Dear friend,

Winter is still here, but the days are getting longer. It is lovely to see flowers start to bloom around Croydon.  

As I write this, Keir Starmer is meeting President Trump in the US. We have committed to increase spending in defence – back up to levels last seen under the last Labour government by 2027. The conversations the two leaders have today will be very important both in terms of the war in Ukraine and our trading and security relationship going forward. 

It has been over 100 days since Kemi Badenoch became Leader of the Opposition, but she has no answers to the challenges facing the country. The only real plan she has is cutting the state pension. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is delivering on our Plan for Change, tackling the problems in our broken systems that are failing hard-working British families. 

The Government’s pledge to deliver 2 million extra NHS appointments a year has now been met – 7 months early. I am so pleased that Labour is speeding up the time it takes for people in Croydon to see a doctor.  

Labour’s Plan for Change will boost living standards, tackle NHS waiting lists, make our streets safer, give children the best start to life, secure home-grown energy and rebuild Britain with 1.5 million homes. These are ambitious goals, but in just 7 months, this Labour government has done more than the Conservatives managed in 14 years and set us on a clear path to national renewal. 

Here’s an overview of what I’ve been up to since my last newsletter. As ever, I am here if you want to get in touch with any problems or issues, or if you want to pass on your views or ideas. My email is [email protected]. 

Making Work Pay in Croydon

Many constituents write to me, sharing how difficult it is to make ends meet. Nationwide, the average worker is £700 worse off than they were in 2010, thanks to the Tories’ reckless actions.  

This April, 8200 workers on the minimum wage in Croydon will see a much-needed pay rise with the biggest ever cash boost to the National Minimum and National Living Wage, improving living standards in Croydon and across the country.

 

Supporting Croydon’s Children with Free Breakfast Clubs 

Over 30,000 children in Croydon are set to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs – a promise we made at the election and are now delivering on. 

As part of our Plan for Change, 750 schools across England will start offering free, daily breakfast clubs in April, running until July before expanding nationwide. 

These clubs will provide not only free breakfasts but also at least 30 minutes of free childcare, giving parents more flexibility to get to work. 

I’ve seen firsthand just how valuable breakfast clubs can be, with Magic Breakfast and Ecclesbourne Primary already offering free meals to primary school children. These clubs really do make a difference for families in our area. 

Supporting South Norwood: Advice Surgery at Stanley Arts Centre 

This month, I hosted my advice surgery at the Stanley Arts Centre in South Norwood. A big thank you to Councillors Stella Nabukeera, Louis Carserides, and Christopher Herman, as well as Citizens Advice, South West London Law Centre, Mind, and Croydon Healthy Homes for joining me to support local residents.  

Whether it’s about housing, benefits, asylum and immigration, local services or anti-social behaviour, my team and I are here to help. 

Strengthening Partnerships to Support Young People’s Education and Healthcare in Croydon 

Too many children with special needs are not getting the support they need. Over the last three years, I have been working closely with Croydon Council, Croydon NHS Trust, CAMHS, and voluntary sector partners, to help improve outcomes for our young people. Thank you very much to all the partners who attended the “Strengthening Partnerships” meeting and dedicated their time to contribute to this important dialogue.

Standing up for Local Residents  

In October, I visited Flora Court with local councillor Enid Mollyneaux, where we heard concerns about high service charges and the lack of clarity on responsibilities. 

Since then, I’ve met with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, ResiHousing, and Thriving Investments on-site to push for change: 

• Clearer Communication: Clear letters have been sent to residents, outlining which organisations are responsible for what, helping reduce confusion and make it easier to hold the right parties accountable. 
• Resident Meetings: Resident meetings have been arranged to address concerns, ensure organisations are fulfilling their responsibilities, and provide a space for people to ask questions. 

On a national level, the government is introducing several important reforms to support leaseholders, including:

• Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (to be implemented this year): This will allow leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease without having to wait two years from the date of purchase. Additionally, homeowners will gain the power to manage their buildings, access more transparency on costs, and challenge unfair service charges. These changes will support a fairer, more accessible homeownership system.
• Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill (late 2025): This draft bill will introduce a more modern, functional commonhold system that will help future homeowners gain better control and security over their properties.
• Further Reforms: The government will also tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, end ‘fleecehold’ fees, and remove the threat of forfeiture. Strengthened regulations on managing agents will ensure that leaseholders are better protected. 

These reforms will be a big step forward in supporting leaseholders across the country, and I’ll continue to follow up on the actions promised at Flora Court. If you have any concerns, please get in touch at [email protected]. 

Thank You to Croydon University Hospital Staff  

Thank you to all the incredible staff at Croydon University Hospital! Despite a tough winter, their dedication has made Croydon 2nd in London for ambulance turnaround times and 7th in the country for referral-to-treatment times. 

