hmgupdated

After ‘inadequate’ children’s services, Harrow offers red tape instead of reform

Harrow Council has set out an action plan of procedural and structural reforms in response to Ofsted’s inadequate judgement of its children’s services and a subsequent Department for Education improvement notice. But critics warn the council has failed to tackle the deeper cultural and ethos challenges at the heart of the services.Commentators argue that Harrow’sContinue reading “After ‘inadequate’ children’s services, Harrow offers red tape instead of reform”

Northwick Park staff praised by patients as NHS Trust rankings published

With the release of national rankings naming England’s best and worst-performing NHS Trusts, Harrow residents are sharing their own experiences of Northwick Park Hospital – and many say the picture on the ground is more encouraging than the headlines suggest. The new league tables, based on key metrics like A&E wait times, cancer care, electiveContinue reading “Northwick Park staff praised by patients as NHS Trust rankings published”

Harrow’s health prevention talk is cheap – Harrow needs action, not another paper exercise

Harrow’s Health and Wellbeing Board is to consider the report ‘The prevention approach for the Joint Health and Wellbeing Board’ – but if residents were hoping for a bold action report, they’ll be left disappointed. The paper is full of warm words about “systematic approaches” and “joint engagement,” but light on specifics. It promises everythingContinue reading “Harrow’s health prevention talk is cheap – Harrow needs action, not another paper exercise”

Don’t let conservation divide Harrow

Since 2022 Conservative administration, Harrow Council has produced several Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) – including four* recent ones – that raise troubling questions about both process and purpose. Chief among them are doubts about the value of ‘consultation’ and the extent to which public input genuinely shaped the final policies. These SPDs are highly technicalContinue reading “Don’t let conservation divide Harrow”

Harrow’s hidden struggles: beyond the suburban façade

Harrow is often imagined as a leafy suburban borough on London’s edge, known for its green spaces and good schools. Yet behind that image lies a more complex reality: pockets of deprivation more commonly associated with inner-city life.Harrow’s diversity* is often positively acknowledged, but less attention is given to the experiences of deprivation within it,Continue reading “Harrow’s hidden struggles: beyond the suburban façade”

Labour’s centralised control over local democracy

Recent events in Brent – where some incumbent Labour councillors reportedly weren’t reselected for the 2026 elections (Wembley Matters) as the selections were made by the London region of the Labour Party and not the local Labour members – signal a troubling trend: local voices being sidelined by national gatekeepers. This not only erodes theContinue reading “Labour’s centralised control over local democracy”

Harrow council under fire despite big spending pledges

Harrow council – controlled by the Conservatives after bucking London’s Labour wave in 2022 – is facing mounting criticism over failing services, even as it unveils major new investments.The borough has committed £42 million over three years to upgrade roads and pavements, alongside a £900,000 boost for street cleansing and a £6 million injection intoContinue reading “Harrow council under fire despite big spending pledges”

New Political Party ‘Arise’ Launched in Harrow

A new local political party, Arise, has been launched in Harrow, aiming to give residents an alternative voice ahead of the 2026 local council elections, and to hold the local politicians to account. The party was formally introduced on 27 August at a community gathering led by Pamela Fitzpatrick, director of Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace andContinue reading “New Political Party ‘Arise’ Launched in Harrow”

Harrow Conservative administration largely shows disregard for some people, so it looks!

Harrow Council’s Conservative administration is facing mounting outrage after yet another wave of damning rulings from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO), the courts, and regulators. Critics say the council has shown a long-standing disregard for some of its most vulnerable residents – from disabled children and adults to struggling families in unsuitableContinue reading “Harrow Conservative administration largely shows disregard for some people, so it looks!”

“Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people” – a Harrow MP

“As a longstanding supporter of a Palestinian state, I believe that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”, states Gareth Thomas, MP for the Harrow West, the less divisive part of what feels like Harrow’s two political kingdoms. “I welcome that the UK is on a pathway to recognise the State ofContinue reading ” “Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people” – a Harrow MP”