Weekly Update
📲 Giving Children Their Childhood Back Online
From my mailbox, I know that this is a subject that Enfield North residents are passionate about, so I am pleased the Labour Government has announced landmark plans to better protect children online and help give them their childhoods back.
For too long, parents have been left to navigate an online world that can expose young people to harmful content, addictive algorithms and contact from strangers. These new measures put children's wellbeing first and represent one of the most ambitious packages of online protections anywhere in the world.
What is changing?
📱 Social media ban for under-16s
Social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s. This will apply to major social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.
💬 Protection from strangers online
Services including gaming platforms and livestreaming services will be required to prevent under-16s from livestreaming themselves and from being placed into communication with strangers online.
These protections will also be switched off by default for 16 and 17-year-olds, helping to avoid a sudden cliff-edge in protections when children turn 16.
🤖 Stronger safeguards on AI chatbots
AI chatbots designed to simulate sexual or romantic relationships will be restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
More widely, AI chatbot providers will be required to prevent under-18s from accessing features that enable sexually explicit interactions.
🔒 Robust age verification
Strong and effective age checks will be introduced to ensure these protections work in practice and cannot be easily bypassed.
Putting Children First
These plans go further than a simple social media ban. They focus on the specific features and services that can expose children to harm, whether that is on social media, gaming platforms, livestreaming services or AI tools.
The Government is also examining additional measures, including overnight curfews and restrictions on infinite scrolling for under-18s, with further details due next month.
Alongside these online protections, the Government is working across departments to ensure children have greater access to sport, creative activities, nature and the arts, helping every young person develop their talents and enjoy a healthy childhood.
These proposals mark a clear choice to put children's wellbeing first, support parents and create a safer digital world for the next generation.
While I welcome these measures and will continue supporting efforts to ensure young people can enjoy the opportunities of the online world while being protected from its risks, we must also ensure that children and young people continue to have access to the many educational benefits the internet provides.
Online learning resources, educational creators and digital tools are helping young people develop new skills, explore their interests and reach their potential. The challenge is not to restrict opportunity, but to create a safer online environment where children can learn, grow and thrive.
On a connected note, I attended an event at Enfield Chace Community School today focused on the use of Yondr and its impact on reducing mobile phone use among pupils.
Thanks to the Senior Leadership Team for the presentation on the school’s journey, followed by insights from teaching staff on the positive day‑to‑day impact in the classroom.
Pupils also shared first-hand reflections, highlighting improved focus and engagement without the distraction of phones, aligning with wider moves around limiting social media use for under 16s.
Student Omari Green - Enfield’s Youth Mayor - spoke positively about the benefits and how the change has supported a better learning environment across the school.
🌳 Fighting for Investment in Enfield Town Park Play Area
This week, I wrote to the new Leader of Enfield Council to seek assurances that long-promised investment in the children's play area at Enfield Town Park will still go ahead.
Earlier this year, I received a commitment from the previous Council Leader that significant funding would be provided to improve the play area. Since then, many local parents and residents have continued to raise concerns about the condition of the equipment.
Enfield Town Park is one of our borough's most popular green spaces and its play area is enjoyed by families from across Enfield. However, much of the equipment is now showing its age and, in some cases, has fallen into a state of disrepair and even become dangerous.
In my letter, I asked the Council Leader to reaffirm this commitment to the project, confirm that the investment remains a priority and provide an update on the expected timetable for the works, including a potential start date.
I know how important this play area is to local families in Enfield North and I will continue to press for the improvements that residents have been promised. As soon as I receive a response from the Council, I will provide a further update.
💧 Holding Thames Water to Account
This week, the Government took further action to protect customers and the environment by challenging proposals for the future of Thames Water.
For far too long, Thames Water has failed its customers in Enfield North and beyond.
Years of underperformance, mounting debt and environmental failings have left communities paying the price while seeing little improvement in service.
The Government has made clear that any long-term rescue plan for Thames Water must deliver for customers, protect the environment and put the company on a sustainable footing for the future.
Ministers have raised serious concerns about proposals that could leave customers footing the bill for significant regulatory changes, reduce performance standards and delay important environmental and infrastructure improvements. The independent regulator, Ofwat, is now considering these proposals.
The Government has also made it clear that executive bonuses and retention payments are unacceptable while the company continues to face such serious challenges. New rules are now in force to prevent bonuses being paid where performance falls short.
Reforming the Water Industry
Alongside addressing the immediate issues at Thames Water, the Government is delivering the biggest reforms to the water industry in a generation.
