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May 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for May 2023.

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

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2023 Campaign Summer School

I am delighted to announce that applications for my Campaign Summer School for 2023 are now open!

At my jam-packed 3-day summer school, young people aged between 16 and 18 will have the opportunity to gain the skills needed to make a real difference in our community.

I know from my own experience that whether you’re dealing with environmental issues, crime, education and housing, effective campaigning is the key to influencing and challenging those in power. So, I am determined to do all I can to empower our young people to be the change they want to see in the world.

The school itself will be held in person in Erith and Thamesmead from Monday 24th July to Wednesday 26th July.

If you know anyone who might be interested, then please don’t hesitate to send them the application. To apply just fill in the sign-up form on my website. Applications are welcomed from anyone aged between 16 and 18, though priority will be given to those who live or go to school in the constituency of Erith and Thamesmead.

This month in Parliament I have raised a number of issues I know are important to people in Erith and Thamesmead.

In my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I spoke for Labour in the Finance Bill committee, where I raised Labour’s concerns with the new alcohol taxation scheme that is being introduced, and the importance of supporting our hospitality industry.

I also spoke about the role of further education (FE) colleges in training the workforce of the future and upskilling the existing workforce. FE colleges support our communities but are being let down by the Government.

I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate about regulation of the private rented sector, calling for a proper Ombudsman to deal with issues raised by tenants in the private rented sector. Lots of constituents have contacted me about soaring rents and poor-quality accommodation. I am very happy to support Labour’s pledge to introduce a Private Renters Charter to make renting fairer, more secure, and more affordable.

My Update on Casework for May

This month I have received hundreds of emails from constituents on a wide variety of issues.

At the moment, my office is receiving an extremely high number of enquiries on housing, and I am increasingly worried about the impact the housing crisis is having on residents in Erith and Thamesmead.

This month, I asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his department has a target for building new social housing and if he would make an estimate of the number of people who became homeless following a Section 21 notice.

Whilst I am pleased to see the Renter Reform Bill being introduced, I will continue to ask the government important questions on housing issues that are prominent in the constituency.

I will be holding another surgery soon and I look forward to meeting more constituents in person to discuss the difficulties they are facing. If you would like to be added to my surgery waiting list, please contact my office who will be able to assist.

For all those who are struggling, I continue to share my Cost-of-Living booklet to help them know where to access support when needed. The link to the booklet is here: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/cost-of-living/ 

Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

As the Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead, I send my congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla for their successful Coronation this month.

It was great to see so many people get involved from across the community, including with street parties and events to celebrate this historic occasion. I was grateful to join a reception for the King and Queen before their Coronation and meet with so many people doing important work across the United Kingdom.

I hope everyone in Erith and Thamesmead and across the country had a great Coronation weekend with family and friends.

Update on the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Expansion

Thank you to all constituents who have taken the time to write to me about the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide expansion earlier this year.

I recently contacted the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to raise concerns about how the current proposals to extend the ULEZ will affect constituents of Erith and Thamesmead, many of whom do not have good links to public transport.

In particular, I raised concern that lower-income families and small businesses may not be able to upgrade to ULEZ-compliant vehicles. As you may know, Erith and Thamesmead has no underground station, no access to the DLR, no trams and no rapid bus services. Many of my constituents therefore have no option but to travel to work or essential appointments by car.

I welcomed the £110m for the new scrappage scheme to support Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, charities and micro-businesses as a welcome starting point. However, many of my constituents, including struggling families and businesses, are not covered by the scrappage scheme. I therefore strongly encouraged the Mayor to review the scrappage scheme to support small businesses and to undertake an assessment of what additional support can be provided to families.

I will continue to monitor the impact of ULEZ expansion in Erith and Thamesmead, and pass on my constituent’s views to the Mayor directly. Please find below my letter to the Mayor of London.

