This July I was pleased to welcome constituents to my first reception in parliament – something that I have been planning since I was first elected.
It was fantastic to see so many volunteers, stakeholders, and Erith and Thamesmead residents in the House of Commons, many of them visiting for the first time. I am passionate about everybody feeling welcome and included in parliament and this was a great chance to show how accessible parliament is.
Everyone had the opportunity to visit both the House of Commons and House of Lords and find out more about the building where I work on your behalf. I would also like to thank the students of Bexley Music Centre for providing beautiful background music.
It was an honour to see that so many of you were so passionate about making positive change. It really shows some of the best of Erith and Thamesmead and makes me proud to represent you in parliament.
If you would like to visit for a Tour of Parliament, please get in touch if you live in Erith and Thamesmead via email at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Abena-summer-reception-thumbnail-3-1.jpg364750The Office of Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngThe Office of Abena Oppong-Asare MP2023-08-17 16:32:002024-06-12 09:50:15My Summer Reception to celebrate Erith and Thamesmead
Transport for London (TfL) is actively seeking input from the community to shape the future of public transportation in our area. They are extending an open invitation for individuals to voice their opinions and provide valuable insights on the proposed Superloop bus network, which has the potential to revolutionize our local transit options.
One of the noteworthy additions to this innovative network is the SL3 route, connecting Thamesmead to Bromley. This new route aims to address the growing demand for public transportation while also promoting sustainable travel choices. By increasing the frequency of buses between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath, as well as between Bexleyheath and Bromley, TfL intends to offer more convenience and accessibility to the constituency.
Now, the floor is open for you to contribute to this transformative initiative. The consultation period for these proposals is currently underway and will remain open until September 4th. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our local transportation system, ensuring it aligns with the needs and preferences of our community.
I encourage people to seize this opportunity and make your voices heard. Your input can help refine these proposals and create a Superloop bus network that truly serves the interests of our community. Together, we can play an active role in shaping the future of transportation in our area.
Your engagement in this process is a crucial step toward achieving a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable public transportation system in our neighbourhood. Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey.
During my visit to Erith Fire Station in July, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jim Morford, the Fire Borough Commander for Bexley, to learn more about the impressive efforts of the local firefighting team in promoting fire safety within the community. It was great to witness the dedication and passion they exhibited in their mission.
One of the standout highlights of our discussion was the inspiring success story of the Fire Cadets scheme tailored for young people. Jim shared how this program was not only imparting invaluable life skills but also instilling a sense of responsibility and commitment to fire safety in the youth of Bexley. It’s a testament to the station’s proactive approach to community engagement.
We had interesting conversations about increasingly common causes for fire, one of which being the usage of unofficial e-bike and e-scooter chargers. It’s important we work together as a community to increase awareness around fire safety, and what we can do to prevent fires from happening in the first place.
https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fire-Boro-Featured-Pic-1.jpg401750The Office of Abena Oppong-Asare MPhttps://www.abenaoppongasare.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SM-Logo-3.pngThe Office of Abena Oppong-Asare MP2023-08-09 10:39:002024-06-12 09:59:30Meeting with the Fire Borough Commander and Tour of Erith Fire Station
I’ve been delighted last month to hold my third annual Campaign Summer School.
At my jam-packed 3-day event, we had a fantastic group of enthusiastic and inspiring young people who were incredibly engaged in learning about how to make a successful campaign and gain the skills needed to make a real difference in our community.
On the first day, I was excited to share my journey to Parliament and what I do as the MP for Erith and Thamesmead. We were also privileged to be joined by Laura Coryton and Rima Amin, who shared their 5 steps for turning a petition into a successful campaign. Laura founded a campaign against the tampon tax in 2014 and Rima worked with Laura on the campaign when she worked at Change.org. We were also joined by Paul Richards who shared his expertise on writing press releases and Christine Quigley and Nick Smith who introduced the students to the world of finance and public affairs.
On day two, we were joined by Google, who shared how to navigate and make full use of the new digital age to build on campaign ideas, business ideas, and how to kickstart your career. It was also great to be joined by Kwajo Tweneboa who shared his first-hand experience of going from a concerned citizen to a veteran campaigner on housing issues across the country. We were also pleased to welcome Katie Perrior from iNHouse Communications and media experts from 853 and the Guardian, who shared their important knowledge on how to make a campaign successful.
