A hive of activity – in House of Commons and with apiarist Jim
MP MARK BACK IN PARLIAMENT
LAST week I joined MPs in returning to the House from summer recess. In the Commons, the main business was the second reading of the Fisheries Bill, which I was proud to support.
Now that the UK has left the European Union, the Fisheries
Bill will provide the legal framework for the UK to operate as an independent coastal state, enabling us to build a sustainable and profitable fishing industry for the whole UK.
Meanwhile, back in the constituency, it was great to hear that across Kirkburton, Denby Dale, Mirfield and Dewsbury 81,000 discounted meals were eaten last month under our Eat Out to Help Out scheme. That’s more than 100 million meals nationwide, helping to protect the livelihoods of 1.8 million people in the hospitality industry and kickstarting our economic recovery from coronavirus.
Since I last put pen to paper, I’ve been widening my understanding and awareness of bees by visiting local beekeeper Jim Pearson up at Grange Moor. I firmly believe we must protect the UK’s vibrant ecosystem because bees and pollinators are an essential part of our environment and play a crucial role in food production.
I have also been keen to get out and about to visit businesses to offer support. From the beginning of the pandemic, the Government have taken unprecedented action to support jobs and livelihoods, providing around £160 billion of support to individuals and businesses across the UK.
Along with protecting jobs, it’s vital to create new ones, and I am delighted that the Government has launched the £2 billion Kickstart scheme, part of our Plan for Jobs, which gives those aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit a future of opportunity by creating quality, six-month Government-subsidised work placements. I am encouraging employers in our local area to create as many Kickstart jobs as possible. I want to see young people in our constituency benefiting from this opportunity.
It was also good to visit and thank the fantastic team at Humanity First Food Bank in Mirfield, who are doing a great job helping people across the community during these challenging times.
Also in Mirfield, it was an honour to be able to lay a wreath for the VJ75 commemoration in Ings Grove Park, as we remembered and showed our deep debt of gratitude to those who fought and served in the Far East and the Pacific - many never to return.
One hot topic in my inbox has been around the localised restrictions on household gatherings. I have been calling for a more localised approach to easing restrictions, and as such was pleased that Kirkburton, Denby Dale and Mirfield were lifted from measures. It’s also welcome news that businesses like soft play areas and close contact services such as facial treatments, eyebrow threading and make-up application, can now re-open.
It was also interesting to learn that our testing rate is now among the best in the world, equivalent to one test for every five people in the country. We are moving in the right direction, and I am incredibly grateful to all members of the public who are abiding by social distancing rules. Please remain alert and continue with the good practices like social distancing and hand washing that have played a crucial part in containing the spread of the virus.
■■As always, the team and I are here to help. Please feel free to contact me via email: mark. eastwood.mp@parliament.uk or telephone 01924 939 007.