Welcome to this week’s newsletter!
This week I met again with local NHS leaders to discuss the progress of the vaccine rollout across Crewe and Nantwich. I know a number of constituents are concerned that the vaccine centres are not open every day and the NHS leaders explained that supply still remains limited. Importantly, despite this, they are confident that they are on track to reaching their vaccine targets. We are all looking forward to having enough vaccine to be able to vaccinate every day of the week but it depends on manufactures continuing to scale up. I will continue to check in with our local NHS leaders to ensure that the vaccine rollout is running smoothly.
It was recently announced that those who are over 70 are now able to book their COVID vaccine and there is more information about how to do this below. I have also attached a great video that came out this week on the safety of the vaccine which should make everyone smile!
In Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the Prime Minister if he would meet with me to discuss Crewe’s geothermal potential. I am very pleased that the Prime Minister agreed to meet with me and that he recognises that Crewe is at the forefront of geothermal energy exploration. Geothermal has lots of potentially locally for heat and energy, read more about it below.
This week was National Apprenticeship Week and I had the pleasure of having a virtual meeting with a number of the apprentices working at Bentley. It was great to hear about the benefits of apprenticeships from those who are currently in placements. The Government will continue to support businesses to take on apprentices, which give people the opportunity to have incredibly valuable experience and training. I'd ask everyone to keep this in mind, for yourself or maybe your children who are thinking about their next steps after school.
I had a meeting with local charity founder Wendy Shaw, and Leighton Hospital’s Chief Executive to discuss Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Wendy sadly lost her son Jon from the condition. The meeting was focused on how we can raise awareness of epilepsy risks and SUDEP amongst staff.
Finally, the laws needed to build HS2 West Midlands to Crewe Bill passed into law, that means HS2 is coming to the north. This is great news for Crewe, and I look forward to seeing the direct benefits that this will bring Crewe and Nantwich.
Dr Kieran Mullan MP
Crewe and Nantwich
BOOK YOUR OWN VACCINE APPOINTMENT IF OVER 70
THE CAT LOCAL LEGEND - NIKKI ALLEN
CREWE GEOTHERMAL - PRIME MINISTERS QUESTIONS
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
MEETING WITH CHARITY AND LEIGHTON HOSPITAL TO DISCUSS RAISING AWARENESS OF EPILEPSY
MEETING THE JOBCENTRE TEAM
CASEWORKER ROLES
TRAFFIC REPORT
BOOK YOUR OWN VACCINE APPOINTMENT IF OVER 70
You can now book online without an invitation. You can only use this service if:
- you are aged 70 or over
- you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
Or call 119 free of charge between 7am and 11pm.
You also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England to use this service.
There won't always be the most convenient locations from the national booking system, but this is an option for some people as well as the ongoing invitations locally.
The NHS have released a video about the vaccine which can be watched by clicking below
THE CAT LOCAL LEGEND - NIKKI ALLEN
The Local Legend Award, given out by The Cat 107.9FM, looks to recognise the work of local individuals and organisations who have gone that extra mile in support of their communities.
The Local Legend award was presented to Nikki Allen, the Community Champion at Morrisons Nantwich, who received her Baked by Gill Cat Cake & certificate from The Cat's MD Chris Cadman and presenter David Foulkes.
Nikki been working tirelessly to help many local organisations including the Food Bank and other charities during the pandemic. Her work has no doubt touched the lives of so many people in Crewe and Nantwich in a positive way.
Well done Nikki!
CREWE GEOTHERMAL - PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTIONS
Crewe is potentially one of the best places in the country to tap Geothermal energy. Crewe is home to a geothermal basin which could be harnessed by energy companies and used as clean source of energy and heat.
Find out more about geothermal here:
https://www.r-e-a.net/technologies/deep-geothermal/
The heat in the Cheshire Basin is stored in a hot sedimentary aquifer at depths of up to 5km. This provides an opportunity to tap into a low carbon heat source and displace heat currently generated by fossil fuels.
