Lovely to visit Morrisons in Thamesmead to hear about the expansion of its online services, which will bring local jobs and more flexible shopping options to residents. It’s always encouraging to see new investment in Thamesmead.
Thanks to all the staff for hosting me and showing me around the store.
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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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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:
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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Today, the Renters' Rights Act comes into force.
— Abena Oppong-Asare MP (@abenaopp) May 1, 2026
It will strengthen rights for 2.7 million renters in London, including over 12,500 in our Erith and Thamesmead constituency.
A change so many local residents have been calling for – delivered by this @UKLabour Government. pic.twitter.com/qPfevIdpAc
Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to look at my monthly newsletter for April 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
End of a Transformative Parliamentary Session
This month marks the end of a transformative parliamentary session following the 2024 General Election.
I was elected as your Member of Parliament on a promise to deliver real change for our community and the country. I’m proud to have supported a series of game-changing Acts of Parliament that are already improving the lives of working people.
Here are some key measures, many of which local residents have long called for:
There is still more to do. I look forward to the new parliamentary session beginning on Wednesday 13 May, where I will continue working to deliver the change that Erith and Thamesmead – and our country – deserve.
Announcement of Women’s Health Strategy
For too long, women have faced delays, poor support, and not being heard, whilst seeking healthcare.
This is an issue I have campaigned on personally for many years and in recent months have led debates and put forward a bill on improving support for women facing Endometriosis, fibroids and other gynaecological conditions
This month the Government announced a groundbreaking Women’s Health Strategy to address this. The strategy will tackle medical misogyny, supporting all women to lead healthy, happy and prosperous lives.
I’m especially pleased to see the Government take action to streamline diagnosis and care services for chronic conditions, such as endometriosis. This must be a turning point for better care, and I’ll keep working with women locally and nationally to make it happen.
School Visits
It was a pleasure to visit St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School and Greenslade Primary School this month. It was great to meet the School Council at each of the schools to answer their thoughtful questions about how we can keep improving our community.
Lesnes Abbey Easter Festival and Plumstead Market Visit
Brilliant to celebrate the Easter Weekend at the Lesnes Abbey Festival with so many people from the area. It was also lovely to pop in to Plumstead Market – a really enjoyable way to mark Easter!
Visit to Men in Sheds in Erith
Great to visit Men in Sheds in Erith. It was fantastic to hear how the project has grown over the past 10 years and the positive impact it’s had on both members and the wider community. Thanks to their team and Age UK Bexley for such a warm welcome!
Maximus Greenwich Community Celebration Event
Delighted to attend Maximus community celebration event. Maximus support the community by getting people into work. I was joined by local businesses at their event to celebrate these achievements.
My work in Parliament
I’ve been engaging with Ministerial Colleagues to support the Government’s agenda for change.
I’ve campaigned to crack down on fly-tipping in Erith & Thamesmead since the day I was first elected. I met with the Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, to share the action we’re taking. The Government is making sure fly-tipping isn’t just a crime – it’s a crime with real consequences.
Furthermore, late payments cost our economy £11bn and force 38 businesses to close every day. So, it was great to meet with Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, to discuss support for small businesses. I am pushing hard for change so businesses in Erith and Thamesmead can thrive.
Furthermore:
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
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.
The government has proudly launched another round of 500 free breakfast clubs for schools across the country this week.
Today, I am delighted to confirm that Linton Mead Primary School in our constituency of Erith and Thamesmead has joined Jubilee Primary and Willow Bank Primary as flagship free breakfast clubs.
These clubs aim to ease the cost-of-living on families and ensure that our community’s children get the best possible start to their day, and ultimately, their education.
Now, more families and children will benefit from lower living costs and stronger guarantees that their children are getting a healthy and balanced diet as a part of their education. Setting our nation’s children up for the best chance in life, while easing the financial stress on their families. Allowing parents easier mornings and more time for what matters to them, family.