We started the final day with a presentation about how Parliament works with a special briefing from an expert team at the UK Parliament. It was great to see the students ask so many questions about how our government works and how each of them can personally make a difference. I also want to thank Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of Greenwich Council, Martin Angus, from the Local Government Association (LGA), and Councillor Zainab Asumramu for sharing their important personal insights into the role of Local Government and how to get politically active in your local community.
Every year this is such a special week for me. I get to spend lots of time sharing what I know about campaigning and Politics and learning from local young activists across our community who care passionately about a number of critically important issues.
From national issues like Climate Change and the cost-of-living crisis to local issues like vaping in schools and tackling fly-tipping, it was fantastic to discuss their ideas about what they can do to campaign for change.
I want to send a big thank you to all the speakers who joined during the week, to London South East College team in Erith, who hosted us, and to my team who did a wonderful job making the Summer School work so well. Finally, I also want to send a big thank you to all the students who were so engaged and optimistic and I’m sure will go on to do great things in their careers.
You can follow what happened on my social media or by looking up the hashtag #AbenaSummerSchool2023.
My Summer Reception to celebrate Erith and Thamesmead
This July I was pleased to welcome constituents to my first reception in parliament – something that I have been planning since I was first elected.
It was fantastic to see so many volunteers, stakeholders and Erith and Thamesmead residents in the House of Commons, many of them visiting for the first time. I am passionate about everybody feeling welcome and included in parliament and this was a great chance to show how accessible parliament is.
Everyone had the opportunity to visit both the House of Commons and House of Lords and find out more about the building where I work on your behalf. I would also like to thank the students of Bexley Music Centre for providing beautiful background music.
If you would like to visit for a Tour of Parliament, please get in touch if you live in Erith and Thamesmead via email at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.
My Westminster Hall Debate on Public Access to Defibrillators
We all know having access to life-saving defibrillators saves lives. The issue is not their design but their location and public awareness about what they are and how to use them.
In a Westminster Hall debate that I secured, I spoke about the lack of life-saving Defibrillators in Erith and Thamesmead and across the UK. This issue was brought to my attention by my constituent Bonnie McGhee. Bonnie sadly lost her dad to cardiac arrest and has since raised funds for a defibrillator in his memory.
Research from the Resuscitation Council UK shows that access to defibrillators, or AEDs, is not fairly distributed across England. Each year, there are 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK, with less than one in ten surviving. Whilst immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival, defibrillators are used in less than one in ten cases. If you have a cardiac arrest and have access to a defibrillator within a minute, have a 90% chance of survival.
In my Westminster Hall debate, I said that “knowing where a defibrillator is and how to use one, saves lives. Learning simple resuscitation skills can make all the difference in an emergency. Today, I’m calling on Ministers to listen and help save lives.”
I was pleased to hear some encouraging signs from the Minister for Health and Secondary Care, Will Quince MP, who responded to my speech. However, we all know that so much more needs to be done. I will be continuing to work hard on this vital issue.
This July in Parliament I have raised a number of issues I know are important to people in Erith and Thamesmead.
Firstly, in my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, I spoke at the start of July on the e-petition debate on Mileage Rates. The Mileage rate is an essential resource for millions across the country, working hard for their families, businesses and communities, to make sure they are not out of pocket for the extra miles they do in their private vehicles. In my response to the Government, I challenged the Treasury to listen to the concerns of millions who are facing a cost-of-living crisis and a Government showing a lack of much needed leadership.
Furthermore, on behalf of the Opposition, I scrutinised the Government’s legislation amending the Consumer Rights Act and the Postal Packets Regulations.
On Thursday, 6th July, I also spoke in Parliament during the Grenfell General Debate. We all know the tragic circumstances of that night and the appalling response in the aftermath to all affected. I spoke to mark six years since the tragedy and to remember all the lives lost that terrible night.
Finally, I also spoke during the Westminster Hall debate on the Metropolitan Police investigation in the murder of Stephen Lawrence, sponsored by Clive Efford MP. 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 so important that the Metropolitan Police and the Government are held to account for what they are doing to introduce meaningful and lasting change. It was also great to speak to a number of important stakeholders in Parliament last month like the CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank, John Flint.