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Join my DLR to Thamesmead Campaign

This month, I want to promote my webpage for my Next Stop Thamesmead Campaign. For too long people in Thamesmead have suffered from poor transport links – making it harder to access jobs and opportunities across London.

This is why I started the #NextStopThamesmead Campaign. I believe the residents of Erith and Thamesmead deserve the benefits of transport connectivity that many others across London already enjoy. Extending the DLR to Thamesmead would unlock significant new housing on both sides of the river and would open up access to work and educational opportunities for our constituency.

Furthermore, this month I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport to speed up plans to extend the DLR to Thamesmead. I told the Secretary of State of my campaign over recent years to make this happen and how I have only ever heard warm words from an ever-growing cast list of transport ministers. I made clear that while we are told the DLR is always on the way, it somehow never arrives.

We have ambitious plans to put Thamesmead on the transport map, which are supported by local authorities, Transport for London (TfL), local businesses and community organisations, and local people. The opportunities for local economic growth are plain to see and the chance to ‘level up’ this part of London is real.

I urged the Secretary of State to expedite the process to deliver the DLR to Thamesmead. We have waited long enough. Now is the time for action.

Alongside the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, I was also briefed by TfL on their progress for Housing and Transport developments in Thamesmead.

I hope all can visit my webpage here to read further about my campaign and share your thoughts on the DLR extension with me and the community: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/dlr-to-thamesmead/.

London Walkers Group Visit to Parliament

It was great to see the London Walkers Group this month after they completed a Tour of Parliament. It was nice to see such a good turnout and to talk about some important local issues.

As always, please get in touch if you live in Erith & Thamesmead and would like me to arrange a tour. You can contact me via email on abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk. 

Visit to Maximus Employability Centre

I was very pleased to be able to visit Maximus Employability Centre Advisor this month, who help constituents develop new skills, overcome barriers and find sustainable work. It was great to learn about the Restart scheme that provides people who have been out of work for 12 to 18 months with the tailored support they need to overcome their barriers and find work.

I had the opportunity to speak to some constituents who use the service about the barriers they are facing and was very interested to discover that there are particular challenges for single parents and those over 50 have in finding work.

Meeting with the Superintendent for Bexley

This month I was also able to have a meeting with the new Borough Superintendent for Bexley, Simon Corbin at Bexleyheath Police Station.

It was good to introductory meeting with him in his new role and to have the opportunity to raise the important concerns that many in our constituency have raised including knife crime, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and response times for crime reports. It was also interesting to have a tour of Bexleyheath Police Station and find out more about their police work in Bexley.

Having spoken to constituents, I understand the frustration that many feel about the policing in London. I’m looking forward to building on this visit to address many of the pressing issues and concerns of local residents.

Furthermore:

  • Neighbourhood Watch Parliamentary Event – It was very nice to meet the central Neighbourhood Watch team this month and to hear about the great work they’ve been doing including on their new Community Safety Charter. Delighted to hear Greenwich Council was the first to sign up to the charter.
  • Happy Easter – Very pleased to hear from those celebrating Easter in Erith and Thamesmead. I hope everyone had good festivities with family and friends.
  • Eid Mubarak – This month was Eid Mubarak and so I want to wish a happy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims celebrating in Erith and Thamesmead. As we end the holy month of Ramadam, I hope those celebrating had an enjoyable and inspiring time with family and friends.
  • Happy Tamil and Bengali New Years – Wishing all those from the Tamil and Sinhala community and Bengali community in Erith and Thamesmead, the UK and around the world a very happy New year.
  • Happy Vaisakhi – This month, I’m pleased to wish Sikhs here and around the world a very happy Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi di lakh lakh vidai.
  • Happy Passover – Chag Samech to all those who were observing Passover this month. I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday.
  • St George’s Day – Last Sunday 23rd April was St George’s Day and I want to send a Happy St George’s Day message to everyone across Erith and Thamesmead and England.  

Sign up to my Coffee Morning

If you are interested in coming along to a future Coffee Morning, I’ve just launched my webpage where you, your family and friends can sign up to register your interest in attending a meeting.

