling. If they don’t do this, MPs will be arguing for changes to the law to protect children.
Strengthening EU links
Whether it is the small Spanish deli in Chelsea who has lost its main supplier due to new red tape or our young people denied the opportunity to live and work in 27 other European countries, Brexit’s damage continues.
I’m pleased the government is making progress on negotiating the details of cutting red tape and easing border checks for food and drink businesses, and of introducing a UK–EU youth experience scheme.
I think there is opportunity be even more ambitious in the national interest.
Tackling homelessness
It’s a disgrace that the number of people, including children, with no fixed roof over their heads nearly doubled under the Conservatives. So we’re giving children extra support with food, school travel and laundry to keep them at school – and boosting frontline mental health support for people sleeping rough.
This means new winter funding of £650,00 for the councils that cover Chelsea & Fulham and £84m across the country.
Helping hospices
The Royal Trinity Hospice and Shooting Stars Children’s Hospices, who provide wonderful care for Chelsea and Fulham residents, will benefit from £75 million that the government is giving hospices across the country to upgrade their facilities.
This follows a £25 million boost in February and delivers the £100 million promised last December, making hospices’ largest ever funding increase.
On top of this, I’m delighted the government is giving children’s hospices an extra £80 million over three years to provide certainty and help them plan ahead.
I know that many people in our community want to give something back – whether money or time – but don’t always know where to start.
That’s where H&F Giving and the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation are so useful – they identify and support brilliant local projects to improve people’s lives.
To donate or talk to them about opportunities to get involved, you can contact H&F Giving here and the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation here.
Promoted by Nikos Souslous on behalf of Ben Coleman, both at 28 Greyhound Road, London, W6 8NX
