I hope that you had a good break over the festive period. It has been a busy couple of weeks since returning to Parliament. I have been attending various meetings, as always making the case for Broxtowe.
End to Plan B Restrictions
Following today's announcement, Plan B Covid restrictions will be removed meaning:
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Face coverings will no longer be mandatory in shops and enclosed spaces from 26th January but people will be encouraged to use their judgement.
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Face coverings no longer required in School classrooms from tomorrow.
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Ending the guidance to work from home.
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Axing of mandatory vaccine passports.
This marks an important step as we recover from COVID-19 and support people in getting back to a sense of normality. It is important we remain careful and take all necessary precautions to avoid the need to return to any further restrictions.
Veteran's Strategy Action Plan
Today the Government has released it's Veteran's Strategy Action Plan. This is an issue very close to my heart and I am pleased that the Government is taking decisive action on this. The plan commits to an extra £70 million of spending to support veterans, maximising opportunities for employment and offering the highest standard of support for veterans and their families. The Government has set a goal of making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028, an aim that I am fully supportive in helping to achieve.
In Parliament
I welcomed the opportunity to speak with the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, last week about some of the issues facing people here in Broxtowe. The recent hospitality grant announcement will be essential for businesses in Broxtowe and provide some certainty in what has been, and remains to be, an incredibly difficult few years for many businesses.
We discussed the funding for the planned Railway Station at Toton as well as the need for investment into our high streets and town centres. I raised the pressing need for further commitment to care in our communities, it is essential that we ensure proper support is in place for the most vulnerable in our society.
I also attended a drop-in session to meet with the disability equality charity, Scope. 74% of benefits tribunals in the East Midlands are overturned causing unnecessary stress for people with disabilities and a significant cost to the taxpayer. I will continue making representations on behalf of my constituents seeking to make the system as fair and effective as possible.
Get Boosted Now
Darren Henry MP - Get Boosted Now - YouTube
I visited Hickings Lane Medical Centre, in Stapleford, to meet with Dr John Doddy and discuss the rollout of COVID booster vaccinations. As a country we have done incredibly well in rolling out the booster programme and Nottinghamshire is no exception. Ensuring as many people as possible receive their boosters offers the best possible protection from COVID-19 and the ability to ease the restrictions that have been implemented.
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For people who have yet to book their COVID booster, there are places delivering vaccinations here in Broxtowe, they are:
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Boots Store on High Road in Beeston
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The Village Hotel in Chilwell
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Manor GP Surgery in Beeston
To book online please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Number 10 Gatherings
Over the last few days I have been inundated with correspondence from my constituents; the strength of feeling on this issue has been made clear. Personally, I am of the strong opinion that everyone should follow the rules put in place. This is the message that both myself and my constituents have been rightly following during the pandemic. Over the coming days I will be closely following the investigation conducted by Sue Gray and will be carefully considering the report.
Stapleford Town Centre Recovery Fund and Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant
It is excellent news that the Town Centre Recovery Fund (TCRF) went live last week offering businesses in Stapleford Town Centre up to £1 million in support over the next year. This forms part of the £21.1 million Towns Deal funding secured last year to make key improvements across the town.
To find out more please visit:
http://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/towncentrerecoveryfund
Additionally, support is being made available for those businesses struggling as a result of the Omicron variant. The deadline for applications is 28 February 2022 and businesses could receive up to £6000 for support during this challenging period. Applications can be made to Broxtowe Borough Council using the following link:
https://selfservice.broxtowe.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=280&k=7341145D32C980FFA134EE66961FADC99D64740B&noheader=1&refresh=1&fbclid=IwAR0LTxoBX1Bxpf0Sg_471avF2jJYGJ5nAtfNtalpVr6oZ1r5iDI6U1rikAQ
I also recently met with Anthony May and Ruth Hyde, Chief Executives for Nottinghamshire County and Broxtowe Borough Councils, discussing our shared priorities and visions for Broxtowe, working to secure funding and support for key projects in the local area.
Active Travel
Recent announcements have seen some positive developments in terms of encouraging cycle and walking here in Broxtowe. This week saw the restoration and reopening of Bennerley Viaduct in Awsworth which is now accessible for cyclists and pedestrians for the first time in 54 years.
Plans are also being progressed for cycling improvements in Stapleford with approximately £5 million having been allocated through the Towns Deal fund. I chaired a meeting of the Stapleford Cycle Network last Friday afternoon and I look forward to seeing the final plans soon and getting the views of local people on what is proposed.
Furthermore, the County Council is looking to trial a cycle lane on part of Dovecote Lane in Beeston. Although I am supportive of the idea, I understand there is some concern amongst local residents about aspects of what has been proposed. I am planning to visit Dovecote Lane this week to listen to people’s concerns.
