Weekly Update
🥣 Labour’s Fantastic Free Breakfast Clubs: The Next Wave
Labour’s Free Breakfast Clubs have already delivered more than five million free breakfasts to hundreds of thousands of children across the country - helping pupils start the day ready to learn.
The Labour Government is now opening applications for the next wave of breakfast clubs, so even more schools can take part and even more children can get the best start to their day.
From next year, an additional 500,000 children will benefit nationwide. The expansion will begin in less well-off areas, helping break down barriers to opportunity for disadvantaged pupils.
I am encouraging eligible schools to apply, with 500 new clubs launching in April and a further 1,500 in September.
Evidence already shows that Labour’s Best Start breakfast clubs are making a real difference - delivering calmer classrooms, higher standards, and happier children. They also give parents greater flexibility at work and improve children’s long-term life chances.
Labour is putting money back in parents’ pockets through free breakfast clubs, lower uniform costs, and government-funded childcare - saving some families up to £8,000 a year.
By making responsible choices at the last Budget, the government was able to protect key education priorities, including tripling investment in breakfast provision.
Labour will keep delivering on our Plan for Change - ensuring that where you grow up never limits where you can go, and that hard work is always rewarded with the chance to get on in life.
Enfield North Schools eligible to join from April 2026:
Alma Primary School, Worcesters Primary School, Bush Hill Park Primary School, Keats Academy, Capel Manor Primary School, Eastfield Primary School, St James CofE Primary School, Prince of Wales Primary School, Honilands Primary School, Waverley School, Russet House School, Carterhatch Junior School, Enfield Heights Academy, Oasis Academy Hadley
🌱 Greener Schools in Enfield
I was delighted to visit Durants School today alongside Mete Coban, the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, to mark the completion of their new 26.4 kWp solar panel installation, funded through the Greener Schools Pilot. The system is now fully operational and is expected to save the school over £6,000 a year on energy bills.
Durants School - a specialist school for children with SEN aged 11–19 - is one of four Enfield schools benefitting from the pilot, alongside Capel Manor, Garfield Primary and West Grove. The project was supported by the Zero Carbon Accelerator, which also carried out a feasibility study on how the school can move towards net zero.
The Greener Schools Pilot is funding net-zero upgrades in 48 schools across 18 boroughs, backed by £3.5 million in capital funding, including support from the Mayoral Renewables Fund.
It was inspiring to see Durants leading the way and to chat with students about their views on sustainable energy. I’m proud that Enfield North schools are playing a key role in London’s journey to net zero. 🌍
🐾 Labour’s Plan to Phase Out Animal Testing and Lead the World in Safe Alternatives
I’ve received a significant number of emails from constituents across Enfield North about animal welfare and the need to end unnecessary animal testing.
We are a country of animal lovers, and nobody wants to see animals suffer. That strength of feeling is clear in our community, and I share it.
That’s why Labour has announced a major new plan to accelerate the rollout of safe and effective alternatives to animal testing, phasing it out in all but the most exceptional circumstances.
Labour’s new strategy will:
🔬 Make the UK a world leader in developing and adopting alternatives to animal testing
📘 Deliver on our manifesto pledge to speed up the phasing out of animal testing in science
💷 Provide £75 million in new funding to support cutting-edge testing methods that save lives and help researchers get innovations regulated faster
🚀 Streamline the approval process for alternative methods, helping us transition away from animal use while backing vital research and scientific progress
🛡️ Ensure public safety remains paramount - alternative methods will only be adopted when proven reliable and effective
📈 Support innovation and economic growth with one of the most detailed strategies in the world
Under the previous Conservative government, research into alternatives was underfunded and progress stalled. Labour’s strategy changes that - increasing investment so we can replace animal use wherever possible, without slowing the pace of scientific discovery.
The Government has worked closely with life sciences experts, businesses and animal welfare organisations to design a plan that protects animal welfare while supporting research that improves lives and keeps the UK at the forefront of global innovation.
Labour will continue to support the properly regulated use of animals only where absolutely necessary, and only until safe alternatives are available.
🏛️ A Visit from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
I was delighted to welcome pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School to Parliament for a tour of the Palace of Westminster.
The pupils were engaged and inquisitive, with excellent questions about the daily work of MPs and how local decisions are taken.
A huge thank you to the teachers and staff who organised the visit. I always enjoy welcoming local schools to Parliament, and I hope the students left feeling inspired about how they can help shape the future of our community.
If your Enfield North school would like a tour of parliament then please do email engage@parliament.uk
🩺 Improving Breast Cancer Detection for Women with Dense Breast Tissue
This week, I showed my support for efforts to improve breast cancer screening for women with dense breast tissue - an issue that affects thousands across the UK.
Around 3,500 cancers are missed each year in the UK because they do not show up on mammograms of women with dense breast tissue.
Dense breast tissue is normal and common, and not an illness – but it makes screening more difficult. Up to 40% of cancers can be hidden, as dense tissue appears the same white or grey colour as cancerous tissue on a mammogram.
