Dear John,

As we embrace the longer autumn nights, I’m looking forward to engaging with communities during this festive season. As always, it was a pleasure to join in Diwali celebrations and as we get closer to Christmas, I look forward to plenty of Fairs and festive lights in the weeks ahead.

"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”

Today is Remembrance Sunday, earlier this week I planted a tribute to Harrow’s veterans in Parliament's Garden of Remembrance.

Today, I will be joining the Remembrance service taking place at the war memorial in Harrow Town Centre. Remembrance Sunday is an important and deeply felt moment locally. To respect those who paid the ultimate price, and in appreciation of those who have and continue to serve our country.

My update below will cover some of the work I am doing locally in Harrow, as well as touching on some of the work I have been doing in Westminster and Parliament.

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 and Instagram, or if you have an issue you would like to raise with me, contact me on [email protected] or 02072194243.

Best Start Family Hub

Cancer Centre Campaign

It was a real pleasure to speak with the medical team leading plans for a new Cancer Care Centre at Northwick Park Hospital.

Northwick Park already sees over 50,000 people with suspected cancer and diagnoses more than 3,000 cancer cases each year. It’s recognised as one of the country’s leading hospitals for cancer care - but with further investment, its services could become even stronger.

A new Cancer Care Centre would mean:

 • More doctors, nurses and specialist staff

 • Modern facilities, new scanners and additional beds

 • Better screening and support for families

 • Shorter travel times and more joined-up care for patients at their most vulnerable

We’re fortunate to have such talented and dedicated cancer care staff at Northwick Park, and I’m excited to see their ideas take shape over the coming year.

I’d love to hear your views and experiences with cancer services locally as we build this campaign together. Please take a moment to share your thoughts below –

https://www.gareththomas.org.uk/petition-northwick-park-needs-a-cancer-centre/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN8sXNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5OUl6ZklCMW9qWUZJM1hNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq0v1YvEVVrP-5gChShzRgYziT6Ki7dOFYOYCng7QpG6n4WD7nfjASJLqbz1_aem_LM-Og07Y6jAXJjrADhucHA

Renters Rights Bill

Last month, I was proud to see the Renters’ Rights Bill finally receive Royal Assent in Parliament. Here’s what it means for 88,000 renters in Harrow:

No more bidding wars, it’s now illegal to request, encourage or accept offers above the set price.

No more paying huge amounts upfront, you can’t be asked to pay more than one month’s rent upfront.

No more no-fault evictions, all evictions must be based on valid grounds.

Fixed-term tenancies ended, all tenancies will default to being rolling monthly contracts.

Landlords can no longer impose blanket bans on pets; they must consider requests fairly and give reasonable justification for refusals.

Longer notice for sales means renters must be given at least four months’ notice when a tenancy is ending because the landlord intends to sell.

A promise made, a promise delivered.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwqp72y7ro?at_format=link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_link_id=BD8D7DF6-B372-11F0-86C7-FF8DFED7F896&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_origin=BBC_News&at_medium=social&app-referrer=deep-link&fbclid=IwY2xjawN8ryFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA5OUl6ZklCMW9qWUZJM1hNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq0v1YvEVVrP-5gChShzRgYziT6Ki7dOFYOYCng7QpG6n4WD7nfjASJLqbz1_aem_LM-Og07Y6jAXJjrADhucHA

Harrow's Hong Kong Community

In just a few short years, Harrow’s Hong Kong  community has started to make a wonderful impact - bringing energy, enterprise and a real sense of belonging. I’ve loved meeting Hong Kong families at the school gates and at community events and gatherings. Many people in Harrow may not yet realise the quiet but positive difference this growing community is making every day.

It was a real pleasure to spend time with residents from Hong Kong who now proudly call Harrow home and are helping to shape its future. From conversations about the BNO visa and tackling hate crime, to building greater intercultural understanding, I’m keen to keep these important discussions going and hope to arrange more open forums and community meet-ups in the months ahead.

Diwali

I was honoured to celebrate Diwali with Hindu, Jain and Sikh friends celebrating over the past month. One of the great, great festivals. Hoping everyone that marked the occasion in Harrow had a joyful and prosperous Diwali! 🪔 As always, wonderful catching up with so many familiar faces, friends and families. Watch my first TikTok video with my old friend Navin Shah: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdvCv7S7/

Small Business Saturday

🚨 Advertise your Small Harrow Business here 🚨

Every year I take the time to platform some of the fantastic small businesses of Harrow on my Facebook page. With the return of Small Business Saturday on the 6th of December I want to spotlight as many small businesses as I can once again -

If you are a small business owner in Harrow and would like me to promote you this week in the run up to Small Business Saturday, please send me a quick note with👇

🔵 A picture that you’re happy for me to use to promote your business

🔵 The business name and a sentence on what your customers like about you

🔵 Where people can find you online and/or in person, your opening hours and any social media pages

Let’s give our small businesses the support and appreciation that they deserve. 👏

Fundraising Dinner for 1st Roxeth Scouts

🌟 A huge thank you to everyone who answered the call to join my fundraising dinner in support of the 1st Roxeth Scouts – together we raised vital funds towards their new van, which will help them continue serving communities in South Harrow and beyond. 🚐

If you’d like to contribute to their van fund, you can email [email protected].

Here’s why your support matters:

       •      🚐 Newly acquired van now transports equipment to camps and events throughout the year.

       •      🤝 Shared resource: It’s also used by other Scout groups across the district.

       •      ⛪ Supports our community: We help church members at our venue move items when needed.

       •      💸 Cost-effective: Owning a van saves repeated hire costs and lets us respond quickly when plans change.

       •      🎪 Vital for local events: The van was essential for getting gear to this weekend’s Roxeth Show — without it, we simply couldn’t have taken part.

       •      🏘️ Active community presence: From the Pinner Village Show to the upcoming Whitmore Lights Switch-On, the van helps us say “yes” to more opportunities.

Met Engage

A brand-new way to stay informed about what your local police are doing in neighbourhoods across Harrow. I have just signed up, you should too.

📲 Get updates directly from your local officers about the issues that matter most to you - from tackling crime to community safety efforts. This will now be the main way the Met shares local updates.

🔗 Sign up here: www.metengage.co.uk

⚠️ Please note: Met Engage is not for reporting crimes.

📞 Call 101 or visit the Met website to report non-emergencies.

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