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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my regular South West Surrey update No. 127. As of today, we had a total of 4,395,703 positive cases of COVID-19 with 127,327 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 5,802 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 246 confirmed deaths, with just 17 active cases estimated in Waverley. All data is accurate as of 11am this morning.

COVID STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT In Monday’s COVID update in the House of Commons I welcomed the addition of India to the travel red list and asked the Health Secretary about we make sure we are training enough doctors and nurses going forward if we are going to deal with the backlog. I established 5 new medical schools but have always thought the way we decide how many people to train is too haphazard and would like an independent body to do objective workforce projections. Matt Hancock's reply rather sat on the fence ([link removed]) so I will keep plugging away.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH We had a fascinating and at times disturbing Select Committee session on Tuesday on the provision of mental health for young people. The highlight was two very brave young people called Lucas and Hope who gave evidence about their own problems ([link removed]) and the often inadequate NHS response. Later in the session we took evidence from Professor Peter Fonagy who helped me write the 2017 Green Paper which seeks to address the issue by putting mental health support teams in every school. There are 180 such teams active now and by April 2023 there will be 400 covering 3m pupils and 35% of schools ([link removed]) . I have to say I came away reassured me that momentum in this area has continued since I left.

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

CLIMATE CHANGE Yesterday, the government announced it would enshrine into law ([link removed]) the world’s most ambitious climate change target, which will accelerate our efforts to meet our commitment of Net Zero by 2050. We will now commitment to a staging post of a 78% reduction by 2035 and include shipping and aviation in the targets. We have already reduced emissions by 45% (from 1990 levels which has always been the benchmark) and done better than any other developed economy in terms of reduction per unit of GDP. But with less 2% of global emissions our influence is really based around the example we set which is why this is so encouraging. As Foreign Secretary I secured the big climate summit known as COP26 for the UK which will
happen later this year in Glasgow - and this announcement combined with President Biden's virtual climate summit today will help make it the success it needs to be.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

SECOND VACCINATIONS A few constituents have written to me in recent days concerned that that have not heard about their second vaccination. Haslemere’s Dr Phil Ridsdill-Smith, who is running the programme on the Godalming/Haslemere side of SW Surrey, updated me a couple of days ago to say that they can only invite people in when they actually have the supplies - but things are in a much better place this week. He believes there are around 100 outstanding people needing 2nd vaccines which they are chasing up. If you had your first vaccination at either G-Live or Haslemere, in the unlikely event that your second vaccination becomes overdue, you can call ProCare (the organisation responsible for running the local vaccination service) on 01483 362 522. The service is really busy so please don’t call unless your appointment is overdue (i.e. has reached at least 11 weeks); please only call if you are due to have your vaccination at G-Live or Haslemere. (If you have had your vaccination at
another site, or through the National Booking System please contact them directly).

FARNHAM ROOSTING With all the mental health issues created by the pandemic alongside many struggling businesses, the new manager of Roost cafe in Farnham is trying to make a difference. Chris Lewis has set up support groups on social media offering both peer support and links to professional help. He is also putting on events to raise money for charities and support local businesses and from June on they plan to have either nutritionists, mental health professionals or general health professionals who you can speak to every Monday. Great initiative – details on [link removed]

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

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS

TIME TO BOUNCE BACK Despite the Chancellor’s generosity, many businesses have been dealt a body blow by the events of the last year. In my regular column in The Herald(s) ([link removed]) , I talk about the results from my South West Surrey Bounceback campaign survey. The campaign to support local businesses was launched last autumn but had to be suspended when we had the third lockdown - but we are now back! A massive 84% of you said you would buy more locally sourced produce when you shop and 68% said your main consideration when shopping was to support local businesses. These are really encouraging figures and business owners and managers can really take heart how much we, the local community, are behind them.

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING REFUGE Many shoppers will have noticed the removal of the refuge island at the bottom of Castle Street in the Farnham. The island was intended to direct traffic rather than shelter pedestrians - but kept on getting run over by HGVs. There are some orcas to make things safer for pedestrians but I am assured Surrey county council is 'monitoring things closely.' In fairness they have been making great progress in measures to remove HGVs from the town centre - so when that finally happens maybe we can have our refuge back?

TRAIN TRIPS My English teacher at Charterhouse was an avid trainspotter. Sadly he is no longer with us but in Philip Balkwill's honour here is a map of the longest train journeys in the world ([link removed]) . The lengthiest route with no stopovers is from Moscow to Vladivostok – it takes over six days. I hope they have Tsarbucks coffee…

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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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