Krupesh Hirani

New analysis shows Mayor’s Free School Meals programme has unlocked another additional £50 million in funding

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has continued to deliver real support for families through his pioneering free school meals programme. Since September 2023, more than 115 million meals have been provided to primary school children across the capital—saving families up to £1,500 per child over three years and helping to improve children’s health, wellbeing and readiness to learn. For many households facing rising costs, this policy has made a meaningful difference, putting money back into parents’ pockets while ensuring no child goes hungry at school.

Crucially, the programme has also unlocked nearly £50 million in additional funding for schools by identifying over 20,200 previously unregistered pupils eligible for support. This funding is now being invested in targeted help such as SEND provision, mentoring, breakfast clubs and after-school activities. By simplifying the registration process and working closely with boroughs, City Hall has ensured schools receive the resources they are entitled to—strengthening support for disadvantaged pupils and helping to build a fairer education system across London.

Krupesh Hirani

Summer Streets fund with £400,000 boost for the capital’s hospitality sector

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the return of his popular “Summer Streets” programme, backed by a £400,000 fund to support London’s hospitality and nightlife sector. The initiative will help councils create vibrant outdoor dining spaces and extend opening hours, giving a welcome boost to bars, cafés and restaurants ahead of a busy summer—including the men’s football World Cup, which is set to bring communities together across the capital. Grants of up to £100,000 will support larger street transformations, alongside smaller “pocket alfresco” schemes to help local venues expand and attract more customers.

The funding forms part of a wider push to support the capital’s late-night economy, alongside proposed reforms to modernise licensing and create a more consistent, London-wide approach. Together, these measures aim to help businesses recover, grow and continue playing a vital role in London’s economy and community life.

Krupesh Hirani

£9million to deliver support for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced an additional £9 million investment to support survivors of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. This includes £6 million for grassroots organisations delivering vital frontline services such as counselling, legal advice and specialist support for women from minoritised communities. These organisations have already supported tens of thousands of women and families across London, and this new funding will ensure even more survivors can access the help they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

A further £3 million will focus on helping survivors achieve financial independence—providing skills, training and employment support to break the cycle of abuse and reduce the risk of re-victimisation. This builds on more than £277 million the Mayor has invested to tackle violence against women and girls since taking office. Marking International Women’s Day, the Mayor also used city-wide platforms to send a clear message: we must all play our part in challenging misogyny and ensuring women are respected, supported and believed.

New Scotland Yard Rotating Triangle sign
Krupesh Hirani

Major crackdown on phone theft

In a major move to make London’s streets safer, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £4.5m investment to launch a specialised Mobile Phone Theft Command Cell. This new hub, based in the West End, will coordinate real-time intelligence to dismantle criminal networks and target shops dealing in stolen devices. While record City Hall funding has already helped the Met reduce mobile phone thefts by 12.3% over the last year—amounting to 10,000 fewer stolen devices—the Mayor is doubling down on enforcement.

The new surge in funding will support high-tech “blitzes,” utilising drones and specialist e-bike officers to pursue suspects, while the Stolen Phone Retail Taskforce cracks down on the resale market. As the Mayor noted, “far too many Londoners have been the victim of phone theft,” and this latest investment aims to turn the capital into a “no-go area” for thieves.

Krupesh Hirani

Feasibility studies announced into making Preston Road and Queensbury tube stations step-free

Following years of dedicated campaigning, Krupesh has welcomed the announcement of feasibility studies to bring step-free access to both Preston Road and Queensbury tube stations.

While both stations were included on previous longlists, they had missed out in earlier funding rounds. This latest development marks a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to ensure the transport network is accessible to all residents, allowing for safer and more independent travel.

Turning Plans into Reality

Krupesh remains focused on ensuring these studies lead to physical improvements rather than remaining as “plans on paper.” In a recent exchange at City Hall (video above), Krupesh raised concerns with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, regarding the volume of ongoing feasibility studies and the critical need for secured delivery funding.

The Mayor provided reassurances that City Hall is actively pushing Transport for London (TfL) to move these schemes forward, with a commitment to integrating step-free access into future business plans.

A Growing Network of Accessibility

The progress at Preston Road and Queensbury adds to a growing list of accessibility projects across the local area. Similar studies are currently underway at several other key stations, including:

  • Neasden

  • Alperton

  • Willesden Green

  • Canons Park

  • South Harrow

Krupesh continues to advocate for a transport network that serves everyone, ensuring that no community is left behind as London’s infrastructure evolves.

Krupesh Hirani

Betknowmore UK conference on gambling harms in London

Krupesh recently joined forces with Betknowmore UK to spotlight the essential work being done to address gambling harms across London and the UK. With gambling addiction continuing to have a devastating impact on individuals, families, and wider communities, Krupesh is championing a proactive approach to prevention and support.

Strengthening Prevention and Support Networks

Speaking at a specialist conference organised by Betknowmore UK, Krupesh addressed a diverse group of partners from various sectors. The event served as a platform to explore how cross-sector collaboration can create a more robust safety net for those vulnerable to gambling-related issues.

The core pillars of this advocacy include:

  • Raising Awareness: Ensuring that the public is fully informed about the risks associated with gambling and the specific support services available.

