Today, Sunday 9th March has been designated as a COVID Memorial Day
of Reflection. It is an opportunity to come together to remember those
who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the
tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented
time. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏


Dear John,

 

TODAY, SUNDAY 9TH MARCH has been designated as a COVID Memorial Day of
Reflection. It is an opportunity to come together to remember those
who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the
tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented
time.

 

As we mark FIVE YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, I will be joining
local residents for a short memorial service at the COVID GROVE IN
LOWLANDS RECREATION GROUND. It has been a long and at times difficult
five years, and it’s important to reflect on the loss, resilience,
and sacrifices made during this time.

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks since my last update - 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.

 

INCIDENT IN SOUTH HARROW

Thank you to Chief Superintendent. Writer for joining Krupesh Hirani
and me on a reassurance patrol in Northolt Road today. The community
is still deeply affected by the recent tragic incident, and I
appreciate the strong police presence, which I have been assured will
continue.  

 

A few weeks ago, I voted in favour of the FIRST READING OF THE CRIME
AND POLICING BILL, a vital step toward tackling some of the most
serious crimes affecting our communities. Many, including our local
police, are eager to see this bill progress through Parliament.

 

This legislation includes long-overdue measures to COMBAT HIGH-HARM
CRIMES such as KNIFE CRIME, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS,
CYBERCRIME, CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, AND TERRORISM. It’s about TAKING
BACK OUR STREETS AND TOWN CENTRES, RESTORING RESPECT FOR LAW AND
ORDER, AND EQUIPPING THE POLICE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH THE TOOLS
THEY NEED TO FIGHT CRIME EFFECTIVELY.

 

The Superintendent has shared the following update:

 

INCIDENT UPDATE FROM SUPERINTENDENT ZUBIN WRITER, POLICING LEAD FOR
THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HARROW -

 

Officers were called to a reported altercation outside an address in
Northolt Road, Harrow at 16:00hrs on Wednesday, 5 March. Two
16-year-old boys and one 15-year-old boy were stabbed in the incident.

 

The three victims received treatment at the scene from the London
Ambulance Service and were transferred to hospital. The 15-year-old
boy remains there in a life-threatening condition. The other boys have
been discharged.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested overnight on suspicion of grievous
bodily harm and taken into police custody. Enquires are ongoing and a
scene remains in place.

 

"This is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with all those
involved. I want to reassure the communities of Harrow that they will
see an increased police presence in the area over the coming week, and
I urge local residents to speak to my officers if they have any
concerns, or issues they wish to raise.

 

If anyone has any information that will assist detectives
investigating the incident, I would ask them to call 101, quoting
crime ref no. 01/7232768/25."

 

Superintendent Zubin Writer

Policing Lead - London Borough of Harrow

 

LEADERS MEETING IN UKRAINE

This week, THE PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER WELCOMED INTERNATIONAL
LEADERS TO LONDON FOR A SUMMIT ON DRIVING FORWARD A JUST AND LASTING
PEACE FOR UKRAINE
[[link removed]].

 

TOGETHER, WE REAFFIRMED OUR DETERMINATION TO WORK FOR A PERMANENT
PEACE IN UKRAINE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES
[[link removed]].
Europe’s security is our responsibility above all. We will step up
to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence.

 

THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE UK WILL RECEIVE NEW GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT TO ENSURE THEY BENEFIT FROM THE HISTORIC DECISION TO INCREASE
DEFENCE SPENDING TO 2.5% OF GDP
[[link removed]].

 

This investment will protect UK citizens from threats at home, but
also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can
thrive, supporting the government’s number one mission to deliver
economic growth.

 

A new support hub will provide guidance to small businesses on
accessing the defence supply chain.

 

THREE HARROW SCHOOLS TO BE SOME OF THE FIRST TO RECEIVE LANDMARK FREE
BREAKFAST CLUBS

Families and children in Harrow will soon benefit from free, daily
breakfast clubs as the Labour government confirms the first 750
schools to offer the scheme, including The Welldon Park Academy, Weald
Rise and Glebe Primary Schools putting up to £450 a year back in
local parents’ pockets.

 

From as soon as April, the schools will kick-off the historic
programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform Labour’s
landmark national roll out which will give all parents access to the
scheme. The clubs come alongside a raft of measures designed to cut
the cost of living for families, including the commitment to
significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items and
complement the government-funded childcare.

Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s
manifesto, all primary aged children attending Welldon Park, Weald
Rise and Glebe Primary Schools will be able to access a free breakfast
and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to
support parents getting into work.

 

Universal free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for
Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child
starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the
clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and
attainment.