This expands the scheme to almost 700 children in Erith and Thamesmead and is implemented alongside other government measures to ease the cost of living and stress on working families. Like 30 hours of government-funded childcare, free school meals, and lowering uniform costs for kids in disadvantaged backgrounds. Helping our children get the best start in life and allowing their parents to work and live more comfortably knowing their family is properly supported.
Research shows us that a healthy and balanced breakfast plays a key role in a child’s behaviour, attendance, and academic ability. So, these provisions mean even more children in Erith and Thamesmead will be ready to learn and grow.
Last year, I celebrated the initial rollout of free breakfast clubs in Jubilee and Willow Bank with the students enrolled in the scheme. I got to hear from them how it would help them and their families. And I am so pleased to see the scheme expanded and cannot wait to visit Linton Mead to experience first-hand the positive impact that this action brings.
This week, the Labour government is delivering for working families.
— Abena Oppong-Asare MP (@abenaopp) April 17, 2026
500 new free breakfast clubs opening nationwide, supporting 140,000 children.
Proud that Linton Mead Primary in Erith & Thamesmead is included, helping parents save up to £450 a year 👇🏾https://t.co/Fc3aCYtH0x pic.twitter.com/DbWxSsf4Dt
Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to look at my monthly newsletter for March 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
£20 million in Pride in Place funding for Erith and Thamesmead announced
I’m delighted to confirm that up to £20 million of Government funding is to be invested in Thamesmead Birchmere Park 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. I attended a Pride in Place reception with Greenwich Council Leader, Anthony Okereke to announce the funding.
You can view a clip of me speaking on this news on my social media here and find out more about the announcement on my website here.
Vital funding announced for Erith Health Centre
Erith Health Centre is receiving crucial investment to transform its services as part of the Government’s plans for the Neighbourhood Health Service. This investment will help Erith Health Centre to provide end-to-end care, improving access to GPs, simplifying the provision of healthcare and enabling patients to be treated closer to their home. You can find out more on this exciting news for Erith residents on my website here.
Thamesmead Selected for a New Town by the Government
Following last year’s consultation, it was confirmed that Thamesmead will be 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 boost economic growth and transport links locally as well as address London’s housing shortage. I welcomed the news on my social media here.
SEND Roundtable with schools and Minister for School Standards
It was fantastic to host a discussion with school leaders from Erith and Thamesmead and the Minister for School Standards, Georgia Gould MP. The roundtable focused on how the government’s proposed reforms can improve outcomes for children with SEND, drawing on the crucial frontline experience of education leaders in the constituency. You can find out more about these SEND reforms, the consultation and this local roundtable on my website here.
Meeting with Get Together Monday Community Group
It was great to have the chance to meet with the Get Together Monday group in Shooters Hill to discuss local and national issues, whilst learning more about the group’s work to support the community.
International Women’s Day Event at Woolwich Polytechnic Girl’s School
Pleasure to attend the Careers Day Carousel at Woolwich to celebrate International Women’s Day. The students were eager to know more about their future career choices, and I look forward to seeing them as the leaders of tomorrow!
Summer School Launch
This month, I announced the return of my Campaign Summer School for its fifth iteration. The campaign offers first-hand insight into the exciting world of political campaigning. If you are aged between 16-18 in my constituency (or know someone that is), you can register your interest by following this link.
‘This is Endometriosis’ Screening in Parliament
Delighted to screen the BAFTA-winning short film ‘This is Endometriosis’ in Parliament on 24th March. The evening marked an important moment during Endometriosis Action Month where we were joined by Georgie Wileman, the filmmaker. It was a powerful testimony that shone a light on this vital issue, which I am fighting hard to see addressed in Parliament. It follows on from the adjournment debate that I held in Parliament, which you can watch here.
Greenwich Wildlife Network Meeting in Parliament
Pleasure to meet with constituents from the Greenwich Wildlife Network (GWN) & members of Naturewatch in Parliament. We spoke about GWN’s great work protecting local wildlife & green spaces, and the need to do more to tackle horrific incidents of ASB against animals.
