October 2025 Update
I am pleased to bring you my October 2025 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
The month of October marks a number of religious festivals. For all faiths and beliefs, this should be a time for celebration, and so I was horrified by the events that took place in Manchester on Yom Kippur. This was a barbaric act of terrorism against the Jewish community on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Locally, there was a quick response from police and the CST, with increased security at synagogues in Northwood and Pinner. While this is to be welcomed, it is not a long-term solution. There needs to be fundamental change to end discrimination and violence against an individual simply for their faith, and this is a cause I will continue to advocate for in my role as co-chair of the APPG on British Jews.
Elsewhere in Westminster, speculation is rife ahead of the Autumn Budget. The Government has already borrowed just shy of £100 billion this financial year, which has contributed to our national debt. It is now an almost certainty that the Chancellor will need to raise taxes to make up for this shortfall in government finances. This is deeply concerning for residents and businesses alike, who are already feeling worse off 15 months in to this Labour Government.
Locally, I have been incredibly concerned to hear of proposals to close the volunteer-run front desk at Pinner Police Station, and I will be supporting Harrow Conservative's campaign to save this facility. This is in addition to the fight to reopen Mount Vernon's Urgent Care Centre. In amongst this disappointment, however, I have been delighted to welcome some positive updates concerning the Harefield Practice and the campaign to improve accessibility at Ruislip.
I endeavour to keep residents updated with my monthly newsletters, but those who would like to see what is going on in between, I encourage you to visit my website or Facebook page.
In the Constituency
Mount Vernon's Urgent Care Centre: Health Survey & Closure Review
Following the closure of the Urgent Care Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital last month, residents have been sharing their experiences at having been redirected to Hillingdon and Northwick Park hospitals for treatment.
At a meeting ahead of the closure, I secured a commitment from the Managing Director at the Hillingdon Hospitals Trust to review the overall impact of the decision. I have now written to the Chair of the Trust, Matthew Swindells, asking for an indication of how the impact will be measured and in what timeframe. This letter can be read here, and I will keep residents informed of any updates.
Lastly, a reminder about my health survey, which I encourage residents to take part in. In the absence of a proper consultation process, this is an opportunity to have your say about the closure of the Urgent Care Centre and other local health services. This can be responded to here.
To follow the campaign, please visit the Save Mount Vernon’s Urgent Care Centre page on my website.
Campaign to Save Pinner Police Station
In last month's update, I shared a letter I wrote to the Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime about the reduction of police front counters across London. In it, I highlighted the need for an engagement process because, under these proposals, residents in Hillingdon and Harrow would be left without a walk-in service.
I have received a response which, as well serving to absolve City Hall of any accountability, barely touches on the issue of a consultation. This is deeply disappointing and fails to fill me, nor my constituents, with confidence.
I have since welcomed the news that Hayes Police Station will remain open, following a campaign led by local Conservatives. However, plans to close South Harrow are pressing ahead, and I have been even more concerned to hear that the volunteer-run desk in Pinner will also be closing completely.
This is concerning, particularly for older and more vulnerable residents. For them, knowing that there is somewhere accessible to report a crime or share evidence, without having to travel miles to Acton, is reassuring. This has been highlighted further in the wake of the horrific and tragic attack that took place in neighbouring Uxbridge, which has left residents understandably shaken and extremely worried.
I am supporting the campaign to save Pinner Police Station, which is being led by councillors across Pinner and undoubtedly supported by many residents. The petition can be signed here.
Surgeries
I have continued to meet with constituents at my regular surgeries this month, and I am grateful to the teams at Café Hills on Joel Street and Cafe Pascucci in Hatch End for hosting me.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me at a surgery, or are a business who would be interested in hosting, please get in touch via 0203 545 2462 or [email protected]
Baby Loss Awareness: Sleeping with Angels Knit & Stitch
October marks Baby Loss Awareness Week. Previously on this deeply sad issue, I have engaged with resident Monica, who runs the monthly knit & stitch group Sleeping With Angels at the Cedars Community Centre, which sits just outside of the constituency.
It was an absolute pleasure to meet with the group this month and to hear more about their cause. Working closely with Northwick Park, UCHL and the London Neonatal Transport Service at the Royal Hospital, the group primarily knits for babies who are tragically miscarried or stillborn, but also extends to children visiting A&E and those undergoing cancer treatment, including adults.
I know baby loss - and death in general - can be a difficult subject for many, and it is encouraging that those impacted have an outlet to open up, should they choose to. Even knowing there is a safe space for them to be able to do that can be of great comfort.
Monica was also keen to highlight that Sleeping With Angels is as much a social group and welcomes anyone wishing simply to get out of the house and have a cup of tea with friendly faces (and no experience in knitting, crocheting or sewing is necessary). I really do encourage residents to get involved and those who are interested in doing so should contact Monica at [email protected]
Harefield Academy
It was a pleasure to visit Harefield Academy to meet with Salma Riley (Headteacher), Nigel McLaughlin (Partnership Learning Multi-Academy Trust) and Joan Greening (School Governor).
We had an interesting discussion about their plans for the school, as well as the progress of the new SEND facility that is being built on the Harefield Academy site. This is an expansion of Meadow High - a Secondary Special School in Uxbridge - increasing much-needed places for pupils with special educational needs.
I was also delighted to have the opportunity to meet the lovely Marley, the school's therapy dog who supports pupils with their mental health and wellbeing.
Diwali Celebrations
It was a pleasure to join We Are Volunteering Together for Service (VTSUK) for their annual Diwali Mela at Pinner Village Hall this month. VTSUK is a non-profit organisation, and I was interested to hear about the fantastic work they are doing in the community, particularly around health and social needs.
