February 2026 Monthly Report

HACKNEY'S HIDDEN GEM

The Outrunners 

The Outrunners is a youth charity and running club based in Hackney Wick that champions investing in the local community. Outrunners Youth was founded on the principle of inclusion, making sure everyone has access to exercise. They partner with local schools to provide PE lessons and after-school clubs, as well as regular community outreach sessions for young people aged eight to 18.

The Outrunners also organise adult running sessions for runners of different abilities. Beginning with trial sessions, full members of the running groups are also encouraged to get involved with the charity. You can find out more about The Outrunners here. 

PARLIAMENT

Tackling child poverty 

The Government is pushing ahead with abolishing the two-child benefit limit, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty by the end of the Parliament -the biggest and fastest drop in child poverty in a generation. I have been calling for this for some time, and I am pleased that the Bill that will remove this began its journey through Parliament this month. Along with other measures like free breakfast clubs and extending free school meals to children in all families on Universal Credit, lifting this limit will make a massive difference to the almost 15,740 Hackney families who are currently affected by the cap. At the Bill’s second reading – a debate on the principles of the Bill – I was able to raise the connected problem of families living in limbo in temporary accommodation and the need to support parents into work. See here to watch my contribution in full. 

SEND reform

Hackney leads the way on inclusivity and mainstreaming practice for children with special educational needs and disabilities. I have welcomed Ministers to Hackney schools modelling best practice over the past months as they work on reforms to the SEND system. The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, has been engaging with children, families, experts and MPs to make sure any reforms offer the best opportunities and support for young people.  

This week she unveiled her plans to improve the education system for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Her proposals aim to meet the needs of children much earlier than in the current system, making learning more accessible for all children. She announced measures including a £1.6 billion Inclusive Mainstream Fund over the next three years, new National Inclusion Standards and widespread training for all teachers to meet the needs of children with SEND, committing all schools to inclusivity.  

The Government has published guidance explaining how the policies might change, which can be found here. A consultation on all the proposals can be found here, please do share your views. It closes on 18 May.   

New travel rules

The Government has introduced electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) to streamline and improve border security for those visiting the UK, a system that other countries like the USA and Canada also use. British citizens, including those who hold dual nationality, do not need and are not eligible for an ETA. However, they must travel with a valid British passport or another passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode, known as a COE. This change has been trailed for a long time, so those affected should have been aware of the changes, but there are temporary mitigating measures to make the transition simpler. This includes airlines accepting expired British passports alongside a valid third-country passport as evidence of citizenship. I have raised my concern about the practicality of this new requirement with the Home Secretary. But please do get in touch if this is an issue that affects you directly.   

COMMITTEES

Business rates

The Treasury Select Committee, which I chair, held a one-off session on concerns about business rates with the Exchequer Secretary (the Minister responsible for business rates). We were able to raise concerns on behalf of music recording studios, dog-day care facilities, and hospitality businesses. Hackney is home to all of these and I know the changes to the valuation system has caused some concern. I am continuing to follow this issue closely.  

Affordability of home ownership 

The Treasury Committee joined forces with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee to explore issues related to housing and affordability. We looked at everything from mortgage rates, leasehold reform and social housing. Its findings will be out soon and you can find out more here.  

HACKNEY

Tackling antisocial behaviour in Dalston 

Since becoming MP for Dalston in 2024 I have been picking up concerns from residents, including about antisocial behaviour in the area. So I brought together residents, the local police team, and representatives from Hackney Council to share intelligence and discuss these concerns. 

Several residents raised the impact of late-night activity in parts of Dalston and the effect this can have on nearby residential streets. I am following up on this with the police and the enforcement and licensing teams at Hackney Council. There were also clear concerns about drug use, public urination, and fly-tipping, as well as the way the design of some locations (particularly bus stops) can contribute to some of these problems. Cllr Grace Adebayo has been working to secure swifter action on fly tipping and has also secured the removal of phone boxes which have been a magnet for drug use and had become public toilets.  It was clear that, alongside firm action on antisocial behaviour, it is equally important to recognise that enforcement alone is not always the right answer. Hackney Council works closely with specialist teams such as Support When it Matters (SWIM) and the Hackney Street Outreach Team to ensure that people who are vulnerable, at risk, or in need of help are supported rather than simply being moved on.  

