The London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow has launched a Labour Party campaign against cuts in his boroughs.
Navin Shah yesterday launched the London party’s 999 SOS campaign against cuts to emergency services.
Mr Shah will working with other Labour Assembly Members, MPs and councillors to encourage Harrow and Brent residents to sign a petition against the cuts.
This petition, which refers to cuts to Accident and Emergency units, the London Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police, will then be presented to Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Mr Shah says that if the cuts are implemented the ambulance service will lose 19 per cent of its budget by 2016, resulting in 890 job cuts, while the London Fire Brigade will have to make cuts of £65 million.
He also claims that South Harrow Police Station could be closed.
Mr Shah said: “This coalition government is cutting too far and too fast.
“The safety and security of Londoners is at risk as a result of cuts to emergency services being pushed through by the government and the Mayor.
“Our police, NHS, and firefighters do a fantastic job keeping us all safe, now it’s our turn to repay that gratitude by making sure they have the resources needed to do their jobs.
“These cuts are short-sighted and will fundamentally undermine the ability of our emergency services to keep us safe.
“London is being hit hard; we have already lost more than 1,900 police officers, we are losing seven A&E departments and 31 fire stations are at risk of closure.
“It is time for Londoners to come together and tell the Mayor and government to think again.”
He added: “In Harrow we have lost 15 sergeants, 44 police officers, 44 PCSOs, Wealdstone police station is at risk of closing without any alternative local front counter provision, and Central Middlesex A&E unit is facing closure. This will mean even greater waiting and chaos at Northwick Park Hospital’s A&E department.
“At one stage there were plans to close South Harrow Police Station – I’m awaiting confirmation about the future of this station.
“While Harrow’s fire stations don’t feature currently on the closure lists, we cannot be complacent - closure plans can change.
“We are fighting to maintain our local emergency services for the safety and security of all residents.
“We are calling for residents across London to join our campaign by signing up at www.999SOS.org.uk
“By working together we can send a clear message to the Government and the Mayor - enough is enough - it is time to save our emergency services.”
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