Weekly Update
As Parliament returned this week, it was lovely to catch up with residents, community groups and organisations from across Enfield North, both in Westminster and back at home. From welcoming visitors to Parliament to discussing plans to strengthen our NHS, improve online safety for children and support local workers, it's been a busy start to the new term.
As always, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch or stop for a chat.
🚶♀️➡️A Visit from the Field Dames
One of the highlights of my week was welcoming the Field Dames Women's Institute from Enfield to Parliament.
It is always a pleasure to see local community groups making the trip to Westminster and experiencing first-hand the place where many of the decisions affecting our country are debated and made. Parliament belongs to all of us, and I am keen to ensure as many residents as possible have the opportunity to visit and engage with our democratic institutions.
During their visit, I took the group on a tour of the Palace of Westminster and we spent time discussing a range of issues affecting Enfield and our local community. These conversations are incredibly valuable, giving me the opportunity to hear directly from residents about the issues that matter most to them and the changes they want to see locally and nationally.
Groups like the Field Dames play an important role in bringing people together, supporting community life and helping ensure local voices are heard. I am always inspired by the dedication of volunteers and community organisations across Enfield who work so hard to strengthen our borough.
Thank you to everyone from the Field Dames who came along. It was a pleasure to meet you all and to hear your thoughts, and I hope you enjoyed your visit to Parliament as much as I enjoyed welcoming you there.
🌍 Defending Peace, Security and International Law
This week, I welcomed the Government's decision to take further action in support of a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The measures announced reflect Labour's commitment to protecting the prospect of a two-state solution, which remains the only credible route to long-term peace, security and self-determination for everyone in the region.
Working alongside international partners, the Government has announced a package of measures aimed at upholding international law and helping preserve the conditions needed for a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. These include a ban on trade in goods from illegal settlements, action against services that support settlement activity, and targeted sanctions powers against those who undermine peace and stability.
I know this issue matters deeply to many people across Enfield North and I have long supported stronger action on illegal settlements. That is why I was pleased to join colleagues earlier this year in calling for measures such as these.
I am particularly encouraged that, following the UK's recognition of Palestine, the Government is now backing its commitment to a two-state solution with practical action. As Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said this week, the two-state solution is the "North Star" of the Government's foreign policy, and these measures demonstrate a clear determination to protect that goal.
At a time when many people are worried about the future, I welcome the UK's leadership in working with international partners to keep the hope of peace alive. These actions send a clear message that Britain will stand with our allies for international law and continue to support a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security and dignity.
🐕 Shaping the Future of Fireworks Regulation
This week, I was pleased to see the Government launch a public consultation on the future of fireworks and pyrotechnics regulations, giving residents the opportunity to help shape how fireworks are used in the years ahead.
From Beavers to Golden Retrievers, Enfield North is home to many animal lovers, and I know from conversations with residents just how much distress unexpected and late-night fireworks can cause to pets and other animals. For many owners, fireworks season can be an anxious time, with dogs, cats and other pets experiencing significant stress when loud fireworks are set off without warning.
That is why I recently met with Kate Dearden MP to discuss these concerns and the wider impact fireworks can have on our communities. It's important that the voices of residents, pet owners and animal welfare campaigners are heard as the Government considers future reforms.
The consultation is looking at a range of proposals, including restricting the loudest fireworks to organised professional displays, considering further controls on higher-risk pyrotechnics, and reviewing how lower-risk products are regulated.
I know that many people enjoy fireworks as part of celebrations and community events, and it is important that any future changes strike the right balance. However, we must also recognise the impact that fireworks can have on animals, vulnerable people and local communities.
I would strongly encourage anyone who has been affected by fireworks, whether as a pet owner, animal lover or resident, to take part in the consultation and make their voice heard. Public consultations are an important way for people to help shape government policy, and I hope many residents from Enfield North will take the opportunity to share their views.
Together, we can help ensure that future regulations support both responsible celebrations and the wellbeing of our communities.
Please do make sure that your voice is heard by taking part in the Government’s fireworks consultation https://www.gov.uk/.../fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
💻 Giving Children Stronger Protections Online
This week, I welcomed the Government's plans to introduce world-leading protections to keep children safe online. The proposals would make the UK a global leader in online child safety and help protect young people from some of the most serious harms they can face online.
