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Gareth Johnson
MP for Dartford

Reporting back from Dartford and Westminster - now reaching over 5,000 people in the local area

June 2023

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ULEZ debate

On 26th June, I spoke against the expansion of ULEZ in a debate in Westminster Hall. I will continue to campaign on this unjust taxation without representation by London's Labour Mayor.

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PM visits new IKEA Distribution Centre

I was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to the new IKEA Distribution Centre in Dartford recently. This new centre is fantastic news for the local area, with around 400 new jobs created and is a massive vote of confidence from IKEA in Dartford.

The PM answered various questions from local people and the media. He was resolute in his determination to tackle inflation and grow the economy. Click on the button below to play the video.

PM's visit to IKEA<[link removed]>

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Lung screening programme to be rolled out nationally

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced that a national targeted lung cancer screening programme will be introduced for people aged 55 to 74 who are at high risk of lung cancer in England.

Around 35,000 people die and 48,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year and it has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers. This is largely because lung cancer tends to be diagnosed at a late stage when treatment is much less likely to be effective. When fully rolled out, this new national screening programme will detect around 9,000 more cancers a year at an early stage.

As smoking causes 72% of lung cancers, the programme will use a history of smoking from GP records to identify those eligible for screening.

The programme will be rolled out nationally with £1 billion of funding over the next seven years.

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Wilmington Academy 'Outstanding' Ofsted inspection

You may have seen that Wilmington Academy has been rated outstanding in all areas in a recent Ofsted inspection. The inspection highlighted the academy's commitment to exceptional behaviour, inspiring curriculum and leaders' high ambition for pupils' education. In addition, Ofsted commended Wilmington Academy's commitment to the International Baccalaureate.

Congratulations to all the team at Wilmington Academy!

The photo above is me meeting the Principal, Michael Gore, at a recent event.

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Ebbsfleet community visit to Westminster

I was delighted to welcome members of our Ebbsfleet community to Westminster recently, together with Headteachers from schools there.

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Open Doors for Guide Dogs Campaign

I was pleased to attend an event organised by Guide Dogs to promote their Open Doors for Guide Dogs Campaign.

More than 80% of guide dog owners say they have been refused access to a business or service because of their guide dog.

I fully support this campaign to raise awareness and ensure guide dog owners are not refused access in future.

More details on the campaign can be found below.

Open Doors for Guide Dogs Campaign<[link removed]>

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Ebbsfleet Green Primary School

It was a pleasure to visit Ebbsfleet Green Primary School this month, where I was shown around by Head of School, Kelly Garrett (photo above).

It has been just over a year since my last visit and it is great to see the school thriving. It has a fantastic outside space which is being used to its full potential, with a home-made bug hotel, the pond, the start of a vegetable garden and a new trim trail.

As one of our newest schools, it is good to see the children enjoying their time at school and to see the changes over the past year.

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Caterham Cars

Caterham Cars, the world leading brand of specialist sports cars, has secured a large unit near the Dartford crossing. When fully operational, the new site will be home to around 120 employees who specialise in building each car individually.

This new site creates a fantastic opportunity for the company to grow and produce more cars and will also see it offering apprenticeships.

This is a great addition for Dartford and I am very proud that such an iconic brand has chosen to base itself here.

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UK Parliament Week

UK Parliament Week is an annual event, spreading the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved. It is a great way to find out new things about Parliament and it takes place this year from 6th to 12th November. Lots of groups in Dartford have already signed up and have received a free kit telling them all about Parliament and how to take action and make an impact on issues they care about.

Whilst I may not be able to join your event during UK Parliament Week, I may be able to sponsor an official tour of the Palace of Westminster or help in obtaining literature for your group.

If you would like to find out more information, please click on the link below.

UK Parliament Week<[link removed]>

Employment figures

In May 2023:

* There were 2,265 actual claimants in Dartford constituency, which was 3.0% of the population aged 16-64. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 3.7%.
* There were 380 claimants aged 18-24, which was 4.8% of the population aged 18-24. The equivalent UK claimant rate was 4.7%.
Over the past year the number of claimants has risen by 65 in Dartford, as shown in the table. The table also shows changes over the last month and since March 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic affected the claimant count.


Unadjusted count in Dartford, May 2023



Aged 16+
Aged 18-24


Claimant count
2,265
380


Change on month
-45
-5


Change on year
65
10


Change from Mar 2020
630
60



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The Speaker's State Coach

The Speaker's State Coach is the earliest surviving English coach in the United Kingdom and has been used by the Speakers of the House of Commons to attend royal events over the last two centuries.

The Coach is thought to have been made for King William III (1689 – 1702) around 1698. A series of painted panels celebrate the accession of William and Mary to the throne in 1689. Panels on each door seem to show Mary receiving the fruits of plenty and William accepting the ‘Bill of Rights’. This Bill marked a crucial moment in British constitutional history when Parliament asserted its rights over the monarchy. It also gave the peoples of England, Scotland and Ireland greater personal liberty and democracy.

The Coach is thought to have been given to the Speaker of the House of Commons, possibly by Queen Anne (1702 - 1714). It took part in royal events over the following centuries and was used by Speakers for the coronations of Edward VII, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II, as well as the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria and the silver jubilee of George V. It was last used by Speaker Thomas at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

The Coach is now carefully conserved as a heritage object. The current Speaker, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, returned the Coach to Westminster Hall for the Coronation period.


Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership

Kent and Medway Integrated Care Partnership is made up of the NHS, councils and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. It is the driving force behind health and care changes in Kent and Medway.

The ICP is now asking for views on the issues being prioritised and a number of events are being held this summer, so people can feed back and give their suggestions.

To find more details, please click on the buttons below. You can also take part online by completing a survey.

Kent and Medway ICP events<[link removed]>

Kent and Medway ICP Survey<[link removed]>
[Gareth Johnson MP website]<[link removed]>


Gareth Johnson MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 0207 219 7047
email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>


Copyright © 2023, Gareth Johnson MP, All rights reserved.



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