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June 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to look at my monthly newsletter for June 2025.

I hope you enjoy this update on some of the work I have been doing in Erith and Thamesmead and in Parliament over the last month.

As ever, if you want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to contact me using the email address: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk

Abena

Chancellor’s Spending Review and an update on our ‘Plan for Change’

This June, the Chancellor’s Spending Review 2025 focused on securing Britain’s future – investing in our NHS, economy, and national security to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in Erith and Thamesmead and across the country.

Key highlights include:

  • An £11 billion boost to defence spending
  • Record investment in the NHS
  • A £39 billion new Affordable Housing Plan

As part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Change’, I’m also pleased that the Warm Homes Discount will reach 2.7 million more families this year, doubling access to vital support for over 6 million households.

As well as this, it’s important to see that the Winter Fuel Payment has been extended to all pensioners earning £35,000 or less, supporting around 9 million people, or over three-quarters of all pensioners.

Free School Meals are similarly being expanded to over 500,000 more children, including many here in Erith and Thamesmead. You can find more on my website here.

Finally, it was encouraging to see the Chancellor’s commitment in the recent Spending Review to work with TfL on extending the DLR to Thamesmead. Back in my maiden speech in 2020, I highlighted that Thamesmead remains one of the few areas in London without a train station. I’ve campaigned for years to change that – you can learn more about my work on this issue on my website here. I assure you I will be following developments closely.

All these steps will make a real difference, but I know challenges remain. I’m committed to delivering the support our community needs – today and for the future.

Visit to London South East Colleges (LSEC) Greenwich Campus

Had a great visit to LSEC’s Greenwich Campus in Plumstead this month. The redevelopment of the college looks great with lots of local history thoughtfully incorporated. It was also lovely to take part in a question-and-answer session with their ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students – hearing their stories was very inspiring. Thanks to the whole LSEC team for their warm welcome.

Unveiling the new Children’s plaque at Abbey Wood Memorial Garden

Honoured to unveil the new Children’s section and plaque at Abbey Wood Memorial Garden. The garden, entirely volunteer-run under the dedicated leadership of Secretary John O’Rourke, has been 11 years in the making. It was a privilege to join the team, local community, and veterans for such a meaningful occasion. Congratulations to John and all involved on this remarkable achievement.

Opening Plumstead Make Merry

Delighted to open the Plumstead Make Merry festival on its 50th anniversary year! A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful volunteers and all who attended for the warm welcome. Community events like this celebrate the rich diversity and unity of our constituency. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who made it all run so smoothly.

Bexley Tigers Awards Ceremony

It was a pleasure to join Bexley Tigers Basketball Club on Saturday 14 June for their 2025 End-of-Season Awards Ceremony. A great opportunity to celebrate their achievements over the past year, present awards and meet some of their inspiring young athletes, coaches and volunteers. Congratulations also to the girl’s team for being selected to represent Bexley in the 2025 London Youth Games!

DLR extension to Thamesmead

TfL has released more details on plans to extend the DLR to Thamesmead. You can learn more and take part in the consultation – open until 17 August – on their website.

I recently toured Thamesmead Waterfront with Deputy Mayor Seb Dance, Greenwich Council Leader Cllr Anthony Okereke, and James Asser MP to hear about plans for new homes, local jobs, and the DLR extension. It’s also been encouraging to see the Chancellor commit to working with TfL on this project in the Spending Review this month. I’ll be following progress closely.

My Campaign Summer School Deadline

This July, I’m thrilled to host my Campaign Summer School, right here in Erith and Thamesmead. The sign-up deadline is Friday 4 July 2025, so if you know someone aged 16–18 who’s still interested, please share the link below and get them to sign up.

If the deadline has passed, do get in touch via email, and my team will do their best to accommodate anyone still interested in taking part. Find out more on my webpage here or get in touch via email!

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

On Friday 20 June, the House of Commons debated, voted and passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at 3rd reading. I’m grateful to everyone in our constituency who took the time to share their thoughtful views with me.

After careful consideration, I voted against the Bill and explained my reasons in a letter to constituents here. I will continue to follow the Bill’s progress in the Lords closely.

Ministerial work in the Cabinet Office

Pleased to share some key progress made as a Minister in the Cabinet Office this month. Firstly, it was very valuable to visit Montenegro to see how we’re working with partners in the Western Balkans to strengthen cyber security and counter state threats through the Integrated Security Fund. You can find out more here.

