🏘️ BACKING ENFIELD NORTH: BREATHING SPACE FOR TODAY, HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
This week’s Budget included important measures to help families with the cost of living, support our local businesses and invest in opportunities for young people.
I particularly welcome the measures that will make a big difference here in Enfield North.
💷 £100 towards household energy bills
A new £2.6 billion scheme will provide a £100 payment this winter to eligible households in Council Tax Bands A–D. Around 40,660 properties in Enfield North fall within these bands.
⚡Help with energy costs
The temporary 0% VAT rate on electricity will be extended until July 2027, alongside measures to limit new energy levies, tackle household energy debt and reform gas standing charges.
🏪 Backing our high streets and local businesses
Business rates relief will be expanded for eligible shops, pubs, restaurants and leisure businesses. Around 1,167 properties across Enfield are expected to benefit from a real-terms business rates freeze in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
🥣 Breakfast clubs for our children
Nine schools in Enfield North have received funding for breakfast clubs, including Carterhatch Infant, Brimsdown Primary, Alma Primary, Enfield Heights Academy and Oasis Academy Hadley.
Helping children start the day with a nutritious breakfast also makes life easier for working parents.
🏠 Helping first-time buyers
A new £4.7 billion Your First Home programme will help eligible first-time buyers onto the housing ladder with deposits as low as 2.5%. Applications are expected to open in early 2027.
👷 More opportunities for young people
New apprenticeship brokerage funding will help employers create opportunities and support more young Londoners into apprenticeships.
Tackling violence against women and girls
More than £55 million nationally over two years will support the Government's strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, strengthening protection for victims and action against perpetrators.
I know that many families in Enfield North are still struggling with household bills, housing costs and the everyday cost of living.
There is more work to do, but these measures will provide practical support and breathing space for residents and businesses.
As your MP, I'll continue working to make sure Enfield North benefits from these announcements and that investment reaches the communities who need it most
🏢 £3 MILLION FOR ENFIELD’S HIGH STREETS IN THE BUDGET!
I’ve fought hard for investment in our high streets and greater powers for communities to shape their future. I’m delighted that Enfield Council has been allocated £3 million from Labour’s new £125 million Derelict Buildings Fund announced in the budget to help bring neglected buildings back into use as spaces our community needs.
Our high streets should be places we’re proud of with thriving local businesses, welcoming community spaces and opportunities for everyone.
Alongside this investment, Labour’s new High Streets Strategy will:
✅ Back shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants through business rates reforms.
✅ Give communities more say over new vape shops and adult gaming centres through planning requirements.
✅ Support community ownership of valued local buildings.
✅ Help hospitality businesses and protect music venues.
I’ll work with the council, local businesses and residents to make sure this funding delivers for Enfield North. This is something I’ve pushed for, and I’ll keep fighting for the investment and powers our high streets deserve.
🏢 MAKING HOMES SAFE AND STANDING UP FOR LEASEHOLDERS
Building safety and the difficulties facing leaseholders come up regularly in my inbox. Residents across Enfield North contact me about delays to essential repairs, fears about unexpected bills and the stress of living in a home whose safety remains uncertain.
Behind every email is someone who deserves to feel safe at home. For many, the uncertainty has put their lives on hold, making it difficult to sell, move or plan for the future.
That is why this week I voted for the Government’s Building Safety (Remediation of Unsafe Cladding) Bill, which will place a clear legal duty on those responsible to identify and fix unsafe cladding in residential buildings over 11 metres tall or with at least five storeys.
The proposals include tougher penalties for those who deliberately fail to act, alongside powers for Homes England and local authorities to step in, arrange repairs and recover costs from those responsible.
Alongside the Bill, the Labour Government plans to strengthen protections for more leaseholders, support eligible buildings owned collectively by residents and require manufacturers of unsafe construction products to contribute towards putting things right.
Residents have waited far too long. These proposals are an important step, but their success must be measured by repairs completed, homes made safe and families finally able to move forward. I will continue raising residents’ concerns and pressing for action. If you are affected by building safety problems in Enfield North, please contact my office.
📢 LISTENING TO RESIDENTS IN BULLSMOOR
I recently organised a walkabout in Bullsmoor, alongside the Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, Councillor Faye Nimoh and Andrew Ruffell from Enfield Council to hear directly about the issues affecting the area.
Residents raised concerns about road safety, parking pressures and environmental problems. They described the impact of heavy traffic, HGVs, noise and speeding, and the dangers these create for pedestrians and people living along the road.
I also discussed safety on Elsinge Road following the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy. My thoughts remain with his family, friends and everyone affected by this devastating loss.
I asked the council what steps it is taking to address residents’ concerns and whether speed surveys have been carried out. Andrew agreed to investigate and report back. The police explained that council survey data would help them identify when speeding is most likely to occur, allowing them to target their activity more effectively and consider a further survey through their specialist speed team.
Officers also encouraged residents to sign up to Met Engage to stay informed about the local neighbourhood policing team’s work and share concerns about issues such as speeding.
Residents deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and know that raising a concern will lead to a response. I will follow up on the information requested and continue working with the council, police and local councillors to press for practical action and ensure residents are kept informed.
