Weekly Update
🌞 More Support for Families This Summer
This week I attended a reception to celebrate the Labour Government's Great British Summer Savings package alongside Jason Jenkins, owner of 🦖Little Dinosaurs in Enfield Town Park.
🍔 Lower prices on family days out
From 25 June to 1 September, VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% on a range of family-friendly activities. The Government expects businesses to pass these savings on to customers, helping make the school holidays more affordable.
The temporary VAT cut covers:
🍽️ Children's meals eaten in restaurants
🎭 Children's and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
🎢 Admission to attractions such as theme parks, zoos, museums, soft play centres such as Little Dinosaurs, adventure parks, wildlife parks, nature reserves and many other family attractions
This support is designed to help families make the most of the summer while also giving a boost to local businesses that rely on holiday visitors.
I know many families across Enfield North continue to feel the pressure of the cost of living, so I welcome these measures to help make the summer holidays a little more affordable while supporting local businesses and communities.
🏡 Update on the Proposed New Town
There have been several important developments regarding the proposed New Town at Crews Hill and Chase Park.
Over the past week, I met with the Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook, the Planning Inspector issued his post-hearing advice letter, and my request to extend the public consultation was unfortunately recently declined.
Having listened to residents across Enfield North and considered the Planning Inspector's response, I have reflected carefully on the way forward.
I have always been clear that our borough desperately needs more homes. Every week I hear from families living in overcrowded accommodation, facing homelessness or unable to afford a home close to their family and support networks. Thousands of children in Enfield are growing up in temporary or unsuitable housing, and that cannot continue.
At the same time, I have listened carefully to the concerns raised by residents about the impact on our Green Belt, roads, public transport, schools, healthcare services and the character of our area.
My position has remained consistent: if development on this scale is to happen, it must come with the right infrastructure, robust environmental protections, high-quality design and meaningful community involvement.
Having now finally seen the proposed site boundary and spoken to residents, community groups and local stakeholders, I have concluded that the current proposal is simply too large.
I have made that clear directly to the Housing and Planning Minister. In my view, reducing the size of the proposal by protecting areas such as Chase Park would still allow thousands of much-needed homes to be built while reducing the impact on valued Green Belt.
I have also been disappointed by the consultation process. For a proposal that could shape Enfield for generations, more residents should have had the opportunity to take part. Although I asked for the consultation to be extended, that request was refused.
Looking ahead, residents deserve far more detail about transport, schools, healthcare, environmental protections, infrastructure funding and how any future Development Corporation would be governed. These questions must be answered before any final decisions are made.
The consultation results are expected in August. I will continue working constructively with ministers, residents and local organisations to ensure local voices remain at the heart of this process.
I will keep pressing for greater transparency, stronger guarantees on infrastructure and public services, and genuine engagement with our community. Any new homes must come with the investment needed to support them, and I will continue to make that case on behalf of everyone in Enfield North.
🧩 Reforming Support for Children with SEND
I regularly hear from parents across Enfield North whose children have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and far too many tell me the same thing: the system is simply not working.
Families should not have to fight to get the support their child needs. That's why I welcome the Government's plans to combine investment with reform to build a SEND system that works for children, parents and schools.
The reforms include:
🏫 60,000 more specialist SEND places across nurseries, schools and colleges, helping children receive support closer to home.
👩🏫 The biggest teacher training programme in our country's history, ensuring staff across schools, colleges and early years settings have the skills and confidence to support children with a wider range of needs.
🤝 Experts at Hand, a new local SEND support service designed to help families access specialist advice and support earlier, without unnecessary delays.
💷 £500 million for Inclusive Mainstream, helping schools provide better support so more children can thrive in their local school.
The aim is simple: children should receive the right support at the right time, in the right place, without parents having to battle the system.
Every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential, and I will continue supporting reforms that deliver better outcomes for children and families across Enfield North.
🩺 Working Together Following the Measles Outbreak
This week I met with Minister Sharon Hodgson, a minster in the Department for Health and Social Care, the Leader of Enfield Council, parliamentary colleagues, healthcare professionals and local community groups to discuss the recent measles outbreak in Enfield.
The meeting focused on the current situation, how we can strengthen vaccination uptake, and what lessons can be learned to help prevent further spread.
It was a valuable opportunity to bring partners together, coordinate our response, and make sure residents receive the information, reassurance and support they need.
⚓ Celebrating Our Armed Forces
Ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, I was proud to recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution of our Armed Forces community in Parliament, including serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and their families.
I had the pleasure of meeting members of the Operation Beehive Royal Navy Unit and learning more about the Kraken K3 Scout (pictured behind us), a British-designed unmanned vessel capable of operating at sea for up to 30 days carrying out reconnaissance, surveillance and supply missions.
As we mark Armed Forces Day, we pause to thank everyone who serves, and everyone who has served, for their dedication, professionalism and sacrifice.
We owe our Armed Forces community a tremendous debt of gratitude for the security and freedom they help protect every day.
📄 Update on ECAA/Ankara Visa Applications
I know many residents across Enfield North have been concerned about the length of time ECAA/Ankara visa applications are taking to process.
This week, I met with the Minister for Migration, Mike Tapp, to raise these concerns directly. Many constituents have told me they felt the delays were deliberate. The Minister assured me that the delays are due to processing capacity, not a change in Government policy.
He explained that applications have been around 65% higher than forecast, and that the Home Office has responded by recruiting 48 additional caseworkers to help reduce waiting times.
I made clear that these delays have a real impact on families and individuals, and I will continue pressing for visa applications to be processed fairly, efficiently and within a reasonable timeframe on behalf of residents across Enfield North.
♟️ Celebrating Young Chess Champions
It was a pleasure to attend the Enfield Town Schools Partnership End of Year Chess Tournament at Suffolks Primary School.
Around 70 pupils from schools across the partnership took part in five rounds of friendly competition, demonstrating impressive skill, concentration and excellent sportsmanship.
Events like this help build confidence, encourage teamwork and bring young people from different schools together. It was inspiring to see so much enthusiasm throughout the day.
A huge thank you to the Enfield Town Schools Partnership, Suffolks Primary School and everyone who helped organise such a fantastic event. Congratulations to all the children who took part!
🏆 Come On England!
The World Cup is well underway, and like so many people across Enfield North, I've been cheering on England.
After an encouraging start to the tournament, the final group match against Panama on Saturday is a crucial one. A strong performance could secure top spot in the group and build valuable momentum as we head into the knockout stages.
Whatever happens (and Thomas Tuchel I am available to play on the wing at short notice) I know the whole country will be getting behind the team.
Wishing the players and coaching staff the very best of luck.
Have a great week and come on England!☀️
Best wishes
Feryal