Ticket Office Closures
As I’m sure many across the community are aware, it has recently been announced that there are plans to close rail ticket offices across the country including in our area of Erith and Thamesmead.
Last month, I wrote to both the Government and the CEO of Southeastern to express my concerns about the consequences of these closures, especially for the many elderly and disabled passengers who rely on these offices for travel. Currently, the plans would affect both Erith and Belvedere stations in our community.
I also raised this with the Minister for Transport in the House of Commons. The Minister must assure the public over these plans. I will continue to monitor these issues and the concerns that constituents have raised with me on this issue.
The consultation for these proposals closes on 1st September 2023 and I urge all constituents to continue to express their views by contacting Southeastern on their website and by emailing London Travelwatch here: Southeastern.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk. Please also email me if you would like to share your thoughts on this important issue. Email me at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.
Pride on the Pier Erith
I was delighted to be a guest at the very first Bexley Pride event in July held on Erith Pier.
This event has been a long time coming and I would like to thank all the stakeholders who worked so hard to make this happen. It was lovely to meet so many locals, partners, and small businesses.
Thank you to Councillor Nicola Taylor and the volunteers that made this event happen.
Meeting with the Fire Borough Commander and Tour of Erith Fire Station
This July, I was also pleased to visit Erith Fire Station and meet with the Fire Borough Commander for Bexley, Jim Morford, to discuss all the great work the local team are doing to raise awareness of fire safety. It was also great to learn about their successful Fire Cadets scheme for young people.
We had interesting conversations about increasingly common causes for fire, one of which being the usage of unofficial e-bike and e-scooter chargers. It’s important we work together as a community to increase awareness and tackle the cost of living.
TFL Loop Consultation
Transport for London (TfL) is inviting people to have their say on proposals for the latest bus routes that would form part of the proposed Superloop bus network.
The new SL3 (Thamesmead to Bromley) should provide additional bus capacity in busy locations and encourage more sustainable journeys. Proposals for route SL3 mean that the service would increase frequency of buses between Thamesmead and Bexleyheath and Bexleyheath and Bromley.
Thank you to everyone who contacted me to raise the problems you are facing.
Housing continues to be a huge issue in Erith and Thamesmead, and I have serious concerns over the unprecedented housing crisis this Government is overseeing. The building of new social homes is at record lows, and more and more people are stuck in the private rented sector when they should either own their own home or have a council house to rent.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s 2020 report, ‘Building more social housing’, called for around 90,000 additional social homes to be built a year. Last month, when I asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his department has a target for building new social homes, I was told that since 2010 they have delivered over 162,800 homes for social rent.
I am worried that if housing targets are not met soon, the housing crisis will continue to grow over the next few years. In the coming months, I will be continuing to raise awareness about the terrible housing issues of so many and calling on the Government to take action. I will post any updates in future newsletters and on my website.
I held another surgery last month to discuss issues with constituents face to face. If you would like to attend my next surgery, please contact my office to be added to the waiting list.
Age UK Summer Reception – Thank you to everyone from Erith and Thamesmead who contacted me about attending Age UK’s Summer Reception and the important issue of the state of healthcare for older people. I’m pleased to say that I attended their July event and I was able to speak to many members of the Age UK team, their policy experts and elderly people struggling with long waiting lists and a lack of support. You can see my post from the event here: https://twitter.com/abenaopp/status/1679159735918944256
Meeting with John Lewis, Executive Director at Peabody – It was good to catch up with John Lewis from Peabody to discuss issues regarding housing and infrastructure in Thamesmead and across the constituency.
Mansion House Dinner – On Monday 10th July, I attended the City of London Financial & Professional Services Dinner to listen to the Chancellor and the Bank of England on how they plan to manage the economic challenges we are currently facing. It was good to share our plans as the Opposition with stakeholders and businesses.
Seniors in Touch Group visit to Parliament – I was pleased to work with the Seniors in Touch (SIT) Group to organise their Tour of Parliament in late July. I’m glad to hear that their tour was a success.
Unison Windrush Reception – It was nice to attend Unison’s reception and to hear from those passionately against the discrimination that the Windrush generation faced, and that Black Workers continue to face today.
75th Anniversary of the NHS – On the 75th anniversary of our NHS, I am immensely humbled by the unwavering dedication of all NHS staff across Britain. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the entire nation joins in expressing its pride and gratitude for our great NHS. Thank you and happy anniversary.
