CAROLINE ANSELL MP: Covid Christmas bubbles are a freedom which carries responsibilities

The law says that three households can get together between December 23 and 27. However, I would ask everyone to please consider their unique situation, particularly if you have loved ones who are elderly or vulnerable to the virus.

The guidance here is a bit like the speed restrictions on our roads. Yes, you can go up to the limit but, if the situation is dangerous, then you slow down or if the weather turns, you don’t drive out at all.

The Christmas bubble arrangement is a freedom which carries responsibilities. I have heard some heart-breaking stories about people with terminal conditions, who perhaps know this is their last Christmas, desperate to meet up with relatives one last time. Many families have had a tough year and need to seek comfort with their loved ones too.

Others, however, see the vaccine roll out across the country and think, ‘why take the chance?’ when there are, hopefully, only months to go before the end of the pandemic.

Each of these are perfectly valid reasons to come together or not, none of this is easy and I hope we can all be understanding, not judge but trust people to make those decisions for themselves and their families.

As I write, talks are taking place about the Covid tiers for England.

Again, the terrible balancing act between saving lives and ensuring the economy continues and jobs are saved comes into play. I understand the alarm from the hospitality sector to any further restrictions and have, as ever, made the strongest case for the most localised approach to managing the virus.

Whether it’s Tier Two or Three in Eastbourne, a dramatic rise in infection rates in nearby Rother and Hastings is very concerning for us. We may be a different town and have a different infection rate - at this point - but we share the same hospital trust and the same frontline NHS staff.

I would like to say a particular personal Thank You to our NHS stars having spent last weekend in their expert care with my youngest son. A&E, radiology, orthopaedic teams and all the support staff were there for us in our hour of need and I am so grateful for that.

This weekend – I hope! - I’ll be on my virtual Santa Run. Even on a virtual version, it seems the options are one, five or 10k! I will be clocking up my steps around town in my Santa suit, please wave if you see me, I’ll very much appreciate the encouragement!

This year, fellow Santas and I will be fundraising for Eastbourne charity, People Matter, who connect local people with job opportunities. Their work has never been more important than now. Those needing to claim Universal Credit has risen from 6,286 in March to over 11,000 today. Please support them where you can.

Take care and keep in touch.