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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No 118. As of today, we had a total of 4,274,579 positive cases of COVID-19 with 125,831 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,739 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 243 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 71 active cases in Waverley. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

THE OXFORD VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE and UK scientists have confirmed the jab does not cause blood clots ([link removed]) . For any doubters read Matt Hancock’s piece ([link removed]) in the Sun encouraging everyone to keep getting the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine - and by the time you read this we should have heard the European Medicines Agency ruling on the blood clot issue. Professor Jonathan Van Tam said yesterday had a good swipe at some of the European disinformation on this one ‘vaccines don’t save lives if they’re in fridges, they only save lives if they’re in arms.’ The World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency have recommended continued use of the vaccine so it is beyond bizarre that EU countries are complaining about short supply of a vaccine they are trying so hard to rubbish. The
latest twist is President Ursula von der Leyen now threatening to block vaccine exports to countries like the UK with higher rollouts of COVID-19 jabs - in other words tear up legally valid commercial contracts with countries the Commission is envious of. No wonder only 39% of Brits currently want to rejoin the EU ([link removed]) .

VACCINES SLOW DOWN Unrelated to this fewer vaccines will be available anyway from next week for a month as the NHS issued a warning of ‘significant reduction in weekly supply’ ([link removed]) . This will be disappointing for the under 50s but the Health Secretary stressed that the UK will still meet its goal of offering the first dose to all 32 million people in the top nine priority groups by 15 April and all adults by the end of July. In better news, over 36,000 people have now had at least one dose in South West Surrey. Nationally we have passed the 25 million mark – a remarkable achievement.

75% OF OVER 70S HAVE COVID-19 ANTIBODIES according to new data ([link removed]) from Public Health England. In the wider population, 38% of people have antibodies because of either infection or vaccination (or both in the case of your MP). Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Epidemiologist at PHE, said: ‘the COVID-19 immunisation programme is having a big impact on the number of older people that have antibodies after vaccination. This suggests that a single dose of vaccine is producing a good immune response in those most at-risk and there is good indication that it is also reducing infection rates.’

COVID-19 RECOVERY According to a rather gloomy report for the Institute for Public Policy Research, the NHS will require a further £12bn boost to recover from COVID-19. The think tank predicts an additional 4,500 avoidable cancer deaths this year due to the pandemic as well as 12,000 additional heart attacks and strokes in the next five years. It also points out that referrals for childhood eating disorders have doubled. Click here ([link removed]) to read the ‘NHS plan after coronavirus’ report in full which is well worth a read.

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

THE INTEGRATED REVIEW was published this week, setting out the UK’s defence and foreign policy ([link removed]) . It’s a good framework (and very good on climate change which is now considered our #1 foreign policy objective) and the right timing with Brexit, a new US President and the world about to do a post-pandemic reset. But I am worried it is too cautious on China and still believe cutting our aid budget is a big mistake. Here is my question ([link removed]) to the Prime Minister in which I also ask about Nazanin.

WHITE PAPER The Health and Social Care Committee questioned the Health Secretary on the government’s new plans to reform the NHS this week in a sometimes bad tempered session. I asked Matt Hancock how much the new NHS reforms will cost ([link removed]) and who will pick up the tab. I also inquired why the NHS COVID-19 budget is yet to be agreed, even though we are days from the start of the new financial year – you can watch the video here ([link removed]) . Other topics included some controversial new powers for the Secretary of State and lack of substance on workforce and social care. Not sure I understood Matt’s point about false objectivity here ([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

SURREY STREETLIGHTS are only switched off between 1am and 5am, Matt Furniss, the Cabinet Member for Highways at Surrey County Council has confirmed following some recent inquires. There is obviously a balance between the overall priority to reduce energy consumption and female safety following the Sarah Everard murder. Matt Furniss added: ‘[streetlights] in town centres remain on all night. Additionally, lights on pedestrian routes around train stations remain on for an hour after the last train which may be later than 1am.’ Sounds sensible.

THE GODALMING FOODBANK at St Mark’s Church and Community Centre is open and accepting food, toiletries, and cleaning equipment. If you would like to donate and support the food bank, more information can be found here ([link removed]) . I know that all donations are much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

DAVID ASTLEY HAS BEEN REAPPOINTED for a second three-year term as Chairman of the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. This is brilliant news for those who have worked with him and I wish him continued success in the role at this difficult time for the NHS. David was previously awarded an OBE back in 2006 for services to the NHS.

See my list of local groups working to support vulnerable residents here ([link removed]) .

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

US ECONOMY WILL GROW QUICKER THAN EXPECTED, according to the Federal Reserve forecast. New Fed predictions show an ‘average growth of 6.5% this year ([link removed]) - up from 4.2% it projected in December’. Nevertheless, despite the encouraging news, the central bank left interest rates unchanged and close to zero.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

1 IN 5 PEOPLE in the UK are scared of needles and over 6m have avoided a medical procedure ([link removed]) as a result. The good news is that apparently the fear does decrease as you get older. The point is, you needle the vaccine…

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