Dear John,

As we get to the end of the first week of February, we also come to the end of the first turbulent month of 2023 in Westminster. This week in the House of Commons, the Government won a vote by 315 votes to 246, to restrict the right to strike and threaten the nurses and public sector workers with the sack. This is shameful not only because the Government clapped many of these key workers just two years ago but also because they refuse to offer any solutions to reluctant strike action during a serious cost of living crisis. Indeed, a Government that has presided over 13 years of failure in our public services is now seeking to scapegoat the NHS staff and ambulance workers who do so much to care for the people of our country.

Matthew Taylor of the NHS Confederation said: “Feelings of being overworked, underappreciated and burnt-out are all too common on the frontline of the NHS currently and this is understandable given the various pressures they face. There are rising waiting lists and treatment backlogs, a vacancy crisis with 133,000 posts unfilled, under-investment in the NHS’s estate and infrastructure, and NHS pay that has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living… This new legislation will not change that as it does not address the fundamental concerns facing NHS staff. Instead, it could be seen as an attempt to silence workers in their hour of need and to sweep the problem under the rug.”

Locally, I am proud to represent a constituency with one of the largest Tamil populations in the country and it has been a joy to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month over the past month. I was honoured to join Pongal celebrations in Harrow Arts Centre and for the first time in the House of Commons too. I remember, just over a decade ago, taking part in one of the first Pongal celebrations in Harrow. Back then we would not have imagined international cities like London or Toronto recognising the achievements and contributions of the Tamil people in such a way. I look forward to many more Pongal celebrations in Harrow and Westminster. in our public services is now seeking to scapegoat the NHS staff and ambulance workers who do so much to care for the people of our country.

Below is my newsletter covering some of my work in Parliament and locally in Harrow too – through out the month, you can find regular updates from me on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.

SURGERIES, LITTER-PICKING & TOURS 

Following successful clean-ups of Roxeth Park and Headstone Manor, I’m looking forward to re-joining the Harrow Litter Pickers later this month at West Harrow Park - Want to help clean up West Harrow Park, join us on Saturday 25/02 from 10:30AM. 🌳 🚮

If you don’t have a litterpick and/or bag, we will aim to provide you with one, by Syd's Cafe, next to the car park at 10:30AM. Open to all!

Last year, I held at least one walk-in surgery in every ward of Harrow West, collecting hundreds of cases in surgeries across local churches, temples, mosques and community centres.

If you have a suggestion of where you would like me to host a surgery in 2023, do please drop me a line. I also run my regular advice surgery, taking on casework at my constituency office at 132-134 Blenheim Road, this surgery is appointment-based and appointments can be made by calling my parliamentary office on 020 7219 4243.

It was a privilege to show a number of families around Parliament over the last month – as always, great questions about political decisions in Westminster and the impact they have locally on people in Harrow.

A reminder that anyone living in Harrow West and wanting to join a tour of your House of Commons, please feel free to let me know by filling out a form here: https://www.gareththomas.org.uk/parliamentary-tours/

PARLIAMENT ROUND-UP

International Day of Education:

January 26^th saw a debate in Parliament on the International Day of Education  in which I raised how we are blessed in Harrow with remarkable headteachers & teachers, as well as impressive students, Nevertheless, it is clear that many of the schools face real financial difficulties & challenges in recruiting teachers. 

Whilst there is little difference in the cost of living in inner London as opposed to in outer London teachers who are appointed to jobs in inner London get a significant pay increase compared with teachers working in outer London schools. The government must address this now if we are to continue recruiting fantastic, dedicated teachers to our schools.

I also called for the government to invest in the teaching of the languages of modern India, including Gujarati, Bengali, Persian, Punjabi and Urdu. Given the global significance of the Indian economy in years to come, it seems even sadder that we are seeing a decline in the teaching of these languages.

I further raised the need for investment into education more widely and, in particular into girl’s education globally. For the UK to be a positive champion for this investment and other investment internationally I believe it is essential that we return to a dedicated Department for International Development.

Video here – https://twitter.com/gareththomasmp/status/1618906686512840705?s=46&t=PMjmb0kUM3BHADchTpRmHQ

Hansard here - https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-01-26/debates/BA5AAAE8-00C5-44D8-B88E-1B52C414C065/InternationalDayOfEducation#contribution-A35F4A6F-93EF-4D88-ACCE-E451A3266BB2  

Northwick Park  hospital’s Intensive Therapy Unit ITU regularly receives the highest number of blue-light ambulances in London, placing additional pressure on critical care. Models indicate that the unit requires an additional 10 beds to meet its current pressures. A new 60 bed Intensive Therapy Unit has been proposed but is yet to receive funding for its creation. Last week, I pushed the Health Secretary on this point at Health and Social Care Questions in the House and will continue to push on this and other important issues affecting our NHS through all the parliamentary levers I have as an MP. More details on joining my campaign below.

