I secured TfL’s ability to bid for up to £50 million via the Major Road Network programme in 2018 following direct lobbying of the then Transport Secretary. As TfL have now confirmed that they have submitted their online business case to the Department for Transport for consideration, I have written to the Minister for Roads, Richard Holden, to reaffirm my support for vital refurbishment works to the flyover. While the Department consider the bid, TfL have confirmed that they will continue to progress design and planning work to ensure that, if funding is approved, the project can be delivered as quickly as possible with substantive works on site expected from early 2025.
The Government recently announced that, one year earlier than planned, we have delivered on a key manifesto commitment to recruit 26,000 additional primary care professionals – ranging from paramedics to dietitians and physiotherapists – with at least 4,246 of these in London. Locally, this recruitment drive has seen the addition of 670 primary care staff across the North East London region, helping to cut waiting lists, improve services and assist GP practices throughout Havering and the wider region. Building on these encouraging numbers, the North East London Integrated Care Board have confirmed that recruitment to these posts will continue into the future.
After supporting bids from several schools, I welcome that Sanders Drapers, Drapers’ Brookside Junior School, Drapers’ Pyrgo Priory School, Emerson Park Academy and Upminster Junior school have all receive additional funding for building projects. This new investment will upgrade and improve school and college facilities, providing pupils with safer and warmer classrooms, and more energy efficient school buildings. The government also provided extra funding to schools in Hornchurch and Upminster with £3,564,548, as part of £2 billion this year and next.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed energy prices to record levels, causing sharp increases to the cost of living. The Government have assisted with the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Schemes, effectively paying half of households’ energy bills since October 2022. It was incredibly welcome news when Ofgem’s announcement that, from 1 July, the energy price cap will be reduced to £2,074, delivering to customers a direct a saving of £426 based on typical domestic consumption. Whilst I recognise that this cap is still much higher than the pre-2021 average, it is good news that prices are now falling with savings passed on to customers.
