My week began with a visit to Finchley Reform Synagogue for a Holocaust Memorial Day Event. The theme of the event was ‘Keeping the Memory Alive’ and this year’s holocaust memorial services have reminded everyone of the horrors that took place.
I later headed to Woodhouse College to welcome Skills Minister, Nick Boles who was speaking with students. We then visited McDonalds Europe HQ in East Finchley as the Minister was keen to learn more about their apprenticeship programmes. What’s more, the excellent Hospitality House, who provide training for people in the hospitality industry, are located next door so that made for another excellent addition to the Minister’s visit.
On Tuesday I again met with students from Woodhouse College. This time however was in Westminster as I was hosting them for a Q&A session. That afternoon I met with the Wohl Foundation before heading to Middlesex University to attend the presentation of the Freedom of the Borough of the Chief Rabbi.
Wednesday was another busy day. I questioned the Prime Minister in the House of Commons regarding counter-terrorism funding for Jewish schools and other sites. A full press release of my question can be found on my website. After PMQs, I met with a student from City University who was conducting an interview before returning to the constituency. I was due to head to the New North London Synagogue to meet Rabbi Wittenberg and local residents.
Thursday began by meeting Barnet Homes, the Borough’s social housing provider, to discuss the situation with leaseholders on the Strawberry Vale Estate and their repair bills.
I had another important meeting, this time with Dr Debbie Frost, chair of Barnet Clinical Comissioning Group, to discuss my campaign for better bus access to Finchley Memorial Hospital. That evening, I hosted another fantastic ‘Meet The Street’ event with residents from Hermitage Road and surrounding streets in Child’s Hill.
As always, I was in the constituency in Friday for a very cold Mobile Surgery in Golders Green. I had further surgeries over the weekend with a visit to North Finchley on Saturday. A highlight of the week was attending the fantastic Lvov Concert which is in aid of the Jewish Community in the Western Ukrainian city. Further information can be found on their website: http://hgss.org.uk/event/lvov-concert-2/.