Video here - https://twitter.com/gareththomasmp/status/1617903528927985667?s=46&t=PMjmb0kUM3BHADchTpRmHQ

Hansard here - https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-01-24/debates/07656354-5D75-43F7-88F9-1522DF63BB1B/NHSWorkforceRetentionAndRecruitment#contribution-39FE8C8A-91E7-478E-B561-22F86E007A83

Early in the month at questions to the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy I recommended that Ministers look to introduce requirements for employers to publish the salary range  when they advertise for jobs. This simple measure could save considerable amounts of time, and sometimes costs, for would-be employees. Surely this common-sense rule would not only be good for job applicants but employers too. 

Video here -  https://twitter.com/gareththomasmp/status/1615406428868734977?s=48&t=PMjmb0kUM3BHADchTpRmHQ

Hansard here - https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-01-17/debates/7C5267FD-2357-4483-9B87-367DD3EDF793/TopicalQuestions#contribution-C79D7BDA-D2CC-4A8D-B350-F0760CEC398F

My work as Shadow Minister for International Trade has meant liaising with a variety of stakeholders from across many sectors and I am working to bring together a round-table discussion on Trade Opportunities and Development across African Nations and another round-table discussion with leading trade bodies to discuss how we improve opportunities for UK companies to export. 

It was also a pleasure to meet with many ambassadors from across much of the globe, and many of leaders of the UK’s top businesses at Monday’s Trade Reception by the Labour party  in Westminster. In attendance were over 100 diplomats - including the US, India, Germany, Ukraine, France, Australia, New Zealand & over 200 business leaders. We are a proudly pro-trade, pro-business & pro-worker party.

UNIVERSITY FAIR - FEBRUARY 27^TH 2023

As I mention in my Question to the Health Secretary Stephen Barclay (see Parliamentary Round-Up), The Accident & Emergency service at Northwick Park is the busiest in London and one of the busiest in the country. The Intensive Therapy Unit ITU regularly receives the highest number of blue-light ambulances in London, placing additional pressure on critical care.

As a result, Northwick Park’s ITU has regularly averaged as high as 99% of its bed occupancy and is clearly in need of additional ITU beds. Our ITU is in need of additional beds to meet its current pressures. This would also allow our local Trust to use existing space to increase its general and acute bed base.

SIGN MY PETITION calling on the Secretary of State for Health to fund more ITU beds in Northwick Park hospital: https://www.gareththomas.org.uk/petition-increase-icu-beds-in-northwick-park-hospital/

CAREERS FAIR 2023

The University Fair follows the success of my fourth annual Careers Fair held with Rooks Heath School, which saw hundreds of students speaking with businesses and employers from across Harrow. My thanks to everyone that stepped up to support the future of Harrow – with Harrow residents and employers from Heathrow and Google, to Skanska and the Metropolitan Police, to Harrow Council and the hospitality industry and many more. The excellent Rooks Heath staff and I could not have done it with your commitment and support! Thank you too to all the students and families that took part, I look forward to organising one again next year.

SUPPORT IN HARROW

In the backdrop to all the political turmoil in Westminster this year - on the ground here in Harrow, one of the richest countries in the world will be dependent on the good will of some amazing charities, churches and mosques for  “warm hubs” this winter.

I will aim to drop by to more of the warm banks and offer my support when I can. While people are struggling to keep homes warm, I completely recognise the need to normalise the support for those that need it, so do visit a warm hub if you need a warm drink and some warm company.

Voluntary Action Harrow have set-up a very helpful map of all the warm hubs accessible across Harrow, which can be found here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=51.61039799008117%2C-0.33882177684980475&z=12&mid=1ZiaaiOTQTaSI5zuDatNOjGD0b-NfKe4

NEW MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP FOR HARROW

The excellent Young Harrow Foundation has created a suite of FREE new mental health services and resources for young people aged 5-25. The services are designed to help empower young people to take control of their emotional health, before the crisis point. School based services for teachers and Community-based services open for referrals from parents, schools, GPs, and other professionals working with young people. 

Visit the suite here: https://youngharrowfoundation.org/HarrowMHP

London’s Community Kitchen:

London's Community Kitchen (based at The Bridge, next to Harrow Leisure Centre) run a Free Surplus Food Market open to everyone every Friday from 3-5PM. At the height of the pandemic, this operation served over 10,000 people across Harrow and London. Please consider donating or getting involved in any way that you can with this incredible Harrow-wide response to the cost of living crisis:  https://www.londonscommunitykitchen.com/home-1

If you’re ever in need of their support, the Community Kitchen want to help - they won’t ask you for any details, or anything in return, just turn up and they will provide you with food.

Many congratulations to Taz and the team on their Outstanding Observer Food Award. 2 weekly surplus food markets, a cooking school and a Kind Cafe later – London’s Community Kitchen is expanding across four boroughs and we’re so proud to have the original in Harrow!

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/oct/16/ofm-awards-2022-outstanding-achievement-londons-community-kitchen