Today, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the results of the Labour Government’s Spending Review.

After 14 years of austerity under the Tories, Labour’s first budget was about fixing the foundations; today’s Spending Review is about investing in Britain’s renewal.

Every day I receive enquiries from local residents about the issues that matter to them. Here are some of the ways that the Spending Review will help families in Hornsey and Friern Barnet:

Investing in our NHS

Our National Health Service has a proud history. But years of under investment with the Tories almost brought it to its knees. That’s why the Spending Review includes a record cash investment in the NHS — with £29 billion extra per year for day-to-day running and £4 billion more for investment by the end of the Spending Review.

There will also be a 50% increase in the NHS tech budget, including £10 billion to upgrade digital systems and expand the NHS App for prescriptions, test results and appointments.

And it’s so important that people have access to NHS services right in the heart of their community, that’s why Labour have committed to training thousands more GPs to deliver millions of extra appointments closer to home.

Children & Education

There will be new investment to expand and improve nurseries, so more parents can access childcare. 750 schools across the country will also benefit from a free breakfast club. And I am especially pleased that St James’ Primary School in Muswell Hill will be one of the first schools to get one of 300 new school-based nurseries, ensuring that more families in Hornsey and Friern Barnet can access high quality early education for their children.

Following new funding from the Mayor of London in 2023, all primary school children in London now receive free school lunches. Last month, the Prime Minister announced that all secondary school children from families receiving Universal Credit will also receive free school lunches. 1660 secondary school students in Hornsey and Friern Barnet will be eligible.

It’s so important that we also ensure that young people have access to good quality jobs and opportunities when they leave school, that’s why Labour are investing £1.2 billion a year to support over a million young people into training and apprenticeships — including 65,000 new places.

There will also be Mental health support in every school in England by the end of this Parliament, as part of a shift towards prevention.

Cost of Living

We need to help families facing cost-of-living pressures by putting more money back in their pockets. That’s why Labour have a new Warm Homes Plan to upgrade insulation and heating, helping to cut household energy bills by up to £600 a year.

There is also new action to strengthen workers’ rights, including fair pay, a ban on zero hour contracts, and protections against unfair dismissal.

Housing

Everyone needs a safe, secure and affordable place to call home. The Spending Review includes £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Plan — the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in 50 years.

Community Safety

We love our local community in Hornsey and Friern Barnet and it is so important that everyone feels safe. That’s why Labour have committed to 13,000 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across the country to improve neighbourhood policing. There will also be investment in youth services and new funding to help councils crack down on fly-tipping and graffiti, restoring pride in local areas.

Today’s Spending Review is all about investing in communities like Hornsey and Friern Barnet. I would love to hear more about your priorities for the local area, you can fill in my survey here.