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Election as Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

I’m honoured to have been elected Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee in Parliament.

Having served on the Committee, on the Shadow Frontbench, as a government minister and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, I have seen scrutiny from both sides of the table. I am delighted to bring that experience to this new role.

For me, this role is about ensuring that the voices of communities across the country are heard in Parliament and that government decisions are properly scrutinised. I am committed to leading an independent, evidence-led Committee and working constructively with colleagues from all parties to deliver real improvements for the people we represent.

You can find out more about my priorities for the Committee in my candidacy video here, my candidate statement here or my social media post below.

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Response to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Dear constituent,

Thank you to all those who took the time to contact me about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and for sharing your views on this important and deeply personal issue.

Today, the House of Commons debated and voted on the Bill at Second Reading. The Bill failed to pass by 286 votes to 270.

After careful consideration, I voted against it. This is also consistent with the position I took on a similar Bill during the previous parliamentary session, which ultimately did not become law.

I want to stress that I am not opposed to assisted dying in principle. However, having listened carefully to constituents, considered the evidence before Parliament and reflected on the debate, I remained unconvinced that this particular Bill contains safeguards that are sufficiently robust to address a number of important concerns.

These include questions around prognostic uncertainty, the definition of terminal illness, the adequacy of safeguards for vulnerable people, and concerns raised by disabled people, medical organisations and others about how the legislation would operate in practice.

I also agree with the Prime Minister that improving social care must be one of our country’s top priorities. Whatever view people take on assisted dying, I hope we can all agree that access to high-quality social care, palliative care and end-of-life support is not good enough for too many people and families. I believe we should be focusing far more attention and energy on ensuring that everyone approaching the end of life can access the care, dignity and support they deserve.

As patron of the Community Hospice in Abbey Wood, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary care provided by hospice staff and the difference that good palliative and end-of-life care can make to patients and their families. Their work demonstrates what is possible when people receive the support they need.

I spoke in today’s debate to explain my position in full. You can view my speech here and read it in Hansard here.

Thank you again for those who got in touch and shared their views with me. I recognise that people hold sincere and strongly held views on all sides of this debate, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to contact me as I considered my position.

Yours sincerely,

Abena Oppong-Asare MP

Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead

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Abena welcomes stronger renters’ rights from today for over 12,500 people in Erith and Thamesmead

More than 12,500 private renters in Erith and Thamesmead – and millions more across London and England – are set to benefit from stronger protections from today, as the new Renters’ Rights Act comes into force.

The new law introduces the biggest changes to renters’ rights in over 40 years, giving local tenants greater security and protection against unfair practices.

Around 12,581 renters in the constituency will benefit from measures including a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, helping to prevent people being forced out of their homes without reason.

Renters will also benefit from:

  • Limits on rent increases to once per year
  • A ban on bidding wars for properties
  • A cap of one month’s rent for upfront payments
  • Stronger protections against discrimination for those with children or in receipt of benefits
  • New rights to request a pet, which landlords must reasonably consider
  • Greater flexibility, with tenants able to end tenancies with two months’ notice

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

“Too many renters in Erith and Thamesmead have been living with the constant fear of losing their home through no fault of their own.

“These historic reforms will make a real difference to people locally – giving renters the security they deserve, protecting them from unfair practices, and helping families put down roots in their communities.

“I’m proud that this Labour government is delivering the biggest upgrade to renters’ rights in a generation.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives.

“Today we are putting that right. We promised to fix a broken rental system and we’re delivering.

“This historic action will make renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions, so people can settle, put down roots and build their lives.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

“Renters have been living at the mercy of rogue landlords and in fear of losing their home for too long.

“We are putting a stop to this with historic changes that give renters the security they deserve – marking the beginning of a new era for private renters.”

The new law also introduces tougher enforcement powers for councils, with fines of up to £40,000 for landlords who break the rules, ensuring that rogue operators can no longer evade accountability.

Nationally, the reforms are expected to benefit around 11 million renters, while also improving the system for the 2.3 million landlords in England.

Across the wider area, the reforms will deliver stronger rights to for 76,127 private renters across the Royal Borough of Greenwich and 40,009 in the London Borough of Bexley, highlighting the scale of change locally.

Alongside these reforms, the government is investing in stronger enforcement and modernising the courts system to make it easier for both tenants and landlords to access justice.

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Have Your Say: Endometriosis Care and the Women’s Health Strategy

Endometriosis is one of the least understood health conditions, yet it impacts the lives of far too many women.

Too many face long delays in diagnosis, limited support, and a lack of awareness about the condition across society. More must be done to improve understanding among the public, healthcare professionals, and in the workplace so that those affected receive the care, compassion, and support they deserve.

As your MP, I have been advocating on this issue for many years. Before the 2024 General Election, I worked as Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, where I consistently raised the importance of improving care, awareness, and outcomes for those living with endometriosis.

Now, with the Government preparing to introduce a new Women’s Health Strategy, it is vital that the voices and experiences of local people help shape what comes next.

