January 2025 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to look at my monthly newsletter for January 2025.
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

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2025
I hope everyone in Erith and Thamesmead had a nice Christmas period, and I wish you all the very best for the year ahead.
It’s clear that our community and the entire country face significant challenges. However, as we start this year, I firmly believe in the Government’s “Plan for Change,” which is focused on tackling the key issues affecting working people and families.
This plan seeks to build 1.5 million new homes; provide better education for our children; dramatically reduce NHS waiting lists; get immigration under control; place neighbourhood police in every community; and deliver a stronger economy, with higher take-home pay for all.
I’m confident that in 2025 we will make meaningful progress toward delivering on this change agenda that the country voted for in last year’s election, and so urgently needs.
Bexley Tigers Basketball Club Visit
It was lovely to visit the Bexley Tigers Basketball Club at Trinity School, Belvedere and speak to the coaches, parents and players. I was very impressed with their basketball talents – they even trained me well enough to shoot my first ever hoop!
I am committed to ensuring clubs like this can continue to thrive – providing our kids a safe space to remain active and have a sense of community.
Christmas Card Competition 2024
It was nice to end 2024 with my annual Christmas Card Competition. This year’s theme was “What Makes Erith and Thamesmead a fun place”. I would like to thank all the artful local students, their teachers and parents for making this year’s competition happen.
The winner this year was Vera, aged 10, from St Thomas a Becket Primary School. You can see her brilliant design attached – showcasing the fish roundabout in Erith. You can also find out more on my website.
Open Doors World Watch List Reception
Great to attend this important Parliamentary reception with Open Doors and listen to several insightful speakers on this crucial issue. It is vital that we shine a light on global religious persecution. Thanks to all the constituents who reached out to me on this topic – I will continue to follow developments closely.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire
After over a year of devastating conflict, I’m thankful to see a ceasefire deal announced this month that will both end the fighting and bring overdue relief to the hostages, their families and the millions suffering in Gaza.
This is a huge step forward towards securing a permanent ceasefire that will provide a safe and stable future for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. I’m glad the Government has worked hard to make this progress possible, and I look forward to their continued pressure on all sides to bring long-term peace to the region.
Ministerial work in the Cabinet Office
It’s been a busy new year as a Minister in the Cabinet Office as we work hard to deliver on the Prime Minister’s “Plan for Change” agenda.
I started the month responding to a Westminster Hall debate on National resilience and preparedness. I reiterated that this Government’s main priority is keeping the country safe. Whether it’s cyber security, flooding, biosecurity or any other threat we face, I was clear that national resilience has been at the top of our agenda. You can watch my speech here or read it here.
This month, the Cabinet Office also released the Government’s first response to the Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 Report. This was an important step toward making sure lessons are learnt from Covid and we are better prepared for the next pandemic. You can read the response here.
It was also important to participate in the first Lead Ministers for Disability meeting. We discussed the Disability Unit’s work in breaking down barriers faced by disabled people in the UK, as well as putting disabled people’s views and voices at the heart of our decisions. You can see more about this meeting here.
Furthermore:
- Woolwich Polytechnic School Visit to Parliament – Great to welcome these energetic students to Parliament to better learn about how their democracy works.
- Celebration of the life and work of Nicky Gavron – Honoured to attend this memorial reflecting on Nicky’s remarkable contributions to politics, the environment, and the people of London.
- Congratulations London South East Colleges (LSEC) – Congratulations to LSEC on being accepted to the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme.
- Renters’ Rights Bill – Great to see the Renters’ Rights Bill complete its third reading in the House of Commons. We are a step closer to fixing our broken rental system.
- Early Years Support for Greenwich – Delighted that local families will benefit from a £126m Government funding boost, with over £1m going to families in Greenwich!
- Emergency Homelessness funding – I’m pleased the Government has taken urgent action to increase support for those in need, including safe and secure warm beds.
- Bringing back the family doctor – This month, I’m thrilled to welcome Government plans to bring back the family doctor and end the 8am scramble for appointments.
- Holocaust Memorial Day – Pleased to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day this year by signing the Holocaust Education Trust Book of Commitment in Parliament and attending the Holocaust Memorial Commemoration event in Downing Street.
- Cervical Cancer Prevention Week – Important to mark this awareness week.Cervical screening can help stop cancer before it starts, so don’t ignore your invite.
- Happy Thai Pongal to the Tamil Community – Best wishes to all those in Erith and Thamesmead celebrating Thai Pongal. Thanks also for all you do in the community.
- Happy Orthodox Christmas and New Year – Happy festivities to all those celebrating Orthodox Christmas and New Year in Erith and Thamesmead this month.
Stay updated on social media
For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@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