Many other countries already inform women about breast density and offer adjusted screening protocols for those with dense breasts, helping detect cancers earlier and save lives.
This is an important area where the UK can – and must – do better. Every woman deserves access to the most accurate screening available, clear information about her breast health, and the confidence that nothing is being missed.
Improving awareness and updating our screening approach for women with dense breast tissue would save lives and bring us into line with best practice internationally.
And as always, if you have any concerns at all about your breast health, please do make an appointment with your GP. Reaching out early can make all the difference.
🚦 Road Safety Awareness Week: Standing Up for Safer Streets in Enfield North
During Road Safety Awareness Week, I joined the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, and Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, to support Labour’s upcoming Road Safety Strategy – the first national plan in over a decade to tackle the rising number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.
Here in Enfield North, residents regularly raise concerns with me about speeding, dangerous driving, poor enforcement, and pedestrian safety – especially near schools, residential streets, and busy junctions.
I’ve listened carefully to constituents in Enfield North who are calling for action, not excuses.
Road safety isn’t just a transport issue – it’s about protecting lives, supporting families, and restoring confidence in our streets. I’m proud to stand with the Minister and support Labour’s plan to make our roads safer and ensure our community sees the benefits.
Labour’s new Road Safety Strategy, expected to be published soon, will be a major step forward in our mission to restore order to Britain’s roads and ensure every road user is protected.
🚆 Improving Rail Services for Enfield
This week, I was proud to sign a joint letter with Enfield Council Leader Cllr Ergin Erbil, Kate Osamor MP and London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney calling on the Government to improve rail services for our borough.
We have urged the Secretary of State for Transport to transfer the Great Northern suburban lines – including Enfield Chase, Gordon Hill and Crews Hill – to Transport for London.
Putting these routes under TfL’s control would mean more frequent, more reliable trains, better connections, and stronger support for the new homes and community infrastructure Enfield needs.
Reliable public transport is essential for residents across Enfield North, and I’ll continue working with local leaders to secure the improvements our communities deserve.
🚆 Changes to the London Overground Weaver Line Timetable from 14 December
From Sunday 14 December 2025, a new timetable will come into effect on the London Overground Weaver line, which includes services through Enfield Town, Bush Hill Park, and Edmonton Green.
Although the number of trains will remain the same, all train times will change, so passengers are strongly advised to check the updated timetable before travelling.
These changes are designed to reduce crowding and improve punctuality on one of the busiest parts of the network.
By better matching capacity with demand at Seven Sisters-the busiest station on the route-TfL aims to ease congestion on peak-time trains serving Enfield Town and Cheshunt and reduce the risk of delays.
Key changes include:
At Seven Sisters (peak times):
Morning peak:
Northbound trains approx. every 6, 9 and 15 mins
Southbound trains approx. every 8, 10 and 12 mins
Evening peak:
Northbound trains approx. every 7, 10 and 13 mins
Southbound trains approx. every 7, 9 and 14 mins
Enfield Town Branch:
Morning peak:
Southbound trains every 12–18 mins
Northbound trains every 10–20 mins
Evening peak:
Southbound trains every 14–16 mins
Northbound trains every 13–17 mins
Cheshunt Branch:
Trains will continue to operate roughly every 30 minutes.
First and last trains:
First trains on the Chingford and Cheshunt routes will leave slightly earlier.
Last trains remain unchanged.
New: An additional late service from Enfield Town to Liverpool Street, Monday–Thursday, departing 00:16.
Updated timetables will be available from early December on TfL.gov.uk, the TfL Go app, and at local stations. Please do check the new times before travelling from 14 December.
🔧 Join Enfield’s New Community Repair Group
At a recent meeting with the North London Waste Authority, I pressed for greater investment in community-led recycling and repair initiatives. I made clear that we need more funding for local schemes that help residents reuse, recycle, and repair - cutting waste, supporting families, and strengthening our circular economy so I’m delighted to see this new initiative.
Enfield Council, in partnership with the Restart Project, is launching a new Community Repair Group to support the opening of a Repair Café in our borough – helping residents fix broken electronic devices and small appliances for free.
The initiative aims to reduce electronic waste, extend the life of everyday items, and give people the chance to learn valuable repair skills. To make this a success, volunteers are needed to help run regular Repair Cafés across Enfield.
📅 Repair Enfield Information Event
22 November
12pm–2pm
Enfield Town Library
Residents, community groups and local organisations are invited to come along, hear more about the plans, and find out how to get involved – whether as a fixer, host, organiser or general volunteer. All skills are welcome.
This is a fantastic initiative that will help us cut down on e-waste while giving residents the chance to learn practical repair skills and save money by fixing everyday devices. I encourage anyone who’s interested in supporting a greener, more sustainable Enfield to head along on 22 November and get involved.
I hope you have a good week!
Best wishes,
Feryal