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Keep updated on the latest news, campaigns and my work on behalf of voters in Ashford.
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Ashford MP Raises Pothole Concerns with Transport Department
Following a high number of contacts from constituents regarding potholes Sojan Joseph MP wrote to the Department for Transport on 15th October, the question stated:
15/10/2024Read More -
KentOnline – Kent County Council receives £12m investment for new SEND service
A new multi-million-pound investment is set to transform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the county.
Today (April 15), the government has awarded Kent County Council (KCC) with £12,155,170 to provide a brand new service.
15/04/2026Read More -
Press Release – Labour provides Kent County Council with £12,155,170 for brand new SEND service
Sojan Joseph, MP for Ashford, Hawkinge, and the Villages has today (15/04/2026) welcomed significant investment from the Labour government into local SEND provision. Kent County Council is to be allocated £12,155,170 to set up a new ‘Experts at Hand’ offer.
As announced in February’s Schools White Paper, the service is designed to provide children with early support and fast access to professionals like speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists. The offer will involve partnerships between special schools, alternative provision, and mainstream settings to put support in place without needing to go through lengthy assessment processes.Families in Kent have expressed concerns about long waits in the SEND system, which has led to issues escalating to crisis point before intervention. Labour’s reforms set out in the Schools White Paper, including the introduction of Experts at Hand, are designed to move support earlier in the process, closer to home, without parents having to fight for it.
The final guidance for Experts at Hand will be published next month, setting out how Kent County Council should use the funding to start standing up the service and the grant conditions associated with it.15/04/2026Read More
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Come on England! 🦁🏴
Great to meet with Secretary for @SciTechgovuk, @leicesterliz to discuss the Government’s social media ban for U-16s.
I have been campaigning for stronger online safeguards for young people to protect their mental health, so I welcome the bold action the Government is taking.
I’m really pleased that Ashford will be receiving funding from the Labour Government for a new Youth Hub.
This will ensure that more young people receive crucial support and services all in one place within our community.
Plans for two new youth clubs given green light by government
MPs have welcomed news their constituents will get new youth hubs to tackle unemployment as part of an expanded government scheme.
www.kentonline.co.uk
Ten years ago today, our beloved friend and colleague, Jo Cox, was murdered. Today we are all thinking of Jo, of her family, friends, and all those who loved her.
Every day, we strive towards creating the world that she believed in, and remember her words:
“We are far more
Today, in the Environmental Audit Committee. I asked the Climate Minister how to ensure that local authorities, including KCC, make the most of Government grants for electric vehicles so that our constituents benefit fully from the funding and we can meet our net-zero objectives.
Working in NHS mental health services for over 22 years, I saw how social media could have a detrimental effect on young people. I’ve pushed for greater online safeguards for young people since entering Parliament, and I truly welcome this announcement today.
We are banning social media access for under 16s.
These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life.
I just can’t let that go on anymore. So we’re giving children their childhoods back.
The Labour Party wishes His Majesty The King a very happy official birthday.
Thank you to the Head Teacher at Goat Lees Primary for a really informative discussion and for giving me a tour to show me how they are utilising their resources right across the school!
A brilliant visit to East Stour Primary School today to meet with Year 4 pupils for a Q&A session.
It was great to hear what they’ve been learning about MPs, answer their questions, and speak to them about my role as their Member of Parliament!
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As your local MP there are a number of different things I can help you with or offer advice on, such as; benefits, immigration, tax issues, problems with the NHS, child maintenance and education matters.
I would love to hear from you about what you think my priorities should be as your MP for Ashford and what matters most to you.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address and full details of your issue.