As we head into the winter months I know that many residents are concerned about the rising cases of COVID-19 in the Gosport Constituency, Hampshire and across the country.
The new Local COVID-19 Alert Level system, ranging from Tier 1 - 'medium' alert - to Tier 3 'very high' alert - has been put in place to ensure that restrictions are appropriate to transmission rates in the area. In Hampshire, although the COVID-19 rate is increasing, we remain in 'medium'.
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Both Fareham and Gosport Borough Council have been providing invaluable support to constituents throughout the pandemic. I was pleased to see this month that both will receive further funding - over £298,000 for Gosport Borough Council and £100,000 for Fareham Borough Council - bringing total funding support to both to over £2.7 million. Hampshire County Council will receive £8.7 million in total.
We have also welcomed 102 new recruits to Hampshire Constabulary this year and as part of a £60 million boost, Hampshire Constabulary are also set to receive over £778,000 to increase patrols across the region, ensure that streets are safe and our area is COVID-19 compliant.
Some good news, as a new walk-through testing site has opened in Walpole Park, South Street, to minimise the journey time for residents who need a COVID-19 test and provide a walk-up option for those who do not own their own car. The site is open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. You can book a test if you are symptomatic – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – on the link below or by calling 119.
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To protect businesses and jobs as the Furlough Scheme comes to an end this month, the Chancellor has announced new support measures, from cash grants to increasing the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Importantly, financial support will be available to businesses who remain open in Tier 2, but see a drop in demand due to restrictions. This will offer extra protection for residents across Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent if our Local COVID-19 Alert Level ever changes. Measures include:
- Expanding the Job Support Scheme to ensure that the Government will now pay at least 62% for hours not worked, if the employee works 20% of their usual hours.
- Increasing the Self-Employment Support Scheme grant from 20% to 40% in all Tier levels.
- Enough funding for every business in hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors in Tier 2 and Tier 3 to receive a direct grant worth up to £2100 - for every month in high or very high alert levels.
Businesses across the Gosport Constituency have already benefitted from over £47 million in government loans, with at the last count over 2600 residents receiving self-employed grants. Now, the new Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) scheme will support those who have sadly lost their job over the pandemic - providing £238 million in tailored, flexible support to help them back into employment.
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Thankfully, our treasured local cultural institutions have not only received financial funding through grants, VAT cuts and business rates relief, but also through the Cultural Recovery Fund - a £1.57 billion funding pot that I helped secure through my role as Minister of State for Digital and Culture.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to deliver Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust with the news that they will receive £698,600. The Trust, set up in 1985, preserves our historic military buildings around Portsmouth Harbour - which includes Priddy's Hard in Gosport. English Heritage also received £32,640 to care for Fort Brockhurst.
In the wider Hampshire area, the Hampshire Cultural Trust - who run local organisations such as the Gosport Gallery & Search - and the Hampshire Music Services benefitted from a share of the Fund. Venues in Portsmouth, such as the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth Guildhall, Wedgewood Rooms, the Mary Rose Museum, the Titchfield Festival Theatre, and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, also received vital funding to support them and their staff over the winter months.
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I had the opportunity to officially open the new health clinic, Barlow Collins, in the Daedalus Innovation Centre, they offer microsuction services for ear problems and have an excellent disease prevention clinic, which supports customers to make lifestyle changes to help address issues like diabetes.
In Hardway, I also popped into the new Make Gosport - Gosport's Community Makerspace project - which has a fantastic array of equipment and resources for the community, whether you're a micro business, hobbiest or learning a new skill, from 3D printing and pottery to woodwork and sewing.
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It was a pleasure to also meet Clare from Fareshare Southern Central to hear about their work re-distributing surplus food from manufacturers and retailers to local community cafes, breakfast clubs and foodbanks.
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Back in Daedalus, I welcomed Energy Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, to the IFA2 (Interconnexion France-Angleterre 2) launch. Speaking at the event, I got the chance to highlight the important role that the Gosport Constituency will play in helping the UK reach its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The electricity interconnection cable has the power to supply up to 1 million homes with zero-carbon power.
I had an unmissable opportunity from the roof of the building to view where the National Grid have planted 30,000 trees in a new nature park around the Interconnector site to enhance the area for local people. Inside I was able to see the cutting edge technology they have used and modifications made at the behest of Fareham Borough Council Planning Officers, to minimise any noise, emissions and disruption for residents.
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Back in Westminster, we continue to tackle other key and pressing issues. The IFA2 will not be the only new measure this month supporting clean energy as the Prime Minister announced a £160m investment in off-shore wind, aiming to create 60,000 green jobs and supply every home with eco-friendly energy by 2030.
I supported the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill which could see serious perpetrators of animal cruelty behind bars for up to 5 years. The ban on plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds has come into force which has the potential to stop 4.7m plastic straws, 316m stirrers and 1.8b plastic-stemmed cotton buds (some of which I've often spotted on local beach-cleans) entering our oceans every year.
With the first card being presented to Captain Sir Tom Moore, the launch of the Veterans Railcard was finally announced for November 5th, giving 830,000 veterans - many of whom live in the Gosport Constituency - 1/3 off rail fares and discounted adult companions and children tickets.
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Back in 2016, Gosport voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union, giving the UK the power as an independent trading nation to boost our global trade and opportunities for British businesses around the world. This month we have signed up to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement - meaning British businesses can now access public procurement contracts worth £1.3 trillion - and signed our first global trade deal with Japan worth £15 billion.
I know that many residents have concerns about potential disruption to Portsmouth Port and our surrounding area when the transition period ends on December 31st and I recently spoke with Ministers to raise these concerns. This month I have supported the Port in their bid for the £200 million Port Infrastructure Fund and their application to become a Freeport - zones which have reduced the costs, paperwork and checks when trading - that could bring real benefits to the Gosport Constituency and key economic sites such as the Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Airfield.
With regards to the EU future trading relationship, following the European Council on 15th and 16th October, thanks to the robust approach of the Prime Minster, the European Commission’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has now acknowledged the need to work intensively, that movement in the negotiations is needed from both sides if agreement is to be reached. Conversations are taking place daily, including at weekends, across all negotiating streams and I shall be monitoring the situation closely.
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Coming up in November, Hampshire County Council have released guidance for those looking to celebrate Bonfire Night in a socially distanced and COVID-19 secure manner.
I myself am hosting multiple events over next month for local businesses and charities:
- Two free online workshops - the 6th and 13th November - for existing and new sellers with eBay to help local businesses move online and maximise their sales on the online platform.
- A virtual Funding Fair for our charities and voluntary organisations on the 20th November with the National Lottery Community Fund to advise them what support is out there and how to best access it.
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Coming soon! Keep an eye out for my money management event for individuals and a trade event for local businesses- in collaboration with the Department of International Trade, looking to help them take advantage of new global export opportunities after the end of the transition period in December.
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