Today marks the anniversary of National Holocaust Memorial Day. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps in Europe. It is pertinent that we reflect today on the tragedy that was the Holocaust and continue to remember the innocent lives that were taken.
This month, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment and pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
Photo of Abena Oppong-Asare MP signing the Book of Commitment:
Social Media post by Abena Oppong-Asare MP commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day 2025:
Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day.
We must remember the six million Jewish people who were murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/25.01.21-Abena-Oppong-Asare-Book-of-Commitment-Holocaust-Memorial-Day-2025-square.jpg13791379Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-27 08:25:002025-01-27 09:31:34Holocaust Memorial Day 2025
Patients in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs set out by the Prime Minister earlier this month.
In London, nearly half a million people – 476,131 in total – have been on waiting lists for more than 18 weeks, including an alarming 103,210 people within the NHS South East London ICB, causing a significant impact on their health.
Addressing the 7.5 million-strong waiting list inherited by the government, and ensuring the NHS once again meets the 18-week standard for planned treatment, is a crucial milestone in the government’s Plan for Change.
Restoring this 18-week standard will mean patients in Erith and Thamesmead no longer have their lives put at risk or on hold – instead getting the treatment they need when they need it.
At the moment, too many patients face long waits for appointments or surgeries and may be referred to hospitals they don’t choose at inconvenient times, while appointments and staff time are being lost to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in care.
The Labour Government’s Elective Reform Plan, published this month by NHS England, sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.
This includes opening Community Diagnostic Centres on evenings and weekends so that many more people will be able to access tests and checks while going about their daily lives.
The NHS will also increase the number of surgical hubs, which will help protect planned care from the impact of winter pressures and will cut waiting lists for standard surgeries, in turn freeing up beds in acute wards.
The plan will drive forward progress on the government’s first steps commitment to deliver 2 million extra appointments in its first year, equivalent to 40,000 every week. The reforms will put patients first, harness technology to support staff and help the NHS to do things more efficiently.
Under the plan, 65% of patients will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of next year. Based on the size of the current waiting list, that would mean a fall of more than 450,000 people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.
After 14 years of decline, these plans will ensure that NHS patients and the people of South East London – and across the country – will at last have access to the timely treatment they need and deserve, while NHS staff will once again be able to deliver the high standard of care they are so deeply committed to providing.
Abena Oppong-Asare, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead said:
“Too many residents in our community of Erith and Thamesmead and South East London are stuck on the record long waiting lists inherited by this Labour Government at huge cost to their health.
“That’s why the reforms announced this month to cut NHS waiting times from 18 months to 18 weeks will make such a huge difference. With so many people waiting for treatment, it is more urgent than ever that we reform our NHS so it will always be there for you when you need it.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This Government promised change and that is what I am fighting every day to deliver.
“NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear. Lives on hold. Potential unfulfilled.
“This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs. Millions more appointments. Greater choice and convenience for patients. Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.
“This is a key plank of our Plan for Change, which will drive growth that puts more money in people’s pockets, secures our borders and makes the NHS fit for the future so what working people live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.”
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Official-Portrait-of-Abena-Oppong-Asare-MP--scaled.jpeg17072560Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-23 14:00:232025-01-23 14:01:06Abena welcomes the Government's plan to cut backlog of over 100,000 patients in South East London waiting over 18-weeks for NHS treatment
Families and children in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access early years support such as pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes and other support to give their child the best start in life, following a £126 million Government funding boost – delivering on the Labour’s Plan for Change.
Greenwich is expected to receive at least £1,472,500 as part of the wider investment increase.
Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. Antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high-quality early education and childcare – all are vital to guiding parents and supporting child development. Yet over 80% of parents have said they struggled to access services.
As part of our Plan for Change we’re committed to strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood and improve long term outcomes for children – including through today’s investment in Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme.
Abena Oppong-Asare, Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead said:
“I am absolutely delighted that families and children in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to access early years support through this funding boost from the Government.
“Families in Erith and Thamesmead elected a Labour government to give every child the best possible start in life, and that is what we’re delivering.
“This will make such a huge difference for so many families in our community and I know that the impact will be felt for years to come.”
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:
“This crucial investment provides a strong foundation to deliver our commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, by giving parents the support they need to ensure their baby has the best start in life.
“The first two years of a child’s life lay the building blocks for their physical and emotional wellbeing into adulthood. That’s why we are investing in early years, as part of our Plan for Change, to improve access to services in deprived areas to ensure no-one is left behind.”
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Official-Portrait-of-Abena-Oppong-Asare-MP--scaled.jpeg17072560Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2025-01-15 18:31:312025-01-15 18:31:33Families and new parents in Greenwich to receive early years support says Abena Oppong-Asare MP
I am delighted to announce the successful conclusion of my Christmas Card Competition 2024 for Erith and Thamesmead.
This annual competition invites schools from across our constituency to take part. The theme for this year was “What makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place?” As always, I would like to thank our fantastic students across the constituency who illustrated designs that show what they feel makes our constituency the fun place it is. This included parks, open spaces, shops, and local landmarks.
The artwork was assessed by a panel of judges, and I used the winning design as my Christmas Card this year, which was sent to over 1000 local people, businesses, and community groups. I also sent my card to the Prime Minister as well as many of my colleagues in the Houses of Parliament.
As has been the case in previous years we had a fantastic turnout from our enthusiastic students with many great designs being sent in. I would like to thank the schools, teachers, and parents who dedicated time to help organise the competition.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Vera, aged 10, from St Thomas a Becket Primary School. You can see me photographed with Vera, her winning published card and her Head Teacher Mrs Cooper.