Remembering Baroness Margaret McDonagh – I also wanted to remember my friend Margaret. Not only was she a lovely person but she was a brilliant activist and campaigner.
Remembering Lord Bob Kerslake – Finally, I wanted to remember Lord Bob Kerslake, an activist who many in our community will have known. Bob was an instrumental figure in Local Government and in the Lords and it was a privilege to have known him.
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.
For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).
As I’m sure many across the community are aware, it has recently been announced that there are plans to close rail ticket offices across the country including in our area of Erith and Thamesmead.
Last month, I wrote to both the Government and the CEO of Southeastern to express my concerns about the consequences of these closures, especially for the many elderly and disabled passengers who rely on these offices for travel. Currently, the plans would affect both Erith and Belvedere stations in our community. You can read these both at the end of this article. .
I also raised this with the Minister for Transport in the House of Commons. The Minister must assure the public over these plans. I will continue to monitor these issues and the concerns that constituents have raised with me on this issue.
The consultation for these proposals closes on 1st September 2023 and I urge all constituents to continue to express their views by contacting Southeastern on their website and by emailing London Travelwatch here: Southeastern.Consultation@Londontravelwatch.org.uk. Please also email me if you would like to share your thoughts on this important issue. Email me at abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.
Thank you to everyone from Erith and Thamesmead who contacted me about attending Age UK’s Summer Reception and the important issue of healthcare for older people.
I’m pleased to say that I attended their July event and spoke to many members of the Age UK team, their policy experts, and elderly people struggling with long waiting lists and a lack of support.
Thanks @AgeUK for hosting a reception in Parliament on Monday to raise awareness of the state of healthcare for older people.
I was pleased to see their stats for Erith and Thamesmead and I want to thank all my constituents who have contacted me about this important issue. pic.twitter.com/7W4buUW6cy
I know many families across Erith and Thamesmead will be worried this month after the rate of inflation continues to remain at a high 8.7%. We all know what high inflation means to our monthly bills and our everyday food shops – squeezing family finances and leaving more and more concerned about the future. Food inflation alone is costing the average family more than £1,000 on their shopping bill.
It so important that our Government takes this seriously and gets a grip on this problem to ease the burden on working people in our community. There needs to be a relentless focus on the cost of living and how we turn around our economy to create growth and hope for all across the country.
Following the new inflation data, on Thursday 22nd June, the Bank of England announced its decision to raise interest rates by 50 basis points.
With this rise, I know that many homeowners will have real concerns about the effect on their mortgage payments. I believe that it is so important the Government does not stand on the side lines as Britain faces a mortgage crisis.
On Wednesday 21st June, I did a media round in my role as Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury to set out the Opposition’s plans to ease this mortgage crisis. On Newsnight, I outlined some of the actions that the Government should take, including requiring borrowers to allow lenders to wait a minimum of six months before initiating repossessions and instructing the FCA to urgently issue consumer guidance that those requesting support should not see their credit score affected. These measures are part of a five-point plan that we hope the Government takes on board now. It is also vital that the Government supports savers and makes sure interest rate rises are being passed on by the banks to those saving. They should not stand by as millions face the consequence of inaction.
As a result of the continued pressure that so many face during this cost-of-living crisis I have created a Cost-of-Living booklet for our community in Erith and Thamesmead. My Cost-of-Living booklet provides information that helps constituents find out where to access support when needed. The link to the booklet is here: https://www.abenaoppongasare.com/cost-of-living/
Abena on Sky NewsAbena on Newsnight
The Privileges Committe and Boris Johnson
This month Members of Parliament had the opportunity to vote on the Commons privileges committee’s report into Boris Johnson and his statements to the house on Partygate.
Over the last few years, people across Erith and Thamesmead and the country followed the rules in order to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many missed out on important moments together including birthdays, weddings, and tragically funerals. I too lost loved ones during the pandemic.
From speaking to many across our community, I know first-hand how angry people were after the details of these parties were revealed. I continue to be devasted when I hear about the personal sacrifices made by so many and I continue to be so upset about the reckless behaviour carried out by those at the top of our Government.
This cross-party report found that Johnson repeatedly misled Parliament about lockdown parties at Downing Street. As a result, I voted to approve the report.
