Dear John,

Today, Sunday 9^th 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, Bluesky, Twitter and Instagram, 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.

Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States. 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.

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 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: https://www.gareththomas.org.uk/my_campaigns/2025/02/28/open-letter-harrow-council-make-the-station-road-and-pinner-road-junction-safe/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0s3j7tLzOMpn5HON3NWYMlEglfvOIdfre3b4CVyOiKdMCIZeQrgY-Rrkg_aem_HjXm06lO0ufr0TIoYIEo4A

 
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: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HEZ4FB2Be/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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: https://www.change.org/stop-the-dumping-clean-up-harrow-leisure-centre-site-and-investigate-348k-taxpayer-bill

University Fair

Great to see students from across Harrow in attendance at my 8^th 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: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-take-over-redress-for-convicted-postmasters-from-post-office?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_term=&utm_content=84f505c5-783f-4f57-892a-60e5ea35efd4&utm_campaign=biztradegovuk

Courts sit at record level

I’m delighted that on Thursday,, the Ministry of Justice announced record funding for the Crown Courts.

 
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. 

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.