Cautious and careful roadmap as we want this lockdown to be the last

SINCE my last column in the Loughborough Echo, the Prime Minster has set out a roadmap to come out of lockdown cautiously and carefully. We all want this to be the last time that these measures are necessary.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for helping to keep cases as low as possible. As we come out of lockdown now is the opportunity to build back better and to consider the local businesses in our community. I hope we can all support our wonderful local businesses that we have in and around Loughborough.

The Government is, of course, driven by the data and not dates. Whilst it is hugely encouraging to see a timetable for reopening the economy, we must continue to play our part in driving down the cases. Vaccinations are key to this; but we must all ensure that we continue to follow the guidance. In doing so we will ensure that the timetable can be followed and that we start to enjoy the things that we have missed for this past year.

This past month, I have been conducting a lot of my Westminster activities from home. However, I have still been just as involved as ever. The national restrictions, whilst necessary, have hit certain sectors hard. Followers of my social media channels will have seen that I have I championed some of these in Parliament. The hospitality and wedding industries have taken a big financial hit and I have been calling for their reopening as soon as it’s safe to do so. Last month, I took part in a debate about dentists. They have operated in tough conditions and at reduced capacity these past few months. I called for further support to help them. I also took part in a debate on cladding. I welcome the announcements recently from Government of an extra £3.5bn to remove unsafe cladding from buildings over 18m high in England, at no cost to residents. I am sure this will be a great relief for many.

In early February, I met with Cancer Research UK as part of events to mark World Cancer Day. It was helpful to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on cancer services and research, including the impact on cancer in the Loughborough area during the pandemic. Uniting to beat cancer has never been more important. The NHS is there for people with cancer, so please, please, please get in touch with your GP if you have any concerns about your health. Finding it early makes it more treatable.

In positive news, a bid has recently been submitted to Government for an ambitious new freeport in the East Midlands. The bid will deliver an inland Freeport at the heart of the UK with brilliant rail and road connectivity, creating close to 60,000 new skilled jobs in the region.

An East Midlands Freeport would be of huge benefit to our area which is home to a world-class university and sites such as the Charnwood Campus and the Sports and Enterprise Park. The Freeport would also be a great access point for goods and materials coming into the UK to support business and industry both locally and nationally. Businesses such as the animal feeds and medications industries in Shepshed; Life science industries locally, but also the large Charnwood Campus site, which is ready to go for life science business but still has many spaces available.

I am also excited to see East Midlands Airport at the heart of this bid. Whilst the airport is located just outside the Loughborough constituency, it is a major employer locally, and many of residents of Shepshed work in cargo and logistics. The airport is already a superb cargo and passenger site and a hub for innovation and business. We will find out whether we have been successful in the spring, but it is certainly an exciting prospect for our area.

Finally, if I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.