Weekly Update
🍽️ Giving Children the Best Start in Life
One of the highlights of my week was visiting Alma Primary School alongside the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to see first-hand the difference Labour's education reforms are making for local families.
It was wonderful to spend time with pupils and staff, hear about the excellent work taking place in the school, and discuss how we can continue to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
I was also delighted to confirm that from this September, Alma Primary School, Kingfisher Hall Primary Academy, Chesterfield Primary School and Brimsdown Primary School will all benefit from Labour's Best Start free breakfast clubs. In addition to Alma Primary School, Oasis Academy, St Matthew’s CofE Primary School in Ponders End, and Carterhartch infant school started hosting free breakfast clubs earlier this year.
Labour's free breakfast clubs have already served more than ten million free breakfasts to hundreds of thousands of children across the country, and from September even more families will benefit as the programme expands nationwide. Making sure that no child has to start learning hungry.
Some of the key achievements of Labour's Best Start free breakfast club programme include:
🍽️ More than 10 million free breakfasts already served to children across the country.
👩👩👧👦 An additional half a million children set to benefit from the programme this year.
📚 Evidence showing the clubs are helping to create calmer classrooms, higher standards and happier children.
⏰ Free breakfast clubs providing 30 minutes of childcare before the school day begins.
💷 Families able to save up to £450 per child each year.
🚪 Helping break down barriers to opportunity so that every child can get the best possible start in life.
The evidence is clear that these clubs are making a real difference. They are helping to create calmer classrooms, improving attendance and readiness to learn, and giving children the best possible start to their school day. Just as importantly, they are supporting working parents by providing free childcare at the beginning of the day and helping families save money when household budgets remain under pressure.
For many families, Labour's Best Start breakfast clubs could save up to £450 per child each year, while also providing 30 minutes of free childcare every school morning. Combined with government-funded childcare and action to reduce school uniform costs, these measures are putting money back into parents' pockets while helping break down barriers to opportunity.
I am incredibly proud that four schools here in Enfield North will be part of this expansion. Every child deserves the best start in life, regardless of their background, and I will continue working with the Government to ensure local families receive the support they need to succeed.
🌟 Pride in Place: Help Shape the Future of Enfield Wash
One of the things I am most passionate about is ensuring that local people have a genuine voice in shaping the communities they call home. That is exactly what the Pride in Place programme is all about.
Thanks to significant investment coming to Enfield Wash, local residents, community groups and businesses now have a unique opportunity to help influence the future of the area and ensure improvements reflect the priorities of the people who live and work there.
I was delighted to attend the recent Pride in Place launch event and see so many people coming together with a shared ambition to make Enfield Wash an even better place to live, work and visit.
There are many ways local people can get involved, but one exciting opportunity currently available is to apply to join the Enfield Wash Pride in Place Board.
The Board will help guide the programme and ensure that local voices remain at the heart of decision-making. Whether you are involved in a community organisation, run a local business, or simply care deeply about the future of Enfield Wash, I would strongly encourage you to consider getting involved.
Why get involved?
• 🏘️ Help shape the future of Enfield Wash.
• 🤝 Represent the views of local residents and community groups.
• 💡 Influence how investment is used to benefit the local area.
• 🌳 Support projects that improve the neighbourhood and strengthen community pride.
• 📣 Ensure local people have a direct voice in important decisions.
Strong communities are built when residents are empowered to play an active role in local life. Pride in Place is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision for their area.
You can find out more about the programme and apply by visiting the Enfield Wash Pride in Place page.
If you want to get involved make sure to join us at Enfield Highway community centre on the 11th July from 10 AM!
I look forward to seeing local people help shape this exciting new chapter for Enfield Wash.
🏫 Inspiring the Next Generation in Parliament
One of the real pleasures of being a Member of Parliament is welcoming young people to Westminster and hearing directly from them about the issues they care about.
This week, I was delighted to welcome pupils from One Degree Academy to Parliament, where they presented an impressive project examining how we can tackle homelessness.
The pupils delivered a thoughtful, well-researched presentation, demonstrating not only a strong understanding of the challenges surrounding homelessness, but also a genuine commitment to finding solutions and making a positive difference in society.
The visit also gave them the opportunity to put their questions directly to me — and they certainly did not hold back!
I always enjoy speaking with young people because they bring fresh perspectives, thoughtful ideas and a real curiosity about the world around them. They also have a habit of asking some of the toughest — and often the best — questions.
Seeing such engaged, informed and inquisitive pupils was incredibly encouraging. Their enthusiasm for public life, community issues and current affairs is a reminder of why it is so important that young people are given opportunities to participate in democratic debate and have their voices heard.
A huge thank you to everyone at One Degree Academy for visiting Parliament. I look forward to seeing what these talented young people achieve in the years ahead.
🏃♀️ Supporting National School Sports Week
This week, I am proud to be supporting National School Sports Week, an important campaign that highlights the positive impact that sport and physical activity can have on children's wellbeing, confidence and development. Sports aren’t just for a summer world cup, they set up our young people for life.
The initiative brings together schools, families and organisations from across the country with a shared goal: helping every child enjoy being active and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
National School Sports Week is encouraging children and young people to achieve:
⚽ At least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
🤸 Inclusive opportunities for children of all abilities to take part in sport and play.
💪 Healthier lifestyles through regular movement and exercise.
😊 Improved wellbeing, confidence and social connections.
🏅 A lifelong enjoyment of sport and physical activity.
Whether it is taking part in organised sport, enjoying playground games with friends, walking to school or trying something new, every opportunity to get active can make a real difference.
I know from speaking to local schools across Enfield North that sport plays a hugely important role in helping young people build teamwork skills, resilience and self-confidence, while also supporting their physical and mental health.
That's why I am pleased to support National School Sports Week and the fantastic work being done by schools, teachers, coaches and families to help children stay active and enjoy all the benefits that sport can bring.
If you'd like to find out more about National School Sports Week and how to get involved, you can visit the National School Sports Week website.
⚽ England's March Continues – And Inspiring the Next Generation
What an incredible performance from the England team at the Azteca earlier this week. It was a fantastic display of determination, resilience and quality, and now all eyes turn to Saturday's huge clash against Norway.
With Erling Haaland and Norway standing in the way, England face another tough test, but after the spirit and character shown in their last victory, the whole country will be behind them.
Come on, England! 🦁🦁🦁
Watching our national teams perform on the biggest stage often inspires the next generation to pull on their boots and get involved in the game themselves. That is why I was delighted to hear about the launch of Enfield Rangers FC's new Wildcats girls' football sessions, which get underway this Saturday.
The FA's Wildcats programme is designed to give girls the opportunity to have fun, make new friends, build confidence and develop their football skills in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Highlights of the new programme include:
⚽ Girls-only football sessions in a fun and inclusive setting.
🌟 An opportunity for young players to build confidence and learn new skills.
🤝 Making friends and enjoying the benefits of team sport.
🏃♀️ Encouraging healthy, active lifestyles from a young age.
🦁 Inspiring the next generation of footballers right here in Enfield North.
As the Lionesses and England teams continue to inspire millions, it is fantastic to see opportunities like this available locally, helping more girls discover a love of football and enjoy all the benefits that sport can bring.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the Wildcats launch this weekend — and come on England! ⚽🎉
Have a great week and please do get in touch if you have any questions or issues you wish to raise.
Best wishes
Feryal