Holocaust Memorial Day, 'Fault Lines' and Reading Awareness

Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick

Andy Slaughter MP with Ealaf, Hammersmith and Fulham Member of Youth Parliament

January 30, 2026

This week there was further positive announcements from the government with ground rents being capped at £250, banning new leaseholds and replacing them with commonhold, and ending forfeiture - though this will take some time to pass the legislation.  Taking control from freeholders and giving it to flat owners – along with renters’ rights and social home building - is the biggest shake up of housing for 50 years. Protecting renters was big on the list of priorities for this government, and they are delivering.

In justice matters, I responded to the annual statement on prison numbers in the House of Commons and continued work on the Committee’s inquiry into rehabilitation and resettlement of prison leavers. The evidence session this week focussed on employment after being released from prison and we were joined by a number of expert witnesses.

This week I attended a moving event at the Polish Centre to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Both Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham held their own events, but this year I attended the one organised by Cllr Laura Janes. I also attended POSK’s screening of Triumph of the Heart which is about the treatment of Polish prisoners in Auschwitz.

I went along to the press night of ‘Fault Lines’ at the Irish Cultural Centre. The exhibition is about male suicide and mental health and is supporting local charity, Mind. The event opens on 5 th February, and if you can go along, please do. You can find more information and buy tickets on the Irish Cultural Centre’s website.

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Hammersmith and Fulham Member of Youth Parliament this week. Ealaf attended the evidence session of the Committee and then we met afterward to discuss Parliament, politics and the role of an MP.

This year is the National Year of Reading to raise awareness and combat the decline in reading in children. The children at Wendell Park have been working in collaboration with MBE Laura Henry Allain, MC Grammar and acclaimed musician DJ AG and produced a song called Pick up a Book, recorded at the Rhythm Studios in Hammersmith and Fulham. This week I was delighted to attend the launch at Latymer Upper School. It was a great event to celebrate the launch of the song, and I hope it will inspire all young people to enjoy reading.

Best wishes,

Andy

andy@andyslaughter.com

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