Abena visiting this year’s winner, Vera, at St Thomas a Becket Primary School
In Vera’s description of her design, she wrote.
“I chose to draw this picture because whenever I go to Erith, I love to see the bright patterns on all the fish. I decided to start improving my art and create something special; I made a drawing based on Christmas. I am very proud of the art I have created from my artistic imagination, and I hope you will like it too.”
It is safe to say not only did we like it but I and the rest of the constituency absolutely loved it!
It was a pleasure visiting St Thomas a Becket Primary School, too. Many students asked me brilliant questions about my political career and journey. It is reassuring to know we have students in our constituency who, despite their youth, have a great interest in Politics.
Attached here is me meeting the Speaker of the House of Commons. He was impressed by the high quality of the design and put it on display in his office!
Abena presenting the winning design to the Speaker of the House of Commons
With special thanks to the sponsors of my card who backed this year’s competition – including Edible Oils Limited, Manak Solicitors, Lumbini Grocery, Aum Trading Wholesale, Red Lion Noodle Bar and Greenwich Mummies Forum.
I am excited 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 out to local stakeholders in Erith and Thamesmead.
The theme for this year is: ‘What makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place’.Pupils can draw or paint a design that shows what they love about places in our constituency, ensuring it has a Christmas theme. This might include sporting activities that make them happy, the parks or open spaces, local communities, shops, landmarks or even family and friends.
Entries must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining what the landmark means to the young artist and why they chose to draw it. 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.
In addition to the main prize, the winner and two runners up will receive a gift.
The submission process is as follows:
The artwork must be A4 in size (including the pupil’s name, age, class and school)
It must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining why the pupil chose to draw it
Submissions must be received by close of play on Friday 25th October
The winners will be announced in an email to all participating schools shortly after the deadline. I hope to attend the winning schools to present the prizes in person and will be in touch with the relevant school(s) to arrange a suitable date and time.
Below are some previous winners to provide some inspiration!
It was great to see Erith Town FC play against Croydon Athletic recently and witness their huge win.
It was a real honour to become a patron of the club and present player of the match. Grassroots football is deeply important to me, and to have such a special club run by great people in my constituency makes me very proud.
Their community work and youth engagement play a vital role in our constituency, provides a valuable sporting outlet, and develops life-skills and local projects that enrich the lives and improve the wellbeing of so many residents.
Grassroots football is so important for local communities. Go and support your local team.
Great to see @ErithTown play against Croydon Athletic yesterday and witness their huge win. I was honoured to become a patron of my local club and present player of the match!
Grassroots football is so important for local communities. Go and support your local team ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/O2MZoEj2fG
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GXgQTbGWYAAFw63.jpg20482000Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngAbena Oppong-Asare MP2024-09-15 15:10:062024-09-30 11:36:33Becoming a Patron of Erith Town FC
Whilst visiting Plumstead Open Studios, I got the chance to see how many talented people we have in our constituency. It was brilliant to view a wide range of locally-produced artwork and creative designs, including painting, photography, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, prints, and sculpture.
We have a lot of talented people in the constituency. I went to visit some of the brilliant exhibitions at Plumstead Open Studios yesterday 🎨
I had a fantastic time recently at the ‘Ballad of Thamesmead’ performance. This was part of the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, and presented By Dante or Die Theatre
Live folk songs by Abbey Wood singer Marie Bashiru were great, and the Thamesmead Community Choir impressed with a soaring sound design that included local peoples’ voices, culminating in the clocktower illuminated like never before.
It’s great to see such a broad array of talented artists, musicians, designers and creators on show in our constituency.
Had a fantastic time last night at the 'A Ballad of Thamesmead' performance. This is part of @GDIFestival Presented By Dante or Die Theatre
It’s on again tonight (7 Sept) at 8:30pm 🏫 Thamesmead Clocktower, 15 Joyce Dawson Way, London, SE28 8RA
It was inspiring to visit Emmaus Greenwich in my constituency, the work that they do makes a real difference to people trying to overcome homelessness, giving them support, skills and the confidence to build a better life for themselves. This type of community work is so important, and I thank them and their companions for taking the time to speak to me about their experiences.
This government is committed to seriously tackling homelessness across the UK, with the new cross government – Homelessness Taskforce which will develop a long-term strategy to combat this issue. Working alongside organisations like Emmaus, we have a real chance to improve the lives of so many suffering unnecessarily, building dynamic local communities with empowered citizens in the process
Thank you to MP Abena Oppong-Asare for visiting our Emmaus homelessness charity.
The MP met people supported by Emmaus: Luli and Joanne, and (pictured) staff Simon, Mischaley and Sofia.
Thank you for recognising our concerns about the struggles people are facing in the city💚 pic.twitter.com/X7aExSj1pY
Following my appointment as Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, I was pleased to answer questions at the first Cabinet Office Questions under the new Government.
I responded to important questions under my new brief, including strengthening our national resilience, learning the lessons for the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing ourselves for tragedies like the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
Additionally, I confirmed that the Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will chair a Cabinet committee on resilience to review our preparedness against the range of risks the UK faces. You can find out more about this work here.
If you want to watch these Cabinet Office Questions then follow the link here, or if you would prefer to read the transcript, then follow the link here.
Social Media Post on 26th July 2024:
At Cabinet Office Questions, I outlined this Government's commitment to strengthening our national resilience, and how lessons will be learned from COVID-19 and tragedies such as Grenfell.
