What does Eastbourne MP expect for tonight’s lockdown announcement?

The MP for Eastbourne thinks the announcement from the Prime Minister tonight (February 22) will follow a ‘cautious agenda’.

Caroline Ansell said infections need to drop for ‘normal life’ to return and without that we could head back into another lockdown.

She said, “No-one wants this and now we have vaccines it shouldn’t have to happen. However, we must be sure the jabs stop serious illness and, even better, transmission.

“The initial findings on this seem good with big drops in infections rates of those top four priority groups that have received the jab. We must be cautious and with new variants around it is important we are certain.”

Mrs Ansell said it appears March 8 is going to be the date for schools to go back and called this ‘the most important thing’.

She said, “I have spoken to ministers to push for all schools to be first out of lockdown. It may be that secondary schools have a phased return to ensure Covid testing arrangements are in place but primary schools should be able to open fully without delay.”

Last week Mrs Ansell visited the Sovereign Centre which is currently being used as a vaccine centre. She said the progress being made there shows ‘how efficient the programme is’.

She said, “I would like to thank everyone who has played their part across the town. It is a game changer.”

In terms of financial issues that Eastbourne Borough Council is facing, Mrs Ansell said, “The borough council is struggling but its financial challenge pre-dates the impact of the pandemic. The town will remember the council’s proposal to sell off the downland farms to balance the books back in 2016. The government has stepped in, and I will continue to do all I can to secure every penny of support, but change must come.”

Mrs Ansell said the tourism and hospitality industry needs to come back as one in four jobs in Eastbourne depend on these industries.

She said, “My campaign for the reduction in VAT to five per cent for these industries to stay continues and I haven’t taken my foot off the pedal. “

Money has also been given to the council to support and house victims of domestic violence, Mrs Ansell said.

She said, “Lockdown has been challenging, and I confess, I have found this latest stretch very difficult and dispiriting, but for those living in fear, it has been a version of hell.”

Boris Johnson will lead a news conference at 7pm tonight.