Regulations on Forest Risk Commodities

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I alongside other cross-party MPs and peers have urged the UK government to act on deforestation in an open letter to the Secretary of State for Business & Trade, and to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Our open letter calls for long-overdue regulations to end UK imports linked to illegal deforestation. Nearly five years after the Environment Act, the secondary legislation needed to make these protections real is still missing.

This is about more than forests, it’s about business certainty, human rights, and aligning with global standards. Major UK retailers and chocolate producers are already calling for clear, robust rules, and regulation that delivers both fairness and clarity across supply chains.

Read the letter below.

open-letter-about-forest-risk-commodity-regulationsDownload

Meeting Alice in Parliament

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It was a pleasure to meet Alice, a student of Laurel Park School proudly living with PANS.

As part of the PANS PANDAS UK Youth Advisory Board, Alice came to Parliament to talk to MPs about Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and her experience with it. It was great to hear from the experts about the impact of PANS on both physical and mental health, and what more support young people like Alice need from the Government.

We even got a photo with Glitch the Panda! Well done, Alice!

Improving Palliative Care

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Please read the below letter I have signed with my colleagues calling for the new Modern Service Framework on Palliative and End of Life Care to deliver for the patients who need it.

Joint MP letter – The Great Daffodil Appeal and the Modern Service Framework for PEoLC in EnglandDownload

Chickenshed: The Power of Co

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It was wonderful to attend Chickenshed’s fantastic event this week, The Power of Co, hosted at Mercer’s Hall.

It was great to discuss the importance of collaboration between charities and local stakeholders, and the positive impact this can have on communities.

We are very lucky to have Chickenshed here in Southgate and Wood Green, a true asset to our community!

Learn more about Chickenshed here

Meeting Huseyin from the New Southgate Food Centre

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What a pleasure to meet Huseyin Kaylan from the New Southgate Food Centre! Huseyin recently won the Allwyn Local Retail Champion Award to recognise his exceptional work supporting our local community.

In October, a young man was sadly a victim of a shooting near Huseyin’s shop. He acted immediately, offering first aid and support, saving the man’s life. New Southgate Food Centre was nominated by local residents and customers, with many noting his kindness and community spirit.

I am so pleased that Huseyin’s contribution to New Southgate is not going unnoticed, he is truly an asset to Southgate and Wood Green.

Congratulations Huseyin!

Visit to PureGym Southgate

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I have good news for gymgoers in Southgate and Wood Green, PureGym Southgate has had an amazing refurbishment.

It was wonderful to meet the team, including their fantastic manager, Sereen, and have a go on the new Hyrox equipment. It was great to see all the work they are doing to support the health and wellbeing of our community.

Read more about the gym here.

Here I am chasing my PB…

Southgate Rotary Club Centenary

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Tonight, we celebrated the wonderful achievements and contributions of Southgate Rotary Club at their 100th Anniversary Dinner.

Founded in 1925, Southgate Rotary Club has dedicated years to supporting local charities, like Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and the Ruth Winston Centre, along with working to empower the next generation through community service.

Joined by Baroness Sharon Taylor of Stevenage, it was a pleasure to congratulate this year’s joint presidents, Meena Ali and Alok Agrawal, on their hard work supporting our community.

Congratulations on your centenary, Rotary Club of Southgate, London!

School-based Nurseries are coming to Southgate and Wood Green

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Good news for parents in Southgate & Wood Green!

We have just secured investment to open a Best Start school-based nursery at Earlham Primary School and Risley Avenue Primary School, so local families can benefit from accessible, affordable, high-quality early years education.

The Government has already cut childcare costs in half and saved the average family £8,000 per child. This will deliver better life chances for children and better work chances for parents.

You can find out more at www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

Investment Supporting Global Education

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Meeting with Home Secretary

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Many constituents of Southgate and Wood Green have contacted me about changes to immigration rules.

Following this, I sat down with the Home Secretary for a constructive discussion about these issues and to raise their concerns.