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Erith and Thamesmead to benefit from new Youth Hubs to tackle unemployment

Young people in Erith and Thamesmead are set to benefit from new Youth Hubs announced by the Government as part of a national drive to tackle youth unemployment.

This week, the Government confirmed that almost 180 new Youth Hubs will be created across the country, with Greenwich and Bexley boroughs scheduled to benefit in Year Two of the scheme.

The hubs will support 16 to 24-year-olds by bringing together employment advice, skills training, careers guidance, mental health support, housing advice and links to employers offering jobs and apprenticeships.

The announcement follows the Milburn Report on Young People and Work, which warned that too many young people face barriers to opportunity. Nationally, around one million young people are currently not in education, employment or training.

Youth Hubs form part of the Government’s £2.5 billion Youth Guarantee programme, which aims to help young people move into work, education or training and ensure that no young person is more than one hour away from support by public transport.

While specific venues have not yet been confirmed, locations will be developed locally with partners, based on need, readiness and existing community links.

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, welcomed the announcement after campaigning for better youth services in her constituency. She said:

“Too many young people in Erith and Thamesmead are finding it harder to get their first job and feel that the system is not working for them.

“I am proud that both Greenwich and Bexley are set to benefit from the Government’s new Youth Hubs scheme, bringing practical support, training, advice and employer links closer to home.

“This is a real boost for local opportunity and will help more young people move into work, education or training.

“I will be working to ensure these hubs serve our community well. If you run a local organisation or business and are interested in supporting or hosting a Youth Hub, please get in touch.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

“We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives.

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more.

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.”

The Government has said the hubs are based on the Dutch “Jongerenpunt” model, which brings multiple services together in one place.

The Youth Guarantee also includes support for businesses to hire young workers, including a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18 to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, and a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small businesses taking on a new employee aged 16 to 24.

For more information about this announcement, see the government’s webpage here.

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Abena’s ‘Meet Your MP’ Coffee Morning in Plumstead

Delighted to hold my ‘Meet Your MP’ Coffee Morning at the Plumstead Centre this May.

There were so many valuable conversations about the key issues facing residents and how we can work together to continue making the community a better place to live.

I’m always looking to engage with constituents and that’s why I host my ‘Meet your MP’ coffee mornings in-person and in our constituency.

Constituents are more than welcome to join and have a chat with me and other members of our community about all of the important issues we face today. I’m happy to speak about both local and national topics and answer questions from constituents on any topic. 

If you want to join next time, you can sign up on my website here.

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Commemorating VE Day with the Royal British Legion in Abbey Wood

This VE Day, I was proud to join the Thamesmead & Abbey Wood Branch of the Royal British Legion in paying tribute to the courage, service and sacrifice of all those who served during the Second World War.

It was a privilege to stand alongside local veterans, Legion members and residents from across our community as we reflected on the freedoms secured by that wartime generation, and the duty we share to remember them.

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Share Your Views: Help Shape Thamesmead Birchmere Park’s Pride in Place Funding

I’m delighted to announce the launch of a new community survey following a £20 million investment into Thamesmead Birchmere Park through the Government’s Pride in Place programme.

This funding – £2 million per year over the next decade – represents a major opportunity to deliver lasting improvements and ensure our community gets the attention and investment it deserves after years of being overlooked.

But this investment isn’t just about funding – it’s about you. Local residents know the area best, and your ideas should shape how this money is spent. I want to hear directly from you about what matters most and how we can work together to unlock the full potential of Thamesmead Birchmere Park.

Take the survey here:

Your input will help guide decisions and ensure this funding is used wisely, transparently, and in line with community priorities.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.

Let’s work together to build a better future for our community.

Find out more about this announcement on my dedicated webpage here.

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Abena Welcomes Vital Investment in Erith Health Centre

Erith and Thamesmead’s MP Abena Oppong-Asare has welcomed today’s announcement, which means an upgrade to Erith Health Centre. The investment means Erith is at the forefront of the government’s drive to shift healthcare from hospitals to communities.

At the 2025 Budget, the Labour government committed to build and upgrade hundreds of new Neighbourhood Health Centres to bring health services closer to communities. This means patients will be treated closer to their home through a new neighbourhood health service. 

The Neighbourhood Health Service will bring teams together to dramatically improve access to the NHS, free up overstrained hospitals and deliver the best, most cutting-edge and personalised care. 

The centres will be part of a new Neighbourhood Health Service that will provide end-to-end care and tailored support – improving access to GPs, helping to prevent complications and avoid the frustration of being passed around the system. 

With Labour inheriting record long NHS waiting lists nationally, Oppong-Asare has welcomed the new approach and the decision to invest in Erith.