Sign up:  https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/upcoming-events/coffeemorning/

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

 

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ULEZ Expansion Update

Thank you to all constituents who have taken the time to write to me about the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) London-wide expansion.  

I recently contacted the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to raise concerns about how the current proposals to extend the ULEZ will affect constituents of Erith and Thamesmead, many of whom do not have good links to public transport.

I welcomed the £110m for the new scrappage scheme to support Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, charities and micro-businesses as a welcome starting point. However, many of my constituents, including struggling families and businesses, are not covered by the scrappage scheme. I therefore strongly encouraged the Mayor to review of the scrappage scheme to support small businesses and to undertake an assessment of what additional support can be provided to families.  

I will continue to monitor the impact of ULEZ expansion in Erith and Thamesmead, and pass on my constituent’s views to the Mayor directly. 

Please find below my letter to the Mayor of London. 

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April 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for April 2023.

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

—

Stephen Lawrence Day

It was a privilege this month to be invited by the Stephen Lawrence Foundation to attend the Stephen Lawrence 30th Anniversary Memorial Service. This was a significant and inspirational occasion as we cherished Stephen’s memory and came together to spread a message of hope and change.

Those of us who were growing up in South East London at the time of Stephen’s murder know we have come a long way. However, we all know that we have so much further still to go. It is important that we all come together to honour Stephen’s life and commit to making sure the next 30 years are meaningfully different from the last.

I was also pleased to join Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE and Keir Starmer at their in-conversation event to discuss Stephen’s legacy and the great work of the Stephen Lawrence Foundation. It was especially great to hear about what they have been doing to help young people and what they plan to do in the future to inspire a more equitable, inclusive society.

April has been another important month in Parliament as I have been able to raise a number of issues that I know constituents in Erith and Thamesmead and so many across the country are really concerned about.

In my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I spoke for Labour in the Finance Bill Committee of the House and I closed the Opposition Day debate on the cost of living crisis. In the Finance Bill speeches, I challenged the Government with my concerns about their policies on energy and alcohol duty and I made clear Labour’s critiques and position on these important issues.

Then for the cost-of-living debate I outlined the devastating impact that the current squeeze is taking on ordinary families. I mentioned that despite high inflation and stagnating wages, the Government has raised the tax burden to its highest point in 70 years, including 24 tax rises since 2019. I criticised the government for the lack of any clear plan to sort out the economy and turn around this cost-of-living crisis. You can read my speech online here or watch a clip on Twitter here.

However, an issue of such important in our community is housing. At Prime Minister’s Questions this month I questioned the Prime Minister about our current housing crisis. I reminded him that mortgages are soaring, rents are rising and housebuilding is set to fall to a post-war low. I fear that the Prime Minister’s lack of action is putting at risk the needs and dreams of millions of young people and families across the country. You can see a clip of my question to the Prime Minister on Twitter here or on the BBC website here.

My April Surgery and an Update on Casework

My office continues to receive hundreds of emails a month on many important issues effecting constituents in Erith and Thamesmead.  

This month I held another surgery, and I was deeply saddened to hear of the experiences my constituents are facing on a wide range of issues.

Currently, food prices are soaring, and people’s rent and mortgages continue to increase. I receive a large amount of casework which makes clear what impact the cost-of-living crisis and 13 years of a Conservative government is having on people’s lives.   

For all those who are struggling, I continue to share my Cost-of-Living booklet to help them know where to access support when needed. The link to the booklet is here: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/cost-of-living/ 

For those who would like a surgery appointment with me, they are always welcome to contact my office who will be able to add you to the next available surgery.

Visit to Discovery Primary School

I was delighted to visit Discovery Primary School and meet the newly formed Junior Leadership Team. The students took me on a tour before asking me lots of insightful questions about my life as an MP.

I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and ambition of the students in the Junior Leadership Team and I am sure they all have a bright future ahead.