Ghana Independence Day Celebrations
Honoured to mark the 69th anniversary of Ghanian Independence by speaking at an event in Parliament alongside the vibrant British Ghanaian community. I was equally honoured to be recognised of one of the 100 most influential Ghanaians in the UK, as well as attending an event at the Ghanaian High Commission to celebrate the day.
My work in Parliament
It has been a busy month for me in Parliament. As well as the adjournment debate for Endometriosis, I put forward a Ten-Minute Rule Bill for Menstrual and Gynaecological Health to increase public awareness of menstrual health issues including racial discrimination in the field.
Furthermore, on International Women’s Day, I highlighted the work of a number of inspiring women from Erith and Thamesmead during the IWD debate in the chamber. Lastly, I spoke on Radio 5 Live about Baroness Amos’ crucial investigation into maternal health. You can listen to my interview here.
Furthermore:
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.abenaopponga
Families in Erith and Thamesmead will be able to save money on services including free stay and play sessions for babies and young children, as Abena Oppong-Asare MP’s campaign secured the return of Sure Start-style services to their constituency, with a Best Start Family Hubs to open and help local families with the cost of living.
Parents will be able to access help with infant feeding, parenting advice and early support for children with SEND, in one place, reducing the need to pay for private classes or specialist support.
Having been elected on a manifesto to transform life chances by improving children’s start in life, Abena Oppong-Asare called on the Labour government to ‘rebuild’ Sure Start style services in Erith and Thamesmead – an area lacking in any government-funded provision following cuts to services following the election of the Conservatives in 2010. That left thousands of parents cut off from vital community support networks and specialist services – left to navigate the challenges of parenthood alone – as well as a devastating impact on children’s life chances, with early development, wellbeing and future attainment all in jeopardy.
The new Best Start Family Hub forms part of Labour’s wider efforts to make family life easier for those with younger children, including publishing new evidence-backed guidance on screen time this week in response to parents’ calls for support.
Bexley was one of 65 areas across the country left without government-funded family support.
Now, thanks to the work of local Labour MP, West Street Best Start Family Hub becomes one of over 200 new Best Start Family Hubs now opening to families, as Labour delivers on its pledge to ensure there is a hub in every council area. These form the first wave of up to 1,000 hubs across all local authorities by 2028.
New guidance sets out Labour’s plans to bring services families rely on together under one roof, making it easier to get help at the right time – reimagining Sure Start for the modern age through a more joined-up system of support.
Labour is also making a new commitment to deliver up to 2,000 satellite locations by 2028 – based in health centres, leisure centres, libraries and churches – so families experience seamless support in the places they already go.
The programme builds on the legacy of Sure Start, while updating family services for the modern world – combining face-to-face and digital support, strong partnerships with early years settings, and better use of existing community partners and spaces.
MP for Erith and Thamesmead, Abena Oppong-Asare said:
“I’m so pleased that my campaign to bring back family services to Erith and Thamesmead has been a success, helping to give local children the best start in life.
“This is the difference a Labour MP working with a Labour government can do for children and families in our area.
“This Best Start Family Hub will be transformative – alongside free breakfast clubs and government-funded childcare, we are showing this government is on the side of families in Erith and Thamesmead.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
“Children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life, but for too long, too many families have been navigating the pressures of parenthood without the support they need.
“Best Start Family Hubs will revitalise family services – bringing together health, parenting support and practical advice in one place, free and close to home, so that parents can get the help they need, when they need it.
“I’ve seen the difference Sure Start made in my community, and why it’s so important that we bring that support back today, reimagined for a new generation of families.”
“Whether it’s advice on child development, help with additional needs, or simply a friendly face in the community, this government is putting the support so many families used to rely on, back into each and every community.”
The new Best Start Family Hubs are backed by £900m of investment over the next three years – including half a billion to deliver hubs nationwide, £200 million for the Healthy Babies services, and a further £200 million to fund SEND practitioners in every hub.
Erith and Thamesmead’s Best Start Family Hub will have dedicated outreach workers to reach families, alongside a practitioner to help identify additional needs early – particularly those who might otherwise fall through the cracks – helping them access the right support sooner without being passed between services.