💧HOLDING THAMES WATER TO ACCOUNT
This week, I met with Thames Water to hold them to account for the service residents receive and the disruption caused by this summer’s major water supply problems in Enfield North.
Residents need to know that when they turn on the tap, water will be there. When supplies fail, they deserve clear information, practical support and swift action to put things right, and this certainly did not happen on this occasion.
Thames Water has so far paid out £441,650 in compensation following August’s burst water main on Bramley Road. Thousands of customers lost their supply during the incident, which also caused serious traffic disruption and led to operations being postponed at Chase Farm Hospital.
The compensation I pushed for is welcome, but it cannot undo the distress and inconvenience residents experienced. I stressed that Thames Water must learn from what happened, improve its response to emergencies and tackle the leaks that undermine confidence in its service.
My priority is to ensure residents’ experiences are heard and that the company is held accountable for delivering improvements. That means reliable supplies, timely repairs and better communication, particularly for vulnerable residents who need additional support.
I will continue pressing Thames Water for a better service for Enfield North. If you were affected and believe you have not received the compensation you are owed, please contact my office so we can raise your case.
🏫 STANDING UP FOR SUFFOLKS AND BISHOP STOPFORD’S
This Tuesday evening, Enfield Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee will consider a call-in by Labour councillors challenging the Conservative administration’s decision to consult on closing Suffolks Primary School and Bishop Stopford’s School in Enfield North.
The call-in raises serious concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the evidence presented to Cabinet, the way these schools were selected and the handling of communications with families and staff. Decisions with such far-reaching consequences for children’s education must be based on reliable information, a transparent process and a proper understanding of what each school provides.
Labour councillors are asking for the decision to be referred to Full Council so that all elected members can scrutinise the proposals and represent the families affected. That includes councillors whose residents’ children attend these schools, wherever they live in the borough. School communities extend beyond ward boundaries, and their voices deserve to be heard.
I have been in close contact with both Headteachers over the past few weeks. I know how deeply these proposals have shaken pupils, parents and staff, and how much these schools mean to the communities they serve. Families deserve clear answers, meaningful opportunities to make their case and confidence that alternatives will be considered with an open mind.
I will continue fighting to keep these schools open and to ensure that children’s needs remain at the heart of every decision. Parents are organising a demonstration before the meeting to show their support for the schools. Further details are provided above.
💉 PROTECTING YOURSELF THIS WINTER
As colder weather approaches, I am encouraging older residents across Enfield North to check that they are up to date with the vaccinations available to them.
Vaccinations help reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell from infections such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Depending on your age and health, you may also be eligible for free NHS vaccinations against shingles and pneumococcal infections, which can cause pneumonia.
Eligible residents can book flu and COVID-19 vaccinations through the NHS booking service or by calling 119 free of charge. If you think you are due another vaccination but have not been contacted, please speak to your GP surgery. Your pharmacist can also advise you.
Regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with people who are unwell can provide additional protection during the winter months.
🐾 PROTECTING PETS FROM ANTISOCIAL FIREWORKS
For many families, fireworks season means days of worrying about a much-loved pet. Sudden, unpredictable bangs can leave animals frightened and distressed, while owners struggle to comfort them.
I recently met with Minister Kate Dearden to press for stronger action to tackle antisocial firework use and protect pets and the wider community. Everyone should be able to enjoy celebrations without leaving neighbours distressed and animals frightened by repeated, unpredictable disruption.
Dogs Trust has contacted me to highlight how fireworks stretching over several weeks can affect dogs’ health and behaviour. Organised public displays offer a more predictable alternative, with advertised timings that help owners prepare.
The charity is also sharing practical advice to help dogs feel more settled at home, including creating a cosy, safe space, closing curtains and keeping familiar routines. Its “Sound Blanket”, developed with the University of Salford, uses sounds designed to help mask firework noise and can be found on Spotify and YouTube.
I am using my weekly update to share this advice and encourage everyone planning celebrations to consider their neighbours and nearby animals. I will continue speaking up for residents affected by antisocial fireworks and pressing for better protection for our pets.
If you are celebrating over the coming days, please do so considerately. A little thought can make a big difference to an animal who cannot understand what is happening outside.
UNACCEPTABLE DELAYS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE PENSION SCHEME
The service received by members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme since Capita took over its administration has been unacceptable. Too many people, including bereaved families and those experiencing financial hardship, have faced lengthy waits for money they are owed.
I welcome the action being taken to put this right and hold Capita to its contractual obligations. This includes withholding £9.9 million in payments, recovering the cost of additional government support, appointing a remedial adviser at the company’s expense and commissioning an independent review.
A new recovery plan will prioritise vulnerable scheme members, while interest will be paid automatically on late payments and interest-free loans will be available. Members will also receive fortnightly progress updates, providing greater transparency about whether services are improving.
Anyone in Enfield North experiencing difficulties with their Civil Service pension can contact my office. I will continue to press for cases to be resolved quickly and ensure that no scheme member is left financially worse off because of administrative failures.
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes
Feryal