 

The scheme also has an important role to play in Labour’s commitment
remove the stain of child poverty. Out of the 180,000 children who
will benefit from the early adopter schools nationwide, around 67,000
attend schools in deprived areas. This will provide essential meal to
ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.

 

GARETH THOMAS, MP FOR HARROW WEST SAID:

“I am absolutely delighted Welldon Park has been selected as one of
the first schools to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs and
I cannot wait to open the club in April.

 

“It’s a testament to both the school and the Labour government’s
dedication to getting children school-ready so they are able to
improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as
improving the household finances of local families.

 

“Through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is boosting
parents work choices and children’s life chances.”

 

Schools were chosen from across England to ensure the scheme tests and
learns from a variety of schools. Each breakfast club must be
universal, offer 30 minutes of free childcare and include breakfast.
Government research shows most parents (87%) think breakfast clubs are
a good chance for children to socialise, and two thirds (66%)
recognise the value of clubs providing educational activities.
Breakfast clubs have been shown to boost children’s reading,
writing, and maths by an average of two months.

 

Too many children’s life chances are being scarred by rising
poverty, with 1 in 4 children in absolute poverty as of 2023. Labour
is determined to change that, with the breakfast club rollout being
driven alongside wider work of the Child Poverty Taskforce, which is
set to deliver an ambitious strategy to increase household income,
bring down essential costs, and tackle the challenges felt by those
living in poverty.

 

 RACHEL BATES, HEADTEACHER AT THE WELLDON PARK ACADEMY SAID:

“We are delighted to be one of the early adopter schools. For our
setting the funding will help provide a breakfast and supportive start
to the day for our pupils. We know breakfast clubs can make a massive
difference to pupils' wellbeing providing them with time to settle in,
socialise with schools and get ready to learn.”

 

GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN

 

After an incredible effort cleaning up every street in Wealdstone and
South Harrow, I’m excited to join the HARROW LITTER PICKERS once
again as they take on parks across the borough. Their dedication to
keeping our community clean is truly inspiring.

 

Last year, it was a pleasure to welcome the group to PARLIAMENT FOR
TEA to celebrate their hard work, and I look forward to marking
another successful year with them. Their efforts set a fantastic
example for us all—let’s support them as they continue making
Harrow a cleaner, greener place!

 

NORTH HARROW STATION ROAD JUNCTION - SIGN MY OPEN LETTER

Thank you to everyone that has signed my open letter to Harrow Council
on the North Harrow Station Road junction. Despite repeated
collisions, signed petitions, and ongoing community concern, little
progress has been made to make this junction safer. Over three years
have passed since this issue was first raised, yet the risks remain.

 

Following our initial campaign, KRUPESH HIRANI AM
[[link removed]]
raised this matter at the London Assembly, securing funding for
improvements from Transport for London. However, Harrow Council STILL
has yet to take meaningful action. This isn’t the first time I’ve
raised concerns about this junction with the council but I hope this
will be the last.  In the past five years, I’ve had more residents
contact me about this junction than at any time before.

 

My office has been chasing the council for several times a year, yet
progress remains slow. Given the two recent collisions and the
strength of feeling in the community, it makes sense to escalate this
with a public open letter.

 

Sign the open letter now to demand urgent safety upgrades before
another preventable tragedy occurs:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 
LET’S KEEP UP THE PRESSURE – PEDESTRIANS,, CYCLISTS, AND DRIVERS
ALIKE DESERVE A MUCH SAFER JUNCTION!

 

FLY-TIPPED RUBBISH ON HARROW COUNCIL SITE

Many residents have been in touch regarding this week’s shocking BBC
and ITV News reports of the fly-tipped rubbish site next to Harrow
Leisure Centre:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

The reality is that this issue was flagged to Harrow Council over a
year ago on several occasions, and it should never have escalated to
such a costly burden on taxpayers.

 

While I acknowledge that criminal fly-tipping plays a huge
contributing role, allowing an environmental health hazard to reach
this level is unacceptable. Residents should not be left footing a big
Council Tax bill for the Conservative administration’s incompetence.

 

An urgent investigation is necessary to ensure this won’t happen
again and I’m glad the Labour Group leader, Cllr David Perry is
calling for one:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

UNIVERSITY FAIR

Great to see students from across Harrow in attendance at my 8th
Annual University and Apprenticeships Fair at Whitmore High School;
Whitmore, Avanti, Nower Hill, Pinner, Rooks Heath, and more exploring
their next steps.

 

A pleasure to meet a former student in attendance from one of our Uni
Fairs a couple of years ago, he was there in his capacity sharing his
journey as a degree apprentice with National Highways. A full-circle
moment!

