Harrow

Dec132022 by Jinisha Bhanushali and Karen FarhatNo Comments

‘Warm banks’ helping people survive this Winter

Breaking News, Charity, Christmas, Climate, Explainers, Explainers, Harrow, London, News, Rising cost of living disrupts students’ academic life

Charities, councils and community groups across the UK are opening warm banks helping people who can’t afford turning on their heating. The temperatures in London are falling but the energy costs are rising for households. The UK raised its energy price cap by 80% on October 1st which means the average UK energy bill will be reaching 3,549 pounds a year. Reports suggest that some people may resist using their heating despite the severe weather expected in coming days. These warm banks aim to offer a safe, warm and friendly space during these tough times. People can come along, eat, drink and spend a good time. https://youtu.be/m7BXIf55B68 People visiting warm banks in Harrow Rachel Wright, Trustee at Harrow Giving, explains how they became involved in setting up warm banks in

Dec122022 by Vishalakshi Verma No Comments

Beware of “porch pirates” this festive season!

Breaking News, crime, crime, Harrow, UK news

The growing trend of theft of parcels left unattended by delivery drivers raises the question of security in the UK As we get closer to Christmas, postal workers are expected to go on strike. In preparation for Christmas, many people are switching to Amazon and other e-commerce shops due to these impending strikes. If people are not at home, packages can be left on doorsteps to wait for pickup by purchasers, which if left alone for too long, facilitates attempting to steal. From 2021 to 2022, an estimated 10,485 packages were stolen. In the UK, parcel theft is becoming a bigger problem. "porch pirates" are a major issue in the US, where they follow delivery trucks around neighbourhoods and steal packages, as per Ian Caminsky, SVP & MD parcel locker solutions UKI and DACHIT, Q...

Dec122022 by Jinisha BhanushaliNo Comments

Car safety checks and tips for frosty weather

Breaking News, Explainers, Explainers, Harrow, London

This winter just follow the tips to not struggle with car engine idling and defrosting windscreens The first snow on December 11 did not just bring joy to Londoners but also the worry about defrosting their car’s windscreen before their commute. Image credits: Jinisha Bhanushali The frosty weather adds to the morning struggles of the car owners but if the dos and don’ts are followed diligently then you can have a smooth journey to your work. Here are some safety checks listed by Dharmick Patel, a car mechanic at Bewley Motors in Kenton. https://youtu.be/WvW18Fwkr7k Shot and edited by: Jinisha Bhanushali Tip 1 – Do not put water in screen wash, the water will freeze inside the washer and mess with the engine. Tip 2 – If there is snow on the windscreen then pour

Dec122022 by Rishab Shaju No Comments

Emergency protocol activated in Harrow to help rough sleepers this winter

Breaking News, Explainers, Harrow

SWEP has been activated by the Harrow council to help the homeless people in and around the town A Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated by the Harrow council, as temperatures have dropped rapidly. Harrow is likely to witness temperatures as low as minus four degrees in the upcoming week. As a part of the protocol, people sleeping on the streets will be provided emergency accommodation to cope with the ongoing winters. This will be done by the council’s Homelessness Prevention & Solutions team in partnership with local foundations in Harrow. FirmFoundation is one of the many registered charities that has partnered with the council to help the homeless. The team aims to find practical and sustainable solutions to help those living on the streets. The f

Dec102018 by Ethan Megenis-Clarke,Upanishad Sharma, Anoushka Pinto, Zhenyi LuNo Comments

A Realist’s Guide to Renting in London

Breaking News, Harrow, Housing, London, London Mayor, News, Opinion, ReportingWeek1, ReportingWeek2, Student

Recent data from OnTheMarket.com revealed that Londoners spend up to 61% of their income on rent, with Camden being the most expensive borough. This follows a study by the trade union GMB which found that between 2011 and 2017, rent prices for two-bedroom flats in London increased by 25.9% to an average of £1,500 per month while wages only increased by 9.1%. Today, in a letter seen by The Guardian, Sadiq Khan said that he is considering the introduction of rent controls in London: “The housing crisis is now having such an effect on a generation of Londoners in favour of rent stabilisation and control are becoming overwhelming.” Khan’s proposed changes focus on “no-fault evictions”, where landlords are able to evict tenants at the end of their initial fixed term which campaigning gro

