By Amie Strachan

ON Friday, YourHarlow met with MP Robert Halfon at his weekly surgery to discuss a number of topics.

Serving as the current Minister of State for the Department of Education, Mr Halfon addressed the ongoing disruptions to Higher Education. As of April, the University and College Union (UCU) have participated in a nationwide marking and assessment boycott in an attempt to improve wages and working conditions. Acknowledging the inevitable impact this has had on students, Mr Halfon assured us that he has been corresponding with various university bodies to mitigate the effects of unmarked work. While efforts to implement substitute markers are underway, Mr Halfon advised students who feel unsatisfied to seek the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education as a point of contact.

As the renovation of the Water Gardens continues, we questioned Mr Halfon on the regeneration of the remainder of Harlow town centre. Upon his election in December 2019, Mr Halfon pledged to regenerate the town and transform it into a thriving urban area. While the COVID-19 lockdown initially stagnated plans, Mr Halfon stated that over 40 million pounds has been secured to completely redevelop buildings surrounding Market Square, Harlow Playhouse and Harlow bus station. Mr Halfon feels confident that he has fulfilled his promise to regenerate Harlow and looks forward to the construction of a brand-new hospital, anticipated to begin in two years’ time.

Mr Halfon has also recently been up in the Mid Bedfordshire consistency, which has been represented by the Conservative party since 1931. While current MP Nadine Dorries has not officially stepped down, her resignation has triggered a by-election set to occur in the near future. Bedfordshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC), Festus Akinbusoye, has been named the Conservative candidate and was highly praised by Mr Halfon. Having previously worked closely with Mr Akinbusoye, Mr Halfon helped to promote his delivery of housing and support services to vulnerable young people. This included a twenty-million-pound construction project providing supported accommodation. While Nadine Dorries is yet to provide her formal resignation, Mr Halfon stated that Mr Akinbusoye is a “brilliant parliamentary candidate”, and will continue to support him.