 

Brilliant to have representation from local unis like Brunel and
Westminster, as well as those further afield, including Newcastle and
Oxford. A huge thank you to businesses like Barclays and National
Highways for speaking to students about Apprenticeship pathways.

 

And, of course, a massive thanks to Mr. James Rebbitt and the Whitmore
staff for helping make this event another success!

 

ST LUKE’S HOSPICE FUNDING

I’m delighted to confirm that in the first round of hospice funding
announced by the Government today, St Luke’s Hospice (Harrow &
Brent) is to receive £129,220. This money from the Department of
Health and Social Care is for facility upgrades and refurbishments,
part of the biggest investment into hospices in a generation.

I have long campaigned for support for St Luke’s and recognise what
an important community asset it is and just how important it is that
our hospices receive support. This funding will go towards
improvements to help ensure that during life’s most challenging
moments, patients and loved ones receive the highest quality care in
the most appropriate and comfortable settings.

 

GOVERNMENT TO TAKEOVER REDRESS FOR CONVICTED POSTMASTERS FROM POST
OFFICE

I’m pleased to announce in my capacity as a Minister for the
Department for Business & Trade - all postmasters who have had their
convictions overturned, whether by a court or legislation last year,
will now have their conviction claims administered by the government,
completely taking them out of the hands of the Post Office –
fulfilling a key request from those impacted by the scandal.  

After a three-month transitional period, the Department for Business
and Trade’s Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) will broaden
its scope to take on responsibility for redress for postmasters who
have had their convictions overturned by the Courts. These are
currently dealt with by the Post Office through their Overturned
Convictions scheme. This is something that postmasters, campaigners,
and Parliamentarians, including the Business and Trade Select
Committee, have all called for.  

Postmasters have suffered a huge amount. While the government can’t
fully put right what they have been through, it can make sure the
compensation process works better for them by listening to their
grievances and acting upon them where possible to ensure postmasters
are treated with dignity and respect. Today, this means ending the
difficulty of dealing with the organisation which upended so many of
their lives.   

The delivery of redress for victims of the Post office Horizon scandal
is a key government manifesto commitment, with a commitment of £1.8
billion to ensure all postmasters receive the justice and financial
redress they deserve. 

POST OFFICE MINISTER GARETH THOMAS SAID:

My priority upon coming into office was to speed up the delivery of
compensation to the victims of the Horizon scandal. We have made
significant progress, and we are now moving to ensure there is a quick
transfer of schemes from the Post Office to the Department. 

In the meantime, I encourage all those eligible to apply for redress
under the Overturned Convictions scheme and continue to progress their
claims with the Post Office until the transfer date.

The Department for Business and Trade will formally take over on 3
June 2025. The three-month transitional period between now and then
will allow for the smooth transfer of active claims from one scheme to
the other, ensuring there is no gap in service for postmasters who
have claims in the system. 

As of 31 January, approximately £663 million has been paid to over
4,300 claimants, which has more than doubled since the end of June
2024. 

More here:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

COURTS SIT AT RECORD LEVEL

I’m delighted that on Thursday,, THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCED
RECORD FUNDING FOR THE CROWN COURTS
[[link removed]].

 
This is vitally important, many constituents have raised concerns to
me about the last-minute cancellations of sentencing hearings and the
significant impact this has on their mental health.

These additional 4,000 days will be crucial in securing swifter
justice and easing the emotional toll on victims, their families, and
those who have bravely come forward.

This is the highest level ever allocated, as part of the
Government’s decisive action to repair the justice system it
inherited and improve the experience of victims.

Many will recall dangerous concrete was found at Harrow Crown Court
two years ago, the court service is now working to remove all RAAC
material from the site and replace the roof structure with a phased
resumption later this year. 

 

NEW TOOTHBRUSHING SCHEME

It’s astonishing to think for so many of us but the most common
reason children aged 5 to 9 being are admitted to hospital is for
tooth decay. Yesterday, tHE HEALTH SECRETARY LAUNCHED A NEW SUPERVISED
TOOTHBRUSHING SCHEME FOR THREE TO FIVE YEAR OLDS, TARGETING THE AREAS
OF HIGHEST NEED
[[link removed]]. 

 

Our Plan for Change will tackle the shockingly high levels of
children’s tooth decay that we inherited from the Conservatives. WE
WILL ALSO DELIVER 23 MILLION FREE TOOTHBRUSHES AND TOOTHPASTES THANKS
TO A PARTNERSHIP WITH COLGATE.

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

UNSUBSCRIBE
[[link removed]]



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