Alongside this, West Street Best Start Family Hub will deliver Healthy Babies support – bringing together health and early support such as midwifery, health visiting, infant feeding and perinatal mental health support so local families get a more joined-up experience from day one.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“I want babies born this year to grow up as the healthiest generation than any before it – and that means building good habits early.
“We know that the earliest years of a child’s life shape everything that follows. But for too long, families have had to navigate a maze of services at the very moment they need simple, straightforward help.
“We’re making it easier for families to get the right support in one place – from pregnancy through to age two.
“That means spotting problems earlier, stepping in sooner, and moving care closer to the communities that need it most.”
With significant investment over the next three years, Erith and Thamesmead’s Best Start Family Hub will play a key role in improving the school readiness of local children, supporting early development and helping parents manage the cost of living.
Hubs will also be able to host school-based nurseries, bringing childcare together with family support, health visiting and early SEND identification under one roof – giving families more joined-up support.
It comes as Labour prioritises support to make life easier for families across Erith and Thamesmead – from help with managing screen-time to major cost of living interventions, including saving eligible parents an average of £8,000 a year through government-funded childcare, up to £450 a year through Best Start free breakfast clubs, up to £500 a year through the expansion of free school meals, and around £300 a year through Best Start Holiday Activities and Food programmes, alongside the expansion of Best Start school-based nurseries.
Abena Oppong-Asare MP writing in Politics Home, 31 March 2026
Twelve years ago, Valerie Forde and her 22-month-old daughter, RJ, were murdered. Six weeks earlier, Valerie had reported a death threat to the police.
When three quarters of Black women who experience domestic abuse want to report it but feel unable to, we should ask a difficult question: what kind of system have we built, if silence feels safer than seeking help?
Valerie did everything we ask of victims. She recognised the danger and sought help. She was failed by the services meant to protect her. Nothing about Valerie and RJ’s deaths was inevitable. If her warnings had been taken seriously, both would still be alive today.
Research by Sistah Space, based on the experiences of more than 2,200 women across England and Wales, shows how serious this problem is. Nearly all of the women surveyed said they did not have confidence that reporting abuse would lead to fair or supportive treatment. Many said they felt misunderstood or dismissed when they did reach out. That matters because what happens when a woman asks for help can determine whether she is protected or put at greater risk.
Violence against women and girls is a national emergency. The government has set out an ambitious approach, with a focus on prevention, accountability and rebuilding trust. That direction is right. But it must be felt in practice across all demographics.
For too many Black women, coming forward is not just difficult, it is risky. There is fear of not being believed, of being stereotyped as aggressive, or of losing their children. Some fear that speaking out will make things worse. When those fears are present, it is not surprising that many women stay silent.
Sistah Space’s report gives clear examples of where things go wrong. Women describe coercive control not being recognised, or harm being minimised because injuries are not obvious. Some speak about bruising on darker skin not being properly recorded. These are basic issues, but they can make the difference between someone being protected or not.
Many professionals work extremely hard to support survivors. But without the right training, risk can be missed.
Culturally competent care is part of getting this right. It means understanding how different experiences shape the way abuse is reported, recognised and responded to. It means building trust, not losing it.
The government has committed to a survivor-centred approach to tackling violence against women and girls. The task now is delivery. For too many Black women, the system still does not feel like it works for them. Valerie’s Law is a practical way to change that. It would make specialist training mandatory for police, social workers and healthcare professionals, so that responses are informed by the lived experience of Black women.
This builds on work already underway, and strengthens it. It would also create a consistent standard, so that support does not depend on where someone lives or who they speak to.
Black women are not asking for special treatment – they are asking for equal treatment. They are asking to be believed and to be treated properly when they ask for help.
If we are serious about ending violence against women and girls, the system has to work for those who currently trust it least. On the 12th anniversary of Valerie and Jahzara’s murders, the case for change is clear. We know what needs to happen. The question is whether we are prepared to act on it.
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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