Weekly Update
It has been a busy week in parliament. I was delighted that the Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan. As the Minister for AI and Digital Government, it was a proud moment for this plan to be launched.
In July 2024, the Technology Secretary commissioned the action plan to identify how artificial intelligence can drive economic growth and deliver better outcomes for people across the country.
The plan was published alongside a response from the Government. I was very happy that our Government will be accepting all 50 recommendations made in the action plan.
During a visit to Adenbrooks Hospital and Cambridge a university this week I was a le to see how AI is already being used in the UK to deliver better, faster and smarter care.
Renters Rights Bill voted through
On Tuesday, the House of Commons passed the Renters’ Rights Bill at Third Reading after a series of amendments were considered at Report Stage. As someone who has campaigned long and hard for the abolishment for Section 21, no fault, evictions it was a privilege to vote this Bill through the House of Commons Parliament.
I am in favour of this legislation which will transform the experience of private renting in England. I am pleased that we have taken another step towards delivering on that commitment.
It will modernise the regulation of our private rented sector. It will l level decisively the playing field between landlord and tenant. Renters will be empowered by providing them with greater security, rights and protections so that they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities and avoid the risk of homelessness.
The government will ensure that renters have access to good-quality and safe homes as a matter of course. It will allow the Minister to crack down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against renters.
I supported the key Government amendments to the legislation. These amendments will protect tenants from demands for large amounts of rent in advance; stop students being pressured to sign a tenancy agreement far in advance of it commencing; and protect bereaved families by limiting a guarantor’s liability in the event of a tenant’s death.
The legislation has now moved to the House of Lords. I look forward to monitoring its progress.
Winter Update
On Wednesday, the Health Secretary gave a statement to the House of Commons on winter pressures on the NHS and social care system.
Our NHS is facing huge pressures which have only been exacerbated by the specific challenges of the winter season. I know that the experience of patients this winter is unacceptable, with ambulance delays, long waits in A&E and the continued normalisation of corridor care. As the Health Secretary said during the debate, this is not the level of care that staff want for their patients, or the level of care that the Government will ever accept for patients.
I am pleased that the Government is working closely with NHS England and care leaders, including meeting regularly with senior leaders in social care, NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency.
Annual winter pressures should not automatically result in a crisis in the health service. I welcome the steps that the Government has already taken to restore our NHS, including the substantial funding announced in the Budget. Fixing the NHS will take time, but I know that the Government is committed to delivering a health service and social care system that provides patients with care where and when they need it.
I am pleased to hear that Ministers are already planning for next winter and will set out before the spring the lessons learned this year and the improvements to be made for next year.
Sexual Health Services
This week North Middlesex University Hospital and Enfield Council made an announcement on sexual health services in Enfield.
I am pleased to report, following pressure from my Office, that the services will continue to be delivered. Throughout this process I engaged with decision makers and worked with Enfield Council and the Health board.
This decision means Enfield residents can continue to access sexual health services via the ECHO located at the Town Clinic on Burleigh Way and at the White Lodge Medical Practice on Chase Side.
I can assure you I will continue to champion the provision of sexual health services in Enfield. I will push for better health services for all of our community.
Kurds for Labour
It was an honour to attend the 15th Anniversary of Kurds for Labour this week.
Fifteen years ago, Kurds for Labour began as a small yet determined group of individuals united by a shared vision. From those humble beginnings, this initiative has grown into a powerful and influential movement, with Kurdish members making an impact at every level of politics today.
Holocaust Educational Trust Parliamentary Event
This week I was pleased to attend the Holocaust Educational Trust Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 reception.
I am proud to support the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to embed understanding of the Holocaust in our education system. It is thanks to the Holocaust Educational Trust that learning about the Holocaust has been a compulsory part of the national curriculum for more than three decades.
I pay tribute to the many groups and individuals across the country who are organising activities in their communities this week. Their work plays a crucial role in ensuring that generations of young people continue to hear these vital messages.
I will continue to support calls to reject hatred and to strive for a better future, never forgetting the lives, families and communities lost to the most horrifying violence.
Crisis Reception
I was also pleased to attend the Crisis Reception this week. It was great to hear about their work with people facing homelessness.
Homelessness and rough sleeping levels in England are far too high. It is an absolute scandal that so many people are living without a roof over their heads. The Government is committed to addressing current high levels of rough sleeping, which has a devastating impact on those affected and harms our communities. I believe that we need to develop and deliver a set of long-term solutions, otherwise the danger is that we take a sticking-plaster approach, as we have seen in the past.
Banking Hub
It was my pleasure to open the Banking Hub in Ordnance Road Library on Friday.
I started the campaign for improved banking facilities in our community over to years ago, it was a great milestone to open the hub along with the Leader of the Council.
This hub is amazing.
The Post Office will operate the counter service here and then a community banker from different banks will be here each day.
We will be able to deposit cash, make balance enquiries, pay utility bills.
I am so excited to see this hub grow and be used by our community.
For more information please read here: https://www.cashaccess.co.uk/hubs/enfield-north-middlesex/.