Meeting with Youth Unity

I also had a very positive catch-up with Youth Unity, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing effective help and support to vulnerable young people and adults who are affected by group violence (gangs), drugs, and other forms of exploitation such as human trafficking, CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation), and extremism.

We discussed the organisation’s intensive mentoring scheme, Josh’s story project, film making and community arts along with areas we can work together in future.

Nepalese New Year

Really enjoyed seeing in the Nepalese New Year 2080 with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Nepalese Society and Greenwich Mummies. I want to thank Cllr Jit Ranabhat for the kind invitation.

I hope that everyone celebrating across Erith and Thamesmead had a great celebration with family and friends.

Furthermore:

  • Neighbourhood Watch Parliamentary Event – It was very nice to meet the central Neighbourhood Watch team this month and to hear about the great work they’ve been doing including on their new Community Safety Charter. Delighted to hear Greenwich Council was the first to sign up to the charter.
  • Happy Easter – Very pleased to hear from those celebrating Easter in Erith and Thamesmead. I hope everyone had good festivities with family and friends.
  • Eid Mubarak – This month was Eid Mubarak and so I want to wish a happy Eid al-Fitr to all Muslims celebrating in Erith and Thamesmead. As we end the holy month of Ramadam, I hope those celebrating had an enjoyable and inspiring time with family and friends.
  • Happy Tamil and Bengali New Years – Wishing all those from the Tamil and Sinhala community and Bengali community in Erith and Thamesmead, the UK and around the world a very happy New year.
  • Happy Vaisakhi – This month, I’m pleased to wish Sikhs here and around the world a very happy Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi di lakh lakh vidai.
  • Happy Passover – Chag Samech to all those who were observing Passover this month. I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday.
  • St George’s Day – Last Sunday 23rd April was St George’s Day and I want to send a Happy St George’s Day message to everyone across Erith and Thamesmead and England.  

Sign up to my Coffee Morning

If you are interested in coming along to a future Coffee Morning, I’ve just launched my webpage where you, your family and friends can sign up to register your interest in attending a meeting.

Sign up:  https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/upcoming-events/coffeemorning/

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

 

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Stephen Lawrence Day 2023

It was a privilege this month to be invited by the Stephen Lawrence Foundation to attend the Stephen Lawrence 30th Anniversary Memorial Service. This was a significant and inspirational occasion as we cherished Stephen’s memory and came together to spread a message of hope and change.

Those of us who were growing up in South East London at the time of Stephen’s murder know we have come a long way. However, we all know that we have so much further still to go. It is important that we all come together to honour Stephen’s life and commit to making sure the next 30 years are meaningfully different from the last.

I was also pleased to join Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE and Keir Starmer at their in-conversation event to discuss Stephen’s legacy and the great work of the Stephen Lawrence Foundation. It was especially great to hear about what they have been doing to help young people and what they plan to do in the future to inspire a more equitable, inclusive society.

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Visit to Discovery Primary School

On 21st April, I was delighted to visit Discovery Primary School and meet the newly formed Junior Leadership Team. The students took me on a tour before asking me lots of insightful questions about my life as an MP.

I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and ambition of the students in the Junior Leadership Team and I am sure they all have a bright future ahead.

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March 2023 Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Many thanks for taking the time to look at my latest newsletter for March 2023.

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

—

Saddened to hear about the deaths of a mother and her two sons in Erith and Thamesmead

First of all, I want to say I was very saddened this month to hear about the deaths of a mother and her two sons in our constituency. I want to send my thoughts on behalf of our community to the family and friends of Nadja de Jager and her two young sons, Alex and Max, aged 7 and 9.

The school that the boys attended has been working really hard with the community to provide support and I want to thank the teachers, who have gone over and beyond.

The Budget 2023

The Chancellor announced his Budget this month. This is an important opportunity each year for the Government to set out a positive agenda for our economy and to fully unlock the potential across Britain. Unfortunately, I believe that this Budget didn’t go far enough.