My work in Parliament
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 challenged the Chancellor at Treasury Questions on their broken promise to fundamentally reform business rates. There is so much that needs to be done to fix our economy and end the chaos, including by scrapping business rates and replacing them with a fairer system so that our amazing hospitality sector can thrive and grow faster.
On Wednesday 22nd June, I also spoke in Parliament on Animal Welfare and the need to protect animals from harm. We all know that Britain is a nation of Animal lovers, and we also know that there is so much more we need to do to provide a proper safety net for every animal.
I challenged the Government on their lack of leadership on this issue, which is of such importance to me and so many people in Erith and Thamesmead.
St Fidelis Primary School Visit to Parliament
Last week it was such a pleasure to meet all the pupils from Year 6 at St Fidelis Primary School, who were able to come to Parliament for a Tour and find out a bit more about how our democracy works.
I really enjoyed getting grilled by them with some tough questions on some of the important issues we face today. Thanks to St Fidelis School and all the pupils. Looking forward to seeing you all again.
Age UK Group Visit to Parliament
It was great to see the team from Age UK Bexley this month after they completed a Tour of Parliament. It was nice to see such a good turnout and to talk about their work and what the support they offer to older people in Erith and Thamesmead.
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.
Bexley Volunteer Excellence Awards
It was also nice to meet the amazing community volunteers at the Bexley Volunteer Excellence Awards. It was a great evening to join everyone at the Exchange Erith and hear some great stories of volunteer work across Bexley.
I was also honoured to hand out the ‘Youth Volunteer Awards’ and to celebrate everyone’s great achievements in the last year. It was fitting way to end Volunteers Week 2023. Congratulations to all the winners.
Visit to Solus Repair Centre in Erith
I was very pleased to be able to visit Solus Repair Centre in Erith earlier this month.
I particularly enjoyed meeting young people from the apprenticeship programme and discovering all the opportunities available to develop technical skills and expertise in the sector.
My Visit to Nepal with WaterAid UK and the Coalition for Global Prosperity
At the end of May, I visited Nepal with WaterAid UK and the Coalition for Global Prosperity to see the impact of development projects supporting access to clean water.
It was wonderful to be able to visit the beautiful country of Nepal and meet so many people doing life-saving and transformational work.
Windrush Day 2023
This month we marked 75 years since the first of the Windrush Generation arrived in the UK.
As I said on the day and I have said many times in Parliament it continues to be so painful to hear the stories of this great generation, who contributed so much to Britain.
In June, I have been submitting Written Questions to the Government Minister to challenge them on their inaction and the consequences for the Windrush Generation. One of my questions revealed that there are over 6,000 claims to the government for compensation. It also revealed that sadly 41 people had passed away before their claim could be certified. You can read my questions here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/.
“London Is The Place For Me” by Eliza Southwood
Grenfell Anniversary
On 14th June, we also marked six years since the Grenfell tower fire. A fire that took 72 lives. My thoughts continue to remain with the victims, their families and the survivors as we mark the anniversary of this tragic night.
I was pleased to join BBC Politics London this month to discuss the impact of Grenfell on Londoners and how we make sure this never happens again. We stand with the Grenfell community in their continued fight for justice.
Reminder to sign up to my 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.
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.
My Update on Casework for June
Thank you to everyone who contacted me this month to raise the problems you are facing.
This month, 34% of all cases were related to housing and I continue to have serious concerns over the unprecedented housing crisis the Conservatives are overseeing. The building of new social homes is at record lows, and more and more people are stuck in the private rented sector when they should either own their own home or have a council house to rent.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s 2020 report, ‘Building more social housing’, called for around 90,000 additional social homes to be built a year. Last month, when I asked the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his department has a target for building new social homes, I was told that since 2010 they have delivered over 162,800 homes for social rent.
I am worried that if housing targets are not met in the near future, the housing crisis will continue to grow over the next few years.
I look forward to meeting more constituents in person to discuss the difficulties they are facing. If you would like to attend my next surgery, please contact my office to be added to the waiting list.
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/
Progress on the DLR to Thamesmead – This month I’m pleased to share that TFL have submitted their proposals for an extension of the DLR to Thamesmead. I have been campaigning for #NextStopThamemsead since I was elected and so I welcome these proposals and hope to see continued progress to finally provide a much needed station to the people of Thamesmead.
