This February saw the centenary of the first families move into the Downham Estate. I was honoured to be invited to a tree planting ceremony, where I and other residents planted a memorial tree and plaque to celebrate the occasion.
The Downham Estate was part of a nationwide house-building project following WWI, which aimed to reward returning veterans and their families with high-quality, affordable housing. During WWI, a housing shortage became a housing crisis as the War consumed ever more resources, and home building dropped in priority.
The project, started in earnest in 1920 when the then London County Council bought 600 acres of farmland. House building was initially beset by delays and problems caused by financial difficulties.
However, the very first Labour government, led by Ramsey McDonald, saw these ‘Homes for Heroes’ as a priority, and passed the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1924. The Act increased subsidies for council-built houses with rent controls, putting the scheme on a secure financial footing, allowing the building work to increase at a steady rate.
The Downham Estate was the third biggest project in London, with over 7,000 homes built to house mostly manual labourers and clerical workers who moved from Rotherhithe, Deptford, and Bermondsey. It was considered a showcase development and a vast improvement on the slums from which many of the initial residents moved from.
Ever since, Downham has been the centre of a vibrant community, reflecting London and Britain.
100 years later, a new Labour Government tackles a new Housing Crisis, brought on by 14 years of Tory foot dragging and exploding demand.
The Labour Government is putting house building at the centre of the political agenda.
That is why we published our new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that will support our commitment to build 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.
The next generation of homes will be attractive places where people want to live, with the GP surgeries and schools to sustain thriving mixed communities.
The last Conservative Government failed to meet its housing targets and left a legacy of high energy bills.
Therefore, we are committed to upgrading existing homes.
By upgrading homes with insulation, solar and heat pumps, we can make them warmer and cheaper to heat. The Government has increased the expected number of home upgrades this year to 300,000, backed by £3.2 billion worth of investment.
These investments aim to increase the energy efficiency standards for private rental sector properties, and can save private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills.
Ministerial Update – Breakfast Clubs
The Labour Government wants to ensure that no child goes to school hungry.
Through our Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill, Labour is cutting the cost of sending children to school to make life easier for families. This includes free breakfast clubs and a cap on the number of branded school uniform items.
On 24 February, we announced the first 750 schools that will become the first to offer a new free breakfast club.
These include three schools in Lewisham East. My thanks go to Elfrida Primary School, Rushey Green Primary School, and Downderry Primary School, which will lead the way in this fantastic scheme.
Breakfast clubs ensure that children start the day ready to learn, and they are proven to boost attendance and attainment.
At the same time, Labour realises that there are additional pressures on parents’ time, and they are a valuable source of childcare for parents at the beginning of the day.
The clubs are estimated to save parents £450 a year.
Under the Tories, these clubs were available in just one in ten primary schools across England, and Labour will make them available to all our children.
Labour’s mission is to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage.
As part of our Plan for Change, we’re determined to give children the best start in life.
Ministerial Update – IFATE Bill
Growth is the government’s number one priority, and we recognise that we need to upskill workers so they are ready for the high-tech green economy fit for the 21st century.
On 25 February, I introduced the IFATE bill to the Commons alongside Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education. It’s the Labour government’s first piece of education legislation, and it will help Skills England find and fill skills gaps, support people into rewarding jobs, and grow our economy.
In the first set of apprenticeship statistics under the new Labour government, we saw an increase in starts, participation, and achievement compared to the same period under the Tories in 2023.
But we marked National Apprenticeship Week with reforms going further and faster on growth.
Now, this Bill will allow us to overhaul the skills system.
It’s time to end the snobbery about skills. There was a time when our country valued them, when boosting training was a national priority, and when workers got the respect they deserve—Labour is creating a system so that we can do that once again.
Labour will harness the talents of working people through ambitious reform to drive growth and unlock opportunity.
FCDO Update – European Security and Ukraine
During the first weekend of March, the Prime Minister chaired a Leaders Meeting in London, where counterparts from across Europe, Canada, NATO Secretary General, the Presidents of the EU Commission, and the EU Council met to discuss our support for Ukraine.
Europe is at a crossroads, and it is time to act to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.
We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for our country’s and continent’s collective security. Global instability, Russian aggression in Ukraine, increasing threats from malign actors, climate change and rapid technological disruption have all contributed to a rapidly deteriorating security landscape. Conflict is becoming interconnected, and our adversaries are increasingly working together.
Resolving the Ukraine crisis through protecting its sovereignty is imperative for European security. The UK has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, providing nearly £13 billion in assistance, and will contribute further military support if needed to uphold Europe’s collective security.
Labour Governments have always stood up to keep Britain safe. Just as our predecessors stood with Churchill through the Second World War, created NATO, and won the peace, we will provide the response that this moment demands to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.
As a leading European power, the UK must step up to safeguard continental security on an enduring basis. That’s why this Labour Government is increasing defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 – with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
This will deliver the biggest sustained boost to defence spending since the Cold War, safeguarding our collective security and funding the capabilities, technology and industrial capacity needed to keep the UK and our allies safe.
Elfrida Primary School & Brownies Visit to Parliament
On Valentine’s Day, I visited Elfrida Primary School and was given a tour by the Executive Head Teacher and Head of School.
Elfirda is a fantastic school. I was impressed with the staff’s work; they have an excellent relationship with their sister school, Athelney Primary School, which is just down the road. When I spoke to Pupils during their assembly, they were well behaved and asked excellent questions about my work as an MP.
Elfrida Primary School was one of the first schools to introduce Breakfast Clubs, a Labour policy that ensures pupils do not start their day hungry and can focus on learning.
Thank you to Elfirda Primary School for successfully applying and hosting me for my visit.
The following week during recess, I hosted a local Brownie group in Parliament, where I gave them a tour and had a short Q&A.
The Brownies were brilliantly well-behaved and enjoyed the tour. We even got to see inside St Mary Undercroft, a beautiful chapel underneath Westminster Hall, which is usually closed to the public.