In my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I expressed my concerns about the lack of ambition in the Budget and I spoke about what Labour would do differently. Firstly, the Government still refuses to implement a proper windfall tax to make the oil and gas giants pay their fair share. This means they are leaving billions on the table that could be used to help families with the cost of living. Furthermore, in this Budget the Chancellor announced a tax cut to the richest 1% and their pension pots. I believe this was wrong and Labour would reverse this handout.

You can see a clip of my interview on Channel 4 News discussing the budget and how Labour would do things differently here. 

Labour plans to deliver on Britain’s call for change with a new way of governing that will build a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain with power closer to people. We will provide vital public investment through our Green Prosperity Plan, updating our planning system to remove barriers to investment in new industries and meet our net zero targets. I believe the country needs stability and not the chaos we have recently seen from this Conservative Government. We have a serious plan for growth and want to see all our nations and regions benefit from and contribute to the jobs and growth of the future.

I have raised constituent’s concerns in Parliament this month, including by asking a number of business questions to the Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt MP. I raised the issue of alarmingly high energy bills that were accidentally charged to some housing association residents in Erith and Thamesmead, and the Leader of the House committed to writing to the Housing Secretary on my behalf.

At a Westminster Hall debate, I raised the challenges care workers in Erith and Thamesmead are faced with rising car parking charges and pressed the need for a care workers parking badge.

I was pleased to be present for the passing of the Trophy Hunting Bill, which bans the import of hunting trophies to the UK, and which many constituents had contacted me about.

Within my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I asked the Chancellor what the Conservatives are doing to decarbonise our economy and win the global race for good green jobs. I also represented Labour at the second reading of the Finance Bill – the mechanism through which announcements in the Budget are put into law. I questioned the Government on its awful economic record and presented Labour’s plans for economic growth and prosperity.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is an important moment each year when we celebrate the inspirational Women who have done so much, but when we also recognise how much more there is still to do.

In the House of Commons, I firstly paid tribute to trailblazing Betty Boothroyd, who sadly passed away this month. She was the first and only female Speaker of the House of Commons. She made a huge impact on the UK Parliament and paved a new way for women in politics.

I also highlighted the great impact of a few amazing and successful women from our constituency, Erith and Thamesmead:

“Deborah Frimpong, chair of Moorings Neighbourhood Forum and a formidable community activist; Councillor Averil Lekau, deputy leader of Greenwich Council, is doing great things at a local level to support women and champion their inclusion; Hend Kheiralla is the host of the Ladies of the Lake podcast, which amplifies the voices of women who have grown up, worked, and lived in Thamesmead; Debbie McFaul, is director of Crumbs Bakery, a business that truly brings in and supports the community; Karen Saunders from Greenwich Centre of Mission does a lot to support young people in our community, particularly bringing us together when two young boys, Kearne and Charlie, were murdered in my constituency; Claire Hallinan from Hawksmoor Youth Club has delivered fantastic services to young people and the wider community of Thamesmead, but has also faced considerable challenges with the state of its facilities; Finally, Catherine Molnar, founder of CC Events, hosts a market in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead and has won awards for the role they play in the community.”

Thank you also to all those running events to celebrate IWD and all the great women who I spoke to. Some of events I attended include the Lewisham West and Penge CLP, Women’s Lobby Reception, the Lloyds Bank Reception and the Women in Business reception.

I want to again wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day and I hope we can all agree that together we can make change for the better.

You can read my speech for the International Women’s Day Debate here and watch the speech here.

Ukrainians in Greenwich Celebration Event

I was very pleased to join the Ukrainian community and a number of constituents from Erith and Thamesmead at this celebration event this month.

Last month, we all paused to reflect on the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While the illegal war started by Russia continues, I want all the Ukrainians who have settled in our area to know that our support for you and all of the Ukrainian people remains.

It was a great event with great music, dancing, performances and beautiful artwork on display from across the community.  

