As the year begins to draw to a close, it is very disappointing for us all that this year, like last, Christmas has been overshadowed by a rapidly spreading variant of covid. I am pleased the Prime Minister has announced today there will be no further restrictions affecting Christmas.
Unlike last year, however, our population now benefits from protection from multiple doses of coronavirus vaccine. Some 126 million doses have been administered since Maggie Keenan became the first person in the world to receive an approved vaccine dose in Coventry Hospital on 8th December last year, over one million in Shropshire.
But the rapid spread of the Omicron variant does mean that people will have to think carefully about how they see others this Christmas, and take precautions where possible, including taking a lateral flow test just before meeting others. I know this will impact how some will have wanted to spend Christmas, since it is traditionally when family and friends come together.
The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and others in the community is to go for your booster jab as soon as you become eligible, if you have not already. I had my booster in mid-November.
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Having visited local vaccination clinics and seen the extraordinary lengths our vaccinators and volunteers have gone to (one small example from Alveley here), I know the considerable effort going on to see us through this tough period, and ensure as many people as possible are protected.
I cannot predict how the impact of Omicron will develop in coming weeks, nor whether further measures will be needed from the government in response, though I sincerely hope not - I shall seek evidence of increasing hospitalisation rates before I vote for further measures.
I know some will be looking ahead with trepidation. But this Christmas, I would encourage them to take heart from the way in which we have responded to the challenges we have faced over the past two years.
Coronavirus has shown more starkly than any other time since I have been your MP the strength of our community spirit in South Shropshire. So I know we will come through this challenge, just as we have before.
I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas, with best wishes for the year ahead.
With kind regards
Philip
Rt Hon Philip Dunne
MP for Ludlow
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North Shropshire by-election
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I cannot duck the fact that loss of the North Shropshire constituency, with a very large swing to the Liberal Democrats this month, was a big disappointment. The circumstances of the need for a by-election were deeply unfortunate, in every sense - I had worked well with Owen Paterson for some 17 years.
The effective tactical voting strategy of the Lib Dems and Labour, combined with a succession of negative stories from Whitehall for the final weeks of the campaign, which correctly angered voters, has sent a clear message to the Government.
I expect the Prime Minister to focus on combating covid and delivering the manifesto pledges which secured the government's significant majority two years ago.
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Visiting Lunts Pharmacy in Craven Arms*
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The rapid spread of the Omicron variant is concerning, but our vaccinators and volunteers across South Shropshire are doing a remarkable job rolling out booster jabs. On Friday I visited several vaccinations clinics to thank them in person for their vital work, and encourage everyone to take up the offer a vaccine as soon as you are eligible. If you are yet to get your booster, you can find details of local walk in vaccination clinics here or by searching 'Grab a Jab' online.
*Cllr David Evans wearing his exemption badge from mask wearing
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Extra support for leisure and hospitality
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The spread of Omicron and the need for caution has significantly impacted leisure and hospitality at what is usually the busiest time of the year. So I am very pleased the Chancellor has today announced further support with a £1bn package, which means businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises. More information is available here.
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Thanking our local posties
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I was pleased to be able to visit Craven Arms Sorting Office, to thank local posties (including Liz and Tracey, above) for their hard work. This year they are not only dealing with the busy run up to Christmas, but importantly have also been delivering covid tests day in day out, throughout the year, and now including Sunday deliveries of covid tests.
This vital work has been keeping the country going, and keeping our community safe through regular testing. So I encourage everyone in South Shropshire to thank their local postie for their efforts over the whole year.
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Tree planting at Church Stretton School
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I was delighted to answer great questions about the environment at a special Assembly of all the children at St Lawrence Primary School, Church Stretton, followed by planting a cherry tree together as part of the National Trust’s BlossomWatch campaign.
I am grateful to Stretton Climate Care for helping arrange the event and to National Trust rangers who provided the tree and explained to the children how vital trees and blossom are to pollinators and other wildlife in our area.
Getting school children involved in schemes to plant trees was one of the recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report into biodiversity, so I am very pleased to help put this into practice in South Shropshire.
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Supporting the Down Syndrome Bill
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I am very pleased to be supporting the Down Syndrome Bill - a Private Members Bill brought in by my colleague Dr Liam Fox MP - which will ensure we go much further ensuring those with Down syndrome can access Health, Education and Social Care services. The Government announced last month that it will support the Down Syndrome Bill.
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Stokesay School rated Good
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I am delighted Stokesay Primary School has been rated Good in its latest Ofsted report. The School had not received a Good rating for some years, but in 2019 joined TrustEd Schools’ Partnership - one of the South Shropshire academy groups. This turnaround is a huge tribute to the senior leadership for the school, the headteacher Paul O’Malley (seen here above with Sarah Godden, Chief Executive) and the whole Stokesay team. I congratulate everyone involved in bringing about such a significant school improvement in Craven Arms.
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Recognition for Ludlow childcare centre
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Congratulations to Busy Bodies child care centre in Ludlow, who were a finalist in the recent awards for the top 6 early years child care centres across the country! This recognition is a real tribute to the inspirational leadership of James Boddey. I was very impressed by the remarkable new outdoor garden space for early years children when I visited last month.
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£1m funding for Severn Valley Railway
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I am delighted Severn Valley Railway has been awarded £1,012,900 in the latest round of the government's Culture Recovery Fund, helping to sustain this wonderful attraction, as it builds back from the loss of income during the pandemic. SVR also undertake important heritage work, sustaining skills that would otherwise be lost.
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Supporting microplastic filters on washing machines
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All clothes and garments shed what are known as microfibre plastics - tiny fibres which are released from our clothes during the wash cycle. Due to their size, they are too small to be caught by existing washing machines and often end up in the wastewater system, where they are either caught, remain in sewage sludge which can be spread on growing crops, or released into rivers and marine environments. I was pleased to be one of 10 MPs to support the introduction of my colleague Alberto Costa MP's Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill, which calls for washing machine manufacturers to fit microplastic-catching filters in all new domestic and commercial washing machines.
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I am not currently hosting face-to-face advice surgeries due to increasing case rates of coronavirus in Shropshire, though this will be reviewed in the New Year. In the meantime, if you wish to speak to me, please contact 01584 872187 so we can set up a telephone call or virtual meeting. Alternatively, you can email me at philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk.
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