The Christmas season is well underway in Harrow, and I’ve been
doing my best to get along to as many local bazaars and carols as
possible ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏


Dear John,

 

The Christmas season is well underway in Harrow, and I’ve been doing
my best to get along to as many local bazaars and carols as possible -
from St Mary’s Spire down to St Joseph’s. I’m sorry I haven’t
been able to make it to every single one, but it’s been a real joy
to see so many of you and to join in the festive spirit across our
community.

One highlight this week was returning home from Parliament late one
evening and catching some of the Whitmore lights - a truly magical
sight you can see each night. And tomorrow, SUNDAY 14TH (330-7PM),
I’m looking forward to another fantastic festive gathering with
residents from Whitmore Rd and across Harrow. Expect a warm community
atmosphere, seasonal activities, carols, and plenty to get everyone
feeling the Christmas spirit - plus the chance to grab a photo with
Santa! 🎅🏻

 

All funds raised will go to three incredible causes: St Luke’s
Hospice, The Stroke Association, and Jack’s Ward at Northwick Park
Children’s Hospital.

NEXT THURSDAY - I am hosting a Christmas lunch with the excellent team
at London’s Community Kitchen (next to Harrow Leisure Centre) on
18th December.

I know there are people in Harrow who may not get to enjoy a Christmas
meal this year, or who might be facing Christmas Day alone. If you
know someone who would benefit from joining us - or if you’d like to
nominate a resident, neighbour, or couple to share lunch with me on
the 18th - please get in touch! There have already been some excellent
people come forward.

 

📩 Email: [email protected] Let’s make sure no one in
our community is left out this Christmas. ❤️

 

Wishing all my Jewish friends and neighbours a very Happy Hanukkah
 🕎✨ May this Festival of Lights bring joy, peace, and time with
family and friends.

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.

 

🌟 CELEBRATING HARROW’S LOCAL GEMS – SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
🌟

Last Saturday, it was a pleasure to spotlight a number of fantastic
independents for Small Business Saturday. Thank you to everyone who
sent suggestions - and for those I haven’t reached yet, I’ll be
arranging many more visits in the New Year, so please do get in touch.

 

Harrow is home to so many brilliant small businesses that add
character, creativity and community spirit to our borough. Here are
just a few highlights from this year’s celebrations, offering
excellent ideas for Christmas presents and festive treats:

 

🧵 Colette Moscrop Textiles – Colette’s hand-printed linen
fabrics are a favourite among crafters locally and beyond, perfect for
embroidery, sewing or gifting a mindful craft kit this Christmas. Find
her on Facebook, Instagram and her website.

 

🍽️ Melissa Restaurant – A much-loved family-run Turkish
restaurant on Station Road, serving generous portions and warm
hospitality whether you’re dining in or grabbing a festive-season
takeaway.

 

🌸 Van Arthur Florist, North Harrow – The friendly florist just by
North Harrow station, creating beautiful bouquets and arrangements
five days a week. Perfect for a thoughtful seasonal gesture.

 

🐟 Barracuda Fish & Chips – A Harrow favourite for over 25 years
and fresh from another major award win. Ideal for a classic Fish &
Chip Friday or a cosy winter meal.

 

🍯 Caroline’s Apiary – If you’re looking for a thoughtful
local gift this festive season, Caroline’s Apiary offers beautifully
crafted, small-batch honey and beeswax products made right here in
Harrow. Find her online and in West Harrow

 

🚲 The BIKE Shop, North Harrow – Established in 1988 and trusted
by generations (including my own family!). From first bikes to custom
builds and expert repairs, they bring over 65 years’ combined
experience.

 

🇷🇴 Restaurant Miorița, Harrow Weald – Serving traditional
Romanian dishes, wood-fired grills and comforting favourites — a
wonderful spot for a winter warm-up.

 

A huge thank you to everyone who supported Small Business Saturday —
and to all the businesses who welcomed me in. I’ll continue
spotlighting Harrow’s independents throughout the year.