Hosting British Heart Foundation Event

We all know that Defibrillators and CPR save lives. I’m happy to support all the great work done to increase awareness and the number of Defibrillators and CPR Training in our communities.

This month, I hosted an event with the British Heart Foundation to discuss the work they are doing on this important issue and share our thoughts with other Members of Parliament.  You can see my post about this here: https://twitter.com/abenaopp/status/1638501687051558912

I want to send a special thank you to Bonnie McGhee, my local constituent who first contacted me about this issue regarding the lack of Defibrillators in our community. You can read about her story here. You can also learn more about BHF’s RevivR on their website here.

If you have any thoughts or would like to help, please get in touch with me at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.

My “Meet your MP” Coffee Morning in Erith

It was great to host another of my “Meet your MP” Coffee Mornings this month at the Bookstore Café at the Exchange Erith.

The conversation we had was very valuable to me and I want to thank all of you who came along. It’s so important to spend the time to engage about the many pressing issues we have and also the great opportunities available in Erith and Thamesmead.

A number of issues that was brought up including how we can provide more opportunities to play football to young people in Thamesmead and what we can do to tackle youth violence. We also discussed the Cost of Living crisis, that is hurting so many, and how we need to work as a community to make sure the most vulnerable are not left behind.

I was very impressed with how passionate everyone was and I’m looking forward to catching up again with everyone who turned up. I hope you can share the following link with friends and family, who may be interested to sign up to a future event. Sign up:  https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/upcoming-events/coffeemorning/

Update on Casework

My team of dedicated Caseworkers and I continue to assist constituents regarding a number of important issues. Many individuals and families are facing difficulties relating to housing insecurity, housing disrepair and Home Office delays among many other issues.

This continues to be a difficult time for many people, and I have put together a Cost of Living booklet to help constituents know where to access support when needed. The booklet is available on my website, and I will be providing the information directly to constituents who have recently been contacting me about their need for additional support. 

The link to the booklet is here: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/cost-of-living/  

As always, if you need any assistance, please contact my office using the below channels. As we are currently receiving a high number of emails and calls, I and my team appreciate your patience whilst we try to get back to every constituent to offer the best support we can. 

Furthermore:

  • Richard Davidson’s visit to Parliament – This month I met Richard, a local resident, to discuss his great-great-uncle, Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Rumbold, was a hero who fought for our country in World War One, but who was court-martialled and dismissed because he was gay. Richard has applied to have Sidney’s medals restored, but has not received a response in about a year. I brought this up with the Leader of the House and hope to ensure the medals are restored.
  • Talk of the Town Visa – I want to thank Visa for hosting this event in Parliament to celebrate towns and their contribution to our economy. I was pleased to speak about unlocking the full potential of our towns and regions.
  • Ramadam Mubarak – I want to send my warmest wishes to everyone observing the holy month of Ramadam, both in Erith and Thamesmead and across the UK.
  • World Water Day – As we marked World Water Day this month, it so critical that we can’t allow this current attack on our environment to continue., The Opposition has a plan to clean up this mess and build a better Britain.
  • APPG for Ethnic Minority Businesses – At this month’s AGM, I spoke about the APPG’s activities over the past year and how we continue to work towards the recognition of the importance of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic entrepreneurs to the UK’s economy, and how they can be supported.
  • Events at the Exchange Erith – I was pleased to join a couple of events at the  Exchange Erith this month including ‘A Sure beginning with Patti Sloley’ which celebrated Ghanaian food, culture and poetry. It was also great to be at their Spring Beer festival. Find out more about their events here.
  • PRS for Music – It was good to meet the PRS for Music as we discuss how songwriters and composers are facing the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly digital market.
  • Black Footballer’s Partnership Event – Black representation in football is an important topic and I’m pleased that we are hearing more about the efforts to modernise football from the black footballer’s viewpoint.
  • Young Minds #End the Wait Event – We must do everything we can to get mental health support to children and young people who desperately need it. Thank you to Young Minds and to my constituents who are campaigning on this important issue. I’m pleased to support this work.
  • The Football Black List Celebration Evening – It was great to celebrate the achievements of those making a difference in football.
  • Women’s History Month Reception – I want to thank the Speaker for hosting an important event celebrating Women’s History Month. I spoke at the reception and you can see the video here.