Sistah Space meeting on Valerie’s Law – It was great to catch up with the Sistah Space team as we discuss the important topic of Valerie’s Law and how we continue to make strides on the issue of domestic abuse.
Resuscitation Council UK Meeting – I’m sure everyone knows how vital it is to act fast and effectively whenever you are dealing with a cardiac arrest. This month I met with the Resuscitation Council UK and discussed how we improve CPR awareness and look into increasing the number of Defibrillators in our local communities. I’m also pleased to announce I have secured a debate in Parliament to discuss public access to Defibrillators. I will share the results of the debate on social media and in my next newsletter.
Armed Forces Day 2023 – I join everyone across Erith and Thamesmead in celebrating Armed Forces Day and I express how deeply proud we are of our personnel, veterans, and their families for the great contribution they make to our country.
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.
For regular updates on my activities, follow me on Twitter (@abenaopp), Facebook (Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Erith and Thamesmead), and Instagram (abena.oppongasare.mp).
At the end of May, I visited Nepal with WaterAid UK and the Coalition for Global Prosperity to see the impact of development projects supporting access to clean water.
It was wonderful to be able to visit the beautiful country of Nepal and meet so many people doing life-saving and transformational work. Visiting some of the programmes that WaterAid is undertaking illuminated the extent of the hardship and poverty that so many in Nepal are facing. It also showed the amazing progress that has been made.
Poor access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) presents some serious challenges to vulnerable communities in Nepal. These include the proliferation of water-borne illness, poor sanitation, and restrictions on the opportunities afforded to citizens.
What I found particularly worrying was that these issues disproportionately affect women and young girls. A lack of sanitation has been related to a disproportionately smaller number of girls attending schools, particularly affecting those on their menstrual cycles.
For instance, only 39% of schools have separate, female-friendly toilets, meaning many young girls are left without a safe space to clean themselves and manage the difficulties associated with menstruation. This can discourage girls from attending school altogether, through fear of judgment, embarrassment and even harassment.
It is therefore great to see the outstanding progress that WaterAid have made with their WASH programmes. Citizens in these areas have experienced vastly improved quality of life, with improved access to safe water, better toilets, and improved hygiene.
Young girls have been offered safe spaces, which has succeeded in breaking down some of the barriers that might stop them from receiving an equal education to their male counterparts. It’s a really promising story that I am keen to see continue.
We all know having access to life-saving defibrillators saves lives. The issue is not their design but their location and public awareness about what they are and how to use them.
Having access to a life-saving defibrillator depends on where you live. Today, I called on the Government to address this cruel unfairness to save lives. That was my message in my Westminster Hall debate on public access to Defibrillators.
Research from the Resuscitation Council UK shows that access to defibrillators, or AEDs, is not fairly distributed across England. Each year, there are 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK, with less than one in ten surviving. Whilst immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival, defibrillators are used in less than one in ten cases. If you have a cardiac arrest and have access to a defibrillator within a minute, have a 90% chance of survival.
According to the BMJ, access to a defibrillator varies widely by location:
140 per 100,000 people in Swansea
61 per 100,000 people in London
2 per 100,000 people in Birmingham
The issue was highlighted to me by the experience of my constituent, Bonnie McGhee, who works on the cardiology unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Bonnie sadly lost her father to cardiac arrest and has since successfully raised funds for a defibrillator in his memory.
Access to a defibrillator may have saved his life. Bonnie successfully fundraised for a defibrillator in memory of her father.
To save lives, defibrillators must be in a well-signposted location, unlocked and easy to find so that members of the community can access them immediately in an emergency. They must be maintained and ready for use. Information about defibrillator locations is hard to come by. People do not know where to find them and how to use them. The Circuit is a national database of defibrillators but it is incomplete, meaning that emergency services may not be able to direct someone to save a life.
In my debate today I said “Knowing where a defibrillator is and how to use one saves lives. Learning simple resuscitation skills can make all the difference in an emergency. Today, I’m calling on Ministers to listen and help save lives.”
You can read my full speech here and watch it here.
It was wonderful to meet the team from Age UK Bexley this month after their Parliament tour. It was encouraging to see such a great turnout and to discuss their work and the support they provide to older people in Erith and Thamesmead.
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.
You can also see my social media post about this visit below or here.