Harefield Practice: Application to Expand Granted
Residents may recall efforts to expand the Harefield Practice and utilise the long-empty second floor of the building. To support this, I wrote to the previous Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, and her successor, Wes Streeting, requesting their intervention.
I am delighted that now, after many years of work, the application to expand the practice into the vacant upstairs area has been approved. This will facilitate an extension of services that will be of enormous benefit to patients in Harefield.
Ruislip Station: Step-Free Access Update
Residents have been asking for improvements to accessibility at local stations. Past campaigns have resulted in the installation of step-free access at Ickenham Station (then part of the constituency) and last year both Eastcote and Rayners Lane were prioritised for step-free work.
Now, following a campaign led by local residents to the Mayor of London, I am delighted that Ruislip is one of 17 shortlisted stations to start step-free feasibility work. This is a welcome development toward improving travel across our tube network for residents who require additional assistance.
I have written to TfL for confirmation on the progress of other proposed work locally, and I will share this information with constituents once received.
Christmas Card Competition: Reminder
A reminder about my Christmas card competition. The theme this year is ‘A Flag for Christmas’, where children are encouraged to think about and design what they would put on a Christmas-themed flag. All entries should be sent to my constituency office at 10 Village Way, Pinner, HA5 5AF with the child’s full name, age and school on the back of the design by Friday 7 November.
HS2 West Ruislip Portal
At the beginning of the month, I visited HS2's West Ruislip Portal. While there, I was given a comprehensive update on the project and a chance to see the site for myself.
Having last visited the site in 2022 when the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) were launched, a lot has changed. Then, it was a hive of activity as the TBMs began their 3.4-mile journey to Greenford, but residents will be aware that tunnelling locally is now completed.
With the completion of the Colne Valley Viaduct, heavy engineering work in the area is now nearing its final stages. Residents will be aware that work is still being done on the site as the Copthall Tunnel is finished and the landscaping begins.
In Parliament
Mitzvah Day Celebrations
This month, I hosted a Mitzvah Day event in Westminster. As co-chair of the APPG on British Jews, I am always delighted to host important charities in Parliament in support of their excellent work.
Mitzvah Day is Britain’s largest faith-based day of social action. The charity has worked for over two decades to provide support in every corner of the UK.
This event, run in partnership with the Jewish Leadership Council and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, brought together MPs and Peers to show support for some of society's most vulnerable people. I am grateful to all colleagues who came along to show their support.
Shadow Ministerial Update
MHCLG Questions: Asylum Support
Residents will be aware of the challenges facing Hillingdon Council as it supports asylum seekers leaving hotels, perpetuated by the influx of families from the Chagos Islands. The rise in irregular arrivals and the Government's surrender of the Chagos Islands to an ally of China has left many families relying on council services for support.
While we are feeling this acutely locally due to our proximity to Heathrow, it is a national issue with ramifications for all local authorities. As Shadow Minister for local government, I used my oral question this month to push the Government to provide fair funding.
This was part of my wider campaign to secure funding to cover the shortfalls councils up and down the country are facing this year. Referring to this dire situation, I asked the Minister how much of the proposed council tax rises would have to be spent on correcting the Government’s failures.
I was disappointed that the Minister did not express support for our colleagues in local government on this critical issue. Instead, he highlighted the work being done to push those granted refugee status out of local hotels without a plan to house them away from Hillingdon. You can watch the exchange here.
Pride in Place
The Labour Government is seeking to undo the damage it has inflicted over the past 15 months through a reannouncement of funding.
I am proud of the vibrant high streets across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner and, with supportive councils, we have many independent shops across the constituency. Sadly, we know that our local shops have been hit hard by fiscal measures under this Government. Indeed, the British Retail Consortium estimates an additional £7 billion of annual costs.
At a time when local shops are spending more to hire staff, the retail sector is making cuts and independent shops are struggling. In a feeble attempt to offset the damage, the Government has announced its fig-leaf Pride in Place strategy to skew funding towards Labour areas.
In a statement this month in the Commons, I pushed the Minister on specifics. The Minister had no answers, leaving our high streets facing uncertainty ahead of more tax rises in the budget. This can be viewed here.
English Devolution Bill
I have spent much of this month engaged in detailed line-by-line scrutiny of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
Last month, I outlined the changes this Bill intends to make and the dangers of it going through unamended. At the end of September, we had just sat for the first time, and I was optimistic that the Government would heed our warnings and amend the legislation.
Regretfully, as the Bill has proceeded, it seems the Government was unwilling to listen to voices in local government. Having tabled a series of moderate amendments, primarily to safeguard the voices of residents, I am disappointed that the Government is continuing with this legislation unamended.
As the Bill comes back before Parliamentarians, I hope common sense will prevail. I will keep working to ensure the voices of residents and local councillors are heard in this debate.
Conservative Party Conference 2025
Finally, I started the month in Manchester at Conservative Party Conference. This is always a great opportunity to speak with colleagues, business leaders and party activists.
As always, I undertook a number of constructive fringe events related to my role as Shadow Minister. These included conversations on devolution, social cohesion, house building and governance in London.
I also had the opportunity to show my support for many important causes that make a real difference to the lives of my constituents. I am grateful to Marie Curie, Guide Dogs, MND Association, Cancer Research UK and others for both their time and support locally.
You can read the full account of my time in Manchester on my website here.
As ever, my office is on-hand to support those who need it. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Kind regards,
David
