Parliament has been in recess over the past week, and I know many of
you have been enjoying a well-earned half-term break. But while
Westminster has paused, the work in Harrow continues. Over the past
week, I’ve been meeting with residents to discuss key local issues,
including policing and
education. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏


Dear John,

 

PARLIAMENT HAS BEEN IN RECESS OVER THE PAST WEEK, AND I KNOW MANY
READERS HAVE BEEN ENJOYING A WELL-EARNED HALF-TERM BREAK. BUT WHILE
WESTMINSTER HAS PAUSED, THE WORK IN HARROW CONTINUES. OVER THE PAST
WEEK, I’VE BEEN MEETING WITH RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS KEY LOCAL ISSUES,
INCLUDING POLICING AND EDUCATION.

 

THIS FRIDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY, I’M EXCITED TO BE HOSTING MY 9TH ANNUAL
UNIVERSITY FAIR AT WHITMORE HIGH SCHOOL. OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN
HARROW, THIS EVENT PROVIDES A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE
UNIVERSITY OPTIONS AND FUTURE CAREER PATHS. OVER THE YEARS, I’VE
SPOKEN TO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME THIS UNI FAIR WAS THEIR FIRST
STEP TOWARDS CHOOSING A DEGREE AND SHAPING THEIR FUTURE.

 

I LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING STUDENTS FROM ACROSS HARROW THIS FRIDAY
– PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED!

Below is my newsletter covering some of my work in Parliament and
locally in Harrow too – as always, throughout the year, you can find
regular updates from me on FACEBOOK
[[link removed]], BLUESKY,
[/gareththomasmp.bsky.social] TWITTER
[[link removed]] and INSTAGRAM
[[link removed]], OR IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE
YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE WITH ME, CONTACT ME ON
[email protected] OR 02072194243.

 

TWO MILLION EXTRA NHS APPOINTMENTS

There’s a long way to go in fixing our public services after 14
years of the Tories, but delighted that the latest statistics out this
week show the Labour Government have delivered on the PROMISE OF TWO
MILLION MORE NHS APPOINTMENTS THIS YEAR SEVEN MONTHS AHEAD OF THE
TARGET.
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Figures published by NHS England revealed that between July and
November last year, the NHS delivered almost 2.2 million more elective
care appointments compared to the same period the previous year.

 

WAITING LISTS HAVE FALLEN BY ALMOST 160,000 SINCE LABOUR TOOK OFFICE,
compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous
year.

 

Thousands of patients have received vital operations, scans,
treatments, and consultations earlier than planned, helping them get
back on with their lives and back to work sooner.

 

Building on this, the government has announced an extra £40 million
funding pot for trusts who make the biggest improvements in cutting
waiting lists.

RONAN’S LAW AND KNIFE CRIME

On Wednesday, THE HOME OFFICE ANNOUNCED STRICTER RULES FOR ONLINE
RETAILERS SELLING KNIVES
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as we pursue every avenue to protect young people from knife crime.

 

Retailers will be required to report any bulk or suspicious-looking
purchases of knives to police to prevent illegal resales happening
across social media.

 

We will increase the sentence for selling weapons to under 18s from 6
months to up to 2 years prison time. This increased penalty will also
apply to the sale or supply of prohibited offensive weapons such as
recently banned zombie-style knives.

 

A new offence of possessing an offensive weapon with intent for
violence – even if the possession is legal – will be introduced in
the Crime and Policing Bill, with a sentence of up to 4 years in
prison.

 

Read more about this here ⬇️

 

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CANCER WAITING TIMES

 

During World Cancer Day, I met with Radiotherapy UK to discuss the
crisis of cancer care in this country and where we need to get to, to
ensure the next decade of cancer care is much better than the last
decade. I have long campaigned for better access to Modern
Radiotherapy, which could immediately reduce waiting lists while
delivering faster, more precise, and effective treatment. Yet, despite
being needed by 1 in 2 cancer patients and responsible for 40% of
cancer cures, access to this life-saving technology remains far too
limited.

 

Lord Darzi’s investigation revealed the scale of the challenge we
face to rebuild our NHS including on cancer, with the UK found to have
“appreciably higher” cancer mortality rates than other countries.
I am pleased the Government is preparing for the future now,
developing a ten-year plan for our NHS to ensure it is there for us
when we need it for many years to come. But the challenges presented
by cancer need a specific approach.

 

I welcome that the Government will develop a national cancer plan, to
be unveiled later this year following the publication of its ten-year
plan.

 

The Government has launched a call for evidence on the plan, to gather
the views of patients, doctors, scientists and others on what should
be included. You can have your say to support the shaping of the
national cancer plan by sharing your experience or ideas here ⬇️

 

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Alongside this, I am pleased the Government will relaunch the children
and young people’s cancer taskforce, which will feed into its wider
plan. The taskforce will bring together the country’s top experts to
set out plans to improve treatment, detection and research for cancer
in children.

 

The government also announced a world-leading trial to transform
breast cancer care. Nearly 700,000 women will take part in the trial,
testing how cutting-edge AI tools can be used to catch cases earlier.
This trial is just one example of how British scientists are at the
forefront of transforming cancer care – and further evidence of this
Government taking action to bring in the reform our health service
desperately needs.

 

 

UKRAINE TALKS IN FRANCE

 

On Monday, THE PRIME MINISTER ATTENDED TALKS ON UKRAINE AT A MEETING
HOSTED BY FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AT THE ELYSEE PALACE
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On Wednesday evening, THE PRIME MINISTER SPOKE TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY
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expressing his support for President Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s
democratically elected leader.

 

 

UNIVERSITY & APPRENTICESHIP FAIR - THIS FRIDAY

As mentioned above - Join Us for Harrow’s Annual University &
Apprenticeship Fair!

 

On Friday, February 28th, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, I’m proud to host my
annual University and Apprenticeship Fair in partnership with the
fantastic Whitmore High School.

 

This event is one of the few in Harrow’s calendar where students
from local state schools can connect with representatives from 30 of
the UK’s top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. With 63%
of Harrow’s students progressing to higher education, this fair
provides a valuable opportunity to explore future pathways.

 

This year, alongside leading universities, we’ll also welcome top
companies offering apprenticeship opportunities, giving students a
chance to explore alternative career routes.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to take the next step toward your
future!

 

CAREERS FAIR

 

I WANT TO EXTEND A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO
ANSWERED MY CALL TO GET INVOLVED WITH MY ANNUAL CAREERS FAIR! AS WELL
AS A BIG THANK YOU TO THE BRILLIANT STAFF AT ROOKS HEATH FOR THEIR
INVALUABLE SUPPORT FACILITATING ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

Pupils from Rooks Heath, Avanti House, and schools across Harrow met
with representatives from leading organisations such as the NHS,
British Airways, and industries spanning law, creative arts, gaming,
the Army, technology, and more, including a CV and cover letter
workshop from Google. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to
explore a range of career pathways and gain valuable insights into
their future ambitions…

 

I know these conversations about career options couldn’t come at a
more pivotal time and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Thank you to everyone made the day possible!

 

Promoted by David Evans on behalf of the Labour Party, Labour Central
Kings Manor, Newcastle, NE1 6PA, United Kingdom

UNSUBSCRIBE
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Promoted by Hollie Ridley on behalf of the Labour Party, Labour Central Kings Manor, Newcastle, NE1 6PA, United Kingdom
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