I hope you've had a good week and are managing to stay warm as the evenings draw in. As we move closer to Christmas, it's been another busy week across Enfield North, from celebrating the achievements of local schools and standing up for our community, to meeting residents, campaigners and volunteers who work tirelessly to support others. One of the things I am always reminded of is the strength of our community spirit, and how fortunate we are to live in an area where people are so committed to helping one another and making a difference. 🌹
🏫 Standing Up for Suffolks Primary and Bishop Stopford
After weeks of uncertainty and anxiety for families, I was pleased that the consultation on the future of Suffolks Primary School and Bishop Stopford’s School has been paused. This is precisely what parents, teachers and governors had been calling for, and the message they delivered loud and clear at my recent town hall meeting.
While falling pupil numbers present genuine challenges, decisions affecting children’s futures must be based on accurate evidence, meaningful consultation and proper scrutiny. This pause is a testament to the determination of parents, pupils, teachers and governors who have fought tirelessly for their schools, and they deserve enormous credit.
I was also proud to highlight the incredible work taking place at Suffolks Primary School during Prime Minister’s Questions. The school is a shining example of how children with SEND can thrive in a mainstream setting, learning alongside their friends and siblings while receiving the support they need to succeed.
The Council must now rebuild trust by ensuring any future consultation is fair, transparent and meaningful, with parents, teachers and governors genuinely listened to and every alternative to closure fully explored. Above all, our children’s futures must come first.
And, having raised Suffolks' success in Parliament, I’ve invited the Prime Minister to come and see it for himself. Hopefully he can find a gap in his diary, because even Prime Ministers deserve the occasional school trip!
🌺 Enfield Remembers
Wednesday marked 108 years since the end of the First World War, and this weekend I was honoured to join residents at the Edmonton Remembrance Service to pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
It was a moment to reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made by generations of servicemen and women from Enfield North and across the United Kingdom, and to remember those who never returned home.
As always, it was deeply moving to see our community come together in remembrance, united in gratitude for those who served and sacrificed so much. Their courage secured the freedoms we enjoy today, and it is our responsibility to ensure their legacy endures for future generations.
We will remember them. 🌺
Welcoming the Pennsylvania delegation 🦅
It was a real pleasure to welcome a delegation of women from Pennsylvania to Parliament on Monday, and to give them a tour of the building.
The group is visiting the UK on a fact-finding mission, organised after Governor Josh Shapiro set up a new Advisory Commission on Women in his office. They are looking at how women in the UK are faring in education, employment, health and democratic representation, as well as the impact of AI through a women’s lens. Their findings will help shape policy recommendations that go straight back to the Governor.
Their visit to Parliament focused on women’s participation in the democratic process. As we walked round, we had a really valuable conversation about the issues that matter to women on both sides of the Atlantic, and about what more can be done to ensure women’s voices are heard in decision-making.
It was fascinating to compare experiences and hear how similar many of our challenges are, as well as where each country can learn from the other. Conversations like these are a reminder of how much we can achieve by sharing ideas and working together.
I’d like to thank the delegation for visiting, and I wish them every success with their work. I look forward to seeing the difference their recommendations make for women in Pennsylvania. 🌟
🩷 Supporting Life-Saving
Cancer Research
This week, I had a great conversation with Sandra from Cancer Research UK’s Unlock Cancer Breakthroughs campaign about how we can support life-saving cancer research and help ensure new treatments reach patients sooner.
We discussed the importance of speeding up clinical trials, attracting the brightest scientific talent from around the world, and increasing investment in research so that more people can benefit from the latest advances in cancer treatment.
It was inspiring to hear about the campaign’s work and the real difference that cancer research continues to make for patients and families across Enfield and beyond. Just as importantly, it reminded me of what makes our community so special. Time and again, local people step up to support one another, stand alongside those facing difficult challenges, and champion causes that help the most vulnerable in our society.
That spirit of compassion and solidarity is one of Enfield’s greatest strengths, and I am proud to represent a community that cares so deeply about making a difference. 💙
Phone Free schools 📲
Phones in schools have been a problem for parents, teachers and students for years, so I welcome the Government's plans to take the next step towards creating truly phone-free schools.
Too many teachers tell me that mobile phones can be a major distraction in the classroom, making it harder for young people to focus, learn and engage with the opportunities school has to offer. The new guidance will ensure pupils do not have access to their phones during the school day, helping schools create environments where learning comes first.
Importantly, this is not about turning our backs on technology. It is about making sure technology is used safely, effectively and in ways that genuinely benefit young people. Alongside these changes, the Government is also strengthening Key Stage 3 so that children have more time to build confidence, develop core skills and enjoy a broader range of experiences before beginning their GCSE studies.
As a parent, I know how important it is that schools give children the best possible start in life. By reducing distractions and putting learning, enrichment and opportunity at the centre of the school experience, we can help every young person thrive.
💧 Cleaning Up Our Rivers and Holding Water Companies to Account
Most people in Enfield would find it hard to understand why water company bosses should receive huge bonuses when rivers are polluted and customers are being let down. That is why I welcome the Government's latest action to crack down on excessive executive pay in the water industry.
The Government has already stopped more than £10 million in bonuses being paid to water company executives, and is now reviewing potential loopholes that allow some companies to reward failure through other forms of pay.
For too long, people have felt powerless while water companies have failed to deliver the standards customers expect. These reforms are about restoring trust, increasing transparency and making sure companies focus on what really matters: reducing pollution, fixing leaks and improving services for the communities they serve.
Clean rivers, strong environmental protections and fair treatment for bill payers are not optional. They are things people rightly expect, and I am pleased to see action being taken to ensure water companies are held to account.
Celebrating Carers in our community
It was a real pleasure to attend the grand opening of Signature Care Home, a new purpose-built care home in our community.
The home offers residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, and I enjoyed being shown around the facilities. It was wonderful to meet the team who will be looking after residents and to hear about their plans for the home.
Good quality care is something I hear about from residents across Enfield North. Families want to know that their loved ones will be safe, comfortable and treated with dignity, and that they can find high-quality care close to home. New provision like this has a real part to play in meeting that need locally.
The home will also bring local jobs, and help to support our changing social care system. Our care workers do a vital and often underappreciated job, and they deserve to be valued and supported.
I wish everyone at Signature at Enfield every success as they welcome their first residents, and I will continue working to ensure that older residents and their families in Enfield North have access to the care and support they deserve. 🌟
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes
Feryal