CAROLINE ANSELL MP: New freedoms are conditional on UK health indicators

It was not quite back to business as usual in Parliament this week but it was important for MPs to get back to ‘the office’ after lockdown.
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It is especially important when schools have started to reopen across the country, and over the next few weeks they will do so in Eastbourne.

It will be the strangest ‘Back to School’ this week for some of our children too and I continue to give our heads my 100 per cent support.

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Now ‘emerging’, some people are understandably anxious, and MPs need to show leadership in this area. I was happy to do so. It’s time. We have a serious programme of legislation to come, not least ahead of the December 31 when the Brexit transition period ends.

That some believe we are going too slowly on easing lockdown and others equally concerned we are moving too fast, it strikes me that the government has got it just about right.

But these are decisions informed by the science. New measures were announced for this week because we had passed the five tests previously set by the PM. All of these health indicators will be hawkishly monitored in the days and weeks to come. The new freedoms are conditional on them.

This week has been Volunteers’ Week.

The work of volunteers in Eastbourne has been tremendous and I thank everyone for what they have done over the last few months, and would like to pay tribute also to the sterling work of Adam Chugg and Miriam Wilkinson of 3VA for leading on local action. Now the challenge before us is to nurture and sustain this outpouring of community love in action, beyond the pandemic.

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Loneliness and isolation were serious challenges before but we have an opportunity now to take that on as never before.

In other volunteer news, many congratulations to Eastbourne’s Bramber Bakehouse which has won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The group helps disadvantaged and trafficked women get back into the working world by teaching them to bake. It does amazing work and fully deserve the accolade.

I was also pleased to see the National Citizen Service asking teenagers aged 16 to 18 to take part in its One Million Hours initiative to undertake voluntary work in charity shops.

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There is an urgent need for these shops to reopen to raise funds for all manner of good causes, but many older volunteers are vulnerable to the virus and cannot help. I hope our young people here in Eastbourne can offer their time.

Having worked round the clock from home these last lockdown months, my time will now be split between Parliament and Eastbourne. I still can’t restart my public advice surgeries but am still very much here if you need my support or want to raise important issues with me. Just call my office on 01323 409000.

Until then, keep in touch, take good care and stay safe.