I have already been grateful to speak with constituents living with endometriosis and to hear first-hand about their experiences, but I am keen to ensure that as many voices as possible are heard.

I am proud of the progress already being made on women’s health. This includes the announcement that menopause questions will be incorporated into the NHS Health Check, action to reduce gynaecology waiting lists for the first time in years with additional funding to tackle the backlog, and the introduction of Jess’s Rule so that GPs in England ‘think again’ when patients attend multiple times without a diagnosis or when symptoms worsen.

However, there is much more to do. We must ensure this new Women’s Health Strategy is as strong and ambitious as possible – not only for women today, but for future years and generations to come.

If you or someone you love has been affected by endometriosis, I would value hearing from you. Please take a few moments to complete the survey below and share your experiences, priorities, and ideas for change.

If you know others who may be interested in contributing, please do share this survey so their voices can be heard too.

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Response to the Autumn 2024 Budget

The Budget 2024

I am proud to support this Labour Government’s Autumn 2024 Budget, the first Labour Budget for over 14 years, which delivers on our promises of change for working people. It will fix the foundations of our economy, secure investment for the future, and begin the process of rebuilding Britain. It will also have a positive impact on our community here in Erith and Thamesmead.  

Delivered by the UK’s first female Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Budget prioritised fixing Britain’s key public services, such as the NHS and our education system, and began the process of stabilising the broken economy left to us by the previous Conservative government. We also ensured that working people in communities like ours would not face higher taxes in their payslips, delivering on our manifesto promises not to increase VAT, national insurance or income tax on working people.  

The Chancellor highlighted that this Budget would turn the page on the last 14 years of economic decline, taking the tough decisions on spending and welfare by tackling fraud, tax avoidance and waste, and making sure that taxpayer’s money is spent efficiently and sets Britain up for future economic growth.  

Below are the key announcements from the Budget that I believe will bring positive benefits to the people of Erith and Thamesmead and the country:

  • Increasing the National Living Wage by nearly 7% – worth up to £1,400 for a full-time worker. 
  • Injecting an extra £25.6 billion for the NHS over two years to cut waiting lists. 
  • £2bn extra in NHS technology to improve Britain’s health services.  
  • No increase in Income tax, National Insurance or VAT for working people. 
  • Preserving the State Pension Triple Lock, with over 12 million pensioners gaining up to £475 next year. 
  • A 2.7% real terms increase to the Ministry of Defence’s budget to improve national security.  
  • Support for the recruitment of 6,500 teachers by increasing the Core Schools Budget by £2.3 billion next year.  
  • Abolishing the non-dom status.  
  • Maintaining the fuel duty freeze.  
  • £30 million to provide free breakfast clubs. 
  • £500 million investment to build 5,000 new social homes. 
  • Former mineworkers will receive £1.5 billion that was kept from their pension. 
  • The biggest increase to Carer’s Allowance eligibility since its introduction.  
  • £1 billion to help those facing financial hardship via the Household Support Fund.  
  • 40% relief on business rates, hospitality and leisure sectors. 
  • £500 million to fix local roads and fill a million potholes.  
  • Increase in the employment allowance to support small businesses.  
  • Cracking down on fraud, tax avoidance and waste.

I also spoke in person about how the Budget will impact the residents of Erith and Thamesmead, which you can watch here.

While I know there were tough decisions made, I fully support the Government’s commitment to delivering this needed investment in Britain’s future – fixing the NHS, protecting working families and rebuilding our country.

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

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First Cabinet Office Questions

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:

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Abena appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office

Following the election of a Labour Government on 4 July 2024, I am pleased to confirm that I have been appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

In this role, I will work inside the Cabinet Office on cross-government delivery and implementation of the Government’s priorities. I’m pleased to be working under the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, and alongside other Cabinet Office Ministers including Ellie Reeves MP, The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Georgia Gould MP.

I am deeply aware of what an immense responsibility it is to work in Government. I will work tirelessly to help deliver meaningful change and to improve the lives of working people and families up and down the country.

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Abena sworn in as MP for Erith and Thamesmead

This week, I was honoured to be sworn into Parliament as the MP for Erith and Thamesmead for the second time.

I look forward to serving all the residents of our constituency throughout the course of this Parliament.

Thanks again to all those who supported my campaign.

Tweet on 11th July 2024:

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Recognised as one of the 100 Women in Westminster  

Every year, the Politics Home magazine recognises 100 Women in Westminster who are leading the way in politics and public life. It was an honour to be recognised as one of the hundred women making a difference, and to be selected amongst other women trailblazers. You can read more about this event here.  

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Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW)

It was important this month to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW). In my role as Shadow Minister for Mental Health, I have been working hard on our plans to end the current mental health crisis and wrote about these issues in the New Statesman here. 

I was also pleased to attend the Mental Health Foundation’s reception in Parliament and to meet Mr Motivator and Jonny Wilkinson, both influential and positive voices promoting good mental health and the importance keeping active. 

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