If you live in Stratford & Bow, as your MP, Uma may be able to help with a problem you are having.

Advice Surgeries

The quickest way to deal with many problems is by email but should your case benefit from speaking to Uma directly, she holds regular advice surgeries for new cases by telephone, online and in person by appointment. When appointments are held in person, security personnel will be present at the venue in line with the latest guidance to keep Members of Parliament safe whilst they are carrying out their duties as an elected representative.

To arrange an appointment, please email Uma and include details of your problem as well as your full address in the constituency.

If you do not have access to email, please call Uma’s office on 020 7219 7777.

Please read the information below before requesting an appointment.

What issues can my MP help with?

As a Member of Parliament, Uma is best able to help on issues that Parliament and central Government are responsible for. That includes things like problems with benefits or pensions, delays in the Home Office or concerns about the National Health Service.

Uma can’t fix everything, but she can promise that she will do everything she can to assist or link you up with the right organisation to help. However, Uma is unable to help personally with private disputes between neighbours or employers, ongoing legal cases or overturning decisions made by the courts.

Can Uma help if my concern is with Newham or Tower Hamlets Council?

MPs don’t have any remit over councils or role in their decision making. For any council issues, including social housing, rubbish collections, education, or planning, in the first instance you should contact your locally elected Councillors who hold regular advice surgeries if you wish to chat to them in person. You can find out who they are here.

In both Newham and Tower Hamlets, you also have directly elected Mayors who have overall responsibility for the council and the services they provide.

If you have already taken these steps and remain unhappy, please provide Uma with copies of your correspondence and any responses received.

Can Uma help with my immigration case?

MPs are legally unable to provide immigration advice so it’s vital you seek specialist advice. However, Uma can make enquiries about the progress of applications with UK Visas and Immigration. She can only do so in instances where a decision has not been made within the standard timescale stated by the Home Office for their turnaround of applications.

Can Uma help if she is not my MP?

No, even if the problem you experienced happened in Stratford & Bow. Very strict rules known as ‘parliamentary protocol’ dictate that MPs can only help people who live in the constituency they represent.

If you are a landlord with several properties, your MP is the one for your home address. The FindYourMP tool will provide details for your own MP and you should contact them.

How quickly will I receive a response?

Uma receives hundreds of emails every single day. Along with her small team, she works to ensure that all enquiries are dealt with as quickly as possible but please allow up to 15 working days for a response. Sometimes, with very complex cases or at times of peak demand, it may take a little longer. If, after that time, you have not had a response to an enquiry, please resend your email or call Uma’s office.

How can I get a ticket for a tour of Parliament?

Uma is always happy to arrange a tour of Parliament for her constituents. Tours booked by MPs are free but are also very popular and can book up well in advance. Find out more here. If you’d like a tour, please email Uma, including your name, full address and up to five possible dates.

How can I get a ticket for Prime Minister’s Questions?

The Public Gallery for the House of Commons is very small. MPs can each only apply for two tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions every month. Uma receives many requests and deals with them in the order received, so please email if you’d like your name added to her waiting list. If there is a particular date you want to attend, you can also queue up and try to get tickets on the day. You can find details here, but please note that you will only gain entrance if there is space after ticket holders.

How can I invite Uma to an event?

Uma receives hundreds of event invitations every week and due to the volume of requests sadly she can’t respond to them all. Uma prioritises events in her constituency of Stratford & Bow or events in Parliament on issues with a constituency link. If you would like to invite Uma to an event, please email her with full details – and do give as much notice as possible.

Registering to vote

If you are not registered to vote in Stratford & Bow but you live in the constituency, you can do so by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

How your data will be used

Please read Uma’s privacy policy for details of how your data will be stored and used. Should you wish to withdraw consent for your data to be held, you can contact Uma at any time to request this.