hmgupdated

London Mayor’s programme: Supporting Londoners to Benefit from Growth, with implications for Harrow

The Greater London Authority’s current initiatives, reinforced by the Mayor’s Supporting Londoners to Benefit from Growth programme, set out a clear and timely vision for inclusive economic development. Together, they recognise that London’s long-term prosperity depends not simply on economic expansion, but on whether growth translates into improved skills, access to good-quality work, and reducedContinue reading “London Mayor’s programme: Supporting Londoners to Benefit from Growth, with implications for Harrow”

School absence fines hit record high as Harrow mirrors national trend

England has recorded another surge in term-time school holiday fines, as cheaper off-peak travel continues to attract families, particularly those on low incomes or with larger households. New figures from the Department for Education show a record 459,288 penalty notices were issued in 2024–25 for unauthorised absence, up 4% on the previous year. Term-time holidaysContinue reading “School absence fines hit record high as Harrow mirrors national trend”

Harrow’s “good neighbour” housing standards highlighted amid London-wide debate

The London Borough of Harrow is among a number of London councils that incorporate “good neighbour” principles into their housing and anti-social behaviour (ASB) frameworks, using tenancy conditions to regulate conduct that may cause nuisance or harassment within residential areas. In Harrow, tenancy agreements expressly hold tenants responsible for the behaviour of household members andContinue reading “Harrow’s “good neighbour” housing standards highlighted amid London-wide debate”

Commons report warns children’s residential care system is “not working” – implications for Harrow

A new report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), published on 16 January 2026, has raised serious concerns about the state of children’s residential care in England, warning that the system is “not working” and is placing vulnerable children at risk.The report Financial Sustainability of Children’s Care Homes found that in SeptemberContinue reading “Commons report warns children’s residential care system is “not working” – implications for Harrow”

Harrow Tamil community marks 16 years of Thai Pongal with vibrant cultural celebration

The Harrow Tamil Community marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its 16th Annual Thai Pongal Festival, held on January 11, 2026, at the Harrow Arts Centre. The vibrant and well-attended event was organised by respected community leaders, including former Mayor of Harrow Cllr Suresh Krishna together with former Deputy Mayor Cllr Sasikala Suresh.ReflectingContinue reading “Harrow Tamil community marks 16 years of Thai Pongal with vibrant cultural celebration”

Freedom Pass review sparks fear for 40,000 Harrow pensioners

Harrow’s older residents are facing mounting uncertainty as the London Freedom Pass scheme is placed under formal review amid sharply rising costs to borough councils. The scheme, which currently provides free public transport across London for people of state pension age, is funded collectively by councils through payments to Transport for London and rail operators,Continue reading “Freedom Pass review sparks fear for 40,000 Harrow pensioners”

A larger NHS ICB must not leave Harrow’s vulnerable adults and children behind

The approved merger of North West London and North Central London Integrated Care Boards, due to take effect on 1 April 2026, will create the largest ICB in England, covering 13 boroughs and around 4.5 million people. The merger itself is not contested. What warrants scrutiny are the consequences of this scale for local accountability,Continue reading “A larger NHS ICB must not leave Harrow’s vulnerable adults and children behind”

Who holds the challenge in Harrow’s children’s services governance?

Following our recent article examining the blunt use of legislation to appoint an interim Director of Children’s Services in Harrow, attention must now turn to a wider safeguarding concern: whether the structural design of the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) role itself provides sufficient independence, challenge and accountability within the system. Safeguarding failures do notContinue reading “Who holds the challenge in Harrow’s children’s services governance?”

Lawful but risky: Harrow’s interim children’s services leadership under safeguarding scrutiny

The operation of Section 18 of the Children Act 2004, and the safeguarding governance risks now associated with its routine use, is not a local or isolated issue but a matter of clear national interest. Harrow Council’s emergency decision to designate its Managing Director as interim Director of Children’s Services following the unexplained departure ofContinue reading “Lawful but risky: Harrow’s interim children’s services leadership under safeguarding scrutiny”

Harrow cannot afford to look away from knife violence

On Boxing Day, a man in his 50s was stabbed in Station Road, Edgware – not late at night in some distant borough, but on one of Harrow’s busy high streets. Police were called following what appears to have been a group attack on the car he was travelling in. The victim was taken toContinue reading “Harrow cannot afford to look away from knife violence”