Joe Powell MP

⚽️ I recently had the pleasure of speaking to the students at ARK Brunel, cutting the ribbon for their brand new pitch and watching them play football vs. ARK Franklin.

It will be a full service Post Office and open for 10 additional hours a week, with the branch opening from 08:30-18:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00-17:30 on Saturday. You can have your say on the proposal at the Post Office official website.

Image from the opening of Kensington Church St. branch.

📮🎉 Thanks to our community campaign with residents we saved the Post Office on Kensington High Street - and now we know the new location is Rymans, just 100 yards away from the current site.

Maximum pressure must continue to be applied from all countries to secure a ceasefire, provide a massive surge in aid, release the hostages and start to rebuild a path to peace. The horrific suffering in Gaza and the West Bank must end.

I recently joined over 200 MPs in calling for a Palestinian state to be recognised as soon as possible, and I'm really glad that the Government have agreed.

I used my final question of a packed parliamentary year to raise health inequality with @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social, who outlined how the Labour Government is tackling the social determinants of ill-health, investing in community care, bringing down waiting lists and improving GP access.

Did you know that in our community there is now a staggering 19 year gap in life expectancy for men in Notting Dale and Holland Park, just a few hundred metres apart?

The UK-Morocco relationship is going from strength to strength, and it was good to hear Baroness Chapman talk about the groundbreaking new strategic partnership launched last month which has incredible potential. 🇬🇧 x 🇲🇦

It was great to celebrate Morocco's Throne Day yesterday with my good friend Ambassador Hakim Hajoui and many of our wonderful Moroccan community in Kensington & Bayswater.

Last week I met with some incredibly brave migrant domestic workers supported by @kalayaan.org.uk about the need for rights to challenge abuse and prevent exploitation - sadly happening in homes where you would not expect it, including in Kensington & Bayswater. 🧡

The two state solution has never looked further away, and with the current Israeli government determined to prevent a viable Palestinian state ever happening there is no justification in my mind for waiting any longer.

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I have joined this call with over 200 MPs to call for recognition of the state of Palestine as soon as possible.

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Police counters may only account for 5% of crime reported, but it is often our most vulnerable residents who use them.

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I've written to the Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley with my concerns about the proposed closure of the 24/7 police station counter at Kensington Police Station and the closure of the limited-hours counter at Royalty Studios in North Kensington.

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What's up with the Harry Potter shops in central London?

London Centric's investigation into their finances was raised in the House of Commons by Kensington and Bayswater Labour MP Joe Powell. He asked ministers what it will take to get HMRC officials to check the shops are paying their taxes.

I've raised this issue with many different Ministers - and it's come up several times in recent weeks at Prime Minister's Questions. It's time for action.

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This report clearly shows that in London's case, VAT and business rate evasion through manipulation of company ownership and structures is rife - as I know from my own constituency, from pop-up candy stores, low-grade souvenir shops, and so-called ‘Harry Potter’ retailers.

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Another excellent investigation by @jim.londoncentric.media and @londoncentric.media on how systematic tax dodging is happening in plain sight on our high streets, and undercutting legitimate businesses.

www.londoncentric.media/p/asf-aziz-l...

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I commend the NCA for the action they have already taken on properties linked to potential corruption in Bangladesh, and urge them to expand the net as soon as possible.

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Bangladeshis linked to Hasina regime appear to have made UK property transactions in past year Call for asset freezes after figures under investigation in Dhaka employed services of UK law firms and consultants

History tells us that potentially stolen assets can quickly evaporate unless swift steps are taken to freeze those assets while investigations are underway.

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When it comes to issues like the housing crisis, climate change and the impact of social media and smartphones on children, I believe politicians have too often ignored the views of young people. This reform will help to shift that balance decisively.

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I meet young people every week who have brilliant ideas on how to improve our community and our country.

I believe in broadening participation in politics, which is why I am delighted that this Labour Government is delivering on our manifesto promise of Votes at 16.

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This Government is taking serious steps to rebuild relations with our European allies.

And as the Prime Minister said, not many constituencies get a Treaty named after them...!

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Today Keir Starmer and Fredrick Merz signed the Kensington Treaty at the wonderful — it was an honour to welcome the leaders to Kensington & Bayswater, and to witness an important step forward in Anglo-German relations on issues like national security, youth exchanges and energy.

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🚨 STATEMENT 🚨

This morning, @rushanaraalibgs.bsky.social, the Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, outlined the Government's new strategy to protect our democracy from malign influence.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

We welcome this move. Statement from our Chair Joe Powell here 👇

Money that could have gone to our NHS, our schools, and on fixing the housing crisis.

The Tories have no credible plan for debt, no plan for growth and no credibility with the British people.

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What the Conservatives did to our public finances is unforgivable.

Today, thanks to their recklessness, around £100bn a year — 8.3% of all public spending — goes on debt repayments.

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This is something I’ve been pushing for since I was elected last year, and is a huge win for our campaign.

This would not have happened without us working together to make the case, after years of inaction under the last government.

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🚨 E-BIKE CAMPAIGN WIN 🚨

100s of you filled in my survey calling for more powers to regulate dockless e-bikes, and I’m delighted that the Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill will give local councils stronger powers to tackle poor parking, anti-social behaviour & hold companies to account.

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Alongside many fellow MPs, I've joined calls for recognition of a Palestinian state, continued support to UNRWA, immediate release of the hostages, a full resumption of humanitarian aid, and restrictions on trade and financial support to illegal settlements in the West Bank.