Previous studies have highlighted the potential for geothermal projects in Crewe including a 2018 report by the former Cheshire East Council development company Skills and Growth.
Until now we haven't been able to secure the money to drill and confirm if that energy can be tapped. Until you drill you never know for sure. We now have companies that want to make that investment.
But like most new energy industries they need help to make good on any find until the industry grows and can stand on its own two feet.
A breakthrough locally would lead to hundreds of good new jobs and investment. After years of reports and studies without results I want to get progress.
So today I asked the Prime Minister to meet with me to discuss Crewe's geothermal potential and forming a revitalised package of incentives for the geothermal industry, helping us build back better.
I am very pleased that the Prime Minister agreed to meet with me and that he recognises that Crewe is at the forefront of geothermal energy exploration.
NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
This week marks National Apprenticeship Week in which we shine a light on the work done by apprentices and employers across the country. Apprenticeships provide young people with amazing opportunities to develop skills in an ever-widening range of areas and advance their career.
I also had the pleasure of meeting a number of the apprentices working at Bentley. It was great to hear about the benefits of apprentices from those who are currently in placements. The Government will continue to support businesses to take on apprentices, which give people the opportunity to have incredibly valuable experience and training.
I would encourage everyone to think about doing an apprenticeship or to make sure its an option their children think about. You can earn as you learn and even if you have been working for decades as an adult they can help you develop new skills. Find out more about them here:
https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships
MEETING WITH CHARITY AND LEIGHTON HOSPITAL TO DISCUSS RAISING AWARENESS OF EPILEPSY DEATHS
This week I met with an epilepsy charity, the Jon Shaw foundation, and Leighton Hospital’s Chief Executive. The meeting was dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and addressing the issue of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
The Jon Shaw Foundation was set up by Wendy Shaw last year in honour of her late son, Jon, who died as a result of SUDEP in 2019.
The Jon Shaw Foundation also aims to provide financial support for equipment to help young people living with epilepsy to manage their seizures including providing night monitors for people and services to use. The charity also provides supports bereaved siblings of those who have died from epilepsy and other conditions.
I have been trying to help Wendy raise this issue after meeting with her and hearing about her experiences last year. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) has affected so many people and families in the UK and it was great to agree some steps we can take to help Wendy work with Leighton and others locally to raise awareness.
MEETING THE CREWE JOBCENTRE TEAM
I met with a few members of the Crewe Jobcentre team this week to talk about the challenges they have faced during the pandemic.
Jobcentres across the country have been working to support people over the course of the pandemic and it was fantastic to meet a few members of the team. It was interesting to hear about the challenges Jobcentres have faced and how they have adapted their processes to ensure people are able to access the support they need.
I know that in the coming months Jobcentres are going to play a big role in getting this country back on its feet and I will continue to look to support our Jobcentres in any way that I can. Their key messages were that they are open again for people that need to come to the centre for help, that they have lots of support available for people trying to find work including grants for people to obtain new skills and that there are in fact a wide variety of jobs out there for people looking for work. So if you are at home struggling with what to do next, don't hesitate to reach out for help!
CASEWORKER ROLE
I am currently advertising for a role in my office as a Caseworker. If you have an interest in helping people, like politics and a good understanding of public services and government agencies have a look.
For more information about this position and how to apply, please click the following link:
http://www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.aspx?jobid=77371
TRAFFIC REPORT
The following are the road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East Council.
Primrose Avenue, Haslington (Between Russell Drive and Bradley Road) - 15th February
Crewe Green Road - 16th February until 18th February
Tower Way
Pyms Lane
Holmshaw Lane, Oakhanger - 15th February
Mill Lane - 15th February
Stewart Street (By Rockwood Avenue) - 15th February
Second Dig Lane
London Road (Between Annions Lane and Newman's Lane - Unitl 19th February
Newcastle Road - until 13th February