Oct162017 by Rahman Baba OsmanNo Comments

Khan reiterates desire to have the UK stay in single market

Breaking News, Harrow, Politics

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has re-echoed his desire to have the UK continue to access a single market even after Brexit. Khan pointed to the growing inflation which has increased from 0.5 to 2.9 since the referendum and translated to high costs of living for Londoners and the United Kingdom at large as the main reason why efforts should be made to stay in the single market post-Brexit. “The fall of the value of the pound has increased the cost of all businesses who have subsequently pinched customers by raising prices or reducing the size of their product while keeping prices the same,” Khan lamented during the mayor’s questions time last Thursday at the City hall “The continued drop in the value of the pound since the referendum has contributed to inflation rising from 0.5% t

Mar232017 by Khyati RajvanshiNo Comments

Thriving without money: Local London Charities tell the tale

Audio, DontUse, Environment, Harrow, Health, Media, News, Social media, Video

With the country facing harsh financial climate, hundreds of charities in London are striving to create a better environment for local people. Despite their efforts, a new survey now shows that all of them are in danger. How do local charities function and achieve their goals in London? What are the dangers that are stopping them from thriving? Leah Robertson joined Mind in Harrow just over a year ago with a burning passion. Passion to help those in need, especially those who suffer from mental health issues. With experience in working at mental health care homes, she holds a postgraduate diploma in Mental Health Nursing from King's College London. She is currently the coordinator of the Support & Wellbeing Information Service Harrow (SWiSH), and is in charge of supporting people wit

Jan312016 by <a href="http://lefthandeddudepolitics.blogspot.co.uk/">Peter Adams</a>No Comments

On the campaign trail with Sadiq Khan – London Mayoral elections 2016

Harrow, Politics, Student

Labour are fighting to win back City Hall in May's Mayoral elections. Westminster World took to the streets of Harrow, to see their candidate in action. It's about 10 O'Clock when the Labour activists are finally assembled for a day's doorstepping. Outside the entrance to Harrow-on-the-Hill station, activists young and old carry large leaflets, with Labour party stickers on their lapels. Across the country, people very similar to them are carrying out a co-ordinated campaign to spread Labour's message. This specific doorstepping campaign in Harrow is particularly important though. In amongst them is an MP who hopes to become Mayor of one of the most-populated cities in Europe. Fog begins to descend on the high street, as Sadiq Khan starts to address his activists. Dressed in a lo

Dec142015 by <a href="https://dreamingalemon.wordpress.com/">Yiwen Li</a>No Comments

Children’s services require more social workers

Harrow, News, ReportingWeek2

The lack of social workers may put children at risk. Photo Credit: Yiwen Li High-calibre graduates in children’s services are needed. According to the government, local authorities have failed to make a good performance in helping and protecting children. As part of its reform, the government expects to attract more talented people and improve the performance of social services, the Prime Minister said. More than £100 million are to be spent for social work. Meanwhile, poorly performed authorities will be replaced by high-performing ones, alongside help from teams of experts and charities. David Cameron described the reforms as “one of the big landmark reforms of this Parliament” and said: “together we will make sure that not a single child is left behind”. The poor perform

Dec72015 by Charlotte StaleyNo Comments

Health advice in the event of flooding

Explainers, Harrow, Health, News, ReportingWeek1

Public Health England has issued advice to homes at risk of flooding. The 14 page document answers practical questions, with an emphasis on health and well-being. Many schools and hospitals are currently closed as Storm Desmond brings wind, rain and flooding to areas of northern England. How does this compare to the floods around London in recent years? At present the rainfall of 2007 caused the worst floods since UK records began. The 2009 and 2014 bursting of the Thames Valley were comparatively less severe than the Cumbrian floods of 2015. What does the government advise in the event of a flood? The infographic below summarises the advice from Public Health England offered to people believed to be at risk of flooding. The overwhelming findings by Public Health En