Through my work on the APPG for Digital Creators, I have seen both the opportunities and challenges the digital world presents for young people. While technology can be a powerful force for learning and creativity, there has also been a worrying rise in online exploitation and abuse. That's why I welcome the Government's determination to act before harm occurs.
The new plans would introduce stronger protections across devices and apps, including measures to prevent under-18s from taking, viewing or sending nude images, while ensuring safety features are switched on by default. Just as importantly, they place responsibility on technology companies to build safety into their products from the start, rather than leaving parents and carers to navigate complex settings alone.
These proposals build on wider action already being taken to make the internet safer for children and young people. I am pleased to see the Government leading the way on this issue and taking the bold action needed to give families greater peace of mind online.
In my work on the APPG and in representing your concerns in Parliament, I will continue to push further on this issue to ensure that every child is protected online. We can never allow parents to feel like they are powerless to protect their children and we can only do this through taking tough actions as both parliamentarians and parents.
🏥 A Modern NHS for Patients and Staff
This week, Parliament continued its scrutiny of the Health Bill, a key part of Labour's plans to rebuild the NHS and make it fit for the future. The Bill supports the wider reforms set out in the Government's 10-Year Health Plan and focuses on improving patient care, cutting bureaucracy and bringing decision-making closer to local communities.
One of the most exciting parts of the Bill is the creation of a Single Patient Record, allowing healthcare professionals to securely access important patient information in one place. This will help deliver safer, faster and more joined-up care, while reducing the need for patients to repeat the same information throughout their healthcare journey.
The Bill will also bring decisions closer to patients and communities through greater local leadership, while reducing unnecessary bureaucracy so that more resources can be focused on front-line services. Alongside wider reforms to community healthcare, prevention and digital services, these changes are designed to create an NHS that is more efficient, more responsive and better equipped to meet the needs of patients in the years ahead.
I am deeply proud of the NHS and all that it has done for our community. It is a service that every one of us relies on at some point in our lives. After fourteen years of Tory failure, our health service faces significant challenges, which is why I welcome this Labour Government's continued commitment to reforming and strengthening the NHS so it remains there for generations to come.
🚍A Win for Local Bus Drivers
This week, I was delighted to see positive progress for bus drivers across North London following concerns about excessive temperatures inside bus cabs during this summer's heatwaves.
I have been raising this issue on behalf of local drivers, including speaking about it in Parliament and meeting with Unite the Union to hear directly about the challenges workers have faced. Our bus drivers provide an essential service for our community every day, and they deserve safe and reasonable working conditions.
I was therefore pleased to see that an agreement has now been reached between Unite and Arriva North London. The deal includes a commitment to install air conditioning on buses by next year, alongside interim measures to better protect drivers while those improvements are delivered.
This is a positive example of what can be achieved when workers' concerns are listened to and acted upon. I am pleased that drivers' voices have been heard and that meaningful progress is now being made.
I will continue to stand up for local workers, support good jobs and ensure that the concerns of people across Enfield North are heard at the highest levels.
⚙️ Breaking Down Barriers in Technology
This week, it was a real pleasure to welcome Lauren and Chelsea from InnovateHer to Parliament and learn more about the inspiring work they are doing to open up opportunities for young people in technology.
As technology continues to transform the way we live and work, it is essential that young people have the skills, confidence and support they need to succeed in the digital economy. Organisations like InnovateHer are helping to make that a reality by ensuring more young people can see a future for themselves in technology.
I was particularly encouraged to hear about their work to tackle the gender gap in the technology sector. Through digital skills training, events, mentoring opportunities and access to industry role models, they are helping girls, women and non-binary young people discover exciting career opportunities that they may never have previously considered.
Their impact is already being felt across the country. InnovateHer has supported more than 125,000 young people through free e-learning programmes, AI initiatives and events designed to build skills and confidence in the fast-growing technology sector.
As artificial intelligence and digital technologies play an ever-greater role in our economy, it is vital that these opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of their background. We need a future workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and ensures that the benefits of technological progress are shared widely.
I am always proud to meet organisations that are helping young people realise their potential and preparing them for the jobs of the future. Thank you to Lauren and Chelsea for taking the time to visit Parliament and for the important work InnovateHer is doing to inspire the next generation of digital talent.
For anyone interested in learning more about their work, you can visit InnovateHer.
Have a great week, and if you’ like to get in touch about any issue locally or nationally please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes
Feryal