From Gareth Thomas <[email protected]>
Subject My Latest Update from Harrow & Westminster
Date May 25, 2025 8:16 AM
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Here’s hoping you have a joyful Spring Bank Holiday weekend and a
Happy Pentecost Sunday to all who are
celebrating. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏


Dear John,

 

Here’s hoping you have a joyful Spring Bank Holiday weekend and a
Happy Pentecost Sunday to all who are celebrating.

 

It’s been a busy and exciting week, marked by the announcement of
our first renewed trade deal with the European Union (more on that
below).

 

I had the pleasure of kicking off the Bank Holiday weekend at the WEST
HARROW PARK CENTENARY CELEBRATION, joined by the wonderful Park
Friends group, local councillors, and residents. It was fantastic to
see so much community creativity on display, with beautiful artwork
and photography marking the park’s 100th year. Following its run at
Syd’s Café, this will be on display at OneForty next month!

Wishing you all a relaxing Bank Holiday Monday and a happy half-term.
And to those revising - or supporting young people through GCSEs,
A-levels or UCAS season - best of luck. All power to you! Summer’s
just around the corner.

 

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]] and INSTAGRAM
[[link removed]], OR IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE
YOU WOULD LIKE TO RAISE WITH ME, CONTACT ME ON
[email protected] OR 02072194243.

 

TRADE DEAL WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

It’s been a momentous and exciting week on the national stage. After
recent progress on trade with India and the US, I’m proud that
Labour has now secured a LANDMARK NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN
UNION - a practical, common-sense deal that brings tangible benefits
to households, workers, and businesses across the country. As I
mentioned in the House of Commons this week, it’s a huge win for
British businesses and people and it will help unlock real economic
growth.

 

This agreement, announced at a major EU-UK Summit on Monday, puts
Britain back on the world stage. It’s in the national interest and
delivers where the previous government could not.

Here’s what it means in real terms:

 

* LOWER FOOD PRICES AT THE CHECKOUT, giving shoppers more choice and
helping with the cost of living

* REDUCED RED TAPE for British businesses selling food, drink and
agricultural products, cutting costs and lorry queues at the border

* SHORTER QUEUES WHEN TRAVELLING, with UK holidaymakers once again
able to use e-Gates across Europe

* STRONGER BORDERS, thanks to new cooperation with the EU to tackle
illegal migration

   •      INCREASED ENERGY COOPERATION, helping to drive down
bills

* NO INCREASE TO EU FISHING RIGHTS IN BRITISH WATERS, and a £360
million investment in our fishing industry

* NEW PROTECTIONS FOR BRITISH STEEL, saving the industry £25
million a year

* £800 MILLION IN SAVINGS FOR UK BUSINESSES, due to improved
emissions trading cooperation

* CLOSER LAW ENFORCEMENT TIES, including sharing facial recognition
data to fight terrorism and serious organised crime

* YOUTH MOBILITY DISCUSSIONS UNDERWAY, to support young people who
want to travel, work and study in the EU

* NEW DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION, including the Security
Action for Europe (SAFE) fund — a big win for our defence industry
and national resilience

 

This deal is GOOD FOR JOBS, GOOD FOR HOUSEHOLD BILLS, and GOOD FOR OUR
NATIONAL SECURITY – I have already heard praise from local
businesses that have been crying out for changes.

 

READ MORE ➡️ UK-EU SUMMIT
[[link removed]]

➡️ PM SECURES NEW AGREEMENT WITH EU TO BENEFIT BRITISH PEOPLE
[[link removed]]

💬 PM'S REMARKS AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH EU LEADERS : 19 MAY 2025
[[link removed]]

 

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK

[Statement from leaders of UK, France and Canada on the situation
in Gaza and the West Bank]

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister RELEASED A JOINT STATEMENT
[[link removed]] with
the leaders of France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West
Bank.

 

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. I am profoundly
concerned by the immense suffering of the people of Gaza.

 

I continue to urge an immediate and sustained ceasefire, alongside the
unrestricted and rapid delivery of humanitarian aid.

 

Aid must never be used as a political tool. Israel’s recent
commitment to allow limited food supplies into Gaza is wholly
inadequate to address the scale of this crisis.

 

I strongly oppose any actions or rhetoric suggesting a reduction of
Palestinian territory or the forced displacement of its people. Any
attempt to alter the region’s demographics through permanent
displacement constitutes a grave violation of international
humanitarian law.

 

I strongly oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the West
Bank and fully support the UK Government’s sanctions against those
responsible for inciting or supporting violence.

 

All people in the region - Israelis and Palestinians alike - deserve
to live in peace, dignity, and security.  I want this war to end. I
want an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, urgent
provision of humanitarian aid and a pathway to a political solution.
All the people of this region - Israelis and Palestinians alike -
deserve to live in peace, dignity, and security.

 

 

ADRENALINE STUDIOS VISIT

It was a real privilege to spend some time at the incredible
Adrenaline Studios in Harrow Town Centre before heading into
Westminster today.