Sign up to my Coffee Morning

If you are interested in coming along to a future Coffee Morning, I’ve just launched my webpage where you, your family and friends can sign up to register your interest in attending a meeting.

Sign up:  https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/upcoming-events/coffeemorning/

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

 

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Ukrainians in Greenwich Celebration Event

I was very pleased to join the Ukrainian community and a number of constituents from Erith and Thamesmead at this celebration event this month.

Last month, we all paused to reflect on the one-year anniversary of the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. While the illegal war started by Russia continues, I want all the Ukrainians who have settled in our area to know that our support for you and all of the Ukrainian people remains.

It was a great event with great music, dancing, performances and beautiful artwork on display from across the community.  

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My Response to the Budget

The Chancellor announced his Budget this month. This is an important opportunity each year for the Government to set out a positive agenda for our economy and to fully unlock the potential across Britain. Unfortunately, I believe that this Budget didn’t go far enough.

In my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I expressed my concerns about the lack of ambition in the Budget and I spoke about what Labour would do differently. Firstly, the Government still refuses to implement a proper windfall tax to make the oil and gas giants pay their fair share. This means they are leaving billions on the table that could be used to help families with the cost of living.

Furthermore, in this Budget the Chancellor announced a tax cut to the richest 1% and their pension pots. I believe this was wrong and Labour would reverse this handout.

You can see a clip of my interview on Channel 4 News discussing the budget and how Labour would do things differently here. 

Labour plans to deliver on Britain’s call for change with a new way of governing that will build a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain with power closer to people. We will provide vital public investment through our Green Prosperity Plan, updating our planning system to remove barriers to investment in new industries and meet our net zero targets.

I believe the country needs stability and not the chaos we have recently seen from this Conservative Government. We have a serious plan for growth and want to see all our nations and regions benefit from and contribute to the jobs and growth of the future.

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International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is an important moment each year when we celebrate the inspirational Women who have done so much, but when we also recognise how much more there is still to do.

In the House of Commons, I firstly paid tribute to trailblazing Betty Boothroyd, who sadly passed away this month. She was the first and only female Speaker of the House of Commons. She made a huge impact on the UK Parliament and paved a new way for women in politics.

I also highlighted the great impact of a few amazing and successful women from our constituency, Erith and Thamesmead:

“Deborah Frimpong, chair of Moorings Neighbourhood Forum and a formidable community activist; Councillor Averil Lekau, deputy leader of Greenwich Council, is doing great things at a local level to support women and champion their inclusion; Hend Kheiralla is the host of the Ladies of the Lake podcast, which amplifies the voices of women who have grown up, worked, and lived in Thamesmead; Debbie McFaul, is director of Crumbs Bakery, a business that truly brings in and supports the community; Karen Saunders from Greenwich Centre of Mission does a lot to support young people in our community, particularly bringing us together when two young boys, Kearne and Charlie, were murdered in my constituency; Claire Hallinan from Hawksmoor Youth Club has delivered fantastic services to young people and the wider community of Thamesmead, but has also faced considerable challenges with the state of its facilities; Finally, Catherine Molnar, founder of CC Events, hosts a market in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead and has won awards for the role they play in the community.”

Thank you also to all those running events to celebrate IWD and all the great women who I spoke to. Some of events I attended include the Lewisham West and Penge CLP, Women’s Lobby Reception, the Lloyds Bank Reception and the Women in Business reception.

I want to again wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day and I hope we can all agree that together we can make change for the better.

You can read my speech for the International Women’s Day Debate here and watch the speech here.

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