Then, on Thursday 5 June, I was pleased to speak in Cabinet Office Questions to share what the Government have been doing to strengthen our national resilience. For example, I highlighted the recent launch of the UK Resilience Academy and our plans for a full national pandemic response exercise that will test the UK’s capabilities, plans, protocols and procedures in the event of another major pandemic. You can find the questions and answers here or watch it here.

Finally, I was also pleased to join the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Commons as he announced the important new National Security Strategy. This strategy highlights the commitment the Government is making to identify the main challenges we face as a nation, especially as we enter an era of radical uncertainty and change. You can find his full speech here or watch it here.

Furthermore:

  • Shooters Hill College Students in Parliament – Thrilled to welcome local students to Parliament and speak to my team as they shared their inspiring work on mental health through the UOK! Programme, organised by the Mental Health Foundation.
  • Greenwich and Bexley Foodbank Visit to Parliament – Many thanks to the teams from Greenwich and Bexley Foodbanks for visiting Parliament this month to campaign on such vital local issues like ending food insecurity and more.
  • Christ Church (Erith) CofE Primary School Education Visit to Parliament – Great to hear that primary school students from Christ Church (Erith) had an exciting visit to Parliament and enjoyed a chat with my team.
  • Five Local Schools getting extra Government Funding – Thrilled to announce vital upgrades at five Erith & Thamesmead schools – thanks to the Government’s investment through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). Find out more on my website here.
  • New Consumer Charter for Military Families – Great to speak to the Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, about his work to give heroes the homes they deserve.
  • Jo Cox Anniversary– On 16 June, we marked the 9th anniversary of Jo’s tragic murder. We must continue to remember her legacy and campaign for a safer, better world.
  • Windrush Day 2025 – This Windrush Day, we honour the generation and their lasting impact. I join those who remain committed to reframing Windrush justice and welcome the announcement of the first Windrush Commissioner, Reverend Clive Foster.
  • Grenfell Tower Fire – This June, it is vital our thoughts remain with all the families and friends who lost their loved ones in the Grenfell Tower Fire just eight years ago.
  • Carers Week 2025 – This month marked Carers Week 2025, when we acknowledge the significant contributions our carers make to our society.
  • D-Day Landings Anniversary – On 6 June, it was important to mark the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Their legacy must never be forgotten.
  • Armed Forces Week 2025 – Important to reflect on and honour the great courage, dedication and sacrifices made by our veterans and service members.
  • Eid Mubarak – Best wishes and a happy Eid al-Adha to all Muslims who celebrated in Erith and Thamesmead and across the country.
  • Trooping the Colour – Pleased to join this occasion to mark the King’s Official Birthday. 
  • Pride Month – Great to mark Pride Month this June and celebrate the progress made to bring greater equality for all. Nice to hear about several local events to mark the day.

Stay updated on social media

For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).

You can also sign up to my digital newsletter at www.abenaoppongasare.com/get_in_touch

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Visit to London South East Colleges (LSEC) Greenwich Campus

Had a great visit to LSEC’s Greenwich Campus in Plumstead this month.

The redevelopment of the college looks great with lots of local history thoughtfully incorporated.

It was also lovely to take part in a question-and-answer session with their ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students – hearing their stories was very inspiring.

Thanks to the whole LSEC team for their warm welcome.

Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:

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Unveiling the new Children’s section at Abbey Wood Memorial Garden

Honoured to unveil the new Children’s section and plaque at Abbey Wood Memorial Garden.

The garden, entirely volunteer-run under the dedicated leadership of Secretary John O’Rourke, has been 11 years in the making.

It was a privilege to join the team, local community, and veterans for such a meaningful occasion.

Congratulations to John and all involved on this remarkable achievement.

Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP:

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Abena Oppong-Asare MP Welcomes Labour’s Free School Meals Expansion Plan for Thousands of Erith and Thamesmead Children

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead has today (Friday 6 June) come out in support of the Labour government’s plans to deliver a free nutritious meal every school day for over half a million more children, as Labour puts £500 back into parents’ pockets every year by expanding eligibility for free school meals.  

