Rossendale MP

I’VE spoken to many people in the Valley in recent weeks about our local lockdown measures. I know there was a lot of disappointment that we were included in the increased restrictions for East Lancashire & Greater Manchester; it’s affected everyone and meant that celebrations, holidays and parties had to be cancelled or rearranged with short notice and I really do understand how frustrating this was.

Rossendale was included in the original restrictions for East Lancashire as we are surrounded by areas with worryingly high increases in infection rate. Many residents in Rossendale work or have friends and family in the affected areas and there was a real concern that with this, it could easily lead to an increase in our infection rate. This virus doesn’t respect local authority boundaries and there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who live locally, who have friends or relatives in nearby areas that are affected.

These restrictions are reviewed on a weekly basis and our local infection rates in Rossendale have, thankfully, remained comparatively low. That is why, when I spoke to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock last week, he agreed to removed Rossendale from the extra restrictions.

This is really encouraging news for us and is down in no small part to the vast majority of people following social distancing guidelines. I am hopeful that if this continues then we will be able to reduce the spread of the virus in our region and can return to a less restrictive form of social distancing.

The other hot topic from recent weeks was A-Level results. I firmly believe that exams are the best form of measuring achievement, however for obvious reasons they were not able to be held earlier this year. That meant that grades were calculated by the exam board, OFQUAL. Once the grades were published however, it became apparent to me very quickly there was a problem. That is why I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson, calling on him to give more weight to the grades predicted by the student’s teachers.

I know how disappointed many students and their families were when their grades were marked down through no fault of their own but I’m pleased that it has now been confirmed that students will be able to choose the higher of either the standardised or the teacher estimated results. I recognise the stress and anxiety this will have caused for both students and families, but it is welcome news that the correct decision has now been taken.

Continuing with the subject of schools, the end of the Summer holidays are almost here and it is absolutely vital that we get children back to school and learning, but in a safe way.

I was very pleased that primary and secondary schools reopened to certain year groups before the summer holidays. The Prime Minister has confirmed it is a national priority to reopen schools fully in September, and I back his appeal to parents to send their children back to school.

I would like to commend the work of teachers across our local schools here in Rossendale who have responded so impressively to the unprecedented circumstances we are going through. I know that some teachers have expressed concerns about the safety of returning to school in September. I understand their worries but I want to reassure everyone that measures are in place to keep teachers, children and other school staff safe. Safety has been Ministers’ upmost concern and that if the situation changes they won’t hesitate to act.

It is important to state that we are continuing to make progress in reducing transmission of the virus. Alongside this I am very encouraged that the latest research, in one of the largest studies on the coronavirus in schools in the world, makes it clear there is little evidence that the virus is transmitted at school.

To help schools reopen guidance has been published on how schools can run and welcome back children safely. This includes advice on hygiene, social distancing and the different ways schools may need to operate. It is important to note from all we know so far children are at least risk from the current pandemic and also seem not to be as likely to spread the virus as adults.

As a parent of three children myself, I understand that there are real concerns about the safety of sending their children back to school but I strongly believe nothing will have a greater effect on the life chances of our children than returning to school.

Although my Constituency office on Kay Street, Rawtenstall is still closed for drop in appointments I’m happy to arrange socially distanced visits to discuss any concerns you may have or telephone advice surgery appointments. If you need my help or want to let me know about an issue or problem. please get in touch either by phoning 01706 215547 or email me at jake.berry.mp@ parliament.uk and I will do my very best to help.