Weekly Update 13.6.26
Attending London Tech week 💻
This week I made the trip to Olympia to visit London tech week. It was wonderful to meet everyone and discuss the key challenges faced by both tech companies and our communities in the development of new technologies. We are focused on ensuring the future of work delivers for everyone in Enfield North, not just a privileged few.
As a Labour Government, we are determined to make technology work for all. Artificial Intelligence is transforming our economy, and Britain is well placed to lead , but only if we make sure its benefits are shared fairly.
We are taking a pro-worker approach to AI: backing businesses, supporting innovation, and creating good jobs while ensuring no one is left behind.
This week’s key progress:
✅ Leading on AI adoption: Setting an ambition for the UK to become the fastest-adopting AI country in the G7
✅ Backing workers: Ensuring AI enhances jobs, cuts repetitive tasks, and improves productivity
✅ Investing in skills: Committing to upskill 10 million people by 2030 through the biggest skills drive in a generation
✅ Supporting young people: Delivering a £187 million Tech First programme to help 1 million young people into tech and future careers
✅ Tackling inequality: Targeting 40% of support to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
✅ Creating routes into work: Launching a £20 million Early Careers Jobs Alliance with businesses and trade unions
✅ Targeted support: Rolling out AI bootcamps and job placements for young people at risk of being left behind
Our focus is simple: great jobs, strong skills, and opportunities in every community.
We know that technology is changing the world of work , but we are making sure it changes for the better. That means giving people the tools, training and opportunities to thrive, here in Enfield North and across the country.
Supporting Early Years Teacher bonus
As a member of NATO PA, I recently attended the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Vilnius, Lithuania, where parliamentarians from across the Alliance met to discuss the most significant security challenges facing our nations.
As global instability continues to grow, NATO's role in maintaining peace, deterrence, and collective security has never been more important. During the session, parliamentarians, security experts, military leaders, and senior policymakers examined the challenges facing the Alliance and discussed how NATO can remain strong, resilient, and prepared for the future.
Key discussions focused on:
Strengthening collective defence.
Enhancing NATO's deterrence capabilities.
Building resilience against emerging threats. E.g. the use of tech in modern warfare.
Ensuring member states remain prepared for future security challenges.
Maintaining strong cooperation between Allies.
The United Kingdom plays a vital leadership role within NATO, and I am committed to supporting efforts that strengthen our national security while contributing to a safer and more stable international environment. I am particularly interested in the use of new tech such as AI in dissemination of disinformation to destabilise our democracies.
This week, we are focused on delivering real change that people can see and feel — on their streets, on their high roads, and in the services they rely on every day.
For too long, decisions about our communities were made far away in Whitehall, leaving local people without the power or resources to shape the places they live. As a Labour Government, we are changing that — putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of local communities.
This week’s key progress:
✅ Power to communities: Shifting decision-making and funding away from Whitehall and into the hands of councils, mayors, businesses and residents
✅ Backing local areas: Investing nearly £6 billion through the Pride in Place programme into around 300 of the most deprived communities
✅ Reviving high streets: Expanding High Street Rental Auctions with an extra £10 million, giving councils new tools to bring empty shops back into use
✅ Real results: Cutting vacancy rates from 11% to 3% in pilot areas — a model we are rolling out nationwide
✅ Supporting local businesses: Reforming Business Improvement Districts to unlock new investment and strengthen local growth
✅ Tackling crime: Launching a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to protect communities and businesses
✅ Raising standards: Introducing a Neighbourhood Guarantee to ensure clean streets, thriving high streets, and accessible services in every area
This is about restoring pride in our communities, making sure every neighbourhood reaches a basic standard people deserve and can feel proud of. I am proud to fight for our high streets and I am committed too: stronger high streets, safer communities, and real power for local people.
Supporting carers in Enfield North
This Carers Week, we are proud to stand alongside the unpaid carers who do so much for families across Enfield North and beyond.
Every day, carers provide vital support to loved ones — often while balancing work, family life and their own wellbeing. Their compassion and resilience keep our communities going.
This week, we are highlighting:
💙 The incredible contribution unpaid carers make every single day
💙 The challenges carers face balancing responsibilities and wellbeing
💙 The importance of ensuring carers feel recognised, valued and supported
Carers do not always ask for recognition — but they deserve it.
By listening, raising awareness, and working together, we can make sure carers get the support they need and the recognition they have long deserved.
We thank every carer for everything they do.
Keeping kids active
I’m proud to support National School Sports Week 2026, a nationwide campaign helping children get active, build confidence, and develop healthy habits for life.
I want every child in Enfield North to grow up happy and healthy, and I believe that getting active and enjoying sports is the best way of doing it. Whether it’s a kickabout or the world cup everyone deserves to enjoy sport.
With an incredible summer of global sport ahead, this is a chance to bring that excitement into our schools, playgrounds and communities here in Enfield North.
This is about:
⚽ Helping every child get active and stay healthy
🧠 Supporting confidence, wellbeing and mental health
🎯 Encouraging at least 60 active minutes a day
🤝 Making sport and play inclusive and accessible to all
We know too many young people are facing rising inactivity and increased screen time — but campaigns like this show the difference we can make when schools, families and communities come together.
Sport is not just about competition it’s about belonging, confidence and opportunity.
I know schools and families across Enfield North will be getting involved — and I encourage everyone to join in and help every child find something they love.
Let’s get moving this summer.
I hope you have a chance to enjoy the weather and please do get in touch if you have any questions or issues you wish to raise.
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes
Feryal