The sun is finally shining and it really does seem that spring is arriving alongside the slow lifting of covid restrictions. I think the Prime Minister is right to be cautious about how we move forward. The last thing that any of us want is to go back into a full lockdown.
Our position is, of course, helped by the brilliant rollout of the vaccines. Nationally 26% of the total population have had the vaccine and I am pleased to say that Meon Valley has the 16th highest vaccination rate out of England’s 533 constituencies. This means 38% of the Meon Valley population has received either the Pfizer or the AstraZeneca jab. That's some achievement and I would like to thank everyone - NHS staff, volunteers and the military - for the job they are doing.
It is also in contrast to what is going on in Europe. It very much appears both vaccines are very effective and that the UK’s population is happy to have it. This is the way towards freedom. There are plenty of vaccines to roll out the second dose and people will start to be called for that shortly.
The vaccines are great but testing is also important. It is now in place for all workers dealing with the public and this will continue for some time. There will be free testing for anyone that is concerned or needs to be reassured. We have already been successful in preventing any spread of the South African variant in Hampshire, so testing works.
I am pleased that schools will be going back fully on 8th March. I pay tribute to all the teachers and school staff who have been working hard in schools with key worker children and, at the same time, providing online work for those at home. It has been very stressful for everyone, both for those in school and for parents having to juggle homeschooling with their own jobs. I know it will be a great relief to all to have everyone back in school and pupils will be tested regularly.
We are still being encouraged to work from home as Parliamentarians although I am looking forward to returning as soon as possible as, like others, I am finding being stuck in zoom meetings all day has lost its allure. I managed to ask two questions this week of Ministers - one about high streets as I continue to push for a vision for Waterlooville - and the other to our new COP26 Minister.
The Environment Bill will be making its way through both Chambers over the next few months after a delay due to Covid. I hope that we will have an exemplar that other countries will look to adopt. As I have said before, do let me know your thoughts.
If you run a local business and have not heard from me this week, I have sent out a letter with all the latest Government initiatives to get people back into work. This is now on my website so do have a look to see whether anything is of interest. Unemployment has gone up but so have job vacancies so I hope that we will see a big boost to the economy later this year. The budget is next week and I will let you know my thoughts then.
Have a great weekend.