I always value my regular catch-ups with Chief Executive Matthew Kershaw and the team to hear about their progress and raise the concerns of local residents

Zurich UK’s Apprenticeships and Community Impact in Croydon 

This month, we marked National Apprenticeship Week, and it’s great to see companies like Zurich UK, who provide insurance services to individuals and businesses across the UK, stepping up to provide apprenticeship opportunities for young people.  

Zurich’s apprenticeship programme takes on around 40 apprentices each year across the UK in fields such as insurance underwriting, data analytics, and digital technology. 

Zurich’s Croydon office, home to over 100 staff, is also making a real impact in our borough, supporting charities like Night Watch and South Croydon Day Centre, with over £180,000 donated and 600+ hours of volunteering since 2022. 

Every young person in Croydon deserves the opportunity to gain the skills they need to build a bright future. That’s exactly what Labour is delivering.  

A Tribute to Lt George A. Knowland VC 

Elmwood Junior School’s assembly was a wonderful way to honour Lt George A. Knowland VC, a former pupil who made the ultimate sacrifice to save others.  

Huge congratulations to the two students who received the George Knowland VC Certificate of Merit – they truly deserved it. 

I was also deeply inspired by Johnson Beharry VC, who shared his incredible journey. From a difficult start in life, he risked his own life twice to save dozens of people and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery. 

Securing the Future of UK Steel and Hydrogen  

Driving demand for UK steel and building a world-leading hydrogen economy are key parts of our strategy to achieve sustainable economic growth. 

In my role as Minister for Industry, I am working hard to help secure a bright future for the UK steel industry. I recently visited British Steel in Scunthorpe for the launch of Heathrow’s multibillion-pound infrastructure investment plan. As part of this, Heathrow signed the UK Steel Charter, committing to using UK-made steel wherever possible in their expansion. This is a major vote of confidence in our steel sector, and it’s part of our broader goal to ensure the UK is a global leader in clean energy and innovation. 

I also had the opportunity to host a roundtable with VPI and other industry leaders, where we discussed developing hydrogen as an alternative fuel for power and how Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can play a role. It was an exciting discussion, full of ideas on how businesses and government can work together to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. 

 

Young Volunteers and Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay 

I was out in West Thornton with a brilliant group of young volunteers—many knocking on doors for the first time!   

We spoke to residents about their concerns and Labour’s plan to make work pay, putting an extra £1,400 a year in the pockets of full-time minimum wage workers.  

We then wrapped up with a delicious lunch at Shree Krishna Vada Pav.  

Keeping You Updated: The River Wandle Oil Spill 

The oil spill in the River Wandle was a big concern for many residents this month, and I completely understand why. On 18th February, around 4,000 litres of oil leaked into the river from the Arriva London bus garage in Thornton Heath. The London Fire Brigade and the Environment Agency acted quickly, flushing the drainage system and placing containment booms to stop it spreading. While there were visible traces for several days—and quite a strong smell at times—the spill has now largely dispersed. 

I stayed in close contact with the authorities throughout, making sure clean-up efforts were carried out and passing on concerns from residents, especially those near New South Quarter, where the river briefly overflowed. The RSPB and the Environment Agency kept an eye on the impact on wildlife, and the RSPCA stepped in to help any affected birds. 

Now that things are under control, an investigation is underway to make sure those responsible are held accountable. If you do spot any new signs of pollution, you can report it to the Environment Agency at 0800 807060 or get in touch with my office at [email protected]. Thank you to everyone who raised concerns and to all those who worked hard to clean up the river. 

Supporting Children’s Mental Health: Free Resources from Place2Be 

For #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek this month, @Place2Be has created free resources for schools & families to get involved.  

This year’s theme, ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself,’ focuses on self-awareness and understanding emotions.  

Take a look at their resources here 👇 

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/take-part/ 

Delivering on casework  

Over the last month I received 2,700 casework emails, 45% of these cases are related to housing, 18% are linked to the local council, and 10% are related to education.  

Here are some examples of the positive outcomes I’ve achieved for the residents involved: 

• A lady had no heating for over a month because the communal boiler was faulty in her block of flats. After I wrote to the Council, the issue was fixed, and the heating was restored within a week.  
• A gentleman was incorrectly charged for a fine that he had not received in the post. After I wrote to the relevant department, I was able to get the parking company to reverse the fine.  
• A single mum with a four-year-old, who has been homeless for six months, was rehoused in suitable accommodation, after I intervened on her behalf. 

A huge thanks must go to my small team for all their hard work, and their continued ability to get results. If there is anything I can do as your MP to support you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at [email protected]. 

With best wishes,

Sarah