These reforms will include:
💧 A stronger single regulator with greater powers to hold water companies to account.
💧 Dedicated oversight teams for every water company to identify problems earlier and intervene faster.
💧 Tough new powers to act when companies fail on financial performance, environmental standards or customer service.
💧 No-notice inspections to ensure companies are properly prepared and meeting their obligations.
💧 A new independent Water Ombudsman to ensure customer complaints are resolved quickly and fairly.
💧 Greater protection against excessive debt and financial mismanagement.
The message is clear: water companies must focus on serving customers and protecting our environment, not rewarding failure.
I welcome these reforms and will continue supporting efforts to ensure that water companies are properly held to account and that Enfield North residents receive the reliable services they deserve.
💖 £20 Million Pride in Place Fund Takes Important Step Forward
I'm delighted to announce that Rick Jewell has been appointed as Chair of the Pride in Place Enfield Wash Fund Board.
This marks an important milestone in delivering the Labour Government's £20 million Pride in Place investment into Enfield Wash, covering parts of Brimsdown, Carterhatch and Bullsmoor.
The Pride in Place programme is about putting local people in the driving seat. Rather than decisions being made behind closed doors, residents, businesses, community organisations and local stakeholders will help shape how this funding is invested and what priorities it should support.
You may have seen me on BBC Sunday Politics last week talking about Pride in Place and how the fund presents a major opportunity to secure long-term improvements for our communities, helping to strengthen neighbourhoods, create opportunities and address the issues that matter most to local residents.
Following a competitive recruitment process, Rick was selected to lead the Board. His deep roots in the local area, extensive experience in community leadership and long-standing commitment to public service make him exceptionally well placed to take on this important role.
The next stage of the programme will begin shortly, with applications opening for local people who would like to join the Pride in Place Board. Board members will play a vital role in helping develop a shared vision for the area and ensuring investment is directed towards projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of residents.
💐 Celebrating Care Home Open Week at Elsyng House Care Home
It was a pleasure to visit Elsyng House Care Home as part of this year's Care Home Open Week, a national initiative that encourages care homes across the country to open their doors, celebrate their residents and strengthen links with their local communities.
Care Home Open Week shines a spotlight on the incredible work that care homes do every day, while providing an opportunity for residents, families, staff and visitors to come together and build new connections.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet residents and staff, hear about their experiences and see first-hand the warm, caring and vibrant community that has been created at Elsyng House. I was particularly impressed by the dedication of the staff and the range of activities available to help residents stay active, engaged and connected.
Care homes play a vital role in our communities, and initiatives such as Care Home Open Week help challenge outdated perceptions of residential care by showcasing the creativity, compassion and sense of community that exists within modern care settings.
Thank you to everyone at Elsyng House Care Home for the warm welcome and for all they do to support residents and their families throughout the year.
Calling for Action on Illegal Settlements in the Occupied West Bank
I recently joined more than 140 parliamentary colleagues in writing to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, urging the Government to take further action in response to the continued expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The letter highlights growing concerns about the displacement of Palestinian communities, the expansion of settlements and increasing levels of violence and instability in the region.
Alongside colleagues from across Parliament, I welcomed the sanctions already imposed on individuals responsible for supporting settlement expansion. However, we believe that further action is needed to address the wider system that enables illegal settlements to continue growing.
In particular, the letter calls on the Government to consider ending trade with illegal settlements, in line with international law and the UK's long-standing commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.
The expansion of settlements threatens the prospects for a lasting peace and undermines efforts to secure a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security and dignity.
I continue to support efforts to achieve an immediate and lasting peace in the region, the protection of civilians, the delivery of humanitarian aid and a renewed pathway towards a viable two-state solution.
The United Kingdom has an important role to play in supporting international law, human rights and a just and lasting peace, and I will continue to work with colleagues in Parliament to advance those goals.
😎 Free Summer Activities and Meals for Eligible Families
The summer holidays are just around the corner, and I am pleased that families across Enfield will once again be able to benefit from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
The scheme offers children and young people a wide range of free activities throughout the school holidays, helping them stay active, get creative, learn new skills and make new friends in a safe and supportive environment.
Alongside the activities, children will also receive nutritious meals, helping families with the additional costs that can arise during the holidays.
If your child receives benefits-related free school meals and lives in Enfield North, or attends a school in the borough, they may be eligible to take part.
I would encourage all eligible families to take a look at the fantastic range of opportunities available and sign up early to avoid disappointment.
Have a great week ☀️
Best wishes
Feryal