This week we were delivered the incredibly sad news that 100,000 people in the UK have died of coronavirus. My deepest condolences go out to those have lost friends, family, and loved ones to this terrible virus. It is so important that we stick to the rules and stop the spread of this virus so we can prevent further hospitalisations and loss of life.
I think it is absolutely right that, following the pandemic, we look back at the decisions that the Government has made and have a formal review so we can learn from the pandemic and be better prepared in the future.
It is encouraging that 7.4 million people in the UK have received the vaccine. The Cheshire East vaccine rollout is going well, and I am confident that we will reach our vaccination target by the 14th February. Unfortunately, vaccine scams are becoming more common, so I have included advice below to help people avoid these predatory scammers.
This week I also joined a virtual roundtable with the Minister for Small Business & Consumers to discuss the challenges faced by pubs and hospitality businesses. It was a fantastic opportunity to make the minister aware of the issues that businesses in Crewe and Nantwich are facing.
It was also great to hear that a Crewe-based charity, Cheshire Without Abuse, which supports the victims of domestic abuse, is to get a £60,000 grant to help its work. It was also announced this week that Cheshire police force have got 91 additional police officers since the Government launched the major police recruitment drive over a year ago.
Finally, RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch starts on the 31st of January. RSPB are inviting everyone to take an hour out of their weekend to count the amount of birds they see in their garden in what is the world’s largest wildlife survey. I would encourage anyone who can to take part!
Dr Kieran Mullan
MP for Crewe & Nantwich
VACCINE UPDATE - CHESHIRE EAST
SCAM ALERT - VACCINE FRAUD
MEETING WITH MINISTER - PUBS AND HOSPITALITY
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
2021 EXAM CONSULTATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
60K GRANT BOOT FOR CREWE DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARITY
91 EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS IN CHESHIRE
SUPPORTING GLOBAL HEALTH EFFORT
BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH
TRAFFIC REPORT
VACCINE UPDATE - CHESHIRE EAST
The Cheshire CCG are at the helm of the vaccine rollout in Cheshire East and I am pleased that vaccines continue to be delivered and administered across Crewe and Nantwich.
I remain confident that they will reach their vaccination target, that is offering a vaccination to everyone in the top four priority groups, by the 14th February. It is encouraging that, nationally, 7.4 million people have received the vaccine.
We are opening up new vaccination sites every day as part of our Vaccine Delivery Plan to ensure every community is within 10 miles of a vaccination centre. Vaccinations are already available from more than 1400 sites across England.
If you are in one of the top four groups and you haven’t been contacted by the 14th February please do contact me at kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk
Until then, I would encourage everyone to sit tight, you will be contacted when you are eligible to receive the vaccine!
If you are keen to keep up to date on the vaccine rollout in Cheshire, I would advise you visit the Cheshire CCG website for the most up to date information: https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/news/news-stories/covid-19-vaccination-programme-what-you-need-to-know/
SCAM ALERT - VACCINE FRAUD
Unfortunately, there are those who, during this time, seek to defraud the vulnerable through vaccine related scams. It is important that we are all able to tell between genuine NHS calls and fraudsters.
- The Vaccine is free - genuine calls will NEVER ask for payment
- Genuine calls will NEVER ask for bank details
- The NHS will NEVER call on your home unannounced
- You will NEVER be asked to send documents to prove your identity
If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, call the fraud hotline on 0300 123 2040
MEETING WITH MINISTER - PUBS AND HOSPITALITY
I recently attended a virtual Roundtable on the effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on pubs and the hospitality sector with the Minister for Small Business & Consumers Paul Scully MP.
This was a good opportunity for me to raise our again what I have heard from local hospitality businesses about the difficulties they face and make sure this is heard loud and clear by the government.
I know how challenging the past year has been for this sector and I want the Government to do all they can to support pubs and hospitality businesses.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
Last Wednesday was Holocaust Memorial Day, when we remember those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
It is important that we forever remember the events of the past, and stand against hatred and prejudice, so that we never see them repeated.