 

Many won’t realise it, but some of Netflix’s biggest shows are
brought to life right here in Harrow. From Adolescence and The Last
Dance to the Wham! documentary - dubbing and audio description for
millions of viewers worldwide are produced at the world’s first
Dolby Atmos home entertainment mix studio, based right here in Harrow.

 

This world-class creative hub is the work of local resident John
Harley, whose pioneering vision is now expanding across the globe. Yet
he continues to bring the industry’s biggest names back to Harrow -
creating jobs and opportunities locally.

 

Even better - they’ve agreed to speak with students at my Careers
Fair next year. A brilliant example of local talent with global
impact!

 

 ENDING THE PRISONS CRISIS

 

The Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, has announced landmark reforms
that will end the prison crisis the government inherited, which
threatens the complete breakdown of law and order in Britain.

 

A sweeping review published by former Justice Secretary David Gauke
recommends a comprehensive overhaul of sentencing. The majority of the
recommendations have been accepted in principle, with a Sentencing
Bill due in the coming months.

 

One key change will see prisoners earn their way to release through
good behaviour or face longer in jail. There will be no automatic
release for prisoners who misbehave. This measure aims to reduce
violence in prison and make sure more prisoners engage with education
and employment to reduce reoffending.

 

The Tories left our prions on the brink of collapse. Alongside the
largest expansion of the prison estate since the Victorians, we are
delivering reforms to sentencing to clean up the mess left by 14 years
of Tory neglect.

 

READ MORE ➡️ LANDMARK SENTENCING REFORMS TO ENSURE PRISONS NEVER
RUN OUT OF SPACE AGAIN
[[link removed]]

🗞️ SHABANA MAHMOOD FOR THE TELEGRAPH: I WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO
MAKE SURE OUR PRISONS NEVER RUN OUT OF SPACE
[[link removed]]

 

 

 

FILM MAKING AT PINNER PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

I was delighted to return to my old primary school, Pinner Park, to
take part in Three UK’s Discovery session with Year 6 pupils -
exploring green screen movie-making and tackling a topic close to many
of our hearts: plastic pollution.

 

Now in its 10th year, Discovery is a free programme designed to help
young people develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a
digital world. Through fun, hands-on workshops, pupils learn how to
use mobile technology creatively and safely.

 

It was fantastic to see the students so engaged - scripting, filming,
and editing their own campaign videos to raise awareness of the very
real threat plastic pollution poses to our planet. Their creativity
and passion shone through in every frame.

 

CRACKING DOWN ON SEWAGE DUMPING - FINALLY SOME ACTION! 💦⚖️🚨

One of the biggest issues people raised with me during the election
was the disgusting state of our waterways - with raw sewage being
pumped into rivers right here in Harrow.

 

We promised to take this seriously - and here’s some real progress.

 

⚖️ A record 81 criminal investigations have now been launched into
water companies.

🔍 That’s a 400% increase in investigations compared to last year
- finally some proper enforcement.

⛓️ Bosses who break the law could face prison sentences, and
companies are looking at huge fines.

 

On top of that, water companies will now be made to invest £104
billion to improve infrastructure and cut sewage dumping nearly in
half.

 

This is long overdue but it shows what happens when we stop turning a
blind eye and start holding polluters to account. This is just the
beginning - next year, we'll deliver 10,000 inspections using the
tougher powers under the Act. 💧

 

It's an example of how change takes time: this legislation was drafted
in August, introduced in September, became law in February, and is
starting to have an impact now. But it's clearly starting to work.
Slowly but surely, we are turning things around.

 

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF HARROW

🎨 Great to pop along to Harrow Arts Centre to see some of the
incredible artwork, poetry and photography created by local residents,
on display until July 24th.

 

“What Harrow Means to You” is a free community exhibition
celebrating local talent - part of the events marking 60 years since
Harrow became a London borough.

 

📍 Find out more: harrow.gov.uk/60yearsofHarrow
[[link removed]]

 

30 HOURS OF FREE CHILDCARE

👶 From this month, working parents in Harrow with children aged 9
months by September can 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟑𝟎
𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟
𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝
𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

 

✅We're 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧
𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞, unlike the Tories, who made
the pledge without a plan. Through Labour's Plan for Change, we'll get
a 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟
𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧
𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲  by providing the best
start in life.🎒

 

📈After rolling out 15 hours last September, we're ramping up
childcare support to 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 £𝟕𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, up
to £8000 if taken alongside Labour's free breakfast clubs and cheaper
uniform costs.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: childcarechoices.gov.uk

 

THE ROXETH SHOW REVIVAL - SATURDAY 12TH JULY

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🎉
𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄:
𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡

A group of local residents and businesses in South Harrow are reviving
The Roxeth Show for a special day at Roxeth Recreation Ground! 🎈
Join the Roxeth Show in South Harrow as we celebrate music, food, and
culture with an unforgettable community event for all the fam. Stay
tuned for more details and please sign up & get involved with
entertainment or a stall: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

Follow The Roxeth Show on Facebook here:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

 

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

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