Good afternoon and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 88. As of today, we have a total of 1,430,341 positive cases of COVID-19 with 53,274 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 15,324 confirmed cases in Surrey and sadly 873 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 506 active cases in Waverley. A relatively stable - but still too high - number. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.
To be or not to be (in the chamber) Virtual participation has been the phrase of the week in Westminster (and it’s only Thursday), not only is the Prime Minister having to self-isolate but so are at least a dozen of my Conservative MP colleagues and the head of NHS Track and Trace Baroness Dido Harding. I too, asked a question to the PM virtually today - about my concerns if the welcome increase in defence spending was paid for by cutting the aid budget, surely something we would not do in a year when the pandemic has sent many people back into extreme poverty.
Talking of Dido NHS Track and Trace has had a lot of criticism but Hugo Rifkind sums up the situation best: massive progress on testing (with a few blips along the way) but still too many failures on tracing. One of the biggest problems is that people ignore the request to stay at home with compliance at only 20% - so paying peoples’ wages while they are required to isolate must be worth looking at - as I told the Health Secretary the other week.
But more good news on vaccines Earlier in the week we had some more good news when it comes to finding a vaccine that works. Yesterday it was announced the Pfizer vaccine (that I wrote about last week) seems to work just as well on older people as younger people, a significant fact considering those worst affected are over 65. On Monday, we also heard that the Moderna vaccine has proven to be 95% effective, and compared to the Pfizer vaccine it can be stored far more easily - although we are unlikely to see UK deliveries until the spring. We are still waiting - and biting fingernails - for the trial results from the Astra Zeneca/Oxford University vaccine, with results due out in a few days. This latter vaccine is important because the infrastructure to produce millions of batches is already in place and could be distributed both here and in the developing world much faster than the others. Also of course it is British. The BBC have a good write up here.
Christmas convulsions Yesterday it emerged that frantic discussions are going on about what to do over Christmas, with scientific advisers saying for every day we are let off the leash we will have to have between two and five days of additional restrictions in the New Year. This has been furiously downplayed by Matt Hancock’s media team which suggests that no decisions have actually been made (and the government does not want to look like Scrooge). We’ll have to wait and see, but if - as I have long believed possible - Easter is going to be freedom weekend, Christmas is most certainly not.
The key number to remember for anyone with pandemic-related difficulties remains 0300 200 1008 the Surrey Helpline run by Surrey County Council (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm).
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
Ten Point Plans in politics are usually ridiculed by MP, opposition parties and the media alike. But credit to the Prime Minister who yesterday outlined in the Financial Times his 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution. The most striking announcement is the decision to bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel cars to 2030 which is genuinely a very big deal. If 2030 is the deadline, people are likely to stop buying non-electric cars some time before that because of fears over depreciation, so this really will have a big impact on both emissions and pollution. On top of this the government wants to build small (but safe) nuclear power stations and invest in hydrogen technologies. This is being backed up by £12 billion worth of investment, which combined with rising investment from the private sector (a great article in the Times on this), could make the UK the world leader on environmental policy and investment.
International Development Spending has also been in the news this week. I am proud that the UK commits to spending 0.7% of our GDP on international development funding (although I have many friends who disagree), so as mentioned above in my question to the PM, I am concerned to hear that the Chancellor is considering a temporary reduction in this amount. I hope it is not just media speculation in the run up to a Spending Review (which is next week). I made clear on Tuesday that I do not think this should happen and I continue to make my case.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY
Community Heroes Today, the Herald and I are launching our ‘Community Heroes’ campaign. Over the last nine months, individuals and groups in villages and towns throughout South West Surrey have been working selflessly and tirelessly to help others in their local communities, which is why we want to acknowledge and celebrate their work. You can find out more in my interview in this week’s Herald and to nominate someone please visit my website here. A chance to do the Thursday clap in a different way, but one I am sure we can all get behind.
Mental Health services are busier now than pre-Covid according to Fiona Edwards, Chief Executive of Surrey and Borders NHS Trust to whom I spoke this morning. She says they are really feeling the pressure from a combination of the pandemic and the associated economic impacts. Thank you to all her brilliant team.
Cellar Camino Community Café Christmas Appeal Each Christmas this wonderful organisation puts together more than 40 Christmas parcels for different individuals and families. They are made up of items which they buy according to people’s particular needs and age. This year they are looking for donations of Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Boots or WH Smith gift vouchers and money, and also new toys or festive gifts. I know that they will be hugely grateful for any donations, which should be sent to The Cellar Camino Cafe, Waverley Borough Council, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR.
Brrr! Wrap up The Farnham Maltings ‘Wrap up Farnham’ campaign is gathering unwanted or unused coats from the people of Farnham and distributing them to those most in need. You can find out more here.
See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here.
THE ECONOMY AND JOBS
Charity Funding, I was pleased to hear from the Culture Secretary earlier this week that 7 local charities have so far received £146,533 from the Coronavirus Support Fund. They include the Meath Epilepsy Charity, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity and Home-Start in Waverley. These charities do superb work so it is fantastic they will be able to carry on. I know that there is another round of funding to come so if you run a charity check out how to apply here.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON
Podcast recommendation, in a rather exciting turn of events one of my favourite people and the man who predicted the impact a pandemic could have on our society – Bill Gates – has launched his very own podcast. It’s sure to be a must listen over the next few weeks.
And finally, we all need a good cheer up so here is a heartwarming video just as the weather turns cold.
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