Weekly Update
My Weekly Parliamentary Update
Labour’s Plan for Change is delivering real security for working people—putting money in their pockets and ensuring a fairer, more prosperous future for all. We have had excellent news for Enfield North this week with record investment being announced for local services (see below).
Labour is ensuring that work is properly rewarded. This week, three million workers are receiving a well-earned pay rise—at least £1,400 extra this year—thanks to increases in the National Minimum and Living Wage delivered by the Chancellor. Young workers aged 18-20 are seeing a record-breaking increase, setting them on a path to financial stability.
Labour is delivering for Enfield North residents!
🚸Every child deserves the best start in life, and Labour is making that a reality. We promised a massive expansion in school-based nurseries—and we are delivering.
On Wednesday, the Labour Government is announcing the first 300 schools to receive funding for school-based nurseries, with Honilands Primary School and Ark John Keats Academy leading the charge. These nurseries will create 6,000 new childcare places, helping parents access the 30-hours government-funded childcare, saving families £7,500 a year.
This is just the beginning. Labour’s manifesto pledge of 3,000 new school-based nurseries is already in motion—ensuring children are ready for school and giving parents the freedom to work.
Labour’s Plan for Change means the best start in life for children across our country.
🔬⚒️Investing in Skills, Growing the Economy
A strong skills system is central to Labour’s mission to grow the economy.
For too long, our further education system has been neglected. Labour inherited crumbling colleges, forcing students to learn in rundown buildings. That changes today.
The Labour Government is injecting £302 million into further education colleges—breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring that every young person gets the skills they need to succeed.
In Enfield North, we are receiving up to a £10.6 million investment—the second-highest funding boost in the country—reflecting our commitment to training the next generation of skilled workers and powering economic growth. Labour’s Plan for Change is creating opportunities, boosting wages, and securing Britain’s economic future.
🌊Flooding
The first duty of government is to protect its citizens. Yet under the Conservatives, Britain’s flood defences were left in the worst condition on record, putting homes, businesses, and lives at risk.
Labour is taking decisive action. We are investing a record £2.65 billion to build or maintain 1,000 flood defences, protecting 66,500 properties in the next two years alone.
Locally, Bullsmoor Lane flood alleviation scheme will receive £48,000 in new funding—protecting homes and businesses, boosting the local economy, and creating construction and infrastructure jobs in Enfield North. Labour’s Plan for Change delivers real security to communities across the UK.
Fox Culling at Enfield Golf Club
I am aware of the recent fox culling at Enfield Golf Club.
I was horrified to learn of this culling.
I am deeply disturbed and appalled by the idea of fox culling on a golf course in my constituency. It is not only an awful act but, frankly, incredibly cruel. Foxes are a protected species in the UK, and it is unacceptable for anyone to think that killing them on our doorstep is in any way justifiable.
Golf clubs cannot and should not be involved in culling foxes. We must ensure that our wildlife is protected, and I will be following this up with the golf club.
I have written to the golf course and to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to formally enquire about the legality of what has taken place and how to ensure that this does not happen again.
I have also written to the club to ask them to review what went wrong, what process they will be putting in place to ensure it never happens again and how they will improve their relationship with the local community.
Gordon Hill Station Birthday
I would like to wish Gordon Hill Station happy 115th birthday!
It is 115 years since this part of the Hertford Loop was opened.
Over the years it has played an essential role in providing transport for commuters, residents and visitors, connecting passengers between London and Hertfordshire for well over a century.
Happy 115th birthday, Gordon Hill Station! 🚆🎉
Welfare reform
I know that many of you continue to be concerned by the welfare reforms announced recently.
I understand how worrying the recent media coverage of these proposals has been, especially for those already navigating life with a disability or long-term health condition. Many of you have shared your concerns, fears, and frustrations with me, and I want you to know I’m listening and truly hear you.
The Government has published a Green Paper on welfare reform, which includes proposals on disability benefits, assessments, and employment support. A formal consultation is open until 30 June, and I encourage you to share your views to help shape future decisions. I will make the proposals available on my website and ensure that Enfield North constituents have the opportunity to reflect on them and provide feedback. Your experiences and insights are vital in making sure we get this right
You can read and respond to the consultation through this link: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK
US tariffs
I know that many are concerned by the tariffs announced this week by the President of the United States of America.
A trade war with the US is not in the interests of working people, this Government will never play politics with people’s jobs. The Prime Minister has put the UK in the best possible position to navigate an unpredictable situation and deliver economic security for working people .
We have been actively preparing for all eventualities, and we will always be guided by the national interest. We don't want any tariffs at all, but a lower levy than others vindicate the approach by the Prime Minister We will keep negotiating, keep cool and keep calm. We want to negotiate a sustainable trade deal, and of course to get tariffs lowered.
We will continue with that work. That will mean taking a calm and pragmatic approach, rather than rushing into a kneejerk reaction. In the meantime, our trade teams will continue to have constructive discussions in the coming weeks to agree a wider UK-US economic prosperity deal.
But the UK will only do a deal which reflects this government’s mandate to deliver economic stability for the British people.
Labour’s Plan for Change is transforming Britain—boosting wages, expanding childcare, investing in skills, protecting communities, and fighting for fairness.
This is what real leadership looks like. This is how we deliver change and secure our future.