Dear Resident, 

2021 was a tough year for our community, but thanks to the remarkable vaccine roll out and booster campaign, we have every hope that 2022 will be a much brighter one.

I want to begin by sincerely thanking all of the public sector and key workers, shop workers, carers, NHS staff, refuse workers, delivery drivers and the many others in Harlow that have worked so hard over Christmas to keep everything moving. 

I also give a special heartfelt thanks to teachers and support staff across the town in our schools and at Harlow College for all they continue to do to keep our young people learning and schools and our college open.

This year, I will be working hard to deliver on the pledges I have made to you and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on that work:

Building an even better Harlow

Last year we secured £23.7 million to kickstart key regeneration projects across the town

including a new bus station in the town centre. This comes alongside the £27.5 million that has been invested into our Enterprise Zone on London Road which will continue to develop this year, creating more jobs and attracting even more world-leading businesses to Harlow.

Cutting the cost of living

I have continued to campaign to cut the cost of living which has resulted in fuel duty being frozen for the twelfth year – saving you £15 every time you fill up. The National Living Wage has also

increased again and the Universal Credit Taper Rate has been cut by 8% meaning those in

receipt are likely to be £1,000 better off this year. I’ve also voted to again increase the state

pension by either the rate of inflation or 2.5% whichever is higher.

Championing education and apprenticeships

My passion is politics is education and I am pleased that this year, every school will receive a per pupil funding uplift. There is also a record investment to support more children with SEND, as well as a 42% increased in the budget for skills. Since 2010, over 8,000 Harlow residents have started an apprenticeship and I know that through the amazing Harlow College, that number will continue to rise. 

Making our streets safer

I voted last year not just to increase funding for the police but also to give the police the powers they need to do their job. We have 507 more police officers in Essex than we did in 2019 and, furthermore, there is now much tougher sentencing for criminals to ensure that their sentence truly reflects the crime they commit. 

Protecting our NHS

Over 190 more nurses and 60 more doctors are now working at PAH compared with 2019 thanks to the record investment into our NHS. The record funding that I have voted for is also to build our new Harlow hospital, which you will hear much more about in the coming months.

I will continue to work hard for Harlow in 2022 and to ensure that I deliver on the pledges that I have made to residents. If there is anything I can do to help you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With every good wish, 

Robert

Robert Halfon MPWorking hard for Harlow and the Villages