All of Hampshire, including the Meon Valley, is in Tier 2 from 2nd December and this means restrictions will be a little tighter than before lockdown and are likely to last for the foreseeable future.
The headlines are: pubs, restaurants, all retail, gyms, exercise classes can reopen but, unlike when we were in tier 1, different households are unable to meet indoors, although up to six people can still meet outdoors.
Like many people, I did not want this to be the case but I understand Meon Valley is not isolated and that places close by have higher infection rates so we must all pull together in the common good.
I thank everyone for their patience and fortitude as we go into winter in this position. If we do pull together it means we can lower the infection rate and save lives.
In further Covid news, the government published its guidance for getting together this Christmas with a temporary relaxation to allow three households to be together from 23rd to 27th December. Of course, people do not need to do this and I ask everyone to use their common sense and decide if it is safe, especially if they have older relatives.
A third vaccine also looks to be coming over the horizon to help us with, this time, a British developed jab showing excellent results.
In Westminster, the week’s showpiece was the Chancellor’s spending review. There were sobering figures about what covid has done to the country’s economy and the government’s finances, but there was also continuing support to help the country weather the pandemic and then recover.
Schools will get over £2.2 billion investment in facilities and teaching equipment. The Chancellor also announced a £4 billion levelling up fund and will be working hard to get some of this money directed towards the Waterlooville redevelopment project.
Another good piece of news was £15 billion set aside for research and development so the UK can continue to be a force in areas like green technologies, artificial intelligence and digital industries.
Difficult decisions also had to be made and the partial public sector pay freeze was one of them. However, I commend the Chancellor for raising pay for all NHS staff and lower paid public sector workers too. This means the majority who work for the state will receive a rise.
It looks like the weather this weekend will be brighter, if not a little colder. Please stay safe.
