Weekly Update
⚖️ Fixing the Justice System: Delivering Faster Justice for Victims
This week was the second reading of the Courts and Tribunals Bill. The criminal justice system we inherited from the Conservatives is on the brink of collapse. Years of inaction by the Tories have created a system that is no longer fit for purpose, where justice delayed has become justice denied.
The Crown Court backlog has more than doubled since 2019, rising from around 38,000 cases to nearly 80,000, leaving victims waiting far too long for justice. The average case now takes 255 days, and victims of serious crimes such as rape face waits of over 400 days.
Without action, the backlog could reach 130,000 cases by 2030.
Labour is taking decisive steps to turn this around through investment, reform and modernisation.
We are providing record funding for the courts, including unlimited Crown Court sitting days, £92 million more for criminal legal aid, £287 million for court maintenance, and £550 million to support victims.
We are also introducing practical reforms to speed up cases, including allowing certain complex fraud cases to be heard by a judge alone, increasing the powers of Magistrates’ Courts, and creating a new Crown Court division to handle less serious cases more efficiently.
Alongside this, we are modernising the system, with a national court listing system, greater use of technology and practical measures to reduce delays.
Justice delayed is justice denied. These reforms will help ensure the courts deliver faster, fairer justice for victims and communities across the country.
🚆 Rail Fare Freeze: Putting Passengers First in Enfield North
This March, the Labour Government has delivered welcome news for rail passengers across the country by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years. This decision is designed to ease the cost of living and put money back in the pockets of hard-working people who rely on our railways every day.
For far too long, rail passengers have faced year-after-year increases. Between 2010 and 2024, regulated rail fares rose by around 60%, placing a growing burden on commuters and families. This new freeze marks a decisive change in approach, putting passengers first and helping people manage the rising cost of everyday life.
Because of this decision, passengers will avoid a planned 5.8% fare increase that would otherwise have come into effect. Across the country, travellers are expected to save around £600 million, with some commuters on the most expensive routes saving more than £300 a year on their season tickets.
The freeze will benefit over a billion rail journeys each year, covering:
Season tickets
Peak returns for commuters
Off-peak returns between major cities
Many flexible fares in and around large towns and cities
Transport costs account for around 14% of household spending, so keeping fares stable makes a real difference for many families and workers.
The freeze will remain in place until March 2027, giving passengers certainty and helping support town centres and local economies by making travel more affordable.
This is part of Labour’s wider plan to build a railway that is affordable, reliable and something the public can be proud of - a network that works for passengers, supports economic growth, and helps Enfield North residents get to work, education and leisure without facing relentless fare increases.
🌸 Celebrating International Women’s Day in Enfield
It was a real pleasure to celebrate International Women’s Day this year with residents and community groups at Celbic Hall. The event brought together women from across Enfield to reflect on the achievements of women, share experiences, and celebrate the incredible contributions women make every day to our families, workplaces and communities.
International Women’s Day is an important moment to recognise the progress that has been made in advancing equality, while also acknowledging that there is still more to do to ensure women and girls have the opportunities they deserve.
I particularly enjoyed hearing from local residents about the inspiring work they are doing in our community – whether through volunteering, supporting local organisations, mentoring younger generations, or simply being there for friends and neighbours. These everyday acts of leadership and kindness are what help build strong communities.
And a big thank you to Dr Annie Baker, an Enfield North resident and UK cancer researcher working at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. She gave an inspirational speech about her journey into science and the vital work being done to better understand cancer. Her passion for improving lives through medical discovery was truly inspiring and a wonderful reminder of the incredible talent within our own community.
Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in our community and to look ahead to the progress we can continue to make together.
💉 Protecting Children with Allergies in Enfield North Schools
Nearly 700,000 children in England live with a food allergy, and parents should be able to send their children to school confident that their safety will be properly protected.
For too long, guidance on managing allergies has varied between schools. Tragically, one in five anaphylaxis deaths among school-aged children in the UK occurs in a school setting, highlighting the need for clearer and stronger protections.
That is why the Government is introducing new statutory guidance for schools, following campaigning from families and organisations including the National Allergy Strategy Group.
Under the new requirements, schools will be expected to have:
A dedicated allergy safety policy
Individual Healthcare Plans for pupils with allergies
Emergency adrenaline auto-injectors available
Allergy awareness training for staff
These measures will help keep children safe while also reducing disruption to learning – with around 500,000 school days lost each year due to allergy-related illness or medical appointments.
The new guidance is currently open for consultation, with the aim of coming into force in September 2026. Please do make your voice heard.
🎙️ Promoting Enfield North on Times Radio 🎙️
I had a great time today taking part in the Times Radio Constituency Knockout, a fun and lively programme celebrating different parts of the country… And I won!
I joined former minister Ed Vaizey to share some quirky, and not so quirky, facts about Enfield North, highlighting what makes our area such a unique and fascinating place.
Programmes like this are a great way to showcase the places we are proud of and to share some of the stories that make our community unique.
It was a really enjoyable game and a chance to fly the flag for our brilliant area on national radio.
🚌 Improved Sunday Bus Service on Route 456
There is great news for local public transport users. From Sunday 15 March, the frequency of the 456 bus route between North Middlesex Hospital and Crews Hill will be increased on Sundays.
Following a review of passenger demand, it has been identified that additional buses are needed on this route to better serve local residents. As a result, buses will now run every 30 minutes on Sundays, instead of the current hourly service.
This means the 456 will operate every 30 minutes throughout the week, bringing Sundays in line with services on other days and making it easier for passengers to travel.
Transport planners will continue to monitor the change to ensure the service meets demand, and updated information will be available at bus stops and through journey planning tools such as the TfL Go app.
Improving public transport connections in Enfield North is critical for helping residents get to work, healthcare appointments and local amenities more easily, and this change will provide a more reliable and convenient service for those who rely on the 456 route.
📚 Celebrating the Launch of Honoured
It was a pleasure to attend the launch of Honoured, the powerful new book by my good friend Naz Shah MP. The event brought together colleagues, friends and supporters to celebrate the publication of a deeply personal and important work.
In Honoured, Naz Shah shares her extraordinary life story – reflecting on her childhood, the challenges she faced growing up, and the experiences that ultimately shaped her path into public service. It is a moving account of resilience, courage and determination, and a reminder of how powerful storytelling can be in helping us better understand the lived experiences of others.
The book also speaks to wider issues around identity, community and justice, and the importance of creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
It was wonderful to be there to support Naz on such an important occasion. Her story is both inspiring and thought-provoking, and Honoured is a book that will undoubtedly spark meaningful conversations.
Have a great week!
Best wishes
Feryal