The MP for Erith and Thamesmead has been working in partnership with local Labour councillors, Cllr Nicola Taylor and Cllr Chris Ball, as well as the Leader of Bexley Labour, Cllr Stefano Borella, to secure the investment Erith residents need both now and for the long term.

Across the country, the Labour government has already made significant progress to get the NHS back on its feet. Waiting lists are falling, down by 374,000 since Labour came to power, and the lowest for around three years.

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

“Upgrading Erith Health Centre and singling it out to be in the first wave of Neighbourhood Health Centres will deliver real improvements for local patients and is a huge vote of confidence in local staff. 

“When the government announced the NHS Neighbourhood Rebuild fund I was determined our community in Erith and Thamesmead should be at the front of the queue. The Labour government has made great strides in cutting NHS waiting lists across the country, to get patients seen faster but we have to modernise the way our NHS delivers care if we are to get the NHS back on its feet. 

“Too many people are passed from GP to hospital for checks and treatments which can be delivered closer to home. This investment will help create the space to deliver more services in Erith Health Centre. But the fact staff in Erith have been recognised as ready and willing to make the shift to a neighbourhood model of care is just as significant.

“I’m really proud that NHS staff in Erith have been recognised as pioneers in this way.”

Councillor Stefano Borella, Leader of Bexley Labour Group, said:

“For too long, our NHS has been under immense pressure – struggling to support both local residents in need and the dedicated staff working tirelessly under incredibly challenging conditions. Sadly, this is something we have witnessed first-hand here in Bexley.

“I’m proud that this Labour Government – backed by our local Labour MP, Abena Oppong-Asare – is now delivering the investment needed to ensure people in Erith and Bexley can access care closer to home.

“I look forward to seeing Erith Health Centre flourish under these plans and through working with the Erith ward Councillors Chris Ball and Nicola Taylor this will lead to the real, lasting difference this investment will make for our community.”

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Abena Welcomes Thamesmead Selected for New Generation of New Towns

Abena Oppong-Asare, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead, has welcomed the announcement that Thamesmead has been identified as one of seven proposed new towns as part of the government’s most ambitious housebuilding programme in over fifty years.

The plans could see up to 15,000 new homes delivered in Thamesmead, helping to address London’s housing shortage while unlocking underused riverside land. The development will be supported by the planned extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), improving connectivity and access to jobs and opportunities across South East London and the capital.

Abena Oppong-Asare MP said:

“I warmly welcome Thamesmead being selected for this ambitious programme to deliver the homes and infrastructure our community needs.

“This is a major opportunity to transform the area, with new homes, jobs and the long-awaited DLR extension – something I have campaigned for since becoming an MP – finally bringing better connections for local residents.

“It is particularly encouraging to see a strong commitment to genuinely affordable homes, including homes for social rent, so local families can benefit.

“I will continue working with ministers, the local council, local partners and residents to ensure this development delivers for our community, both now and in the future.”

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of Greenwich Council said:

”We know how much potential there is waiting to be unlocked in Thamesmead, and we’re thrilled the government also recognised as a New Town delivering up to 15,000 new homes and 6000 jobs.”

“Earlier this year, the council welcomed fresh investment for our long-championed campaign to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead. The New Town regeneration and potential rail link would create new jobs, new housing and boost business to an area that benefits from better transport links. 

“Thamesmead represents one of the largest regeneration areas in London and we will continue to work together with our partners the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, Peabody and Lendlease, to realise its full potential for existing and new communities.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

“People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities. 

“Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future. 

“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together – so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.” 

Abena Oppong-Asare MP has long campaigned for investment in Thamesmead, including through her “Next Stop Thamesmead” campaign calling for the DLR extension. She has consistently raised the area’s potential in Parliament and supported its inclusion as a possible New Town, including in a debate earlier this year where she welcomed Thamesmead being identified by the New Towns Taskforce. 

She has also submitted written parliamentary questions to ministers to ensure Thamesmead remains a priority, highlighting its potential to deliver new homes and drive economic growth.

The new towns programme will create well-planned communities with homes, schools, healthcare, green spaces and transport infrastructure delivered together, supporting modern, sustainable neighbourhoods. The programme forms part of the government’s wider strategy to tackle the housing crisis, boost economic growth, and build thriving communities across the country.

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£20 Million Secured for Erith and Thamesmead through Pride in Place Funding

Since being elected, I’ve been fighting hard in Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead.

Today, I’m delighted to confirm that up to £20 million of Government funding is to be invested in Thamesmead Birchmere Park, within our local constituency, over the next ten years, putting local people in the driving seat to shape the future of the community.