 

If you’d like me to visit a local business of your own in the new
year, please get in touch with me on [email protected]

 

 

 

SCHOOL BREAKFAST CLUBS ROLL-OUT

It was a real pleasure to visit our first trial free breakfast club at
The Welldon Park Academy - and great to see it proving such a success.
I’m looking forward to working with the school to help expand the
number of places available. Breakfast clubs boost attendance,
attainment and life chances. That's why this Labour government will
roll them out across all our primary schools, with more becoming
eligible to join next year.

 

This policy is clearly making a difference: giving parents the
flexibility to drop their children off before work, and ensuring
pupils start the day with energy and a full stomach.

 

There were plenty of bright smiles right before I was quizzed by the
brilliant Pupil Parliament about my younger days volunteering with
Crisis at Christmas, how to get involved with great community groups
like Harrow Litter Pickers, and whether we can get more of that
much-loved spinning play equipment in our parks!

 

BUDGET RUNDOWN

As I highlighted in my budget speech, HARROW IS OVERDUE FOR
INVESTMENT. After 14 years of Tory neglect, some school classrooms
can’t be used, windows don’t shut, roofs need repairs, and sports
facilities are outdated. At Northwick Park Hospital, the case for a
new intensive care unit is overwhelming - essential for easing
pressure on A&E and improving patient care. Harrow deserves
investment, not excuses.

 

WATCH HERE: WHY INVESTMENT IN HARROW IS OVERDUE
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

Our Conservative-run council has failed to build a single new council
home beyond what was previously agreed – deepening the housing
crisis. I will continue campaigning for more council and co-operative
housing because Harrow residents deserve better.

 

I also addressed Brexit’s ongoing damage and highlighted why the
2026 UK-EU summit must aim for “a more profound reset,” while
calling out Tory economic mismanagement.

 

WATCH HERE: PRACTICAL STEPS TO CUT BREXIT RED TAPE
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

⚡ KEY BUDGET BENEFITS FOR HARROW RESIDENTS:

 

         •       Cutting the cost of energy bills –
Average household saving £150; lower-income households saving up to
£300.

         •       Scrapping the Two Child Limit –
Life-changing for 7,100+ children in Harrow, helping reduce child
poverty nationwide.

WATCH MY VIDEO DISCUSSION ON THE IMPACT OF THIS POLICY CHANGE ON SOME
OF HARROW’S POOREST YOUNG PEOPLE HERE:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

         •       Increasing the minimum wage –
Thousands of Harrow’s lowest-paid workers will see pay rises of
4.1%-8.5%.

         •       Boosting the state pension by 4.8%
– Pensioners in Harrow will receive £440–£575 more annually.

         •       Extending the 5p Fuel Duty cut until
September 2026 – Supporting drivers, delivery vans, and local
businesses.

         •       Freezing NHS prescription charges –
Making healthcare affordable for everyone.

         •       Freezing rail fares for the first
time in 30 years – Saving Harrow commuters with season tickets up to
£500.

         •       Expanding Free School Breakfast and
Lunch – Benefiting ~23,000 primary school children in Harrow.

         •       Making under-25 apprenticeship
training free for SMEs – Opening doors for more young people to gain
skills and secure jobs.

 

Additional Measures:

         •       Increasing taxes on gambling –
Protecting families and communities.

         •       Funding the New Youth Guarantee –
£820m over 3 years to support apprenticeships, college, or
personalised job support.

         •       Clawing back nearly £400m from
fraudulent Covid spending.

         •       250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres
– Speeding up NHS care locally.

         •       Exempting all Infected Blood Scheme
compensation payments from Inheritance Tax – Protecting affected
families.

         •       £15m for new school libraries –
£5m secondary, £10m primary.

         •       £18m to improve and upgrade
children’s playgrounds.

         •       Reducing borrowing more than any
other G7 economy – Securing Britain’s financial future.

         •       Cutting interest rates five times
since the General Election – Helping households and local businesses
save money.

 

Harrow deserves a future with better schools, hospitals, housing, and
opportunities – and this budget is a step in that direction.