This news comes after the successful launch of free breakfast clubs earlier this year, including at local primary schools in Erith and Thamesmead. Abena Oppong-Asare MP was delighted to visit one of these schools – Jubilee Primary School – to witness firsthand the positive difference the breakfast clubs are already making for local pupils and their families.

This announcement now means from the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil in Erith and Thamesmead whose household is on Universal Credit will have a new entitlement to free school meals. This will make life easier and more affordable for parents who struggle the most, delivering on Labour’s Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity and give children the best start in life. 

The unprecedented expansion will lift 100,000 children across England completely out of poverty. Giving children the access to a nutritious meal during the school day also leads to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes – meaning they get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life. 

The expansion will mean half a million more free lunches across England, on top of the 3 million already dished out every day – bringing the numbers up towards 8,880 right here in Erith and Thamesmead constituency.

Since 2018, children have only been eligible for free school meals if their household income is less than £7,400 per year, meaning hundreds of thousands of children living in poverty has been unable to access free school meals. 

Labour’s historic new expansion to those on Universal Credit will change this and comes ahead of the Child Poverty Taskforce publishing its ten-year-strategy to drive sustainable change later this year. It comes on top of targeted support for families being hit the hardest with the cost-of-living crisis, with urgent action including raising the national minimum wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 families through the Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“Working parents across the country are working tirelessly to provide for their families but are being held back by cost-of-living pressures.

“My government is taking action to ease those pressures. Feeding more children every day, for free, is one of the biggest interventions we can make to put more money in parents’ pockets, tackle the stain of poverty, and set children up to learn.

“This expansion is a truly historic moment for our country, helping families who need it most and delivering our Plan for Change to give every child, no matter their background, the same chance to succeed.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

“It is the moral mission of this government to tackle the stain of child poverty, and today this government takes a giant step towards ending it with targeted support that puts money back in parents’ pockets.

“From free school meals to free breakfast clubs, breaking the cycle of child poverty is at the heart of our Plan for Change to cut the unfair link between background and success.

“We believe that background shouldn’t mean destiny. Today’s historic step will help us to deliver excellence everywhere, for every child and give more young people the chance to get on in life.”

Labour is also offering more than £13 million in funding to 12 food charities across England to redistribute thousands of tonnes of fresh produce directly from farms to fight food poverty in communities.

The Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme is helping farms and organisations to work collaboratively to ensure edible food that might have been left in fields instead ends up on the plates of those who need it, including schoolchildren. This comes as part of Labour’s wider Food Strategy, helping to drive change and support a healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

“Poverty robs children of opportunities and damages their future prospects. This is a moral scar on our society we are committed to tackling.

“By expanding Free School Meals to all families on Universal Credit, we’re ending the impossible choice thousands of our hardest grafting families must make between paying bills and feeding their children.

“This is just the latest step of our Plan for Change to put extra pounds in people’s pockets – a downpayment on our Child Poverty Strategy, building on our expansion of free breakfast clubs, our national minimum wage boost and our cap on Universal Credit deductions through the Fair Repayment Rate.”

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, said:

“I know from speaking directly to local parents how much the stain of child poverty has impacted families in Erith and Thamesmead. 

“That’s why I fully support this decisive and much needed action to expand the entitlement for free school meals to thousands of children across Erith and Thamesmead, lifting many out of poverty and putting money back in parents’ pockets. 

“Children deserve the best start in life, and I’m proud that Labour is delivering this through its Plan for Change.”

To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, Labour is also acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the School Food Standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance.

This new entitlement will apply to children in all settings where free school meals are currently delivered, including schools, school-based nurseries and Further Education settings. We expect the majority of schools will allow parents to apply before the start of the school year 2026, by providing their National Insurance Number to check their eligibility.

Schools and local authorities will continue to receive pupil premium and home to school transport extended rights funding based on the existing free school meals threshold. 

This is just the latest step in Labour’s Plan for Change to break the unfair link between background and opportunity, including rolling out free breakfast clubs, expanding government funded childcare to 30 hours a week for working parents and commitment to cap the number of branded school uniform items.

From April 2026 until the end of parliament, millions of households are set to receive a permanent yearly above inflation boost to Universal Credit. The increase, a key element of the Government’s welfare reforms to be laid before Parliament, will tackle the destitution caused by years of inaction that has left the value of the standard allowance at a 40 year low by the early 2020s.

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