The second monitoring visit by Ofsted to Harrow’s children’s services (their letter of 12 March 2026, copied to the Department for Education) confirms that the problems identified in early 2025 were not isolated weaknesses but symptoms of wider systemic failings. While leadership changes are under way, they remain too recent to influence practice, and theContinue reading “Ofsted’s second monitoring visit exposes deeper failures in Harrow Children’s Services – with signs of deterioration”
Category Archives: News
Unholy divisive politics over Harrow’s Holi celebration
An attempt to politicise a community celebration in Harrow has drawn criticism from local voices who warn against fuelling division for political advantage. In a statement at the House of Commons, Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, alleged that “thugs from the Central Mosque attacked the annual Holi celebration” and claimed that the MetropolitanContinue reading “Unholy divisive politics over Harrow’s Holi celebration”
Labour opposes Harrow council budget but puts forward no alternative
Conservative councillors at Harrow Council have approved a budget that will increase council tax by 4.99% in 2026/27 and expand council borrowing. The increase means the average Band D council tax bill will rise to £2,511, up by almost £500 over the past four years, an overall increase of around 20% since 2022. The budgetContinue reading “Labour opposes Harrow council budget but puts forward no alternative”
Harrow report admits financial incentives may prolong restrictive placements for disabled children
A Cabinet report at Harrow Council has raised serious safeguarding and governance questions after acknowledging that financial incentives in the residential care market may encourage providers to keep disabled children in highly restrictive placements longer than necessary. The report, “In-House Residential Provision for Children with Disabilities,” considered by Cabinet on 18 December 2025, was authoredContinue reading “Harrow report admits financial incentives may prolong restrictive placements for disabled children”
Council rebuts Labour claims following cabinet meeting
Following the Cabinet meeting of Harrow Council on 19 February 2026, the Labour opposition alleged that a local resident was branded a “disgrace” by the Council’s Deputy Leader after raising, through a public question, the case of a mother and baby reportedly hospitalised due to a damaged pavement in West Harrow. An opposition press releaseContinue reading “Council rebuts Labour claims following cabinet meeting”
‘Quiet Vehicles’, real risks: City Hall steps up for blind and partially sighted Londoners
It is encouraging to see that London City Hall is taking seriously the challenges created by the rapid growth of electric and hybrid vehicles on London’s roads, particularly the safety implications for people with sight loss.Cleaner vehicles deliver undeniable environmental gains. However, their reduced engine noise introduces a material safety risk for blind and partiallyContinue reading “‘Quiet Vehicles’, real risks: City Hall steps up for blind and partially sighted Londoners”
Cabinet Member stays as Harrow children’s services failures deepen
Harrow Council’s children’s services have faced sustained scrutiny since 2022, culminating in an Ofsted judgement of “inadequate” and a formal government improvement notice. Inspectors identified serious weaknesses, particularly in services for care leavers, citing poor planning, inconsistent oversight and failures to safeguard vulnerable young people transitioning into adulthood. Although two areas relating to younger childrenContinue reading “Cabinet Member stays as Harrow children’s services failures deepen”
Harrow Council’s 70% leasehold hike sparks outrage as families hit breaking point
Harrow Council is facing mounting criticism after proposing service charge increases of up to 70 percent for leaseholders in council-owned blocks, a move residents warn will heap unsustainable pressure on families already struggling with rising living costs.Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas (photo), who says he has heard first-hand from affected residents, said the new costsContinue reading “Harrow Council’s 70% leasehold hike sparks outrage as families hit breaking point”
Arise unveils council candidates across Harrow ahead of 2026 vote
A new political force has stepped onto the Harrow stage. Arise has announced its full list of council candidates for the May 2026 local elections, standing in four wards and positioning itself as a grassroots alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. Launched in Harrow last year with the backing of Jeremy Corbyn MP, Arise isContinue reading “Arise unveils council candidates across Harrow ahead of 2026 vote”
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 Monitoring Group 
You must be logged in to post a comment.