Bim Afolami MP
Weekly Newsletter
Friday 11 December 2020
Dear Residents,
This week's update includes new information on:
- Covid-19 vaccinations
- Small Business Saturday
- Giving safely to charities this Christmas
- Shake Climate Change event
- Radio Verulam November Interview
- More unites Conservative voters in the Red and Blue Wall than divides them
- Local NHS trusts to benefit from £600m in Government funding
- Politics Live
- Powering Net Zero
Covid-19 vaccinations
This week, vaccinations against Coronavirus begin in the UK. A huge well done and thank you to everyone who has made this possible. To the scientists who worked so hard to develop this vaccine, the clinicians, NHS admin staff, doctors, nurses, everyone who volunteered in the trials and those getting the jab today.
This marks a momentous occasion that provides us fresh hope that we can beat this pandemic, reclaim our lives and get both our society and economy moving again.
While the start of this vaccination programme is extremely positive, we must all continue to play our part and abide by the local restrictions to suppress the virus and protect the NHS as they carry out this vital work.
Small Business Saturday
Every year we highlight the importance of our local independent businesses; the ones that sustain out high street, the start ups that can grow in to big employers...often the backbone of our economy. This year has been a tough one for many of those businesses, so it is more important than ever to support them.
I visited both town centres in Hitchin and Harpenden today and it was great to see so many getting out to show their support for our local retail sector. Many shop staff have made a huge effort to make the town centre feel wonderfully festive again this year. The best way to show support for our independent retailers, coffee shops and pubs is to pop in over the coming weeks, especially in the lead up to Christmas - Shop safe, shop local!
Giving safely to charities this Christmas
I have been heartened to witness the generous community spirit that people across Hitchin and Harpenden have demonstrated during this challenging year. I would like to thank all those who have been looking out for vulnerable neighbours and friends.
I also want to encourage those across Hitchin and Harpenden who choose to donate this Christmas, to support registered charities, and to be vigilant against ‘charity’ scams. Together, we can look after those in Hitchin and Harpenden who need our help.
Follow these simple steps to ensure you’re giving your money to a legitimate charity:
- If you’re approached by a collector on the street or at your door, ask to see the collector’s ID badge. You can also check whether the collector has a licence to fundraise with the local authority, or has the consent of the private site owner.
- Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and phone calls that ask for your personal or financial details – even if it’s in the name of a charity.
- To donate online, type in the address of the charity website yourself rather than clicking on a link. If in any doubt, contact the charity directly about donating.
- Be cautious when donating to an online fundraising page. Fake fundraising pages will often be badly written or have spelling mistakes.
- When donating to an online fundraising page, only donate to fundraising pages created by someone you know and trust.
Shake Climate Change
It was great to be part of the Shake Climate Change event this week, which showcased how Entrepreneurs are making Agriculture part of the solution.
The global pandemic has identified the need for a re-think in how economies are structured and supported, and highlighted the importance of sustainable, agile and resilient food systems as a key pillar of this.
Radio Verulam - November Interview
As many will know, each month I join Jason Mckenna on Radio Verulam to answer constituents questions. On this episode, we also discussed the Green Industrial Revolution, the new Tier System and the decision on Free School Meals.
Here is the whole interview for November 2020 .
To submit questions for this month please email jason.mckenna@radioverulam.com or message any of Radio Verulam's social media DMs.
More unites Conservative voters in the Red and Blue Wall than divides them
See this Telegraph article written by Simon Clarke MP and I earlier this week. It discusses how Conservative voters in the North and South are much more similar than caricatures suggest. More unites Conservatives in the Red and Blue walls than divides them.
Local NHS trusts to benefit from £600m in Government funding
I am delighted that local NHS trusts will benefit from Government funding to carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months.
The Government has announced allocations of £600 million to tackle critical maintenance works in hospitals across England, including projects in Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and West Hertfordshire General.
These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients, helping our NHS to build back better after the pandemic.
Politics Live
This week, I appeared on Politics Live to discuss the latest from the Brexit trade deal negotiations, 'working class' politics and racism in football. You can watch this here.
Powering Net Zero
The Policy Exchange have written a fantastic report on how local electricity pricing holds the key to a Net Zero energy system.
I wrote the foreword to this report which you can read here.
Volunteer groups
Harpenden
- If you would like to volunteer or are in need of support visit https://harpendencares.org or call Harpenden Cares on 01582 460 457
Wheathampstead
- If you need help then please contact the Parish Council by emailing info@wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk or call them on 01582 380 910. If you would like to volunteer contact the Wheathampstead Community Group Helpline on 07539 176 481
Redbourn
- If you are in need of support please contact the Redbourn Care Group on 01582 794 550 or email info@rebourncaregroup.co.uk
Sandridge
Hitchin and surrounding villages
For a full list of voluntary organisations please click here
Useful contacts/websites
- For free, confidential, expert support or a listening ear: contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline Team on 0808 2000 247
- For advice, information and support to unpaid carers of all ages: contact Carers in Hertfordshire on 01992 58 69 69 or email them at contact@carersinherts.org.uk.
- For general advice: contact Hertfordshire Advice line on 03 444 111 444 or 03000 3300 650 from a mobile.
- For general advice: contact Citizens Advice. You can leave a voicemail with your contact details and they will ring back as soon as they can. Call 01462 689 801 (North Hertfordshire), 01727 811 118 (St Albans District) or www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- For issues related to products or services purchased: contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133
I hold regular telephone surgeries for constituents and businesses. If there is something you would like to discuss with me, contact my office at bim.afolami.mp@parliament.uk to book a slot. Please also ensure to provide your address details and a brief of what you would like to discuss.
Yours,
Bim
Bim Afolami MP
Member of Parliament for Hitchin and Harpenden
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