AFTER we published our editorial piece on the state of athletics in Harlow, we put a number of questions to Harlow MP.

Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, said: ” I very much welcome the editorial on sports, athletics and funding in our town. The editor of YourHarlow.com rightly points out the very proud history that Harlow has in producing top athletes and for such a competitive amateur sports scene.

“I’ve worked hard in my time as MP to secure more funding and support for our sports club including in recent years alone £1.3 million for club facilities improvements from Sport England, a potential investment of £1.3 million from the Football Foundation into football pitches, around £3 million on sport and recreation from local authorities and £1 million for school sport this year in Harlow.

I’m pleased that Harlow Council last year refunded all amateur football clubs for their pitch fees during the pandemic and that in the Council’s Budget, they announced major investments into sports facilities across the town including football pitches and multi-use sports courts.

“I am also campaigning in Parliament for extra time in the school day, not for more time in the classroom, but for sports, music and drama activities which will help to address many of the points raised in the editorial. I will continue to campaign for this throughout this Parliament to ensure our young people do as much school sport as possible. The Government announced a £5 billion catch up fund – something I campaigned passionately for – which I would like to see invested into this area.”

Finally, I pay tribute to all the sporting charities and organisations in Harlow – so many of whom I’ve had the pleasure to visit in my time as MP – and for all the wonderful work they do supporting children and young people across our community in their sporting endeavours.”