Dear constituents,
Thank you for reading this month’s newsletter.
As both communities begin their period of sacrifice, I would like to wish all my Muslim constituents in Hampstead and Highgate a peaceful Ramadan and wish all my Christian constituents a very blessed Lent.
It has been an important month seeking justice for my constituents in Parliament. Earlier this month, I held a Westminster Hall debate calling for mandatory CCTV in nurseries, which you can read more about below. Furthermore, after raising her case in Parliament, I secured a meeting for my constituent with the Safeguarding Minister, Jess Philips MP, to discuss the failing justice system for rape victims. Together, we discussed how wealthy and influential individuals are evading prosecution, and what needs to be done to improve rape counselling services.
Following the implementation of a social media ban for under 16s in Australia, you will have seen discussions online and in Parliament about assessing the impact of social media on a national level. I know there are strong feelings on this topic, and I want to hear from as many constituents as possible. That’s why I am asking my constituents to fill out my survey so that I can share your thoughts with the Government. Fill out my survey here: Under 16s Social Media Survey – Tulip Siddiq MP
This month, I was also proud to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap which will lift 1,650 children in Hampstead and Highgate out of poverty. Combined with other measures announced over the last year, including the expansion of free school meals, we are lifting 550,000 out of poverty within this Parliament and set for the largest fall in child poverty on record.
Furthermore, this month I was delighted to see that the Government is capping ground rents for leaseholders at £250. This, alongside Labour’s plan to give leaseholders the right to manage their own blocks and to ban new leasehold flats, I’m proud to see more money being put back into the pockets of so many of my constituents.
I was also very proud to see that Ofsted has rated the Children’s Services in Haringey ‘Outstanding’ for the first time. Inspectors praised the council’s transformation of services and its unwavering commitment to children’s safety, wellbeing and long‑term success, recognising the dedication of staff, partners and community organisations across Haringey.
Please read on to find out about what I have been doing in Parliament and the constituency to represent you. Don’t forget to read my community bulletin for relevant notices.
Best wishes,
Tulip Siddiq
MP for Hampstead and Highgate
Standing Up For Local Parents
Earlier this month, Vincent Chan was sentenced for his unimaginable crimes against my most vulnerable constituents. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of his crimes and their families. It is every parent’s worst nightmare to discover that their child has been subject to abuse. For this to have happened in a nursery, where parents trusted their children would be safe, is truly abhorrent. Tragically, many families will likely never know whether their child was a victim. The lack of evidence about what was happening in the nursery, in the rooms where Chan was in charge, means that some parents are left only with questions.
I stand with them to call for enhanced safety in nurseries and early years settings. Earlier this month, in Parliament, I held a Westminster Hall debate calling for mandatory CCTV in nurseries, as well as requiring Ofsted to review such footage in all inspections. I am pleased that the Government is establishing an expert panel to assess the feasibility of this, and I asked the Minister in this debate whether I can represent the parents in these important meetings.
I also recently sat alongside the impacted parents at a private meeting with the Education Select Committee, to advocate for an improved inspection and accountability framework of early years settings. To read more about my work to represent the victims, read my column on LBC here and watch my Westminster Hall debate here.
Scrutinising Indefinite Leave to Remain Changes
Earlier this month in Parliament, there was a debate about the Government’s plans to reform the Indefinite Leave to Remain pathway. I took the opportunity to speak and raised an example of how these changes will impact the lives of my constituents.
My constituent Vladamir, who is in a same sex couple with a small child, wrote to me about how he had to flee Russia as he was at risk of persecution. They work here and pay tax, and their child is fully integrated at the local school. They feel that changing the rules retrospectively does not honour the commitments that were made to them when they were granted refugee status. I argued that it is shameful to turn back on what was promised to my constituents. You can watch the debate, and my intervention, here.
In recent weeks, I have also been engaging closely with a local migrant domestic worker organisation, Kalayaan. I have heard from local victims of modern slavery and the difficulties they have faced within the current immigration and asylum systems. At present, advocates like Kalayaan have very limited understanding of what the Government’s recent reforms will entail, which legislation may be amended, and how any new procedures will operate in practice. I have written to the Home Secretary to raise these concerns as well as other questions raised by constituents about protecting the most vulnerable.
Standing up for Workers with Endometriosis
I was pleased to be on ITV with my brave constituent, Sanju, who is raising awareness about Endometriosis. She was dismissed from her job of 10 years after she returned to work after having surgery to treat her condition. She needed fair adjustments and her employer did not recognise that this is a disability that was causing her excruciating pain. I am pleased that she won her legal battle, but more needs to be done to protect women like her and I will be her voice in Parliament.
February Casework Update
Helping constituents will always be my number one priority. My team and I handled over 209 cases this month. If you require support or advice, please do contact my office by replying to this email or calling 020 8127 5525 (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Tuesdays and Fridays).