The Pride in Place programme, launched by the Labour Government last year, has been rolled out to more most in need neighbourhoods across the UK, giving local people a say in projects that will make a real difference to their community.

This funding is part of a programme designed to strengthen community life and support places like ours to build even stronger local connections. It’s about bringing people together across the neighbourhood, supporting local groups, organisations and initiatives, and celebrating the pride people already have in where they live.

This is the difference a Labour Government makes. No more empty promises. Real change.

Residents will have the resources to invest in our community to create new spaces for young people or breathe new life into community assets.

I will shortly be launching a survey to reach out to residents and listen to what they believe this investment should be used for.

In the meantime, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk

You can also find out more about this announcement on the Government’s website here.

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February 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to look at my monthly newsletter for February 2026.

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

My Endometriosis and Youth Online Safety Campaigns: Hearing from you

The Government is developing and consulting on ambitious new strategies for Women’s Health and Online Safety for young people. It is vital that the voices and lived experiences of local people help shape these plans, and I am keen to hear directly from you.

Work is already underway to create a safer digital environment for young people. The Government are now consulting on proposals to restrict or ban social media use for under-16s. Whether you are a teacher, student, parent or grandparent you can share your opinion on this issue, via my survey below.

Furthermore, while I welcome the progress already being made on women’s health, there is still much more to do. The forthcoming Women’s Health Strategy must deliver meaningful and lasting improvements: particularly in the diagnosis, treatment, and support available for those living with endometriosis. This is an issue I raised in Parliament this month and one I have championed for many years as your MP. You can find a clip of my intervention on my social media here. If you or someone close to you has been affected by Endometriosis, I would be grateful if you could share your experience through the survey below.

Greenwich and Bexley Nepalese Event

It was a pleasure to host members of the Greenwich and Bexley Nepalese community in Parliament on Tuesday 24 February, alongside former Greenwich Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Jit Gurung Ranahbat and Gaumaya Gurung Ranahbat. The event was very well attended and celebrated the significant contributions that British-Nepalese individuals and community groups make to our wider society.

Visit to Christ Church School for Children’s Mental Health Week

It was wonderful to be joined by former England rugby star Jonathan Joseph at Christ Church Primary School in Erith. It was terrific to meet pupils and see Johnathan lead an inspiring coaching session action. The event celebrated the support available to young people and marked Children’s Mental Health Week. My thanks to the school for hosting and to local sponsors, Oscar Mayer in Erith, for helping make the day such a success

Visit to Alexander McLeod School

Delighted to visit Alexander Mcleod Primary School in Abbey Wood for their Aspiration Week. It was brilliant to share my journey and what I do as MP for Erith & Thamesmead and to hear the pupils’ questions.

New Free Breakfast Club for Erith and Thamesmead Pupils

Absolutely delighted to welcome this month’s announcement of a new free breakfast club for pupils in Erith and Thamesmead.

Linton Mead Primary School will open the latest club this Easter, helping ensure children start the day with a nutritious meal while also supporting families with the cost of living. These breakfast clubs play an important role in giving pupils the best possible start to their school day.

You can find out more on my website here about this policy and read about my visit to the breakfast clubs launched in our community last year.

Visit to Costa Coffee

Really pleased to have the chance to visit the new Costa Coffee in Abbey Wood and sharpen up my Barista skills! I enjoyed speaking with the wonderful staff and hearing about the experiences and issues that matter most to them in their work within our community.

Sistah Space Roundtable

Honoured to host Sistah Space’s roundtable in Parliament on Monday 9 February. The event centred on the proposal of Valerie’s Law, that would mandate cultural competency training for police to support Black women and girls affected by domestic abuse.

I am proud to stand alongside Sistah Space in their vital work and will continue working with colleagues across Parliament and in Government to help advance their mission of halving violence against women and girls.

Safer Internet Event

This event in Parliament bought together children, parents and teachers to discuss their experiences of the online world.  It was fantastic to hear directly from young people about how online safety programmes impact their understanding of the issue, which has helped to inform my campaigning on the topic.


My work in Parliament

Alongside continuing in my busy role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, I have welcomed several significant policy announcements this month.

Regarding maternity care, Baroness Amos’ report highlighted shortcomings in care across the country. I fully support the action the Government is taking to address this issue. Specifically, I welcome the serious consideration this report gives to the disparity in maternity outcomes for black and ethnic minority mothers. This is something I raised in Parliament last month and was interviewed about on BBC Radio 5 Live. I look forward to following the development of this strategy, including assessing the results of the Government’s neonatal and maternity investigation.

I also commend the release of the SEND White Paper which has started the process to transform a defunct system, to one where support is available when children need it, where they need it. Furthermore, the National Cancer Plan sets out how we will improve cancer care so that 3 out of 4 people diagnosed with cancer survive for 5 years or more by 2035.

