At a time when local authorities across the country are grappling with limited resources, mounting infrastructure backlogs, and increasing demands for transparency and efficiency, the alignment between a cabinet member’s expertise and their area of responsibility has never been more crucial. In Harrow, Councillor David Ashton provides one of the clearest examples of how such alignmentContinue reading “From budgets to better streets: the positive impact of joined-up thinking in Harrow”
Author Archives: hmgupdated
Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards
Ofsted has signalled a tougher stance on inclusion and SEND provision under its renewed inspection framework, warning that schools and education providers will now face closer scrutiny of how they meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In a detailed response to Harrow Monitoring Group’s publication, Rebuilding on Weak FoundationsContinue reading “Ofsted tightens focus on SEND: providers warned to raise inclusion standards”
Harrow children’s services still in recovery
Harrow’s latest HMI monitoring visit paints a picture of a service on the mend – but not yet out of intensive care. Inspectors found that the Leaving Care Service has made “significant progress” since January, with leaders showing honesty, determination, and a renewed focus on caring for their young people. Yet beneath the optimism liesContinue reading “Harrow children’s services still in recovery”
Best Start Grants: ambitious plans, modest means
Best Start grants are delivering £150,000 of funding to Harrow as part of a £12 million national investment, marking what ministers call a transformative step in early education and childcare. The Best Start initiative promises to roll out 30 hours of government-funded childcare for working parents, saving families up to £7,500 per child per year.Continue reading “Best Start Grants: ambitious plans, modest means”
Riding in the Dark: Harrow’s stations feel safe only on paper
Recent national headlines have underscored a grim reality: reports of sexual assaults and harassment on trains have surged by more than a third over the past decade. A BBC investigation, reported on 14 October 2025, revealed 2,661 incidents last year across England, Scotland and Wales – and one in ten victims was a child, someContinue reading “Riding in the Dark: Harrow’s stations feel safe only on paper”
SEND in Harrow: local reflections of a national crisis
Provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) remains one of England’s most persistent education challenges. Despite multiple reforms, the system is still fragmented, under-resourced, and overly bureaucratic, with outcomes for pupils and families falling short of the Government’s ambitions for inclusion and equity.Our recent review, “Special Educational Needs: SupportContinue reading “SEND in Harrow: local reflections of a national crisis”
Local power, national decline: the Harrow Conservative paradox
Harrow’s political landscape presents a striking paradox: enduring Conservative strength at the local level amid national decline. According to YouGov, only 10% of the public believe Kemi Badenoch looks like a prime minister in waiting, and twenty Conservative councillors defected to Reform UK during the party’s own conference. Yet, confidence in the Harrow Conservatives – particularlyContinue reading “Local power, national decline: the Harrow Conservative paradox”
How the London Mayor’s policies are helping Harrow thrive
In Harrow, right-wing voices and political opportunists invoking slogans about ‘restoring pride’ or ‘protecting character’ eagerly exploit nationalist sentiment to attack Sir Sadiq Khan, who is now serving his third term as London’s mayor. Such divisive approach obscures the reality that Harrow has, in fact, benefited significantly from mayoral investment and support in recent years.Continue reading “How the London Mayor’s policies are helping Harrow thrive”
Harrow urged to back Warm Home Discount extension as fuel poverty bites
Elected representatives in Harrow are being urged to support the continuation of the Warm Home Discount Scheme, a flagship government policy that helps low-income and vulnerable households cut energy costs and tackle fuel poverty. The government is currently consulting on the scheme’s future, with existing regulations set to expire on 31 March 2026. Campaigners sayContinue reading “Harrow urged to back Warm Home Discount extension as fuel poverty bites”
Council tax politics: Harrow Conservatives accused of misleading spin on funding fairness
Questions on social media about why council tax is lower in Brent than in Harrow have sparked a political row, with Harrow Conservatives accused of presenting a partial picture of the funding system. Responding to criticism, local Conservatives claimed that “Brent receives far more grant funding from central government and that Harrow has, for manyContinue reading “Council tax politics: Harrow Conservatives accused of misleading spin on funding fairness”
Harrow Monitoring Group 