End of Plan B Covid restrictions
Hurrah! All Plan B restrictions go from this week (January 26), which I hope will have come as a real boost for everyone. It’s been vital for businesses and our economy that we’ve reached this stage having not had to introduce further restrictions, as was the case in Wales, Scotland and our European neighbours. Keeping only limited measures in place through the winter and having faith in our booster rollout, has been a big win for businesses and employees, and we can now look forward with travel test changes to moving on from this pandemic, restriction-free and travelling abroad more freely.
Last week, I was pleased to attend the 2022 World Watch List launch alongside MPs, hosted by my parliamentary colleague Theresa Villiers MP.
This provided vital information and in-depth research on 50 countries where Christians were facing the most extreme persecution. It was incredibly useful, and I was pleased to represent constituents at the launch, after so many have written to me about the World Watch List over the past year.
I know ministers will pay heed to the recommendations, which I’m glad praised the government for the many positive advances it has made.
Meanwhile, I am also continuing to engage with ministers in the FCDO daily on the rapidly evolving and grave situation on Ukraine’s border with Russia and will be updating constituents on my website in the coming days.
Fly-tipping is an infuriating and sadly frequent crime taking place across Mid Sussex, which is why I am very happy to see the government announce plans to help tackle flytipping and illegal waste exports through stricter background checks and mandatory digital waste tracking.
These form part of wider plans to reform the waste industry, and we have set out proposals in two new consultations which will clamp down on waste crime and support people and businesses to manage waste correctly.
Our carers really matter and as former carer, I know support and guidance is vital. Regular drop-ins for unpaid carers are available, so please do go along to one of their regular drop-ins to meet one of their carer wellbeing team, to chat about grants and other sources of help. To find out more, do call 0300 028 8888 or email info@carerssupport.org.uk
From January 28-30 it’s the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – all the details are on its website.
Just choose an hour on any of these days and count how many birds land in your garden, park or green space. If you are, like me, in need of a little help identifying certain birds, a chart detailing the most common garden visiting birds is available to download.