 

 

NEW: £17.3 MILLION BOOST FOR SEND PROVISION IN HARROW

I’m delighted to share that Harrow will receive £17,374,000 as part
of Labour’s major new investment to transform support for children
with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This forms
part of a multibillion-pound national programme to create around
50,000 new specialist places across the country, ensuring more
children can learn in excellent local schools with the right support.

 

This funding will help deliver new, high-quality specialist facilities
more quickly – benefitting children with additional needs, including
those with autism and ADHD, who require calmer, tailored spaces to
learn and thrive. After years of Tory neglect, many Harrow families
have had to fight for the support they deserve, so this investment
marks a significant step forward.

 

Having long campaigned for improved SEND provision in Harrow, I’m
proud we’ve secured this substantial commitment. Labour’s wider
reforms will make sure every child in Harrow gets the right help
earlier, and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

 

WORKING TOWARDS A SAFER WEALDSTONE

I know many residents do not consider Wealdstone Town Centre to be
safe and some have told me they avoided it in the past. That’s why
it’s important to me to regularly meet with the policing team in
Wealdstone. I’m impressed by the progress since my last walkabout in
the summer and grateful to Superintendent Zubin Writer, Local Policing
Lead for Harrow, and his team who have been working tirelessly to turn
things around and make our community safer.

 

Since my last walkabout, the transformation has been significant.
Following an application to the Home Office, Wealdstone now has a
policing team stronger and better resourced than ever before, growing
from just 4 officers to 14. New officers weren’t simply recruited
here - they were handpicked for their policing skills and experience,
ensuring the very best talent is focused on making Wealdstone safer.

 

The team are getting results. In recent targeted patrols along
Wealdstone High Street, officers achieved 52 arrests and 67 stop and
searches. They issued 15 ASB warnings and Community Protection
Warnings - formal notices that stop anti-social behaviour before it
escalates and make clear that legal action will follow if it
doesn’t. They delivered 14 Community Resolutions and Payment Fines,
quick and effective measures for minor offences: Community Resolutions
involve offenders agreeing to make amends, while Payment Fines are
on-the-spot fines for low-level disorder. Officers also secured one
Criminal Behaviour Order through the courts - a powerful legal tool
that not only restricts a prolific offender’s actions but can ban
gang members from entering Wealdstone altogether, helping to break the
cycle of violence and intimidation.

 

And that’s just the headline. In only two shifts during this
operation, officers made nine arrests, including six for Class A drug
offences, one for breaching an electronic tag linked to a robbery, one
for failing to appear in court, and one for immigration offences.
Police have confirmed that all those arrested for drug offences have
now been charged. Officers also carried out intelligence-led weapon
sweeps, removing five knives from our streets - including two machetes
and a combat-style knife.

 

This is real, visible progress. The Wealdstone policing team will
continue regular patrols, proactive operations, and close engagement
with residents to keep crime down and the community safe.

 

But there’s more the Council can do. Removing the broken benches in
Wealdstone Square – which have become a magnet for street drinking
and anti-social behaviour – would make a big difference. Councillors
and I have raised this repeatedly with officers, and acting on it
would genuinely help the police in their work.

 

Thank you to everyone who continues to raise concerns and support this
vital effort. We are making progress. I’ll be meeting with
Wealdstone police again shortly, so please keep sharing your concerns
with me.

 

HOMELESSNESS ANNOUNCEMENT

Many may have seen the news this week of new efforts being taken to
tackle homelessness. Homelessness and rough sleeping are a moral stain
on our society - and both doubled under the Conservatives. As a
result, a family in the UK is still made homeless or threatened with
it every five minutes.

 

🌹 Labour is investing £3.5bn to prevent homelessness and end rough
sleeping for good - a serious, compassionate plan to give every family
the security they deserve.

 

Labour will deliver:

 

⬇️ Halving rough sleeping

🚫 Ending the use of B&Bs for families - stopping hundreds of
children growing up in temporary accommodation

🛡️ Preventing households from losing their homes in the first
place

 

A national mission rooted in dignity, security and hope - and one I
strongly welcome.

 

 

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 [[link removed]]

 

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

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

 

 

.

 

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