Restaurants roundtable

I held a roundtable for restaurants that are facing a unique set of difficult trading and economic headwinds. They shared concerns around business rates, immigration rules for specialist staff and, crucially, tax issues around tips and tronc policy. I’m following up on these issues.  

Route 38 bus 

My campaign to save the route 38 bus from having its route cut short at Holborn continues. I have met with the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, and pointed out that any decision on the route 38 would be in the context of previous decisions that has seen Hackney’s direct bus links with central London cut back.

Votes for 16- and 17-year olds 

The Government has committed to lowering the voting age to 16 through its Representation of the People Bill. I was pleased to welcome the Minister for Democracy, Samantha Dixon MP, to Hackney to meet with sixth formers at City Academy Shoreditch Park and hear their views on this and proposals to restrict social media use to over-16s.  

Mental Health Services

If you are ever struggling with your mental health, whether in the short- or long-term, there are excellent services available to you in Hackney.  

Mental Health charity Mind have a base in Hackney that offers all kinds of services tailored to different needs, including general wellbeing, anxiety and depression, and bereavement support. It is pioneering a service to provide support sessions around two weeks after someone raises their need, which has been shown to have a significant positive impact on patients. I was pleased to highlight their work to the Health Minister in the House of Commons – see here. You can find out more about the support Mind can offer here. They also run a hotline 365 days a year that can be reached by calling 0800 073 0006. 

You may also find it helpful to talk to the Samaritans, available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. They also run a face-to-face walk in, 9am to 9pm on 46 Marshall Street, London, W1F 9BF.   

If you are worried about you or another person being in immediate danger because of mental health concerns, please call 999. For other non-urgent mental health support, please do contact your GP. 

Met Engage 

One practical way to stay informed and involved with what is happening in your local area is through Met Engage – the Metropolitan Police’s free community updates platform. By signing up, you will receive alerts about local crime, safety advice, warnings about scams and frauds, news from your neighbourhood officers, and invitations to future meetings and events. But, crucially, it is also a useful way to share your concerns and help inform local policing priorities between meetings. You can sign up by visiting www.metengage.co.uk. Please note that Met Engage complements (rather than replaces) reporting non-emergency incidents via 101 and in an emergency always call 999. 

HAVE YOUR SAY

The Government regularly consults on its policy proposals. Below are a few areas it is currently seeking opinions on. Click on each option to find out more and to share your thoughts. 

• Britain’s Story: The Next Chapter - the BBC Royal Charter Review, Green Paper and public consultation - GOV.UK - Closes 10 March. 

• Enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates - GOV.UK - Closes 12 March. 

• SEND reform: putting children and young people first - GOV.UK - Closes 18 May. 

• Significant water management issues - Environment Agency - Citizen Space - Closes 20 May. 

HOW TO CONTACT ME

Via email on meg.hillier.mp@parliament.uk or you can call me on 020 7219 5325. The main phone line is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.  

Visiting Parliament and Prime Minister’s Questions 

Tours of the Houses of Parliament can be arranged for groups of up to 20 people. Tours last up to 75 minutes and start between 9am and 12pm Monday to Wednesday, and between 9am-1:30pm and 3.30pm-5pm on Fridays.   

MPs are also given a very limited number of tickets for Prime Minister’s Questions. I operate a ballot system each month.

The ballot is now open to attend PMQs in May. 

To apply for a tour, or be entered into the ballot, please send your name, and full postal address (you must live in Hackney South and Shoreditch) to meg.hillier.mp@parliament.uk.   

If you would like to enter the PMQs ballot, please also supply a contact number.       

It is easier to arrange viewing tickets for other departmental question times or debates. To see what's on click here.