, , , ,

“A huge opportunity for Thamesmead” – Abena Oppong-Asare MP welcomes government’s new housing and DLR plans for the area

Abena Oppong-Asare MP has today welcomed the government’s announcement that Thamesmead has been identified by the New Towns Taskforce as one of 12 recommended locations for the next generation of new towns.

The plans, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, set out ambitions to create thousands of new homes in Thamesmead. Crucially, the proposals highlight the opportunity to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) into Thamesmead – a long-awaited step that would transform local transport links, boost the local economy, and improve access to jobs and services.

The Taskforce, set up to help deliver the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, recommends each new town should provide at least 10,000 homes, with 40% affordable and half of those for social rent. It also calls for accountable delivery bodies to give local communities long-term certainty.

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

“This is a huge opportunity for Thamesmead. The government’s plans for new homes and the DLR extension could be truly transformational – tackling London’s housing crisis, boosting local transport, and unlocking Thamesmead’s potential.

“Through my #NextStopThamesmead campaign I’ve long argued for better local transport connections, so I strongly welcome this positive step forward.

“I will work hard to ensure these plans are delivered in partnership with local residents and reflect our community’s needs.”

The Erith and Thamesmead MP recently visited 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. This visit came alongside the Chancellor’s Spending Review over the summer, where she committed to working with TfL on this project.

The government will now undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment before confirming final sites next year. Abena Oppong-Asare MP has pledged to work with ministers and residents to put local people at the heart of these plans, so Thamesmead gets the homes, transport, and investment it deserves.

/by
,

Abena’s Christmas Card Competition 2025 Launch

I am delighted to announce that my annual Christmas Card Competition has officially launched.  Each year, I run this competition for primary school students across our constituency to produce amazing artwork that is sent to local stakeholders in Erith and Thamesmead.

The theme for this year is: ‘Love Erith and Thamesmead: portraits of local landmarks’.

Pupils can draw or paint a design that shows a local landmark in our constituency ensuring it has a Christmas theme. This might include sporting venues that make them happy, the parks or open spaces, local communities, shops, or even family and friends on a visit to a chosen landmark.  

Entries must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining what the chosen design means to the young artist and why it makes them happy. The artwork will be assessed by a panel of judges, and the winning design will be used as my Christmas card and sent to more than 1,000 local people and groups as well as my fellow MPs, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Commons and His Majesty the King! 

The winner will receive a gift, and every child who enters a design, will receive a certificate thanking them for their participation. 

The submission process is as follows:    

  1. The artwork must be A4 in size (including the pupil’s name, age, class and school)   
  2. It must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining why the pupil chose to draw it   
  3. Pupils or teachers must scan or take a photo of the artwork and send via email to abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk with the message “Christmas card competition 2025” in the subject line. 
  4. The entry must be accompanied by the consent form supplied to the school to be completed by the child’s parent or carer. 
  5. Submissions must be received by close of play on Friday 7th November 2025.   

The winners will be announced in an email to all participating schools shortly after the deadline. I hope to attend the winning school to present the prizes in person and will be in touch with the relevant school to arrange a suitable date.    

Below are some previous winners to provide some inspiration.

Wishing all the participants the best of luck!

Previous Winners:

/by
, , , ,

Abena Welcomes £47.1m Funding Boost to Help Residents in Greenwich and Bexley Overcome Barriers to Work

Thousands of residents across Greenwich and Bexley — including many in Erith and Thamesmead — will benefit from new Government funding to help disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into work.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a £338 million investment into the new Connect to Work programme, which will provide tailored employment support for more than 85,000 people in 15 areas across England.

As part of this, up to £47.1 million has been allocated to the Local London Sub-Regional partnership, supporting 12,350 people locally, including in Greenwich and Bexley. The scheme will offer personalised coaching, job-matching services, and ongoing support to help people overcome barriers and secure sustainable jobs.

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

“This investment will make a real difference to people here in Erith and Thamesmead.

“Everyone deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, and this scheme will provide personalised support for those who may have faced long-term barriers to work.

“I’m delighted to see new opportunities being opened up across both Greenwich and Bexley, helping more people into secure and fulfilling work.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said:

“For too long, millions of people have been denied the support they need to get back to health and back to work.

“It’s bad for their living standards, it’s bad for their families, and it’s bad for the economy.

“That’s why we’re taking decisive action by investing millions of pounds so sick or disabled people can overcome the barriers they face and move out of poverty and into good, secure jobs as part of our Plan for Change.

With 2.8 million people out of work due to ill-health, this investment is a key step in the Government’s wider Plan for Change – helping sick and disabled people overcome barriers, move out of poverty, and secure good, stable jobs.

For more information, read the DWP Government announcement here.

Abena in Erith

/by