  • Early Intervention: Focusing on identifying the signs of harm sooner to prevent the long-term social and financial consequences of addiction.

  • Joined-up Services: Encouraging health providers, local authorities, and charities to share expertise and streamline the path to recovery.

A Call for Sector-Wide Collaboration

For Krupesh, the path to reducing gambling harm lies in unity. By breaking down silos between different organisations, the community can ensure that help is not only available but accessible at the earliest possible opportunity.

“By joining up services and sharing expertise, we can do more to support those affected and ensure that people experiencing gambling harms are able to access help when they need it most.”

Krupesh remains committed to supporting the vital efforts of organisations like Betknowmore UK, working to ensure that Londoners have the resources and protection required to live healthy, stable lives.

Krupesh Hirani

Visit to Karuna Manor Care home in Harrow

Krupesh recently visited Karuna Manor Care Home in Harrow, gaining first-hand insight into the profound impact of high-quality, culturally sensitive care services. During the visit, Krupesh engaged with both residents and staff to discuss how care provision must evolve to better reflect the diverse traditions and values of the local community.

Dignity Through Cultural Sensitivity

The visit underscored a core belief in Krupesh’s advocacy: that true dignity in social care is achieved only when a person’s heritage and lifestyle are integrated into their daily support. Karuna Manor serves as a leading example of how tailored environments can enhance the wellbeing of older people.

Key observations from the visit included:

  • Tailored Support: The importance of providing care that respects the specific dietary, linguistic, and spiritual needs of residents.

  • Community Values: How incorporating familiar traditions fosters a sense of belonging and respect for the elderly.

  • Staff Excellence: Recognition for the compassionate team at Karuna Manor, whose dedication provides immense peace of mind to residents and their families.

Addressing the Growing Need for Specialised Care

As the population grows more diverse, the demand for culturally sensitive care options across Harrow and the wider region continues to rise. Krupesh emphasised that the success seen at Karuna Manor should not be an outlier, but a standard to strive for across the sector.

“Ensuring that care provision reflects the needs, traditions, and values of the communities it serves is essential to delivering dignity and respect for older people.”

Krupesh remains committed to supporting the expansion of these vital services, advocating for a social care system where every individual can access support that truly understands and meets their personal requirements. By championing these services, Krupesh aims to ensure that no member of the community is left behind as they age.

Krupesh Hirani

Calling for investment in existing infrastructure as Old Oak Common develops

The Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration project, managed by a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), stands as one of the most ambitious urban transformations in the UK. With a governance structure and scale comparable to the redevelopment of the Olympic Park and Stratford, this initiative represents a generational opportunity to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, and vital infrastructure to West London.

However, Krupesh is actively advocating to ensure that the focus on this new development zone does not lead to the neglect of established local assets.

Prioritising Existing Local Infrastructure

At a recent City Hall meeting regarding the London Budget, Krupesh raised the critical importance of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure located just outside the designated development boundaries. While the MDC focus is essential for growth, Krupesh emphasised that investment must be balanced to support the wider community.

Key points of the advocacy include:

  • Protecting Transport Hubs: Highlighting the vital role of Willesden Junction station in Brent. As a major interchange, it remains a lifeline for connecting residents to the rest of London and supporting the local economy.

  • Wider Economic Growth: Ensuring that regeneration benefits “leak out” into neighbouring areas rather than being contained within a single zone.

  • Balanced Investment: Calling for a strategy where established infrastructure receives the necessary attention and funding alongside new projects.

A Vision for Inclusive Regeneration

Krupesh continues to push for a holistic approach to West London’s development. The goal is to ensure that as the skyline changes at Old Oak and Park Royal, the existing communities and transport links that have long served the area are strengthened, not sidelined.

By championing the needs of Brent residents and the resilience of local transport networks, Krupesh is working to ensure that the “Olympic-scale” transformation delivers a positive impact for everyone in the region.

Krupesh Hirani

Tackling fare evasion locally

Residents regularly raise concerns with about fare evasion at Harrow-on-the-Hill station and across other stations in the area. Fare evasion not only undermines fairness for those who pay, but also deprives our transport network of vital funding that could be reinvested into services and improvements for passengers.

That’s why Krupesh Hirani AM has been working with Gareth Thomas to call for stronger enforcement action. He recently joined a large-scale operation at Harrow-on-the-Hill station alongside Transport for London and the British Transport Police, where it was encouraging to see action being taken and offenders caught. Krupesh will continue pushing for sustained efforts to tackle fare evasion and ensure our transport system remains fair and properly funded.

Krupesh Hirani

New Art Hub in Wembley

Krupesh Hirani AM attended the launch of a new community hub in Wembley, opened by We Restart, which does important work supporting migrants to integrate and settle into their new surroundings. Through creative activities such as drama, art, storytelling and English language classes, the charity helps people build confidence, develop skills and feel part of their local community.

It was inspiring to see families already benefiting from the support on offer and engaging so positively with the programme. The event was also attended by Barry Gardiner and Deputy Leader of Brent Council Mili Patel. Initiatives like this play a vital role in strengthening community cohesion and ensuring that new residents are welcomed, supported and able to thrive in their new home.