I have been very vocal about my support for British Iranians and recently asked the Foreign Secretary in Parliament to ensure their safety remains her top priority. I was contacted by a constituent in Iran whose passport renewal application could not be located by the Home Office. Following my intervention, a full investigation took place, the application fee was refunded, and guidance was provided on how to submit a new renewal:
“Many thanks go to you and your team, you don’t know what this means to me specially in these very very difficult and hard political, economic, social times.”
A family in Hampstead Town wrote to me with concerns that their son’s PIP claim had been stopped since July of last year without notice. I immediately raised this with the DWP who conducted a manual review and found that the claim was incorrectly terminated despite previous confirmation it would continue. As a result, they were provided with a full apology, a £250 compensation payment and awarded £3,296.23 in arrears:
“Ever so grateful to you! It’s great to be heard and supported!”
While some issues can be resolved in weeks, there are always a few that take many months of work in holding the right people to account. A HMRC agent in Belsize contacted me in September 2025 to say that their account had been compromised and their clients’ tax returns had been submitted fraudulently. Five months of my escalating this with the Identity Fraud team finally resulted in the account being secured, password being reset and all clients being contacted with further support accordingly.
Pushing For Victim-Focused Policy
As you will know, over recent weeks and months, I have been working closely with the parents of children horrifically abused at a nursery in our constituency, and I have been campaigning hard to put victims at the heart of safeguarding policy. That makes the Epstein scandal feel particularly pertinent for me. Earlier this month, in Parliament, I called on the Government to ensure that the victims of sexual violence and assault will be heard by those in power, including the Prime Minister.
The Epstein scandal exposed a culture that doesn’t value the lives of women. Peter Mandelson’s behaviour was despicable and fell far below the standards expected of any Minister. It is right that the Prime Minister recalled him from his post and called for his resignation from the House of Lords.
However, I believe the Government needs to go further. I therefore support the decision to publish files about the hiring of former Prince Andrew as a UK trade envoy, and the role Peter Mandelson played in this appointment. The Government has rightly announced enhanced vetting for political appointments, as well as future legislation to remove peerages from disgraced peers in the House of Lords.
Free Breakfast clubs in Hampstead and Highgate
St Mary’s Kilburn CoE Primary School and Fleet Primary School will soon be opening one of Labour’s free breakfast clubs! Breakfast clubs boost parents’ work choices and children’s life chances, supporting the best start in life for children of working families across Hampstead and Highgate. I was pleased to meet with the Education Secretary, Bridgette Philipson MP, to celebrate the impact this will have on our community.
Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz
I recently attended a moving lecture from Anne Sebba at Hampstead synagogue about the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. Thank you to my constituent Sandra Miller for inviting me to honour her mum’s memory.
Community Bulletin
Use the NHS App
The NHS is moving from analogue to digital! With the NHS App you can request repeat prescriptions, view your GP record, receive appointment reminders, and see test results sooner – all in one place.
Discover how it could help you: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/
Support from Age UK
As it gets colder, I know that some of my older constituents may be worried about paying their energy bills and staying warm. Knowing what financial help is available can ease some of the worry. This guide from Age UK has more information: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/energy/cost-of-living-payments/
Age UK also have some great energy saving tips, which you can check out here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/energy/energy-saving-tips/
Funding for Sports Clubs
The latest funding round of British Gas’ Energy for Tomorrow Sports programme is open to sports clubs in Hampstead and Highgate. Energy for Tomorrow fund is looking for sports clubs who want to invest in sustainable upgrades and save on their energy bills! Learn more by visiting Energy for Tomorrow.
A1 Archway Road Consultation
TFL are proposing changes to the section of the A1 Archway Road between Church Road and Northwood Road to improve road safety, and we would welcome your views.
The proposals include new greenman crossings with countdown timers, a raised table at the junction with Bishops Road to slow vehicle speeds, and wider footways in key locations to create a safer environment for pedestrians.
We also propose adding double red lines and “Keep Clear” markings at the end of Northwood Road to prevent unsafe stopping and dropoffs.
You can find out more about the proposals and have your say at: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/a1-archway-road
The closing date for this consultation is Monday 16 March 2026.
Have Your Say on the BBC’s Future
The Government is asking the public to respond to its proposals for the future of the BBC. The public own the BBC and it’s vital that your voice is heard as part of this consultation. You can access the consultation here. It closes on the 10th March.
Funding for Grassroots Organisations
The Asda Foundation has recently awarded a grant to a grassroots organisation in Hampstead and Highgate. Bounce Forward (NW3 6BP) has been awarded £1,000. Local organisations should keep an eye out for future grant opportunities like these, including the Local Community Spaces Fund, supporting grassroots community groups to transform spaces at the heart of their local community – £10,00-£20,000 – which will open in the Spring. Find out more, here.