Covid policy inconsistent

Bath and North East Somerset now has one of the highest Covid rates in England. Experts have linked the rise in cases to false negative testing errors at the privately-run Immensa laboratory which is still processing and profiting from PCR tests for travel.

I wrote to Government ministers on behalf of worried constituents, many with children in school, whose families have been impacted. I raised this scandal in Parliament.

Jacob Rees-mogg’s response highlighted this Government’s inconsistent approach to protecting the public from Covid.

I support B&NES Council leader Kevin Guy’s calls for the Government to allow local authorities to take strong measures to stem the surge in Covid. We must exercise greater caution. Please get all doses of the Covid vaccine and your flu jab, wear masks indoors and maintain social distancing.

Schools have been seriously let down by the Department for Education regarding Covid. Special thanks to our teachers and school staff for their tireless work.

Constituents have raised concerns about bus services through a bus survey. 74 per cent of respondents reported having a negative experience of buses and 82.6 per cent experienced disruptions.

Buses are under the control of West of England Combined Authority Mayor Dan Norris and central Government.

I have requested a meeting with Dan Norris to find a solution to this crisis and asked the Government what their plan is to bring back

Bath’s buses. With Cleveland Bridge now partially open, we should see some improvement in traffic congestion in the city centre.

The new budget didn’t mention climate change once. Delaying climate action is the new climate denial.

So is the Chancellor’s decision to reduce airfares within the UK, making it cheaper to fly than take the train.

How can global leaders gathering at COP26 take this Government seriously on climate change?

Drink spiking is the latest manifestation of the epidemic of violence against women and girls.

Making misogyny a hate crime would help stamp out the pick-up culture driving the spate of drink spiking across the country.

I visited Kingsmead, Moorlands,

Twerton, Lansdown and Southdown wards with councillors to listen to constituents.

We saw several areas in the city where there are opportunities to co-design solutions to make neighbourhoods more liveable for residents.

I met Green Park Station stall holders who have been hit by the pandemic and the ongoing issues connected with repairing the roof.

My council colleagues are working hard to help them. Please show your support for our independent businesses.

The murder of Sir David Amess MP was shocking and tragic. Constituency surgeries should not be places of danger.

They are for helping people. Many thanks to constituents for their messages of support.