It has been another busy week, both in Parliament and across Enfield North. Whether tackling local concerns or supporting the Government’s work to deliver positive change, it has been wonderful to speak to so many people making a difference in our community.
🏫 Chace school reopening
🏫 It was a pleasure to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Chace Community School and celebrate an important milestone for the whole school community.
I was delighted to see the impressive new facilities, which will provide pupils and staff with a modern, high-quality environment in which to learn, teach and thrive. Investing in our schools is an investment in young people’s futures, ensuring they have the opportunities, facilities and support they deserve.
A huge thank you to the headteacher, staff, governors and everyone whose hard work made this exciting new chapter possible. I wish all the pupils and staff every success in their new surroundings! 🌟
🥧 No Half-Baked Decisions on Enfield Jobs
I am deeply concerned by Greggs’ plans to close its Enfield manufacturing site, putting local jobs and livelihoods at risk. Behind every job is a person, a family and a household that depends on that income, and I know the prospect of redundancy will be causing enormous anxiety.
That is why I have joined MPs in signing an Early Day Motion calling on Greggs to pause the proposed closure, engage meaningfully with trade unions and explore every possible alternative to compulsory redundancies. The plans could result in the loss of 740 jobs across four UK manufacturing sites, including Enfield.
Greggs’ success has been built on the hard work and dedication of its employees. Workers deserve to be treated fairly, consulted properly and given a meaningful voice in decisions about their futures.
I will continue to stand with workers and trade unions, press Greggs to reconsider these plans and do everything I can to protect local jobs in Enfield.
🎲 A Fair Bet for Our Communities
I have co-signed a letter calling on the Chancellor to increase taxes on high-stakes gaming machines in betting shops, while protecting pubs, bingo halls and other valued community venues.
The profits generated by higher-harm gambling should not come at the expense of individuals, families or our wider communities. Gambling operators must contribute fairly towards addressing the harm associated with their products, rather than leaving the public to bear the cost.
At the same time, any changes must protect the local venues that bring people together and contribute to our high streets. I will continue to support a fairer approach that holds gambling operators to account, protects community spaces and puts people before profit.
💻 Breaking Down Barriers for Digital Creators
✨ As Chair of the Digital Creator APPG, I am proud to be launching an inquiry into what creator-led businesses need to start, grow and compete.
Digital creators are building businesses, creating jobs, reaching global audiences and strengthening the UK’s soft power. Yet their contribution is not always fully recognised, and many struggle to access finance, skills and export support.
Our inquiry will examine these barriers and consider how Government policy can better support this growing part of the economy.
📢 If you are a digital creator or run a creator-led business, I want to hear from you. Visit the IMTB website to learn more and find out how you can take part.
🫖 Breakfast, Belonging and Brighter Futures
🥣 It was wonderful to visit Southbury school that has recently become the latest addition to Enfield’s free breakfast clubs! It was brilliant to see first-hand the difference Labour's education reforms are making for local families.
Breakfast clubs give children a healthy start to the day and help them arrive in the classroom ready to learn. They also provide valuable support for busy parents and ease some of the pressure on household budgets.
I enjoyed meeting pupils and staff and hearing about how the club is becoming part of the school day. Thank you to everyone working hard to make the programme a success and ensure local children have the best possible start. 🌟
Regarding the tragic incident on Hertford Road
I was deeply saddened by the fatal shooting at the Sun and Woolpack pub on Hertford Road, in which a 35-year-old man lost his life. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this devastating incident. I am also grateful to the emergency services who attended and tried to save his life.
I understand that this incident will cause considerable concern locally. The police have launched a murder investigation and are working to establish what happened. I will remain in contact with the police and relevant local authorities, and I will continue to support efforts to keep residents informed and our community safe. Gun violence has no place in Enfield.
Police are appealing for information. If you were in the area at around 9.30pm on Monday 19 October, recognise the person shown in the police’s CCTV image, or have relevant CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or mobile phone footage, please come forward. Even a small detail could assist the investigation.
Please contact the police on 101, quoting CAD 7050/19OCT26, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
🤝 A Fairer Way Forward on the Legacy of the Troubles
This week, I voted for the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which will replace the failed Legacy Act with a fairer system for victims, bereaved families and veterans. Almost three decades after the Good Friday Agreement, too many families are still waiting for answers about their loved ones. The Bill will create a reformed Legacy Commission with stronger investigative powers, improve access to information and give victims and survivors a greater voice.
It also includes protections for veterans who served lawfully during the Troubles, helping to prevent needless repeat investigations, recognise the difficult circumstances in which they served and safeguard the health and wellbeing of elderly witnesses.
Supporting veterans and upholding victims’ rights are not competing objectives. Everyone affected by the Troubles deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness and compassion.
🚸No Place for Antisemitism in Our Schools
This week, the Government responded to Sir David Bell’s independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges, accepting all 27 of its recommendations and setting out a clear plan to tackle antisemitism in education.
The review found that almost three in five Jewish young people had experienced or witnessed antisemitism, highlighting the urgent need for action. In response, the Government will introduce new training, guidance and support for schools and colleges, strengthen the recording of antisemitic incidents and improve support for education leaders dealing with complex cases.
As the vice chair of the APPG for British Jews I am pleased that the Government will also encourage schools and colleges to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and strengthen Holocaust education, while ensuring pupils learn more about the history, culture and contributions of Jewish communities in Britain.
Every child should be able to learn in an environment free from hatred and discrimination. These measures are an important step towards ensuring our schools are places of tolerance, respect and understanding for all young people.
At a time when Anti-Semitism is on the rise across the world I am pleased that a Labour Government is working to tackle this scourge.
☕ My next coffee morning will be held in Bullsmoor on Saturday 7 November, from 10.30am to 12 noon.
If you have concerns about housing, street cleaning, community safety, local services or any other issue affecting you and your family, please come along and speak with me. You can also share your ideas for how we can make our community an even better place to live.
Places are limited, so please sign up in advance to avoid disappointment. I look forward to seeing you there. Bullsmoor Coffee Morning ☕ — Feryal Clark MP
Have a great week and please do get in touch if you have any questions or issues you wish to raise.
Best wishes
Feryal