2021 EXAM CONSULTATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
In recent weeks, many anxious students and parents have contacted me to express their worries and concerns about alternative arrangements for GCSE, AS and A-level exams this summer.
I know how hard students have been working in these incredibly challenging circumstances, so it is crucial that all concerns are properly considered in order for us to find the best way to move forward.
That is why Ofqual and the Department for Education have launched an online consultation which invites students, parents, teachers, school and college leaders and others involved in education to look at the current proposals of teacher assessed grades based on student performance.
I have received several suggestions and preferences about what the alternative arrangements should look like, and this consultation asks for your views on a range of different aspects of the proposals. This includes; when teachers should assess students’ standards of performance, how the grades are determined, appeals to grades, and supporting teachers in making fair and consistent assessments.
There are no easy answers to any of these questions, but this consultation will help provide a better understanding of where the proposals address the main concerns of students, parents and teachers, and where they could be improved.
Understandably this is a very detailed consultation and in order to provide the most informed answers, those wishing to share their views are strongly encouraged to read the full proposals first.
The closing date is 29th January and you can access the complete proposals here:
The survey can be completed by following this link:
60K GRANT BOOST FOR CREWE DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARITY
Cheshire Without Abuse, a Crewe-based charity which supports the victims of domestic abuse, is to get a £60,000 grant to help its work.
The £60,000 grant will allow Cheshire Without Abuse to continue its vital work as cases of domestic abuse continue to rise during lockdown. These services play a crucial part in preventing women being drawn into crime and help reduce rates of reoffending for those that are.
Cheshire Without Abuse is one of 38 organizations which are set to receive almost £2 million in government funding so their vital work steering women away from crime can continue.
No one should be made to feel scared in their own home, which is why the work of charities such as Cheshire Without Abuse is so vital. Unfortunately, cases of abuse have risen during the lockdown, so I’m sure this funding will be most welcome.
The funding comes as the government reiterates its commitment to reduce the number of women in custody and improve conditions for those that are serving time.
Over £5 million has already been invested in services supporting women in the criminal justice system since 2018. This latest funding will help cover running costs such as wages, rent and bills at a time when many charities have additional demand for their services due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
91 EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS IN CHESHIRE
It was recently announced that Cheshire police force has been bolstered by an additional 91 officers since the Government launched the major police recruitment drive over a year ago.
The addition of these new officers brings the total number of police across Cheshire up to 2,171, meaning there are now more frontline officers on our streets to keep the public safe. Since the launch of the Government’s recruitment campaign one year ago, a total of 6,620 extra officers have joined police forces across England and Wales.
I am also pleased that the Government have also committed to support frontline police officers by providing a £636 million funding boost for police forces this year, bringing the total for police funding up to £15.8 billion, boosting police pay by 2.5 per cent, equivalent to a constable receiving an extra £1,100, and enshrining a new police covenant into law, which will offer enhanced support and protection for frontline officers.
These new officers in Cheshire will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe – and I know that many more will follow as this Government continues to deliver on its promise to recruit 20,000 more over the next three years.
SUPPORTING GLOBAL HEALTH EFFORT
Great to see that the UK is a leading player in the global health effort against Covid-19, offering our world leading Genomics capabilities to identify variants of the virus when they appear throughout the world.
Some people were quick to say that the UK leaving the EU meant we were withdrawing from the world. This goes to show that this is not, and never was the case. The UK remains a global player.
BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH
The RSPB's #BigGardenBirdWatch this year begins tomorrow until 31st January. They are inviting everyone to take an hour out of their weekend to count the amount of birds they see in their garden in what is the world’s largest wildlife survey.
Over the last year we have all became aware of the positive effect that getting out and about in nature can have on both your mental and physical health.
You can find everything you need to take part here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/?utm_source=BGBW%20invite%20to%20MP_email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=2&utm_campaign=
TRAFFIC REPORT
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East.
- Tower Way, Crewe
- Pyms Lane, Crewe
- Main Road, Shavington (Between Crewe Road and Osbourne Grove) - 30th January until 31st January
- Second Dig Lane - Until 28th February
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