Furthermore:

  • Greenwich Regional Final of the Jack Petchey “Speak Out” Challenge – delighted to deliver a message to pupils at this exciting event – a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase the voices of young people from Greenwich.
  • Investment in local Community Spaces by Mayor of London – Great news for the local community as the Exchange in Erith and Moorings Sociable Club have both been selected for the Mayor of London’s new Community Spaces network! Looking forward to seeing next steps and how the community will benefit.
  • Ash Wednesday – wishing everyone a peaceful Ash Wednesday and Lent.
  • Ramadan Mubarak – wishing a blessed Ramadan to our Muslim community.
  • Lunar New Year – sharing good health and happiness this Lunar New Year.
  • LGBT+ History Month – it’s great to mark February as a celebration of LGBT+ history.
  • Time to talk day – pleased to support the UK’s biggest mental health conversation.
  • Eating Disorders Awareness Week – raising awareness of disordered eating behaviour during this week is pivotal to rethinking how we approach mental health.
  • Constituency Surgeries – if you would like to meet me to discuss national or local issues, please feel free to get in touch.
  • Tours of Parliament – If you are a resident or organisation based in Erith and Thamesmead constituency, don’t hesitate to reach out to organise a tour at: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk  

Stay updated on social media

For regular updates on my activities, follow me on X (@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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Pressing for Better Endometriosis Care in Parliament

Women living with endometriosis have endured pain, stigma and far too many delays in diagnosis for decades. This chronic condition, which affects around one in ten women and those assigned female at birth, can cause debilitating pain, fatigue and fertility challenges – yet many still wait years for a diagnosis and struggle to access the support they need.

In the House of Commons this week, I raised these concerns directly with the Minister, asking whether the Government’s new Women’s Health Strategy will lead to improved training for healthcare professionals and greater awareness of endometriosis. Too often, symptoms are dismissed or misunderstood, leaving women feeling unheard and unsupported. Earlier diagnosis and better understanding are essential to improving outcomes and quality of life.

I was encouraged by the Minister’s response and the recognition that more must be done to prioritise women’s health. The Women’s Health Strategy has the potential to drive meaningful change – from better education and training in primary care, to clearer referral pathways and faster access to specialist treatment. However, warm words must now translate into tangible action.

I will continue to press the Government to deliver real improvements and to make women’s health a genuine priority within our NHS.

Alongside raising this issue in Parliament, I have launched a survey for local residents to share their experiences of endometriosis and what they want in the upcoming Women’s Health Strategy. Hearing directly from those affected will help inform my ongoing work in Westminster and strengthen the case for change.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by endometriosis, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and make your voice heard:

Your experiences matter, and together we can push for the improvements women deserve.

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Another Local School Set to Benefit from Free Breakfast Club, Confirms Erith and Thamesmead MP

More families and children in Erith and Thamesmead will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the Labour government confirms the next 500 schools to offer the scheme from April, including Linton Mead Primary School, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets.

It represents a campaign win for Erith and Thamesmead’s Labour Member of Parliament, Abena Oppong-Asare, who has encouraged all local schools to apply to join the scheme. As a result, 647 children in their constituency will be able to access a nutritious meal at the start of the day.

This announcement comes less than a year since Oppong-Asare welcomed the initial roll out of free breakfast clubs at Willow Bank Primary School and Jubilee Primary School, both based in her constituency. She was delighted to visit both of these breakfast clubs since their launch and spoke with teachers, parents, and students about the positive impact these clubs are already having on their lives.

The clubs come alongside a raft of measures driven forward by Labour to cut the cost of living for families in Erith and Thamesmead, including expanding free school meals, rolling out 30 hours of government-funded childcare, bringing down school uniform costs and securing the future of Best Start holiday clubs.

Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children attending Linton Mead Primary School will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work.

Universal Best Start free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.

The scheme plays a role in Labour’s moral mission to tackle child poverty, with the government on track to secure the biggest reduction in child poverty within a single parliament. By targeting support, Labour’s clubs will reach half a million pupils in England’s most disadvantaged communities. This will provide an essential meal to ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.

Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:

“Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.

“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.

“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”

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

“I am so happy to announce that Linton Mead Primary School has been selected as one of Labour’s Best Start free breakfast clubs and I cannot wait to see the club open in April.

“It’s a testament to both the school and the Labour government’s dedication to getting children school-ready so they are able to improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as improving the household finances of local families.

“Through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is boosting parents’ work choices and children’s life chances.”

Photos from Past Free Breakfast Club Visits at Jubilee and Willow Bank Primary Schools:

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